Shows / Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
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
Episodes
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Politics Round Table // Disability Pride Month
We tackle the Hockey Canada verdict, shenanigans in the Battle River--Crowfoot by-election, Edmonton's "low key, low energy" mayoral race, and rumours around…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Jasper: One Year After the Fire
It's been a year since wildfire tore through Jasper, one of Canada's crown jewels. In this special episode, we connect with Mayor Richard Ireland (3:00)…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Extremists in the Canadian Forces
Is Canada's military compromised? As four men (including two active members) face terrorism charges in Quebec, we talk to an expert on extremism and white…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Walters Enters Mayoral Race
1,000 episodes! THANK YOU, Real Talkers. In another Alberta politics exclusive, former Edmonton councillor Michael Walters announces his campaign for mayor…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"Stampede Ain't Just Cowboy Cosplay!"
Colleen in Calgary has fightin' words for critics of the Calgary Stampede. Garth calls Jespo to the carpet for "running interference for the Liberals". Barbara…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Real Talk Rumour Mill™
There's about to be a serious new entry into Edmonton's mayoral race (4:30). Is Danielle Smith's top advisor really returning to an MLA role (7:30)? Are…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Stampede Politics and a “National Betrayal”
The Calgary Stampede has long been a must-attend event for industry and political movers and shakers, but the vibe's been different this year...in a good way…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
She’s Gunning for Pierre Poilievre…
Who the heck is Bonnie Critchley? In this episode, you'll meet the military trailblazer (2:00) who's aiming to take down Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
FUTURE WATCH: America Party, Poilievre, Pipelines, and EVs
Will Elon Musk actually move the US away from a two-party system with his America Party (26:30)? Is the Electric Vehicle market losing momentum (32:30)? Is…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"Canada Must Cut Deeper, Tax Harder, Borrow More."
Canada's committed to increasing its military investment to 5% of GDP. That won't come without some tough decisions (that will undoubtedly affect everyday…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"Happy Fourth of July to our Loud, Lovable, Slightly Unstable Neighbours!"
Chantal's pissed off about Airdrie's Canada Day parade, Wes has NO time for a Progressive Conservative revival (or EVs), Blahsheep's keen on Danielle Smith's…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Fourth of July Special: Repairing the Canada/U.S. Relationship
This Fourth of July feels different, doesn't it? As President Donald Trump reignites his trade war with Canada, we check in with a special guest south of the…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Alberta’s Conservative Showdown
Can the rising-from-the-ashes Progressive Conservatives interrupt Danielle Smith's tenure as Alberta's premier (11:00)? Will a new provincial police service…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
EXCLUSIVE: Alberta's Progressive Conservatives Are Back
Ousted (former) UCP MLAs Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair are reviving the PC Party of Alberta, saying they'll restore "balance and normalcy" to politics in…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"You've Become the SNOWFLAKES You Warned Us About!"
Real Talkers Rosie and Cactus Sheriff are fired up over the UCP's library book distraction, while Jennifer and AJ trade barbs after our Don Iveson interview…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Indigenous History // Real Talkers Split on Infill
Elected Ontario school board councillor Catherine Kronas has been suspended for speaking out against land acknowledgements. She's mounting a legal challenge -…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Supriya Dwivedi: Mark Carney’s “Rookie Mistake”
Supriya Dwivedi says PM Mark Carney made a "rookie mistake" on India, and lays out her argument (36:00) along with her thoughts on Carney's "nation-building"…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Mayoral Candidate Wants Moratorium on Infill Development
Tim Cartmell wants to press pause infill development. The Edmonton mayor candidate says council has lost the public's trust, and it's time to re-evaluate how…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Trump Irate at Iran & Israel // AB By-elections
Iran and Israel "don't know what the f*ck they're doing," says (an agitated) U.S. President Donald Trump, after the two nations violated what POTUS clearly…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Oilers Crushed // G7 // Iran & Israel
UGGGGGHHHHHHH. If you're looking to commiserate with fellow Oilers fans, Jespo and Johnny have you covered (2:22) after a devastating loss in Game Six of the…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Teachers Set to Strike // Trump Leaves G7 Early
95% of Alberta teachers have voted to strike - but will they? If so, could it happen before the end of this school year? In this episode, we ask Alberta…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Corb Lund & Alberta’s Coal Controversy
After Alberta Premier Danielle Smith runs into rowdy opposition at a recent town hall in southern Alberta, we invite experts Dr. Bill Dohanue and Cornelis…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"Workplaces Get the Unions They Deserve!"
"Interested Meow" has a beef with school librarians, Lynne says you don't have to have kids to have an opinion, Karen's calling out Alberta's Education…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Pride in Business: 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurs
Nearly 35% of 2SLGBTQI+ business owners report hiding their identity due to fear of discrimination. 25% say they’ve lost contracts because of who they are. As…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Have We Milked Supply Management for Too Long?
Canada's close to legally locking in supply management rules on egg, dairy, and chicken imports...but is it the right move? We've fiercely protected those…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Mayor Jyoti Gondek: G7, the UCP, and Re-Election
Alberta welcomes the most powerful leaders on planet earth as the G7 summit touches down in Kananaskis Country. We talk to Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek (3:00)…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Donald Trump vs. California (and Democracy)
It's a dare/double-dare showdown, as California Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump clash over a National Guard crackdown on immigration protests…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"Enough of this MAGA Stupidity!"
Rob's had enough of "MAGA stupidity," Dave and Ted have hot takes on the Alberta library book controversy, Nesen says it's time to rethink Canada's export…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Edmonton: The Next Dubai? (Hear Us Out.)
Alberta's capital city has the potential to boom just like Dubai. So says Dr. Murtaza Haider, the newly-installed Radhe Krishna Gupta Executive Chair in the…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Alberta Ed Minister on Library Controversy & Looming Strike
Critics say the Alberta government is being heavy handed in flagging controversial books found in school libraries. They say teachers and librarians, not…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Carney’s Promise, Pierre’s Empty Mug, and Canada Post
How is Alberta's demand for a better deal landing across the country? Why is Pierre Poilievre pretending to drink from an empty coffee mug? Will this Canada…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Intellectual Freedom Under Attack in Alberta
Parents' rights groups are pressuring the Alberta government to pull what they deem to be "pornographic" books from school libraries. The government's putting…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Charles Adler: Mark Carney Meets with the Premiers
What's at stake as Mark Carney meets in person with Canada's premiers for the first time since becoming Prime Minister? What happens if the first ministers'…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
All Aboard the FREEDOM TRAIN
Alllllll aboard! 7th Pilot dares Jespo to board the Freedom Train, Alex is pissed at the province for pulling library books, Gerald has a message for…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Oilers Advance // Mind-Blowing Innovations
For the second year in a row, the Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Florida Panthers for the Stanley Cup. Jespo and Johnny, who first worked together…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
The Case for Canada Post
55,000 Canada Post employees are set to strike as labour negotiations continue to stall out. A looming second strike in less than a year has millions of…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Throne Speech Takeaways
"The True North is indeed strong and free." Delivering his first Throne Speech in Canada, King Charles reiterates Canada's sovereignty in a dramatically…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Alberta Government Targets “Explicit” Library Books
Danielle Smith's UCP is targeting school library books it deems "graphic and age-inappropriate". The government is surveying the public before rolling out new…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"What Would A Mass Exodus Do To Alberta's Economy?"
David's demanding an election NOW, Don's "outraged" at Real Talk guest Sharan Kaur, and Michael's dropping bombs on one of Jespo's loudest critics. It's The…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Can "Nice Guy" Andrew Knack Finish First?
Andrew Knack wants to be Edmonton's next mayor. The longtime city councillor tells us (2:10) why he entered the race after initially announcing he wouldn't…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
The Fight to Keep Alberta in Canada
A longtime Conservative cabinet minister is stepping back into the spotlight to save Alberta's place in Canada. Thomas Lukaszuk tells us why he's spearheading…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Sean Speer on Mark Carney's Missed Opportunity
Canada's ramping up pressure on Israel alongside France and the UK. Mark Carney's new cabinet is sworn in, and the PM's got less than six weeks to fulfill his…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"The UCP is DICKING AROUND with our Traffic Laws!"
Les is choked at a Carney cabinet exclusion, Taylor wants an election NOW, Michael's losing it over the politics behind his traffic ticket, and Sunil's taking…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Doc Talk: Measles Outbreak, Menopause & Mental Health
Canada declared measles completely eliminated thirty years ago. Not anymore. Public health experts say the disease could become endemic once again, with…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Canada’s New Foreign Policy
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet is making waves—not just at home, but around the world. From military spending signals to the careful choreography…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
The Menopause Mission
This special episode peels back the curtain on a chapter of life that impacts every woman but still too often gets ignored or misunderstood. Menopause advocate…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
How Alberta and Ottawa Can Be BFFs
For decades, the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa has been...adversarial. Can't we all just get along? Could both levels of government cooperate, with…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"Call An Election, Danielle!"
HOT TAKE ALERT. Patty's got a years-old axe to grind with Jespo. Real Talkers Blahsheep, Ontario James, Pedro, KP, Jake, Cactus Sheriff, and Darian sound off…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Prepare to Pay More for Car Insurance
Your car insurance is about to get a whole lot more expensive. With no mandate to do so, Alberta's government plans to transition to a no-fault auto insurance…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Exclusive: Premier Danielle Smith on Alberta Separation
2:00 | Is toying with separation talk the biggest political risk Danielle Smith's ever taken? We ask her in an exclusive interview in the Real Talk studio…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Carney Torpedoes Trump's 51st State Idea
Is everything going to be okay after all? Donald Trump and Mark Carney play nice in their first Oval Office meeting following the Liberals' election victory…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Danielle Smith's "Reckless Referendum" // Disability Round Table
Premier Danielle Smith says her Canada includes Alberta...but she'll trigger a referendum question on separation if enough Albertans petition her to do so…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Naheed Nenshi // Billy Morin // Rachel Notley
It's been ten years to the day since Rachel Notley's NDP ended a 40+ year Conservative dynasty at the Alberta Legislature. In this episode, the province's 17th…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"Here's to More Taxes, Light Sentences & Scandals!"
Kenny's not sold on Mark Carney, Other Ken feels differently, Darian's seeing doom and gloom on the horizon, David wants Danielle to call a by-election, Steve…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Does Canada Need the NDP? // Energy Round Table
All but burned to the ground on Election Night, the NDP faces an existential crisis. Is Canada a two-party system moving forward, or does our democracy need…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
What’s Danielle Smith Up To?
It sure looks like Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is trying to make life easier for Alberta separatists. Her UCP government's removing barriers to trigger a…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Campaign Autopsies with Stephen Carter
Stephen Carter doesn't do podcasts to make new friends. That's obvious early in his appearance here, which proves to be one of the most entertaining episodes…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Election 2025: What Just Happened?
How did Mark Carney erase a 20-point deficit in the polls and lead the Liberals to victory? Why did Pierre Poilievre's momentum hit a wall at the very worst…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Election Day in Canada
Freedom is a garden planted by sacrifice, watered with courage, and kept alive by participation. It's Election Day in Canada. 4:00 | What will a Conservative…
- Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
"He Flipped Off Dipshits Like A Good Canadian Should!"
The Brantford Boomer story's being overblown, says GK. Jagmeet Singh didn't exactly win over Ross and Darian with his Real Talk interview. Heather's wondering…