Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
Episodes
Are You "Middle Class"? Here's How You Can Tell...
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More than 70% of Canadians believe they're "middle class". Are you one of them? New polling shows most of us feel "less wealthy" than our fellow Canad...
Charles Adler Changes His Tune on the Humboldt Driver
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything," wrote George Bernard Shaw. This is one of the most honest episodes of Real Talk to date,...
Man Duped into Signing Poilievre Petition: Fires Up Flamethrower!
25 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rob's choked about being duped into signing a petition, Stephen and Robyn have spicy takes on fighting in hockey, and Deaner wants you to GET OUT OF T...
Founders Round Table: "What's the Best Advice You've Ever Received?"
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's one thing to have a million (or billion) dollar idea. It's another thing to turn that idea into a legitimate business. So, what's the secret to a...
Majority of Canadians Want Fighting Banned from Hockey
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Full disclosure: Ryan feels strongly that fighting is an important part of hockey. But, there are several compelling arguments to ban fighting from th...
Alberta's Disappearing Advantage
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is the "Alberta Advantage" disappearing? For decades, the province has boasted higher wages, lower unemployment, and a lower cost of living than the r...
Should Speaker Greg Fergus Resign?
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is this strike three for House Speaker Greg Fergus? The Opposition Conservatives are crying foul after yet another partisan display from the Liberal M...
"Jespo and His Slimy Old Tricks!"
18 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
KP says police were right to break up campus demonstrations, Jeff says Charles Adler's out to lunch on Jerry Seinfeld, Dave calls out Jespo for "slimy...
The Truth About Edmonton
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Griffiths visit the Real Talk studio for a candid conversation about the present and fut...
"Drug War" Brewing Between Ontario PCs & City of Toronto
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Premier Doug Ford's government is prepared to wage war on the City of Toronto if it proceeds with plans to decriminalize minor possession of hard drug...
Placemaking: Cities of the Future
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Star actor Nathan Fillion shone a spotlight on his hometown of Edmonton the other day, posting a video of the brand new Nathan Fillion Civilian Pavili...
Has the Alberta NDP Lost Its Way?
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have the federal Liberals taken over the Alberta NDP? Could a Naheed Nenshi leadership win spell the end of the so-called "worker's party"? Hours afte...
Tough Look: Cops Clear Pro-Palestine Protest at U of A
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you seen the video of baton-wielding police officers clearing a pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Alberta? Current and former student...
"Caving to the Delusional Demands of the Far Right Fringe!"
11 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gerald things Jerry Seinfeld needs to "grow a pair," Alison says we need to get serious about rail options for rural Albertans, and Peter says the gov...
Planet Protectors: It's Not Too Late!
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do not despair! Human life on Earth may not be doomed, after all. We connect with five Planet Protectors in this edition of The Best of Real Talk. We ...
HOT SEAT: Must-See Political Moments on Real Talk
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We get it: not everybody has time to catch every single episode of Real Talk. That's why we've put together The Best of Real Talk: Politics Edition. T...
B.C. Walks Back Illicit Drug Pilot. Who Wins?
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ottawa has approved the B.C. government's request to recriminalize the use of illicit drugs in public spaces. This, about a year and a half after the ...
What Are Danielle Smith & Pierre Poilievre Up To?
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is about the WHY. Why is it newsworthy (or not) that senior officials were pressured to support Alberta's wind and solar moratorium? Why ...
Did the Extreme Left Kill Comedy?
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Political correctness is killing comedy. So says one of the all-time greats, Jerry Seinfeld, in an interview with The New Yorker. Is he right? We ask ...
"This Conflict of Interest: It Makes Me Sick!"
04 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Colin's wondering where all the money's going, LD's fed up with UCP suck-ups, Gabriel just can't take a certain Real Talk panel seriously, and James s...
The Art of Storytelling: A Filmmakers Round Table
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When's the last time a film really moved you? Documentaries in particular have a way of connecting with us and inspiring us to action. In this special...
War of Words: Poilievre and Trudeau Ramp It Up
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did Pierre Poilievre deserve to get kicked out of the House of Commons for calling Justin Trudeau a "wacko PM"? Should Greg Fergus resign as Speaker o...
Kristi Noem Shoots Her Dog; Danielle Smith Kills Low-Income Transit Program
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does shooting a puppy and writing about it in a book automatically kill South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's shot at the Vice Presidency? Does defundin...
Who's Behind Alberta's First Municipal Political Party?
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time in Alberta's history, political parties will be players in the October 2025 municipal elections. TAPYEG is the first party to intro...
"The female version of Putin"?!?
27 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gabriel sounds off on 15 Minute Cities, James is nervous about the feds selling TMX, and Angela has a message for Alberta's duly-elected mayors and co...
The Pros & Cons of UCP Bills 18 & 20
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Another wild week in Alberta politics, as Premier Danielle Smith's government introduces sweeping changes to how city and town councils are elected, o...
Danielle Smith's Plan to Control Alberta's Cities
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you better off with partisan politics at the local level? Will Alberta benefit from its provincial government inserting itself into funding agreem...
Don't Look Away from Gaza
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Porter Robbins is just back from Jerusalem, where she's been covering the Israel-Hamas war for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Globe &...
Replacing the RCMP
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
All eyes are on Grande Prairie as the northern Alberta city bids adieu to the RCMP and welcomes its own municipal police service. "GP" becomes the fir...
Can We Reverse the Damage We’ve Done to Planet Earth?
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of the state of Planet Earth, do you feel optimism or dread? We couldn't blame you for having a bit of a pit in your stomach, consideri...
"F*cking Woke Babies!"
20 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dwayne says Danielle Smith is a threat to medical research in Alberta, KP and Rene say Premier Smith's bang on with Bill 18, and Gabe has a bone to pi...
Kathleen Ganley to Jespo: Quit Counting Me Out!
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kathleen Ganley's team is fed up with Jespo talking like their campaign's cooked. They say while the former Justice Minister might not be the favourit...
Is the Carbon Tax ACTUALLY Effective in Reducing Emissions?
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Millions of Canadians are feeling the effects of a serious housing crunch. And every single one of us is feeling the effects of climate change. The fe...
Winners and Losers: We Dig Into Federal Budget 2024
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's a lot to understand in Budget 2024, delivered April 16 by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Are you a renter hoping to buy your first home? ...
Bill 18: A Direct Attack on Academic Freedom?
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've seen the headlines: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says all federal funding to universities, school boards, health and housing authorities, and...
Danielle Smith Tells Trudeau: "Get Out Of My Backyard!"
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says federal funding for things like housing, harm reduction, and research needs to flow through the province. Her gove...
"I Don't Need Govt Protecting Me from Vodka Jugs!"
13 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike has a message for the "F Trudeau" crowd, Michael and Bob the Builder think Danielle Smith's out of line with the Provincial Priorities Act, dog l...
Does Canada Need A "Centrist" Political Party?
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a conservative turned off by the current tone of the Conservative Party of Canada? Are you a liberal who just can't support the Justin Trudeau...
The Future of Politics in Canada
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How bad is foreign election interference in Canada? What are we learning from the inquiry underway in Ottawa? Do polls even matter 18 months out from ...
Death Threats Force BC Mayors To Push Back
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"I'll literally find that grease ball and hook a chain around his ankle and drag him behind my pickup truck," reads a post from Liam Brennan on an Oso...
The REAL Problem with the Carbon Tax
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Justin Trudeau's said it a million times: eight out of ten Canadians receive more from the Canada Carbon Rebate than what they pay in carbon taxes. If...
Should Dog Owners Be Charged in Fatal Attacks?
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
An 11-year-old boy is dead after two Cane Corsos owned by his dad's roommate attacked him during a Spring Break visit. The dogs, subjects of two other...
"You Have the Liberals to Thank for That!"
06 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Real Talker Clyde is ALL fired up about the carbon tax increase, and has a message for his customers and fellow Canadians. It's The Flamethrower prese...
100% Hydrogen-Fuelled Community the First in Canada
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Within the next couple of years, people will be moving into new homes in the 100% Hydrogen-fuelled community of Bremner, just east of Edmonton. It'll ...
$60M ArriveCAN App Debacle: Hon. Anita Anand
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do the Feds plan to invest their way out of a housing crisis? What proof do we have the $10/day childcare program is paying off? What does the fut...
MLA David Shepherd Endorses Nenshi // Alberta is Burning
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Experts are predicting one of the worst wildfire seasons in Canadian history in 2024. We find out why (and what we can do about it) in this episode. B...
All Fired Up: Calgary Mayor Booed at Flames Game
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A rough reception for Mayor Jyoti Gondek, booed during an appearance at centre ice during the Calgary Flames South Asian Celebration game. It's the la...
"Two Men Blowing Smoke Up the Ass of a Billionaire!"
30 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's taking his "Axe the Tax" rallies across the country ahead of another carbon tax increase on April 1. Meantime, ...
Fact Checking Pierre Poilievre's "Axe the Tax" Plan
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's taking his "Axe the Tax" rallies across the country ahead of another carbon tax increase on April 1. Meantime, ...
Why Did Rakhi Pancholi Leave the Alberta NDP Leadership Race?
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Were you shocked to see Rakhi Pancholi pull out of the Alberta NDP leadership race with three months to go? (We were!) Many people saw the popular Edm...
Gil McGowan's In; Rakhi Pancholi's Out
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gil's in, and Rakhi's out. On an eventful day in the Alberta NDP leadership race, we find out why the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour fi...
Mayor Gondek Meets with Recall Organizer: What's Next?
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Landon Johnston thinks Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek's doing such a lousy job, he organizes a petition to recall her from office. Instead of ignoring the...
"Jespo, I hate you...but I respect you!"
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This edition of The Flamethrower is a healthy mix of love letters and hate mail based on our recent Justin Trudeau and Danielle Smith interviews. Enjo...
Fight For Your Right (Not) To Party!
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you been paying attention to what's going on in Alberta? Premier Danielle Smith's government is kinda sorta rolling out a provincial police force...
WATER WARS: The Fight for Our Most Valuable Natural Resource
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is there anything more important to human survival than water? Water is everything - without it, ecosystems, industry, and individuals would die. So, ...
Backroom Political Conspiracy Exposed!
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leaked documents show a direct link between Take Back Alberta, the Recall Gondek campaign, and the push for municipal political parties in Alberta. Wh...
Should Canada Clamp Down on the Sex Trade?
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Should prostitution be outlawed in Canada? Canadians are split on the issue: some believe sex work should be legalized, regulated, and taxed, while ot...
Pierre Poilievre: Poverty Fighter or Phony Bologna?
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pierre Poilievre wants BC Premier David Eby to join his fight against the carbon tax. Eby declines, citing Poilievre's "bologna politics". Poilievre f...
This Francophone's All Fired Up!
16 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by Edify's annual Best Restaurants issue, we talk about the business of food in this episode of Real Talk. What's the secret to creating an i...
The Secrets Behind the Most Successful Restaurants
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by Edify's annual Best Restaurants issue, we talk about the business of food in this episode of Real Talk. What's the secret to creating an i...
EXCLUSIVE: Premier Danielle Smith
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith joins us in the Real Talk studio just hours after meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 1:37 | What did the PM ...
Alberta Speaks: Your Questions for Premier Danielle Smith
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're not exaggerating when we claim the most engaged talk show audience in the country. Every day, hundreds if not thousands of you comment on our Yo...
Nenshi Launches Alberta NDP Leadership Bid with a BANG!
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Incompetent, immoral, and dangerous." There's no room for misinterpreting how Naheed Nenshi feels about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her UCP go...
FORCED Into Involuntary Drug Treatment?!
09 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gerald's arguing for safe supply, police officer Anton sees a role for "involuntary" drug treatment, Ben says Big Oil's not pulling its weight, and Ka...
International Women's Day: Calls To Action
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ACTION! Our International Women's Day Real Talk Round Table looks at the past, present, and future of women in the workforce and society at large. Whe...
How "Woke" is the Average Canadian?
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you "woke"? Do you describe people who think differently than you as "woke"? Would you characterize Canadian politics and society as "woke"? In th...
Does Alberta Need a National Pharmacare Plan?
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nobody will be surprised to learn Alberta and Ottawa are at odds again. This time, it's over the funding and management of Pharmacare. Alberta was the...
Investigating Alberta's Approach to the Opioid Crisis
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What's wrong with rehab? After all, isn't getting people "clean" an obvious solution to Canada's opioid crisis? As the Alberta government heavily inve...
Is Charles Adler the next CEO of the CBC?
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you seen the job posting on LinkedIn for president and CEO of the CBC? We can't help but wonder if it might be a perfect fit for our pal Charles ...
WTF? "Ryan's Blind Support for Pierre Poilievre"?!?
02 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Real Talkers are fired up about the Alberta budget, our Trudeau interview, our Black History Month Round Table, skilled labour shortages, and Ryan's "...
What Does the Alberta Budget Mean For You?
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everybody's got their own interpretation of a provincial budget. There's a long list of communities, projects, and organizations deserving of big inve...
The Truth About Ukraine
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Lawrynuik's coverage of Russia's war in Ukraine is personal. Her family's from there. She's been there multiple times over the past two years, c...
Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse: The Rookie MLA That Wants To Lead Her Party
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse isn't your average politician. She says what she really thinks, she's not afraid to rattle a few cages, and her energy is off ...
"Insulting" - Alberta Oil Exec Claps Back at Justin Trudeau
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Not everybody agrees with what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had to say about Canada's oil and gas sector during his February 21 interview on Real Tal...
Adler: Mean Tweets, Even Meaner Tweets, and Westlock's Pride Flag Vote
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you see David Parker's Twitter attack targeting Pierre Poilievre, his wife Anaida, and his advisor Jenni Byrne? The Take Back Alberta founder got ...
THE FLAMETHROWER: Justin Trudeau Edition!
24 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On the heels of our exclusive interview with the Prime Minister, it's an all-Justin Trudeau edition of The Flamethrower presented by the Dairy Queens ...
National Disaster: The Secret to Solving Homelessness
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More than 300,000 Canadians will experience homelessness this year. More than 300 people will die on the street this year in Edmonton alone. Why haven...
"Beta Cuck!" The Very Best Feedback from our Trudeau Interview
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Beta Cuck, Libtard, Groomer, and Enemy of the State are just a handful of the wonderful comments we've received after our exclusive interview with Pri...
EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits the Real Talk studio for an exclusive half-hour interview. 1:50 | Trudeau gets real about his record low polling ...
Charles Adler: Putin Critic Dead; Alberta NDP Filing for Divorce?
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
World leaders are denouncing the suspicious passing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, one of Vladimir Putin's loudest critics, dead at 47 w...
"Be Careful Playing the Racism Card!"
17 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Garth's got a warning about "racism" accusations, Joe's sounding the drought alarm, Shannon's pissed at Air Canada, and Melanie has a message for Albe...
Being Black in Canada
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This isn't your average Black History Month conversation! Drs. Chika C. Daniels and Veronica Fynn Bruey accepted our invitation to share their persona...
Sarah Hoffman: "I'm Fat, Sassy, and Bad at Pretending!"
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've never seen a campaign video quite like Sarah Hoffman's. The former Deputy Premier, now Alberta NDP Leadership hopeful, introduces herself as "fa...
Masculinity and the Next Generation of Men
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Michael Kehler doesn't like the phrase "toxic masculinity". But he does think we need to have a national conversation about how boys and men act a...
Exclusive: Mayor Jyoti Gondek Responds to Recall Petition
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is Jyoti Gondek getting any sleep these days? The Mayor of Calgary is the target of a recall petition, for which organizers have fewer than 60 days to...
Charles Adler: Super Bowl, Bell Layoffs, and Biden's Mental Fitness
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We tackle the top stories in this entertaining episode of Real Talk, including: was Usher lip syncing at the Super Bowl (and does anybody care)? What ...
"Immature Crybabies" and Single-Use Plastics Bans
10 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leckie's fed up with the "immature crybabies" fighting single-use plastics bans, Kyle claps back at David after being called out in last week's Flamet...
Survivors: Spencer Beach and Kelly Falardeau's Remarkable Lives
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly Falardeau sustained life-altering injuries at just two years old when her dress caught on fire at a family gathering. Spencer Beach's life was d...
CARBON TAX: "Albertans have never been on board"
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Talk about making a splash! Real Talk's got the exclusive as Rakhi Pancholi officially launches her campaign for the Alberta NDP leadership, and annou...
NDP Leadership Race: Kathleen Ganley's Vision for Alberta
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The race is on to replace Rachel Notley. Kathleen Ganley - MLA for Calgary-Mountain View and former Minister of Justice - is the first to toss her hat...
The Real Life Impacts of Alberta's Trans Policies
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Seek to understand." It's one of Stephen Covey's Seven Steps of Highly Effective People. It's also a solid life principle for anybody looking to make...
Is Naheed Nenshi the Alberta NDP's Next Leader?
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi appeared at a rally over the weekend, calling out Premier Danielle Smith for her recently-announced policies on pro...
Alberta's Trans Policies: "F*ck Your Feelings!"
03 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Real Talkers are allllllll fired up about Alberta's new policies on pronouns and parental rights, Sex Ed, and trans women's participation in sport. No...
Fact Check: The Truth About Alberta's Trans Policies
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are children really undergoing gender reassignment surgeries? Are kindergarten students really being taught "queer ideology"? Are teachers instructed ...
RESTRICTED: Alberta's New Policies on Surgery, Sex Ed, & Sport
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alberta will prohibit hormonal treatment, puberty blockers, and gender affirming surgery for children under 16 as part of a series of policies announc...
What's With Alberta's "Rolling Childcare Closures"?
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of parents are being inconvenienced with finding alternative childcare arrangements, as daycares across Alberta invoke "rolling closures". T...
The Fight for Children's Rights
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do parents deserve to know if their child changes their pronouns at school? Should politicians be involved in trans people's personal healthcare decis...
Parental Rights: What Do You Deserve To Know About Your Kids?
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Supporters of Alberta's new parental rights policy will say the UCP is protecting parents' right to know what's happening at school, and in their chil...
The Flamethrower: All-Tucker Carlson Edition!
27 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On the heels of Ryan's recap of the Tucker Carlson Live show, Real Talkers sound off on the former FOX News star's visit to Alberta. FIRE UP YOUR FLA...
Tips and Tricks to Spend Less on Energy!
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Spending more to power and heat your home than ever before? Crossing your fingers that old furnace holds up for a few more months, as cold air continu...