Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Pollsters are starting to talk about a Mark Carney majority government. What a twist from just a few months ago, when it appeared Pierre Poilievre would cake walk his way to the PMO. Should Conservatives be hitting the panic button, or is there enough time to turn this trend around? 

2:30 | Every Friday through the campaign, we're working with the policy firm Meredith, Boseenkool, and Phillips to present conversations across the political specetrum. This week, it's Rahim Mohamed and Shannon Phillips summing up Week One of the campaign, debating Danielle Smith's appearance with Ben Shapiro at a fundraiser in Florida, and allegations Mark Carney cheated on his PhD dissertation at Oxford. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: leave a comment below! 

1:01:30 | Should Pierre Poilievre grow a beard? We ask AI to cook up a couple photos for your review in this very serious and undeniably insightful segment. 

1:12:45 | We're thrilled to be working with Vicky Mochama on the new podcast Party All The Time. Episode One is out - subscribe, check it out, and let us know what you think! 

PARTY ALL THE TIME ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rtrj.info/PATTApplePodcasts

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1:19:45 | Jenny and Nathan have no time for Premier Danielle Smith's trip to Florida, Ron doesn't like what he's hearing about Alberta separating from Canada, Michael calls out the Kool-Aid drinkers, and Brian has a question for "51st State" supporters. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 

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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.

Just days after her Breitbart interview raised the ire of Pierre Poilievre's campaign team, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is headed to Florida to co-host a conservative fundraiser with podcaster Ben Shapiro. Smith says the appearance is a continuation of her efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy on trade in favour of Canada. Her critics say she's doing more harm than good.

2:50 | Rob Breakenridge says Danielle Smith should "lay low for a while". We talk to the longtime conservative commentator about his feature in The Line. 

READ ROB'S PIECE: https://www.readtheline.ca/p/rob-breakenridge-danielle-smith-might

47:15 | Jespo and Johnny roll out a cool new way to support the show on YouTube. Shout out to our newest channel members! 

JOIN JESPO AT THE ICCHANGE GALA on APRIL 12: https://www.icchange.ca/2025gala

1:07:00 | Did you see the Marjorie Taylor Greene blowup? Thoughts?

GET TICKETS for EDIFY'S BEST RESTAURANTS EVENT on APRIL 7: https://tickets.edifyedmonton.com/best-restaurants-2025/

1:28:30 | Are you sober or sober curious? 

1:34:00 | Alberta NDP MLA Rakhi Pancholi apologizes after reportedly calling UCP Minister Jason Nixon "a colossal piece of sh*t". We take a look at what Real Talkers are saying on our Live Chat powered by Park Power.

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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.

Pierre Poilievre had a Hamilton crowd all riled up, talking about "unelected" Mark Carney "acting like he owns the world," the World Economic Forum, and defunding the CBC. The Conservative leader talked at length about steel and the carbon tax, but spent very little time addressing Donald Trump. POLITICO's Nick Taylor-Vaisey (33:20) was there, and tells us what we learned about Poilievre's strategy to mobilize blue collar voters.

But first...

2:40 | Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is taking unpaid leave to seek a federal seat with the Liberals. His critics are calling him a political opportunist and saying he should resign. We ask him why he won't, and why he thinks he can better serve Edmontonians in Ottawa. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: leave a comment on this episode! 

SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO'S OTTAWA PLAYBOOK: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/ottawa-playbook

1:06:30 | It is DUMPING snow at Marmot Basin! We've got Alberta's most enthusiastic snow report and details on the upcoming Jasper Pride & Ski Festival (including an epic party at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge) in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 

CHECK THE CONDITIONS: https://www.skimarmot.com/

JOIN RYAN at the ICCHANGE GALA on APRIL 12: https://www.icchange.ca/2025gala

1:32:15 | Real Talker Janelle, a lifelong Conservative supporter, says her work in the Alberta Public Sector will change the way she votes. 

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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.

NEW SHOW ALERT! We're proud to be partnering with host Vicky Mochama on a brand new weekly news and politics show about the big personalities, bigger issues and pettiest dramas in Canada. Catch new episodes of Party All The Time every Friday through the federal election campaign right here on our YouTube channel and wherever you get your podcasts.  

9:00 | Just a few days into the federal election campaign, the politician catching the most headlines isn't even a federal leader. We talk to Vicky about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's comments to Breitbart and why so many Canadians are pushing back. We get into CSIS revelations re: Indian interference in the 2022 Conservative leadership race won by Pierre Poilievre, and the unbelievable story of a journalist mistakenly included in a government group chat about bombing missions in Yemen. (Let us know what you think about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's response in the comments!)

PARTY ALL THE TIME ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rtrj.info/PATTApplePodcasts

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1:06:00 | "If Carney stays, Alberta leaves." A particularly loud group of Albertans say they'll campaign to separate from Canada if the Liberals win the election. Do you take this stuff seriously? Jespo and Johnny discuss, with feedback on the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.

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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.

We're pedal to the metal with federal election coverage from now until April 28. In this episode, we tackle the top political stories in Edmonton, Alberta, and across the country with The Discourse co-hosts Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes. 

3:00 | We break down Liberal drama in Edmonton Centre, a tweak to Pierre Poilievre's talking points, Premier Danielle Smith's eyebrow-raising Breitbart interview, Amarjeet Sohi's refusal to resign, Mike Myers' cameo with Mark Carney, and developments in the AHS procurement controversy. 

CHECK OUT THE DISCOURSE: https://www.youtube.com/@UC1WjKtBGH6U0S6HDePuLjkw 

1:08:45 | Wayne Gretzky was smeared...literally...over the weekend. Jespo and Johnny talk about #2 all over #99's statue.

1:19:00 | Would you consider spending your retirement years like this group of friends in Texas? Shout out to Real Talker Brinleigh for passing along this Positive Reflection presented by Solar by Kuby! 

SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] 

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

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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.

Carolyn's hot in more ways than one, Gabe wonders if Albertans are "too stupid to know," Russ says Poilievre needs to free up his plane, RMc has the ballot box question, Gerald's got his tin foil hat on, 

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

Most folks agree politicians' families are off limits when it comes to public criticism. But not all folks. A right wing media outlet in Canada made its own news in the lead-up to the election campaign, dragging Prime Minister Mark Carney's kid Sasha into the spotlight.

6:10 | Journalist Justin Ling tells us why he's pushing back on the Carney attack.

READ JUSTIN'S WORK: https://www.bugeyedandshameless.com/

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: leave a comment here or email [email protected] 

38:00 | It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Tara Langan talks to us about ADHD, Autism, and the new Athabasca University course Neurodiversity in the Workplace. 

CHECK OUT THE COURSE: https://powered.athabascau.ca/product?catalog=Neurodiversity-in-the-Workplace&__hstc=165944686.fbe769542343d2e1d51c9ac367ad2a69.1738942178704.1742406479742.1742567123629.24&__hssc=165944686.1.1742567123629&__hsfp=1888264866

1:28:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief, featuring firsthand testimony on the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. Real Talkers Michael and Don have thoughts on our March 20 interview with former Conservative MP James Cumming.

WATCH THE JAMES CUMMING INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/032025CPC

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1:46:00 | Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is threatening Ottawa with a "national unity crisis". Thoughts?

1:49:00 | Carolyn's hot in more ways than one, Gabe wonders if Albertans are "too stupid to know," Russ says Poilievre needs to free up his plane, RMc has the ballot box question, Gerald's got his tin foil hat on, 

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! 

KNOCK 50% OFF an annual subscription to Alberta Views with the promo code AVRJ: https://albertaviews.ca/

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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 could be the closest federal election in decades. After a decade of Justin Trudeau, Canadians will choose Mark Carney or Pierre Poilievre to lead the country through Donald Trump's second term. Multiple sources say Carney will call an election within days (Sunday?) for April 28. We've got you covered on Real Talk with conversation across the political spectrum through what promises to be a competitive campaign. 

3:15 | Former Conservative MP James Cumming talks wins and losses, including dropping his own nomination to Sayid Ahmed in Edmonton-Centre just weeks ago.

46:40 | Jespo and Johnny debrief, and check out the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 

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1:04:15 | Prompted by our Trina Moyles interview about her Alberta Views feature on Alberta's Grizzly Bears, Real Talker Pedro has a question about  dumping "deadstock". Over to you, ranchers! 

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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.

We cover a LOT of ground in this episode of Real Talk, starting with Alberta allowing hunters to target "problem" Grizzly Bears. If the federal election and trade wars are all you can think about, skip ahead to 54:00 for updates on all the top headlines. 

3:30 | Author and journalist Trina Moyles takes us into the justification behind (and protest around) Alberta's new Grizzly Bear management strategy.

READ TRINA'S FEATURE IN ALBERTA VIEWS: https://albertaviews.ca/problem-grizzly-or-problem-politics-2/

Knock 50% off a subscription to Alberta Views with the promo code AVRJ: https://albertaviews.ca/

47:00 | If you've never stayed in a signature cabin at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, now's the time! We've got details on a phenomenal, limited time offer. Plus, whisky lovers won't want to miss an event at the JPL coming up in April. And, registration's open for the only gay ski week in the Rockies! It's all featured in #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 

WHISKY WEEKEND: https://www.jasper-park-lodge.com/offers/the-beast-whisky-weekend/

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54:00 | The Real Talk Rumour Mill is churning out theories about Mark Carney and Amarjeet Sohi.

1:03:10 | Donald Trump rips Pierre Poilievre on FOX News, and Jespo thinks it'll actually help the Conservative leader. What do you think?

TELL US: [email protected] 

1:05:20 | Real Talker David has thoughts on Trump and the future of Canada. 

1:18:00 | Ryan follows up on the story of the French politician that wants the USA to return the Statue of Liberty. 

1:23:40 | We update the story of Alberta's (leaked) plan to address abandoned oil and gas assets, including an email from Real Talker Jim in Vernon, B.C.

1:43:00 | Have you ever seen Jagmeet Singh like this? We haven't!

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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.

Talk about a turnaround. New polls from Leger and Angus Reid suggest the Liberals could form a majority government under Mark Carney. Could it be? 

9:30 | Poll analyst Philippe Fournier digs into the new numbers and explains what's moving the needle across the country.

MORE: https://www.338canada.ca/

36:00 | What do you make of the tense exchanges between PM Mark Carney and journalists Stephanie Levitz and Rosemary Barton? 

EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 

OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH SUPRIYA DWIVEDI: https://rtrj.info/031725Supriya

56:00 | France wants the Statue of Liberty back. Well, sort of. Could it happen?

1:01:30 | Real Talker Char delivers a pep talk to her fellow Canadians about Donald Trump, Danielle Smith, and global trade.

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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.