More than 60,000 Palestinians are dead. Hundreds and hundreds of Israeli families are grieving the loss and abduction of their loved ones from Hamas' horrific October 7 attack. Civilians on both sides are paying the highest price. But this war is not new. It's another chapter in a generational tragedy. How do we even begin to talk about it? 

2:30 | In our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West, Dr. Jeffrey Wilkinson and Raja Khouri take us into their book The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don't Want to Know About Each Other. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

48:00 | Ryan shares an exciting update about the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship, and introduces us to one of Real Talk's youngest audience members Rhett.

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Roy Allan Sobotiak spent 35 years in prison for a murder he's always insisted he did not commit. It's the longest sentence served by a victim of wrongful conviction in Canadian history. How many other innocent people are currently behind bars? Has the judicial system evolved to prevent these types of situations? Is Susan Kaminsky's killer still at large? 

1:30 | Innocence Canada's Stéphanie Nowak and Pamela Zbarsky take us into Mr. Sobotiak's case, and explain how their advocacy led to his release in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

INNOCENCE CANADA: https://www.innocencecanada.com/

CHECK OUT MERCEDES-BENZ EDMONTON WEST: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/

36:40 | Beneath Donald Trump's bluster, the United States is losing the trade war. Political economist Dr. John Rapley makes the argument, and gives an informed take on the evolution of global commerce.

READ RAPLEY'S PIECE in THE GLOBE & MAIL: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-beneath-the-bluster-the-us-is-losing-the-trade-war/

59:00 | This year's wildflowers in Jasper aren't just beautiful...they're symbolic. We celebrate nature's healing power in this edition of MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.

FIND WILDFLOWERS in JASPER NATIONAL PARK: https://www.jasper.travel/blog/where-to-find-wildflowers-jasper-national-park/

Grab a coffee at Otto's Cache before you head out: https://www.jasper.travel/dining/ottos-cache/

1:04:00 | Jespo and Johnny join forces with the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power to discuss President Trump's plan for a $200M ballroom, shingles and gout (!), and Mr. Big sting operations. 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

For the first time, just hours before this episode, Canadian Armed Forces made a humanitarian airdrop over Gaza using a CC-130J Hercules aircraft that departed from a Jordanian airbase, delivering 9,800 kilograms of aid to Palestinians. This, as P.M. Mark Carney announces Canada will recognize Palestine as a state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. 

2:45 | Sharan Kaur explains why both "Canadian" developments are significant, as Israeli P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu eyes full occupation of Gaza. We find out why Quebec's controversial Bill 21 has flared up again in the news (18:00). Sharan shares her thoughts on fallout from the Hockey Canada verdict (29:45), Trump cranking up tariffs on Canadian exports yet again (40:00), and Elections Canada decision to move to a write-in ballot for the August 18 by-election in Battle River--Crowfoot (44:00). 

50:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after August Long Weekend, and read powerful responses from Real Talkers Mel and Marc following our July 31 episode on the Hockey Canada trial. 

WATCH THAT EPISODE: https://rtrj.info/073125HockeyCanada

1:42:45 | Real Talker Jenny C. caught our July 30 episode with historian Craig Baird about The Epic Story of the Trans-Canada Highway WHILE she was travelling that exact route, and shares a Positive Reflection from the road. Positive Reflections is presented weekly on Real Talk by Solar by Kuby.

WATCH THAT EPISODE: https://rtrj.info/073025Hwy1

SHARE YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] 

GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors

The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Real Talkers Rebecca and Brandon have hot takes on Alberta banning graphic books in school libraries, BDP and Alberta Gengar respond to our coverage of the Hockey Canada verdict, Jasper Rob's begging forgiveness from Premier Danielle Smith, and RA says a Trump-supporting Christian musician should be banned from performing in Alberta's public spaces. 

It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected]

The next time 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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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

This one's for all you August Long Weekend road trippers, along with everybody who's been too busy through the summer to catch every single episode of Real Talk. Jespo and Johnny recap some of our biggest recent moments on the show, and we wrap with another fiery edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected]

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors

The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Not guilty doesn't mean innocent. In one of our most important episodes to date, we take on the Hockey Canada verdict with Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) CEO Mary Jane James and sexual violence survivor/advocate Kristin Raworth.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: [email protected] 

SACE: https://www.sace.ca/

SAiF SOCIETY: https://www.saifsociety.ca/

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/

HAVE YOUR SAY: [email protected] 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

You've no doubt driven it, perhaps for an hour, perhaps for more than a week straight. But how much do you know about the history of the Trans-Canada Highway? Historian, podcaster, and author Craig Baird (3:30) takes us back to the days of gravel roads and ferry travel as we explore his new book Canada's Main Street: Epic Stories of the Trans-Canada Highway.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK: https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/product/canadas-main-street/

CANADIAN HISTORY EHX: https://canadaehx.com/

33:00 | August Long Weekend is the perfect time to visit Jasper National Park! We've got details (and a construction update) in this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. 

CHECK OUT YOUR OPTIONS: https://www.jasper.travel/

39:15 | Hours after moderating the Camrose Candidates Forum (featuring Pierre Poilievre and nine other candidates), Shauna Feth checks in with her Eye on Alberta Business. Bringing business insights from the recent Pacific NW Economic Region (PNWER) summit and the ACC's Provincial Priorities survey, we cover the Bank of Canada's interest rate announcement, oil and gas developments, and the future of hydrogen on the prairies. 

CONNECT with the ALBERTA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE: https://www.abchamber.ca/

55:00 | What's the best "World's Biggest" attraction on Highway 1? Who's today's Marilyn Monroe? What's the most iconic Canadian TV show of all time? Jespo and Johnny get into the most pressing questions of the day, fuelled by the Real Talk Live Chat (powered by Park Power). 

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/

HAVE YOUR SAY: [email protected] 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Nothing but hot button issues in this episode, as we check in with Freedom Convoy lawyer Eva Chipiuk (4:00) after she was "debanked" by RBC, and get into the nitty gritty of Alberta's controversial new school library book policy. 

35:30 | Provincial Education Minister Dimitrios Nicolaides and Library Association of Alberta past president Laura Winton debate Alberta's so-called "book ban." 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

1:09:40 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on the library book story and highlight comments in the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

This episode's all about building. Jasper's rebuild. Canada's housing crunch. The truth about immigration. Oh, and Jespo's Happy Gilmore 2 review. As always, we want to know what you think...

EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 

3:30 | Some of the most important stories relating to Jasper's rebuild are being buried. Or, at least, they were until Lisa MacGregor released "Crown Jewel in Ashes: Jasper One Year After the Fire". The veteran journalist paints a shocking picture of the hoops and hurdles displaced residents continue to encounter as they attempt to rebuild their lives. Real Talk feature interviews are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

WATCH CROWN JEWEL IN ASHES: https://youtu.be/FRAV8s1XswA?si=FbK7YVxsSLqzEIaY

MERCEDES-BENZ EDMONTON WEST: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/

50:00 | Are immigrants to blame for Canada's housing crunch? Sabine Benoit, advisor to two federal immigration ministers, says there's way more to the story. 

1:29:00 | Jespo and Johnny catch up, including comments from the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/

1:42:00 | Have you seen Happy Gilmore 2 yet? Jespo offers his review (without spoilers), and we debate the best sequels of all time. 

HAVE YOUR SAY: [email protected] 

1:55:30 | Real Talker Lenore shares a perfect Positive Reflection following her weekend visit to Jasper. Positive Reflections is presented weekly on Real Talk by our amazing friends at Solar by Kuby. 

GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE: https://kuby.ca/

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Karen and Les have strong words for Danielle Smith, while Anne and Clinton see the Hockey Canada verdict differently. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected]

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