Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

"The Liberal tent is so big you can drive a truck convoy right through it." MP Marilyn Gladu's floor crossing from the Conservatives to the Liberals is raising more than a few eyebrows. Does her past support for conversion therapy, the Freedom Convoy, and alternative COVID therapies inherently conflict with Liberal culture? Is PM Carney going too far in his quest for a majority government? Poll analyst Philippe Fournier joins (5:40...

Is it possible...or smart...to try to remove ideology from schools? What does it even mean? Whose responsibility is it to decide how and what students learn? We ask Alberta's Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides about the UCP's controversial Bill 25 in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

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You ever notice how “going back to the Moon” somehow sounds kind of...small? Like, we already did it half a century ago. In the era of black-and-white TV, slide rules, and less computing power than your smartwatch. Apollo 8 sent humans around the Moon in 1968. So, what’s the big deal now?

Except, this is a big deal.

Because this isn’t nostalgia. It’s not a victory lap. Artemis II is the first time in more than 50 years that humans ...

Yes, it’s real. President Donald Trump is out with a profanity-laced threat toward Iran, setting a firm deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and warning of devastating strikes on key infrastructure if that doesn’t happen. We’re talking about a rapidly intensifying conflict that’s already shaken global markets, disrupted supply chains, and driven up fuel prices — in just over five weeks. So where is this headed? Is this high-stak...

Real solutions for Alberta workers from the Alberta Federation of Labour. Episode 3 of the Worker Agenda looks at WAGES.

Omar Mouallem leads a compelling conversation with hosts Gil McGowan and Cori Longo, joined by special guest Linda Marinai, Northern Director of UFCW Local 401. Together, they dive into the state of wages in Alberta—exploring the growing wage gap, the impact of inflation on working people, and the real challenges...

Nicolaides and Smith in front of a school or something like that...or you could go with a big ghostbusters thing over a Pride flag or something like that.... FLAMETHROWER TITLE: "Alberta's Ban on Ideology in Schools is Laughable!" FLAMETHROWER DESCRIPT: Anne says the UCP's take on classroom ideology is "laughable and ridiculous," Tim claims Mark Carney's forcing him to leave Canada, Bruce has a theory on the Golden Cat controve...

The Alberta NDP needs to change its name...right? Party leader Naheed Nenshi isn't so sure (3:30), and he explains why in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. Nenshi leads off with his Opposition to Danielle Smith's trip to Saudi Arabia, and Alberta banning "politics and ideology" from classrooms. Do you agree or disagree with Nenshi on the name change? Leave a comment below! 

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Danielle Smith's government is introducing sweeping new legislation “removing politics and ideology” from Alberta schools. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the goal is simple: classrooms should teach kids how to think, not what to think. It's the latest chapter in continued tensions between the UCP and teachers, and it's where we lead off with strategist Sharan Kaur (4:00) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-...

April 1 is shaping up to be a consequential day for Canada’s energy and economic landscape. Carbon pricing is set to rise for large industrial emitters in several provinces, raising big questions about competitiveness, investment, and emissions targets. At the same time, a key deadline hits for major resource and infrastructure projects (including those tied to Alberta-Ottawa agreements) putting the spotlight on regulatory timeline...

Avi Lewis will lead Canada's NDP from here. On the heels of the filmmaker's big leadership win, we talk to Supriya Dwivedi (4:15) about immediate pushback from Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi and Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck, Manitoba premier Wab Kinew's glowing endorsement, and political implications across the country. Feature interviews on Real Talk are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

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KP gives PM Mark Carney a failing grade through year one; Meredith, BabyMac, Johanne, and Trucker Mike sound off on MAiD changes in Alberta, Ophelia calls out Jespo's comments on zoos, and Lauren says Don Cherry deserves the Hockey Hall of Fame...but not the Order of Canada. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

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No recurring guest gets Real Talkers more fired up than Stephen Carter. The veteran political strategist sinks his teeth into Pierre Poilievre on Joe Rogan's podast, rumours of a snap election in Manitoba, Premier Danielle Smith's "golden cat" controversy, Alberta separatists efforts, PM Mark Carney's year one report card, and RCMP raiding former Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek's home in our feature interview (5:00) presented by Mercede...

PM Mark Carney's Liberals are enjoying a healthy lead in the polls. Can Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives close the 14-point gap? And what about the NDP, who will elect a new leader over the next few days? Pollster David Valentin digs into the numbers - and brings valuable insights - in our feature interview (4:20) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

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Heather Gilchrist spent $60k of her own money moving to Canada and getting certified to work. The 58-year-old came to British Columbia, recently widowed, looking to continue her career as an experienced midwife. But a glitch in her paperwork is triggering deportation on the grounds the British citizen can't speak English. We dig into the debacle with National Post correspondent Tristin Hopper (6:30) in our feature interview present...

The Edmonton Oilers are the third most profitable sports franchise on the planet. Team owner Daryl Katz is now worth an estimated $7.4 billion. And, as Connor McDavid and his teammates prepare for playoffs, season tickets holders have been hit with a 15-20% price increase on renewals. We get into it with legendary broadcaster Lynda Steele (6:00) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

We get into gas pri...

Two pilots are dead after an Air Canada jet collides with a fire truck on a runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Pundits continue to chime in on Pierre Poilievre's interview with podcaster Joe Rogan. Alberta premier Danielle Smith wants security clearance to be privy to foreign interference briefings in Alberta. We get into it all with Supriya Dwivedi (4:00) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

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Laura, Lisa, KimB, and Jake clap back at W. Brett Wilson. Brian says Take Back Alberta is pulling the strings on MAiD. And Brent has fond memories of Don Cherry, but he's not so sure about awarding him with the Order of Canada. It's The Flamethrower presented by our friends at the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com

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Pierre Poilievre appears on Joe Rogan (5:25). Albertans with disabilities demand dignity (16:10). Women continue to be underrepresented in health research and services (44:20). We get into it all, including back-to-back feature interviews presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

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Alberta’s changing the rules around Medical Assistance in Dying, and it’s sparking a fierce, complex debate. The UCP’s legislation is being supported by some disability advocacy groups who say it strengthens safeguards and protects vulnerable people, while critics warn it could undermine personal autonomy, limit access, and set a troubling precedent in healthcare decision-making. Where’s the balance between protection and freedom? ...