Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Time To Step Down? David Johnston Says No Way

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Johnston says he's staying on as Special Rapporteur despite a House of Commons motion calling for his resignation (and a public inquiry). The fo...

Populism: Is What’s Good For Politicians Good For You?

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Populist politicians like Danielle Smith, Doug Ford, and Ron DeSantis have won support by appealing to everyday people. But do average, ordinary folks...

GIV’ER! A Post-Election Edition of Trash Talk

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first edition of Trash Talk since the Alberta election, and Real Talkers have a lot to say! Ryan busts out the flame thrower and gets into th...

Alberta & Ottawa: Bad + Bitchy Takes on a Big Week

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What can we expect to see from Premier Danielle Smith, Rachel Notley (and the Alberta NDP), and Justin Trudeau vs. Pierre Poilievre? Find out from Bad...

Where Does Rachel Notley Go From Here?

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In politics, is it possible to win and lose at the same time? You might describe the Alberta NDP's 2023 campaign in such a way. Rachel Notley's party ...

Why She Won: The Secret To Danielle Smith’s Success

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The results are in: Danielle Smith and the UCP will form Alberta's next government. What can Albertans expect? What message does the election outcome ...

Election Day in AB: Which Ridings Will Determine the Outcome

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

By the time most of us fall asleep tonight, we'll know which party will form the next government in Alberta. Will it be Premier Danielle Smith or Prem...

We Deserve A Voice

27 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lauren says it's gotta be people ahead of profits, and Catalina didn't love the tone of one of our interviews this week. Both Real Talkers sound off i...

Inform Your Vote: UCP & NDP Plans for Alberta

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Alberta election is just days away. More than a half-million people have already voted in advance polls, suggesting this election could see record...

Why PC Minister Doug Griffiths Is Backing the NDP

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a helluva thing for a high-profile Progressive Conservative cabinet minister to go on the record endorsing the New Democrats. But that's exactly ...

Worst Fire Season Ever: Why 2023 Is So Bad

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alberta's making national news on two fronts this month. With more than a million hectares already burned before June (that's 2.5 million football fie...

Who’s Going To Win The Alberta Election?

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Even the most experienced pollsters and pundits are having a hard time calling this one. As advance polls open today, with less than a week 'til Elect...

Politics Ain’t Sports!

21 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tania's got a strong message - delivered out of love (!) - for our Thursday Round Table guests (and Ryan), and Ned's sick of politics as sport. Both s...

The Strategists: Alberta Election Debate Recap

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Both the UCP and NDP are claiming a win at the only televised debate of the 2023 Alberta Election. Who's right? How do you gauge success? Did either l...

Fight Night: The Battle for the Soundbite

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The only televised debate of the 2023 Alberta Election goes down tonight. What can we expect from Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley? Who has the upper ...

Unethical Oil: Alberta’s Secret Shame

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a total disaster. For decades, Alberta has allowed oil and gas companies to ignore their legal obligation to clean up old wells, tailings ponds, ...

”Lightning Rod” Journalist Rachel Gilmore

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nobody will blame you for being confused about voter intention across the province. Duelling polls from Abacus Data and Janet Brown have the UCP eithe...

Two Weeks To Go: NDP Leads, UCP Bleeds

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Could the UCP really be blowing a big lead in Calgary? Will the NDP be able to hold on and win the election on May 29? Do you even believe what the po...

UCP Leadership Losers ”Part of the Problem”

13 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff says people need to chill over the new Canadian passports, Laurie argues school buses are getting less safe in Alberta, and Monty's wondering wha...

Alberta Mayors Reveal Election Wish Lists

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do Alberta's towns and cities most need right now? A solution to violent crime? Better access to healthcare? $30 billion to save essential infras...

Will There Ever Be Peace in the Middle East?

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Violence is escalating again in the Gaza Strip, as Israel airstrikes target the militant Islamic Jihad group. UN Secretary-General António Guterres c...

Win or Lose, Is Danielle Smith Toast?

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sources inside the United Conservative Party say a faction's already organizing against Danielle Smith. Rumour has it if the UCP doesn't win big on Ma...

Is Danielle Smith Her Own Worst Enemy?

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another day, another apology from Danielle Smith. The UCP leader is facing fire for comments in November of 2021 comparing vaccinated people with foll...

Fighting Fires: Literal and Political

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alberta's on fire. More than 100 wildfires are burning, more than 30 of them out of control. We look at the front-line and long-term storylines, as we...

Tired of Politics!

06 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the UCP and NDP polling neck and neck, and the Alberta election less than four weeks away, it's no surprise this week's Trash Talk presented by L...

The Art of Innovation: AI, Accessibility & Law

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is our personal information at risk of being stolen? (Probably.) Do we truly understand the barriers people using wheelchairs encounter every day? (Pr...

How the Force Can Fix the World

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

May the 4th be with you! (Don't worry, even if you're not a Star Wars geek like Ryan, you'll still find plenty of value in this episode.) What can we ...

Hurtin’ Albertan: Corb vs. Coal

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

1:25 | He's had his life threatened, but Corb Lund ain't backing down. The award-winning singer-songwriter is on a mission to stop coal mining in the ...

Head to Head: NDP vs. UCP

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Senior campaign advisors Erika Barootes (UCP) and Cheryl Oates (NDP) aren't messing around on today's show. The senior campaign advisors come out punc...

It’s Go Time! Alberta Politics Super Episode

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Election season is officially underway in Alberta. Real Talk has you covered with comprehensive analysis of key storylines on Day One of the campaigns...

Stirrin’ It Up: Quick Dick McDick & Brett Kissel

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Quick Dick McDick and Brett Kissel are used to big reactions. Quick Dick's YouTube videos see six-figure views on a regular basis, and Kissel's Juno A...

TikTok Therapy, Before I Change My Mind

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ashley Wanamaker never thought millions of people would check out her TikTok videos about mental health. The self-described "accidental TikTok therapi...

Living Well: Schizophrenia, Alcoholism, and Healthy Families

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What's the secret to living well in the face of adversity? How can we manage mental illness, disease, and other factors standing in the way of healthy...

The Bold Ones

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We feature three forces of nature in this episode of The Best of Real Talk. It's impossible not to be inspired by Shawn Kanungo, Bean Gill, and Brian ...

Tech Addiction & ChatGPT

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tens of millions of people have watched Johann Hari’s TED Talks about our collective addiction to technology. The evidence is all around us. In this...

TRASH TALK: Greenwashing & White Woman Privilege

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's choked about our conversation this week about hydrogen, and Avery's antagonized by our 4/20 episode. Both Real Talkers sound off in a "clap ...

How To Save Planet Earth

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you overwhelmed by stories of the eventual demise of human life on Planet Earth? Could you use a little encouragement, or even evidence that our g...

4/20: Real Talk About Cannabis

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happy 4/20! Whether you celebrate the annual "Weed Day" or not, you're guaranteed to learn something in this special episode of Real Talk.  5:30 | Ch...

Political Enemies & Drinking Buddies

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it even possible to succeed in politics without being nasty? Thomas Lukaszuk and Brian Mason locked horns at the Alberta Legislature for years. In ...

The Future of Work

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

150,000 public servants say they'll strike if they don't have a deal with the feds by tonight. The negotiations are highlighting what employees in Can...

Defund the CBC?

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pierre Poilievre is promising to "defund the CBC" if his Conservative party forms government. The Opposition leader is emboldened after his campaign t...

A Trash Talk Trio

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A trio of banger emails this week as Marilyn wonders who's on the health care chopping block, Donna's choked at Danielle Smith, Thom's predicting a "p...

Is Alberta Oil Ethical?

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What does the future of Canada's energy industry look like? Max Fawcett tees up the good, bad, and ugly of Alberta oil and gas, then Dr. Heather Exner...

”The Finger”

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know an iconic image the second you see it. Captured by photographer Jason Franson, the shot of a healthcare worker appearing to extend her middle...

Another Bozo Eruption?

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

5:13 | "This might be political suicide," said UCP candidate Chelsae Petrovic before suggesting some heart attack victims should take more personal ac...

I Want To Die Please Fix Me

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're not talking about news, politics, or pop culture this episode. We're talking about suicide. Approximately twelve people die by suicide every day...

Nightmare on Sussex Drive

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dead rodents and asbestos in the walls, fires due to outdated electrical just waiting to happen...the Prime Minister's official residence at 24 Sussex...

Trump Arraignment Day

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the biggest news story in the world...or, at least it's being treated that way. Donald Trump, the first current or former president in American h...

The NHL’s Pride Problem

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the most "moving" Trash Talk to date...in the gnarliest way. You'll see what we mean, as Ryan reads turbocharged text on the federal budget, s...

Danielle Smith and the Wingnuts

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Danielle Smith's got a couple fires to put out. She started one of them herself, and a UCP candidate out of Lethbridge lit the match on the other. Cou...

Secrets to Success in a Tough Business

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let's face it: budget coverage is usually pretty boring. The average person doesn't spend much time digging into how governments plan on spending thei...

Donald Trump: Threat to Democracy

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Donald Trump is the biggest threat to democracy...and the greatest threat to the Canada/US relationship." That, from former US Ambassador to Canada B...

POTUS in Canada: The Key Moments

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

US President Joe Biden's 27-hour visit to Ottawa dominated the news cycle across the country: was that the whole point? Today's expert guests analyze ...

Starving Students

18 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jocelyne is sticking up for all the starving students in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!  KEEP IT LOCAL:...

Community in Mourning

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When a first responder is killed in the line of duty, their entire community feels the loss. This episode of Real Talk is dedicated to Edmonton Police...

Can You Trust Canadian Election Results?

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode, we cover the implications of China meddling in our democracy, and the future of electric vehicles in Canada. But we begin the show with ...

What Makes Us Actually Care About Something?

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do we do enough to hold corporations, organizations, and politicians accountable when they behave badly? From toxic leaks to greasy politics, today's ...

Private School Scandal

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caitlin Erickson's been threatened, followed, and had her house set on fire after speaking out against her former school, Saskatoon's Legacy Christian...

Online Bully Sentenced

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

2:00 | After seven years of brutal harassment, broadcaster Jody Vance finally got to face her bully in court. She spoke with us Friday just before the...

THERE’S NO ”FAR LEFT” IN CANADA!

12 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Adam's sick of hearing about "rage farming," and Gabe says there's no such thing as the "far left" in Canada. Both of them blow off a whole bunch of s...

The UCP Plan for Healthcare

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From an Edmonton MP's visit to Ukraine, to a broadcaster's battle against an online harasser, to the UCP's plan for healthcare, this is a Real Talk ep...

No More RCMP

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Alberta city of Grande Prairie (population 68,000) has $10M from the province to transition from the RCMP to a municipal police service. It's inte...

Life Savers & Game Changers

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On International Women's Day, we feature back-to-back Real Talk Round Tables presented by Urban Timber: the heavy lifting emergency shelters are doing...

Canadian in a Crisis Zone

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's hard to imagine the devastation caused by the Turkey-Syria earthquake on February 6: more than 50,000 people killed, hundreds of thousands displa...

Toxic Tailings Pond Coverup

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to understand why members of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation are "dismayed" to discover millions of litres of toxic oilsands tailings l...

TOXIC TAILINGS POND

04 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

SMITH vs. NOTLEY

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Are You Addicted To Your Phone?

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Alberta’s Best Budget Breakdown

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 soci...

FAR RIGHT F**KS

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 politic...

Is Canada Broken?

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 wit...

The Truth About 15 Minute Cities

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Wheelie Peeps!

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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"...

Do You Drink Too Much?

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 wi...

Trash Talk - 15 Minute City Conspiracy!

18 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

Battleground Calgary

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 2023 Alberta provincial election will be won (or lost) in Calgary. Jeremy Klaszus (0:55) has his finger on that city's pulse, as editor-in-chief o...

How To Win Alberta

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

7:44 | Alberta may still be a few months away from an election, but that doesn't mean politics aren't front of mind. Renowned strategist David Herle t...

Has Rachel Notley Already Lost the Election?

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Premier Smith hasn't even called the election yet...but at least a couple political commentators believe it may already be too late for Rachel Notley'...

Brett Kissel Responds to Backlash

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Country music artist Brett Kissel will release four albums this year, titled The Compass Project. One track in particular, "Line in the Sand," has pro...

How Ice Baths Saved Wes Bauman’s Life

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wes "Ice Weazel" Bauman set two World Records on the roof of an Edmonton fire hall last week: Most Cards Memorized While in an Ice Bath, and Most Rubi...

Trash Talk - Former Oil Patch Worker Tells All!

12 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Larry's sick of sex selling, Patty's got a new definition for MAID, Brad's got his blowtorch ready re: orphan wells, and Marshall's mortified about Th...

Black History Month: Storytellers

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Black creators have been underrepresented in the arts throughout history. Filmmaker Nauzanin Knight and author/actor Jesse Lipscombe tell us how they'...

Alberta’s Orphans & RStar

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alberta's got a big mess on its hands: a quarter-trillion dollars worth of "orphan" wells. Legal experts and energy economists are slamming a controve...

The NDP’s Plan to Win Alberta

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alberta's provincial election is less than four months away. The NDP will need to win in Calgary to form government. The UCP will need to win big outs...

Should Indigenous Education Be Mandatory For Lawyers?

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should lawyers be required to participate in Indigenous cultural training to avoid suspension? More than 850 lawyers said "no" in a vote conducted by ...

Living Well with Schizophrenia

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

1:50 | Like 1.5 million other Canadians, Lauren Kennedy West lives with Schizophrenia. What makes her especially unique is her YouTube channel, where ...

Cyclist to Cars: ”BACK OFF!”

04 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kris Cromwell is fed up with bike v. car confrontations. She becomes our first-ever first-person Trash Talker, presented by our friends at Local Envir...

Can You Be You in The Boardroom?

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A recent survey shows fewer than 5% of women feel comfortable expressing their ideas, perspectives, and opinions (IPOs), particularly in the workplace...

How To Get Crime Under Control

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Edmonton's downtown is in trouble. Crime is up, businesses are shutting down, and an expected influx of new residents just hasn't materialized. What's...

What’s Happening to Journalism in Canada?

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

0:31 | More layoffs, more closures, more cutbacks...what's happening to journalism in Canada? There's always going to be a need for consistent, credib...

What’s the Right Way to Remember?

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bobby Hull was one of the greatest goal scorers in hockey history. His off-ice legacy is much less spectacular. What's the right way to remember a per...

How Can You Help Ukraine?

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

0:40 | It's been nearly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths (including civilians) and Europe's largest refug...

Trash Talk - What’s With All The Swearing?

28 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Verna's ticked off at Ryan's cussin', Caouette's had enough of the Royals, and Karen's got words for Charles Adler. Buckle up for another edition of T...

Can Progressives Win in Alberta?

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

0:45 | It's almost election season in Alberta. Do you already know who you'll vote for? Is there one issue that matters most to you? We look at the "t...

Who’s Lying?

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

3:43 | Who's lying? Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the CBC's "defamatory" story about her or her staff contacting prosecutors about Coutts charge...

Are Safe Consumption Sites Worth the Money?

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You'd think everybody would support evidence-based harm reduction. But, that's simply not the case in Canada when it comes to the opioid crisis. We sp...

Jan. 24, 2023 - Prosecutors Find No Emails. Is an AB Pension Plan Worth It? Hidden Cams in Airbnbs?!

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

0:30 | Alberta Justice says there's no record of electronic communication between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office and prosecutors, in the cont...

Jan. 23, 2023 - Did Danielle Smith or Staffers Attempt to Influence Prosecutors re: Coutts Charges?

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's alleged Danielle Smith or members of her staff attempted to influence Crown prosecutors involved in cases stemming from the Coutts border blockad...

Trash Talk - January 20, 2023

21 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Slow drivers in the fast lane, Preston's Golden Gig, and Alberta's private surgery plan take centre stage in this week's edition of Trash Talk present...

Jan. 20, 2023 - NZ PM Ardern Resigns...But Why? Jagmeet Loses the Watch. Farming & Food Round Table

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

10:18 | New Zealand's Prime Minster is stepping down, in somewhat of a surprising move. Jacinda Ardern hasn't specifically said why she's leaving, but...