Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Real Talk about news, politics, and pop culture. Hosted by Ryan Jespersen from Edmonton, Alberta. Live weekday mornings at 8:30am MT. #RealTalkRJ
Real Talk about news, politics, and pop culture. Hosted by Ryan Jespersen from Edmonton, Alberta. Live weekday mornings at 8:30am MT. #RealTalkRJ
Episodes

Mar 4, 2023
TOXIC TAILINGS POND
Mar 4, 2023
Mar 4, 2023
4 min
Wade says Ryan needs to "grow a pair," and Rod's sick of seeing "bullshit corporate delay tactics" with toxic tailings ponds near Ft. McMurray. Both take centre stage in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Mar 3, 2023
SMITH vs. NOTLEY
Mar 3, 2023
Mar 3, 2023
1hr 39 min
It was a big week in Alberta politics. A big-spending budget from Premier Danielle Smith's UCP says a lot about how the governing party intends to win the May election. So does the response from Rachel Notley's NDP. Pundits say it's too close to call right now. So, what'll it take for either party to win? Our Real Talk Round Table digs in. But first...
2:45 | Sarah Lawrynuik's been doing remarkable reporting from the front lines in Ukraine. She joins Ryan to reflect on the people she's met, the stories she's heard, and what she's learned about the true impact of this war on millions of Ukrainians.
CHECK OUT SARAH'S WORK: https://www.sarahlawrynuik.com/HERE'S HER CAJ-NOMINATED CLIMATE FEATURE: https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/776-prairie-poop-bots-floods-and-water-shortages/
36:00 | To form government, Rachel Notley needs to flip about 20 ridings from UCP to NDP. Conversely, Danielle Smith could lose 18 seats and still win. How's it all going to play out? Our Real Talk Round Table presented by Urban Timber features Daveberta's Dave Cournoyer, Alberta Advantage podcaster Roberta Lexier, and CBC political columnist Jason Markusoff.
CHECK OUT DAVEBERTA: https://daveberta.ca/CHECK OUT ALBERTA ADVANTAGE: https://albertaadvantagepod.com/READ JASON'S WORK: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/author/jason-markusoff-1.6448323
BROWSE URBAN TIMBER'S STUNNING TABLES: https://www.urbantimber.ca/
1:33:40 | Wade says Ryan needs to "grow a pair," and Rod's sick of seeing "bullshit corporate delay tactics" with toxic tailings ponds near Ft. McMurray. Both take centre stage in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Mar 2, 2023
Are You Addicted To Your Phone?
Mar 2, 2023
Mar 2, 2023
1hr 33 min
Society's on a road to ruin. We're slaves to our devices. Teenagers can only focus on one task for an average 65 seconds at a time. We're losing our ability to pay attention, let alone think deeply. Best-selling author Johann Hari joins us to talk about his new book "Stolen Focus". But first...
1:45 | A majority of Canadians believe China is interfering in our democracy, and Ottawa needs to do something about it. But what does that look like? How deeply seeded is Chinese influence in Canada? Former diplomat and federal cabinet minister Chris Alexander says it's up to the Prime Minister to take a stand.
36:07 | Supriya Dwivedi's shocking interaction with a thoracic surgeon involved in her husband's cancer treatment prompted Real Talker "Martin" to reach out. He's also a thoracic surgeon. You'll want to catch his response to what he heard from Supriya on Friday's show.
EMAIL US: talk@ryanjespersen.com
42:15 | Are you addicted to your phone? Have you lost your ability to pay attention? Author Johann Hari takes us into his new book "Stolen Focus" to help us understand how troubling our tech dependency really is. Don't miss his take on the root cause of the opioid crisis, and the future of the four day work week.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO SEE JOHANN IN EDMONTON: https://www.mentalhealthfoundation.ca/annual-fundraising-breakfast/CHECK OUT JOHANN'S WORK: https://johannhari.com/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Mar 1, 2023
Alberta’s Best Budget Breakdown
Mar 1, 2023
Mar 1, 2023
1hr 21 min
2:20 | The doctor is in the house! Does physician Shazma Mithani think the UCP's $68B budget has what it takes to heal healthcare? The ER doc and social media educator diagnoses what's leading to unprecedented burnout among health professionals, and explains why she's adamantly against private or "third way" options to ease surgical wait times.
FOLLOW DR. MITHANI ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/shazmamithaniFOLLOW DR. MITHANI ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/drshazmamithani/CHECK OUT HER COLUMN IN THE STAR: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2023/01/27/doctors-face-significant-rates-of-burnout-if-our-system-is-not-fixed-soon.html
28:40 | We get it: numbers can be boring. Not everybody gets excited about Budget Day. We promised you Alberta's Best Budget Breakdown, and our panel delivers! Rick Bell, Kristin Raworth, and Michael Solberg bring "real life" perspectives to Alberta's $68B budget, and set the stage for the upcoming provincial election.
1:11:40 | Ladies: the annual PJ Party is coming back to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and you and your girls are invited! March also brings the return of Devour! The Canadian Rockies Food Film Festival. We highlight both of these must-attend events in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.
BOOK YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/events/
1:14:00 | Congratulations Jamie, winner of our Real Talk Email of the Month! Jamie's note "To Drink or Not To Drink..." prompted several on-air discussions, an interview with "Down and Back" author Justin Bourne, and a TON of emails and tweets from Real Talkers. Jamie wins an official Real Talk studio mug for getting us all thinking!
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Feb 26, 2023
FAR RIGHT F**KS
Feb 26, 2023
Feb 26, 2023
6 min
This might be our best Trash Talk to date. Tania's got a pointed message for Vladimir Putin, Dani the Disgruntled Oilfield Wife is sick of her political choices, and Michael uses his blowtorch to send a clear message to Ryan and other media personalities talking about the far right fringe.
TRASH TALK IS PRESENTED BY LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: https://localenvironmental.ca/
Feb 24, 2023
Is Canada Broken?
Feb 24, 2023
Feb 24, 2023
1hr 16 min
2:47 | It's been a few weeks since Supriya Dwivedi's joined us on the show. She returns with a gut punch of an update on what her family's dealing with, and what she's learning firsthand about health care in Canada.
28:35 | Our interview with Justin Bourne prompted so many of you to reach out to the show, telling us about you or your loved ones' battles with addiction. Ryan reads personal stories submitted by Real Talkers Paul and Anna.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com
35:10 | Are the politicians right? Is Canada really "broken"? Our Real Talk Round Table welcomes professors Nomi Claire Lazar, Vanessa MacDonell, and Michael Kempa, who dig into the recently-released Rouleau Report. What does the average Canadian need to focus on? What's partisan noise, and what represents a true threat to the rule of law in Canada? Our expert guests do a great job of focusing on what matters most. Don't miss this one!
READ THE REPORT: https://publicorderemergencycommission.ca/READ NOMI'S PIECE ON THE RULE OF LAW: https://theconversation.com/emergencies-act-inquiry-final-report-is-a-reminder-that-we-all-have-a-role-in-upholding-the-rule-of-law-200230HERE'S NOMI'S PIECE ON THE RULE OF LAW AT RISK: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2023/02/22/rule-of-law-at-risk-under-current-emergency-legislation.htmlCHECK OUT MICHAEL'S OP/ED ON CANADA'S "BARELY FUNCTIONING" FEDERALISM: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/freedom-convoy-exposed-canadas-barely-functioning-federalism
REAL TALK ROUND TABLES ARE PRESENTED BY URBAN TIMBER: https://www.urbantimber.ca/
1:09:02 | This might be our best Trash Talk to date. Tania's got a pointed message for Vladimir Putin, Dani the Disgruntled Oilfield Wife is sick of her political choices, and Michael uses his blowtorch to send a clear message to Ryan and other media personalities talking about the far right fringe.
TRASH TALK IS PRESENTED BY LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: https://localenvironmental.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Feb 23, 2023
The Truth About 15 Minute Cities
Feb 23, 2023
Feb 23, 2023
1hr 15 min
3:16 | Nobody's putting up electric fences to keep you in your "district". Nobody's going to take away your car, cut off your bank account, or arrest you for visiting friends across town. Despite what conspiracy theorists and fear mongers are saying, the urban design concept of "15 Minute Cities" makes perfect sense. But that doesn't necessarily mean people's concerns should be laughed off. Edmonton councillor Andrew Knack and communications strategist Justin Archer get into it.
READ JUSTIN'S OP/ED IN THE JOURNAL: https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-what-protesters-get-wrong-about-edmontons-15-minute-districtsHERE'S THE JEN GERSON PIECE RYAN MENTIONS: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-15-minute-city-controversy-is-based-on-bunk-the-fear-behind-it-is/
43:50 | Video of a heated parking lot confrontation in Edmonton has gone viral. What can we take from it? Ryan and Johnny discuss.
50:36 | It's tragedy heaped on tragedy in Florida, where a journalist and nine year old child were shot at a crime scene under investigation. Ryan reflects on the sad state of affairs.
59:36 | Real Talker Kathy's had enough of the "Defund the police" movement. She lays it all out, getting personal with the story of her beloved son Jamie, in a remarkable email to the show.
SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS: talk@ryanjespersen.com
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Feb 22, 2023
Wheelie Peeps!
Feb 22, 2023
Feb 22, 2023
1hr 5 min
What would you do if you were suddenly paralyzed? How would you adjust to life on wheels? PUSH is a new CBC series starring Edmonton's "Wheelie Peeps". Two stars of the show - Bean Gill and "former bad boy" Brian McPherson - join Ryan in studio for a hilarious and enlightening interview. But first...
1:42 | Could Athabasca U help solve Canada's healthcare crisis? Newly-minted president Dr. Alex Clark identifies some of the main issues that need to be fixed, and explains how AU grads can make it happen.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY: https://www.athabascau.ca/
19:50 | Bean Gill and Brian McPherson aren't your average humans. It's impossible to hear them speak without being inspired. The dynamic duo tell us how they got involved in the new show PUSH, and what they hope Canadians learn about life with a disability.
CHECK OUT PUSH: https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/program/push
57:00 | It's DUMPING snow at Marmot Basin! We feature our favourite ski resort in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.
PLAN YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Feb 21, 2023
Do You Drink Too Much?
Feb 21, 2023
Feb 21, 2023
1hr 5 min
How's your relationship with alcohol? Are you a social or a solo drinker? Is there a difference between a "heavy drinker" and an alcoholic? Are you willing to talk about it? We grapple with sensitive subject matter on this episode of Real Talk. But first...
1:33 | How do you feel about Jully Black's rendition of O Canada at the NBA All-Star Game? Replacing "home and native land" with "home on native land," the celebrated R&B singer prompted a nation-wide conversation about our national anthem. How do her custom lyrics compare to what the Canadian Tenors performed at the MLB All-Star Game in 2016? Ryan and Johnny discuss.
HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR UNSCIENTIFIC, UNOFFICIAL TWITTER POLL: https://twitter.com/ryanjespersen/status/1628055789037588482
9:05 | Like many people, Justin Bourne spent years wondering if he was an alcoholic. Four years ago, he downed his last drink. The former pro hockey player and current Sportsnet analyst tells us what led to that point, and why he decided to tell all in his new book, "Down and Back". Don't miss his insight into feeding the wolf...it's bound to make you think!
40:30 | Our feature interview on alcoholism started with an email from Real Talker Jamie. Ryan reads her message before he and Johnny share a few thoughts of their own.
FEEL LIKE SHARING? talk@ryanjespersen.com
49:45 | Talk about a fall from grace. Former Olympic hero Jamie Sale called for the "public execution" of several public figures including PM Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden over the weekend. How is the average Canadian supposed to wrap their mind around her downward spiral?
59:00 | It's not all bad news out there! This week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy celebrates three amazing stories from the animal world. Good things are happening all around us...we need only pay attention!
GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kubyenergy.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Feb 18, 2023
Trash Talk - 15 Minute City Conspiracy!
Feb 18, 2023
Feb 18, 2023
4 min
Nellie the teacher is navigating a "massive political shit storm," and Marty's had enough of the paranoia around "15 minute cities". Their rants are front and centre in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/









