Can the relationship between Ottawa and Alberta really be as positive and collaborative as Minister Seamus O'Regan portrayed it to be on Friday's show? We ask longtime pollster and political commentator David Herle, former top advisor to Prime Minister Paul Martin, to chime in. The host of The Herle Burly podcast tells us why he thinks CPC leader Erin O'Toole has problems brewing within his party, and if he believes the Liberals will call an election this spring. The Alberta budget released last week isn't bad news for everybody, but it's a tough one for post-secondary institutions. Hardest hit is the University of Alberta. Dr. Laurie Adkin and Ricardo Acuna tell us why they believe the cuts are "vindictive," and explore different options for the university moving forward. Closing in on the one year mark with this pandemic, more and more people are acknowledging its effects on their mental health and wellbeing. Riaz Meghji, a former colleague of Ryan's at the Breakfast Television, takes us into his new book about the five habits for meaningful human connection, Every Conversation Counts. Plus, it's Monday, so prepare to be inspired by another edition of Positive Reflections, presented by Kuby Energy!

9:02 - David Herle

Ryan rolls out the best rants of the week, as submitted to [email protected]. Buckle up for another edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste.

The Hon. Seamus O'Regan oversees one of the federal government's busiest portfolios. Canada's Minister of Natural Resources chimes in on what Ottawa's doing or has done on Keystone XL, Enbridge Line Five, abandoned and orphaned wells, wind and solar, and more (including questions submitted by Alberta Mayors Alanna Hnatiw and Barry Morishita on hydrogen and a national energy corridor). On the heels of the UCP's budget, released Thursday afternoon, we dig into the details with political scientist Dr. Chaldeans Mensah, conservative strategist Melissa Caouette, podcaster Kathleen Smith, and millwright-turned-teacher Stephen Anderson. Plus, it's Friday, so buckle up for another rowdy edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste!

8:15 - Hon. Seamus O’Regan

Albertans are bracing for a tough budget today. Official Opposition finance critic Shannon Phillips lays out what she's expecting to see from the UCP, and what the NDP would do differently. Tens of thousands of seniors (and their families) were unable to successfully schedule vaccinations online yesterday, as Alberta Health Services' website couldn't keep up to demand. Enter the brilliant Dr. Kory Mathewson. The DeepMind research scientist took it upon himself to fix the problem ("in six minutes"), and share his solution with the world via Twitter. He explains how and why he did it, and responds to an outpouring of gratitude from complete strangers. We've been talking about sustainable farming and ranching in past weeks, as well as food waste. What about when those world collide? Ranchers Ryan Kasko and Jill Burkhardt tell us how their beef operations benefit from thinking "outside the farm". Speaking of cows, what's up with butter lately? Why is the entire world talking about it, including Jimmy Fallon, the BBC, and the New York Times? Julie Van Rosendaal, the food columnist driving this international story, joins to tell us how it all came about (and sort out what it means for consumers).

12:13 - MLA Shannon Phillips

If you had a hard time finding Real Talk on your favourite podcast platform yesterday, you weren't alone. Podboard100 managing director Stephen Brogarth explains why some of the most prominent platforms have recently come under "DDoS" attack. Calgary Police Constable Tad Milmine's personal survival story is both troubling and remarkable. On Pink Shirt Day, he explains how he overcame child abuse and struggles around his sexuality to establish the international charity Bullying Ends Here. Blake Shaffer (University of Calgary) and Joshua Rhodes (University of Texas at Austin) have worked collaboratively to determine what we can learn from the Lone Star State's recent energy woes. The dynamic duo joins Ryan to talk wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas, coal, and other forms of power - and to respond to Monday's conversation about Alberta's energy future with former talk show host Danielle Smith. Journalist Elise Stolte is spearheading a new approach to "engagement journalism" with the Edmonton Journal's Groundwork initiative. She brings us up to speed on why it's such an effective method of storytelling, and provides the latest details impacting seniors around COVID-19. Conor Ruzycki has spent the past decade studying pharmaceutical aerosols. The PhD candidate in mechanical engineering explains what we've learned about how this virus spreads, and simple steps each of us can take to flatten the curve.

8:15 - Stephen Brogarth

There's no question racist language, signage, and symbolism was on full display at an "anti-lockdown" rally in Edmonton over the weekend. Senator Paula Simons and former federal cabinet minister Amarjeet Sohi clearly agree it needs to be addressed, but have different thoughts on how. They join Ryan for a great back-and-forth out of the gates. Alberta's upcoming provincial budget promises to be a tough one. What goes into the difficult decisions government faces? Dr. Trevor Tombe and Ted Kouri roll out a new project at TheNext30.ca, aimed at educating the public on the budget process. (How would you save $10B?) She's a Real Talker - and an ultramarathoner. What's motivating Laura Sherrer-Townsend to complete 50 ultramarathons before her 50th birthday? We find out. Plus, after his high-profile interview with former talk radio host Danielle Smith, Ryan reads your emails, sent to [email protected].

With their pastor still sitting in jail for defying public health orders, congregants at GraceLife Church west of Edmonton packed the house to capacity yet again Sunday morning. Ryan reviews some of the messaging from the pulpit, and reads emails describing how Real Talkers would respond to the situation. Now-former talk show host Danielle Smith walked away from a prominent radio gig on Friday, and joins Ryan for an exclusive one-on-one. She explains why she resigned, shares her assessment of public discourse these days, discusses some of her more controversial moments on the radio, and divulges whether or not she's considering a return to politics. A few days after NASA's Perseverance rover landed successfully on Mars, planetary biologist Emily Lakdawalla explains what we've learned out of the gates, and what she's most looking forward to seeing in the months and years to come. Plus, it's Monday, so we get our week started on the right foot with another inspiring edition of Positive Reflections, presented by Kuby Energy!

37:50 - Danielle Smith

Ryan rolls out the best rants of the week, as submitted to [email protected]. Buckle up for another edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste.

The world watched as NASA's Perseverance rover touched down on Mars. World-renowned theoretical astrophysicist Dr. Katie Mack, author of The End of Everything, joins us for a wonderfully-captivating conversation about this huge accomplishment. We observe and discuss Black History Month with conservative strategist Semhar Tekeste, photographer Eric Domond, and educator Andrew Parker. You won't want to miss their unique perspectives on looking back and looking forward. Following our look at the Fred Meyer dumpster story out of Portland, we talk about mitigating food waste with Leftover Foundation's Garnet Borch. And, of course, it's Friday, so buckle up for another lively edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste!

6:04 - Dr. Katie Mack

As Portland police officers guarded dumpsters full of food outside the Fred Meyer grocery store, Dr. Juniper Simonis was there documenting it. They join us out of the gates to talk about policing, community activism, social supports, and food waste. Real Talk viewer Darren, a grain farmer, took issue with viewer Jared's Trash Talk email on Friday (which essentially called "sustainable beef" an oxymoron). Darren suggested we reach out to UC Davis researcher Dr. Frank Mitloehner, so we did. One of the world's foremost experts on animal science and GHG emissions joins for a great conversation on sustainable agriculture. It's no secret Calgary faces huge challenges. Global oil prices are in the tank, downtown office vacancy is right around 30%, and there are very fair questions about the city's future. A new PAC - Look Forward Calgary - launched this week, and offered to make Real Talk their first media stop. Board members Darby Lee Young, Shelley Kuipers, and Irfhan Rawji explain the point of the exercise, and what their version of a reinvented Calgary looks like.

13:55 - Dr. Juniper Simonis