Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Premier Danielle Smith's UCP government presses pause on a Ministerial Order targeting school library books, as Edmonton Public Schools pull 200 titles from shelves, including works by Margaret Atwood, Maya Angelou, and Ayn Rand. Smith calls the move "vicious compliance," promising new, more specific rules to come. Is this anything but a losing battle for the UCP? 

7:30 | Political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt assesses the UCP's pivot...

We're thrilled to welcome Supriya Dwivedi back to our regular rotation, starting with this episode (2:30), where the former senior advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes on Alberta's school library book ban, PM Mark Carney's negotiations with President Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom's Trumpian social media strategy, and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's "Stand on Guard" proposal to address violent crime...

Trevour Bouds has words for Max Fawcett (and Mark Carney), Adam C. and Cole chime in on infill, Alberta Gengar's hardly a fan of Return To Work policies, Gillian's bracing for (looking forward to?) a teachers' strike, Lisa says no pay for work travel is nothing new, and Alex has a word of warning for vapers. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

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5:30 | Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi responds to criticism from business leaders during our August 27 episode, counters criticism around the $400M Fan Park deal with the province, and tells us why he despises the word "woke," in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

42:45 | Rahim Jaffer tells us what lured him back into politics after 17 years out of the spotlight, explains how his troubles with the law sh...

Calgary's ten years ahead of Edmonton when it comes to economic development. Can Alberta's capital city catch up? What happens if it doesn't? Ahead of municipal elections on October 20, we check in with the City of Calgary's Thom Mahler, Edmonton Downtown Business Association's Puneeta McBryan, and Heather Thomson from the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce (1:00). 

CHECK OUT THE EDMONTON CHAMBER'S MUNICIPAL ACTION PLAN: https://www.edmo...

Density and infill might be the most divisive issue in Canada's major urban centres right now...or at least it feels that way. After a heated exchange during our August 22 Group Chat Round Table, we check in with Athabasca University political scientist Dr. Alex Rivard, who lays out what national polling actually tells us about where Canadians stand on the issue (17:30). 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 

47:30 | As t...

Real Talkers Robert, Travis, James, Touring Zebra, Gerry, and Jan have a LOT to say about the Alberta separation movement and its spokesperson Jeff Rath. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

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When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!

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Jespo's real life political Group Chat returns to the Real Talk studio for an entertaining and enlightening look at the top headlines, including our August 20 interview with Alberta separatist Jeff Rath, a looming teachers' strike, council races across the province, Edmonton's infill debate (this one gets heated), and Pierre Poilievre's by-election win in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

7:00 | But f...

It's a tale of two cities in Alberta: Calgary spends a BILLION dollars more than Edmonton every year, while the capital city struggles with its bottom line. That translates into fewer services and higher property taxes. One Edmonton councillor says he's got the formula to fix the discrepancy. 

14:30 | Aaron Paquette lays out his plan to save Edmonton. 

CHECK OUT PAQUETTE'S VISION FOR AN ECONOMICALLY-STRONG EDMONTON: https://www.aar...

What would life in Alberta look like if the province made good on threats to leave Canada? What would Alberta separation mean for industry, trade, real estate, social programs, treaties with First Nations, and a million other things? 

6:00 | Jeff Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project lays out his group's vision for a sovereign Alberta. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 

1:15:20 | You've still got time to enjoy Jasper...

Pierre Poilievre is headed back to the House of Commons, having won the Battle River--Crowfoot by-election with 80% of the vote. But his future as Conservative leader is not guaranteed. We dig into the numbers - and the storylines - in this episode of Real Talk. 

3:00 | National post correspondent Rahim Mohamed argues Poilievre's by-election win quells Alberta separation sentiment and internal dissent within the Conservative Party.

Real Talkers Jake, Andrew, and Bruce have lots to say about Jespo's vaping interview with Dr. Mark Tyndall. Tarra's demanding fairness for folks with disabilities. Neil calls Jespo out (and he's absolutely correct), and Kinnerit writes in from Israel after our Gaza interview with Sharan Kaur. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com

When yo...

Mark Carney's taking punches from political opponents, who say the Prime Minister hasn't delivered on his promise to "deal with" Donald Trump. Max Fawcett, lead columnist at Canada's National Observer, says it's too early to say whether or not Carney's plan has failed. But first, as Trump and Vladimir Putin sit down in Alaska, we ask Max what's at stake for the world (including Canada). We get into Conservative leader Pierre Poilie...

Did you know some of the world's best gin and whisky is distilled just outside Edmonton? Did you know Alberta boasts some of the best wine selection on the planet? In this special episode of Real Talk, we connect with experts and entrepreneurs in wine, spirits, and "ready to drink" cocktails and mocktails to better understand what it takes to make it in the booze business. 

1:00 | Anohka Distillery's Gurpreet Ranu, Vino al Vino's J...

Two of the most powerful people on Planet Earth will meet one-on-one, as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin convene in Alaska. With so much at stake, including the future of Ukraine, can either President be trusted? We ask Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and Senator Charles Adler (11:30) where his head's at ahead of the summit in Anchorage. 

1:00 | But first...is Alberta headed for an early election? Jespo chimes in on a trending Alber...

You've probably seen those big, flavoured vape clouds rising from commuters at the bus stop and kids outside the mall. Cigarette smoking is down across the board, but more and more people are vaping. Critics say vapes are a gateway to addiction, while others point to their value as a smoking cessation tool. What does the evidence say? 

2:30 | Dr. Mark Tyndall, firner Director of the BC Centre for Disease Control and author of Vapin...

Alberta has more measles cases than the ENTIRE United States this summer. Seventy people are sick with E. coli after eating at a popular Calgary restaurant. Pistachios are being recalled due to salmonella concerns. Young people are drinking less...but vaping more. A surprising number of Canadians are dying from melanoma (skin cancer). And the Alberta government is continuing its fight against gender-affirming care for transgender y...

Kyle gets graphic (like, "slobbery, blow job, circle jerk" graphic) in his assessment of our Gaza coverage, Michael's sick of personal questions, Patrick stands up for Quebec, Coreen calls out Premier Danielle Smith's library book policy, and Bob says a new Jasper documentary is an "exploitative hack job". It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespers...

A team of Albertans is on a mission to collect 300,000 signatures and trigger a referendum supporting Alberta's future in Canada. We talk to former Premier Ed Stelmach (1:00) and Forever Canadian founder Thomas Lukaszuk about the driving forces behind the petition and the Alberta (and Canada) of the future in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com 

FOREVER CAN...