Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

It's Tariffs Eve. Will Donald Trump actually make good on his threats? If so, who will ultimately pay the most? We present an international edition of the Real Talk Round Table featuring guests on both sides of the border. Plus, what was with Trump's bizarre political attacks after that deadly D.C. plane crash? HR consultant Dante King (39:30) explains why 47 is way off base. 

8:00 | Sabine El-Chidiac (in Ottawa) and Elizabeth Hicks (in Detroit) lay out the true costs of tariffs on both sides of the border. 

READ THEIR OP/ED: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/tomorrows-tariffs-will-hurt-everyone/

39:30 | As recovery efforts were still underway, U.S. President Donald Trump was linking a deadly aviation disaster on DEI initiatives. HR consultant Dante King responds...with receipts. 

CHECK OUT DANTE'S BOOK: https://www.danteking.com/diagnosingwhiteness

54:00 | Johnny and Jespo draw the winners of the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic Early Bird Prize: tickets for six to the Oilers/Leafs game with limo bus transport. 

Join us at the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic on Saturday, February 1 at Larry Olexiuk Field in St. Albert from 9am-3:30pm! Spectators are more than welcome at this family-friendly event. 

59:15 | Scott has words for former PM Jean Chretien, Greg's not buying the UCP's COVID task force report, Karen's head's about to explode over coal, Wayne's getting ready to burn tires and poach grizzly bears, Pilot One has a reminder for Westerners, and Ronnie's ready to chase neo-Nazis out of town. 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! 

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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.

A $2M report commissioned by the Alberta government advocates for limiting COVID-19 vaccinations, and suggests that health professionals should not face repercussions for promoting alternative treatments. Critics, including the Alberta and Canadian Medical Associations are calling the 269-page report "anti-science," suggesting it attempts to "rewrite history" by downplaying the importance of vaccines.

2:45 | Dr. Shelley Duggan, president of the Alberta Medical Association, explains why the COVID report is flawed. 

AMA: https://www.albertadoctors.org/

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

1:04:00 | We're so proud to partner with YouCan Youth Services. Meet Ethan, a young man transforming his life with supports from YouCan. 

DONATE TO YOUCAN: https://youcan.ca/

1:10:00 | A horrific crash near Washington, D.C. involving a passenger jet and military helicopter claimed every life on board. What can you say in a situation like this? 

1:17:30 | Join Jespo at On the Rocks Super Bowl Sunday!

TICKETS: https://ontherocksyeg.com/

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

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REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

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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.

Foreign interference IS a thing in Canada, and Ottawa's dragged its heels doing anything about it. That's the general finding of Justice Marie-Josee Hogue's inquiry, which wasn't all bad. Turns out there aren't "traitors" in Parliament, but we're not out of the woods. We get into common sense conclusions with Mo Amir. 

8:30 | But first...how about our new live stream pre-roll? This episode marks the debut of a new feature available exclusively to our live-tuning audience. (We've kept it on this YouTube episode so everybody can see it for the first time, but moving forward you'll only see it on the Real Talk Live Stream presented by California Closets.)

15:30 | Are you rattled, relieved, or "other" over the foreign interference final report? We welcome Mo Amir, host of This is VANCOLOUR, to tackle that story, Trump's tariffs, Pierre Poilievre's Hamas blast aimed at Anthony Housefather, and the awkward interaction between MPs Melissa Lantsman and Nathanial Erskine-Smith. 

CHECK OUT MO'S SHOW: https://chekplus.ca/m/xPrh1pKc/this-is-vancolour?r=r1jM6cSC

1:20:30 | This new ice climbing wall in Jasper is UNREAL! We feature the new installation by Rockaboo Mountain Adventures in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 

PLAN YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/

1:23:15 | Pierre Poilievre says Energy East might not be dead, and it might be time to get serious about lithium mining. Meantime, ICE agents are rounding up illegal migrants in the US. What does that mean for the US-Canada border? Jespo and Johnny open up the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen 

REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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.

Did you see those clowns flashing Nazi salutes in St. Albert over the weekend? What's the right way to respond when that happens in your community? Mayor Cathy Heron tells us where her head's at after the "Deport Them All" demonstrators were ushered away by RCMP. 

But first...federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson (2:40) tells us what he thinks about Premier Danielle Smith's trips to the States, why he's endorsing Mark Carney for Canada's next P.M., and whether or not the feds would intervene to stop coal mining in Alberta's Eastern Slopes. 

30:10 | Real Talker Kimberly and Mayor Cathy Heron respond to recent anti-immigration demonstrations in St. Albert. 

48:00 | Did you catch Pierre Poilievre's plan to combat Trump's tariffs, and his thoughts on Mark Carney's plan to ditch the carbon tax? We take a look at his interview with CTV's Todd Battis. 

1:13:30 | Peavey Mart is closing all it's locations?! Turns out Real Talkers are pretty big fans of the place. What other Canadian institutions do you miss? Leave a comment below! 

1:18:10 | Real Talker Kathy says Alberta's at a breaking point. Ryan reads her email about our January 27 interview with High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass about coal. 

WATCH THE SNODGRASS INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/012725Coal

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

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

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

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REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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.

Why on earth is Danielle Smith's government opening up the Eastern Slopes to coal mining again, when the majority of Albertans oppose it and the government makes next to nothing from it? In this episode, straight-shooting High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass (6:15) tells us why he opposes coal mining in the Rockies, and tells us about his ongoing conversations with Premier Danielle Smith and Energy Minister Brian Jean. 

1:16:30 | Real Talkers have their say on the coal story, including an email from Kyle, a former coal miner.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

1:37:20 | Our bucket is full after this email from Real Talker Lyndsi - a perfect fit for Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy. 

SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] 

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

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

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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.

Tonie hated our interview with Western Standard founder Derek Fildebrandt, Anna Banana peels paint over Danielle Smith's trip to D.C., and KP's got "liberals, dippers, easterners, greenies, Jespo and Johnny" in his sights over "fake love for Canada". 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!

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen

REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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.

We've got today's top political stories teed up for Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes, including Doug Ford's early election call, a lacklustre Liberal leadership race, Pierre Poilievre's "two genders" interview, and Danielle Smith's visit to D.C. 

1:30 | But first...everybody's talking about what a great job our buddy Marty Jones did with Gene Principe during the January 23 Oilers broadcast! Jespo and Johnny recap our interview with the 99-year-old D-Day veteran in November.

MARTY JONES on REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/111124MartyJones

JUNO BEACH CENTRE: https://www.junobeach.org/

9:45 | Erika and Cheryl get into Trump's tariff threats, Canada's military spending, and Danielle Smith's D.C. appearances. Is "lame duck" fair to describe the federal government (24:00), and is Mark Carney the next P.M.? Is Doug Ford right to call an early election (33:45)?

41:45 | If 80% of Albertans oppose coal mining in the Eastern Slopes, how can the UCP possibly defend it? 

58:45 | What did you think of that Pierre Poilievre "two genders" moment during a CP24 interview? 

1:11:45 | We're a week away from the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic! Ryan and Johnny share a few details about the big day. Spectators are welcome between 9:30am-3:30pm Saturday, February 1 at Larry Olexiuk Field in St. Albert! 

1:16:00 | Ryan throws Johnny under the bus for a cold-hearted comment. 

1:19:00 | Tonie hated our interview with Western Standard founder Derek Fildebrandt, Anna Banana peels paint over Danielle Smith's trip to D.C., and KP's got "liberals, dippers, easterners, greenies, Jespo and Johnny" in his sights over "fake love for Canada". 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! 

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen 

REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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.

Ranchers, land owners, conservationists, and everyday Albertans are joining forces to protest the Alberta government re-opening the Eastern Slopes to coal mining. With more than 80% of Albertans opposed to these projects, how can the UCP justify lifting its ban on coal exploration? 

5:00 | We talk to the Alberta Wilderness Association's Kennedy Halvorson about the history and ecological impacts of coal mining in Alberta, and the lobby against new mining in the Eastern Slopes. 

AWA: https://albertawilderness.ca/

33:00 | Dr. Sarah Elmeligi, MLA for Banff-Kananaskis and Opposition Critic for Environment, Parks and Climate, talks about the politics around Alberta lifting its coal mining moratorium. 

Real Talk's January 2021 interview with Robin Campbell: https://rtrj.info/011421Coal

1:10:00 | Real Talker Mario, a P.Eng. working for an oil company, explains why doubling Alberta's oil production is a "pipe dream". 

1:04:20 | Real Talker Nancy explains how our January 22 episode led to a "significant moment in (her) life". Amazing. 

SEND US AN EMAIL: [email protected] 

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen 

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RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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.

Canada will look a whole lot different 50 years from now. Our claim to Arctic sovereignty is threatened, existing trade relationships will be forced to evolve, and our population is forecasted to explode (like it or not). 

4:00 | Before we get into the future of Canada, Ryan opens this episode with a prayer...sort of. Did you hear Right Rev. Marianne Budde's message to Donald Trump at the inaugural prayer service? 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

7:00 | Dr. Thomas P.M. Barnett has advised the U.S. Department of Defence for decades. He talks to us about Trump's ambitions involving Canada, climate change opening up the Arctic, and demographic shifts fuelling public opinion. 

READ THOMAS IN POLITICO: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/01/16/logic-trump-global-ambitions-canada-europe-greenland-00198656

38:00 | "What's with all the talk about white people?!" Jespo and Johnny dive into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power for your takes on what Thomas had to say. 

55:45 | The town of Jasper is hosting a street party you won't want to miss for the final weekend of Jasper in January! We feature some of the upcoming highlights in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. 

CHECK OUT JASPER in JANUARY: https://www.jasper.travel/january/

1:00:30 | The Alberta government quietly rescinded its coal mining moratorium as the world watched Donald Trump take the oath of office. We take a look at what it all means, and early pushback from environmental groups. 

1:29:45 | Real Talkers Jenny and Caroline respond to our interview on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with Garth La Beach a couple episodes ago. 

WATCH GARTH'S FULL INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/011625Garth

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

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RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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.

President Donald Trump is guaranteeing a "Golden Age" for the United States of America. Does that promised prosperity come at the expense of allies and neighbours like Canada? 

2:55 | We run through Trump's inauguration speech with Dr. Bob Murray, political scientist and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen 

REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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.