Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

A rough reception for Mayor Jyoti Gondek, booed during an appearance at centre ice during the Calgary Flames South Asian Celebration game. It's the latest challenge for Gondek, whose popularity has taken a significant hit in recent months, as evidenced by the recall petition we discussed during our March 25, 2024 episode. 

5:30 | What does the heckling say about Calgarians, or even Canadians...if anything? Charles Adler gives us his take on this story, along with an update on the Danielle Smith/Steven Guilbeault spat, and an infamous five year anniversary of an interview that changed the course of Ryan and Chuck's careers. 

46:40 | Is Ottawa ignoring a big opportunity for Canadian LNG exports? Alberta Chambers of Commerce President and CEO Shauna Feth lays out the business implications of a recent visit by the Greek PM, changes to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap, the carbon tax increase, the Temporary Foreign Worker program, Pharmacare, and more.

UPCOMING JOB FAIRS: https://www.abchamber.ca/alberta-hiring-opportunities/

TALENT DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE: https://www.abchamber.ca/talent-development-task-force/

ALBERTA PERSPECTIVES SURVEY: https://rtrj.info/040224ACCABPerspectives

1:24:25 | Shout out to Donna Jean Wilde! The 58 year old Magrath, AB resident broke the Guinness World Record for longest time in an abdominal plank (female), holding the gut-busting fitness pose for just over four and a half hours! How could we not feature her incredible accomplishment in this week's Positive Reflections presented by our friends at Kuby Renewable Energy?! 

SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] 

GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.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.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's taking his "Axe the Tax" rallies across the country ahead of another carbon tax increase on April 1. Meantime, more than 200 economists have signed an open letter criticizing Poilievre's message and calling for "sound evidence and facts" in the debate around carbon pricing. Predictably, prominent Conservatives like Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe are questioning the credibility of the economists who've signed the letter. SO...who's telling the truth, and who's deliberately misleading Canadians? 

4:20 | Max Fawcett gives us his unflinching takes on Pierre Poilievre's "Spike the Hike" rallies (and Justin Trudeau's carbon tax communication breakdown). Max and Ryan dig into Alberta's fuel tax increase (33:30), how provincial governments are fuelling inflation (37:30), the possibility of a President Trump-PM Poilievre-Premier Smith scenario (39:30), Rakhi Pancholi pulling out of the Alberta NDP leadership race and endorsing Naheed Nenshi (57:13), Poilievre and Nenshi both drawing big crowds in Edmonton (1:08:40), and an RCMP report on risks facing Canada (1:12:50). 

READ MAX IN THE NATIONAL OBSERVER: https://www.nationalobserver.com/

1:19:30 | Real Talker Kathy emails in re: our coverage of the Alberta NDP leadership race.

EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 

1:23:03 | Real Talker Kimberly gives us a heads up on how the town of Westlock, AB is responding to a recent plebiscite banning Pride flags on public property.

1:24:30 | Gabriel's sick of Jespo and Adler "blowing smoke" up Elon Musk's ass, Pam says it's time for Adler to "say the g-word" re: the Israel-Hamas war, Carolyn says Ryan's driving her crazy with comments on plastic bag bans, Gillian wonders if "dudebro comedians" would survive poking fun at themselves instead of punching down, and Paul's got a hot take on Alberta's plan for municipal political parties. 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, make sure you let 'em know Real Talk sent you! 

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 

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QUALIFY FOR EXCLUSIVE PERKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's taking his "Axe the Tax" rallies across the country ahead of another carbon tax increase on April 1. Meantime, more than 200 economists have signed an open letter criticizing Poilievre's message and calling for "sound evidence and facts" in the debate around carbon pricing. Predictably, prominent Conservatives like Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe are questioning the credibility of the economists who've signed the letter. SO...who's telling the truth, and who's deliberately misleading Canadians? 

4:20 | Max Fawcett gives us his unflinching takes on Pierre Poilievre's "Spike the Hike" rallies (and Justin Trudeau's carbon tax communication breakdown). Max and Ryan dig into Alberta's fuel tax increase (33:30), how provincial governments are fuelling inflation (37:30), the possibility of a President Trump-PM Poilievre-Premier Smith scenario (39:30), Rakhi Pancholi pulling out of the Alberta NDP leadership race and endorsing Naheed Nenshi (57:13), Poilievre and Nenshi both drawing big crowds in Edmonton (1:08:40), and an RCMP report on risks facing Canada (1:12:50). 

READ MAX IN THE NATIONAL OBSERVER: https://www.nationalobserver.com/

1:19:30 | Real Talker Kathy emails in re: our coverage of the Alberta NDP leadership race.

EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 

1:23:03 | Real Talker Kimberly gives us a heads up on how the town of Westlock, AB is responding to a recent plebiscite banning Pride flags on public property.

1:24:30 | Gabriel's sick of Jespo and Adler "blowing smoke" up Elon Musk's ass, Pam says it's time for Adler to "say the g-word" re: the Israel-Hamas war, Carolyn says Ryan's driving her crazy with comments on plastic bag bans, Gillian wonders if "dudebro comedians" would survive poking fun at themselves instead of punching down, and Paul's got a hot take on Alberta's plan for municipal political parties. 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, make sure you let 'em know Real Talk sent you! 

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 

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

Were you shocked to see Rakhi Pancholi pull out of the Alberta NDP leadership race with three months to go? (We were!) Many people saw the popular Edmonton MLA as a legitimate successor to Rachel Notley, and a formidable candidate to be the next Premier of Alberta. So, what's up? 

3:49 | Rakhi tells us when and why she decided to leave the leadership race and endorse Naheed Nenshi. 

21:54 | First responders out of Edmonton have been equipping Ukrainian firefighters in proper PPE, and training them in tactical combat casualty care. Firefighter Aid Ukraine's Kevin Royle checks in live from Ukraine, and Nikki Booth joins from Edmonton, for an update on the group's work in one of the world's hardest-hit war zones. 

SUPPORT FIREFIGHTER AID UKRAINE: https://www.firefighteraidukraine.com/

35:45 | We love when you share your #MyJasper Memories with us! That's what the Whidden family did, telling us all about their trip to Jasper National Park. (We love their family tradition "Animal Bingo"!) Plus, the Jasper Pride & Ski Festival is just weeks away - we cover it all, courtesy of our friends at Tourism Jasper. 

FESTIVAL DETAILS: https://jasperpride.ca/

38:48 | APTN journalist Danielle Paradis tells us about her assignment covering the impacts of climate change in Canada's high arctic, resulting in the six-part podcast series The Place That Thaws. 

CHECK OUT THE PLACE THAT THAWS: https://www.aptnnews.ca/ourstories/theplacethatthaws/

EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 

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

Gil's in, and Rakhi's out. On an eventful day in the Alberta NDP leadership race, we find out why the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour figures he's the best best to return the NDP to power.

2:00 | But first...Rakhi Pancholi's out of the NDP leadership race, withdrawing and endorsing Naheed Nenshi just moments before we record this episode. Ryan offers some initial thoughts (more at 1:01:50). 

3:40 | Gil McGowan tells us why he might be the next Peter Lougheed (!), and why he thinks the NDP lost the most recent provincial election. Speaking with Ryan an hour before officially launching his campaign, Gil gives us a few scoops on his plans for Alberta's energy industry, electricity grid, insurance, and more. 

CHECK OUT GIL'S CAMPAIGN: https://gilforalberta.ca/

1:01:50 | Ryan and Johnny discuss Rakhi Pancholi's departure from the NDP leadership race, and get into the YouTube Live comments.

1:22:45 | We're all horrified by the Baltimore bridge collapse. Ryan and Johnny take a look at the video footage and some of the early reports. 

EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 

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

QUALIFY FOR EXCLUSIVE PERKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Landon Johnston thinks Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek's doing such a lousy job, he organizes a petition to recall her from office. Instead of ignoring the petition, which is unlikely to succeed, Gondek invites Johnston to sit down one-on-one at City Hall and discuss his concerns. What was said during their brief meeting, and where do both parties go from here? 

2:55 | Mayor Gondek tells us what she and Johnston discussed, how she's responding, and how the recall petition has impacted her personally and politically. 

36:00 | Charles Adler tells us about receiving the key to the City of Toronto, then tells us what he thinks about Mayor Gondek meeting with the guy who wants her run out of office. Chuck and Ryan discuss Donald Trump's half-a-billion-dollar legal woes, and horrific famine conditions in Gaza. 

1:29:55 | We LOVE follow-up stories with happy endings! This week's Positive Reflection is submitted by Lew, who joined us on the show just over a year ago to talk about his journey with homelessness and addiction. We guarantee you'll be moved by his update. 

WATCH LEW'S DEC. 21, 2022 INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/122122Lew

SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] 

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

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 

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

QUALIFY FOR EXCLUSIVE PERKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

This edition of The Flamethrower is a healthy mix of love letters and hate mail based on our recent Justin Trudeau and Danielle Smith interviews. Enjoy, courtesy of our friends at The Dairy Queens of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

Have you been paying attention to what's going on in Alberta? Premier Danielle Smith's government is kinda sorta rolling out a provincial police force, and paving the way for municipal political parties. But is that what's best for Albertans? 

4:10 | Alberta Municipalities president Tyler Gandam and director Tanya Thorn shoot straight on the proposed provincial police force, Alberta's crumbling infrastructure, and the plan to infuse a party system into municipal politics. 

CHECK OUT ALBERTA MUNICIPALITIES: https://www.abmunis.ca/

1:23:05 | This edition of The Flamethrower is a healthy mix of love letters and hate mail based on our recent Justin Trudeau and Danielle Smith interviews. Enjoy, courtesy of our friends at The Dairy Queens of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 

FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected] 

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 

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

GET A PAIR OF FREE REAL TALK SOCKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Is there anything more important to human survival than water? Water is everything - without it, ecosystems, industry, and individuals would die. So, why don't we talk about it more? In this episode of Real Talk, we examine the past, present, and future of water use (and conservation) in our own backyards and beyond.

2:45 | Canadians are bracing for the worst drought we've seen in 50 years. We've seen "100 year floods" more than once over the last decade. There are more draws on our water resources than ever before. Are we setting ourselves up for catastrophe? Dr. Mark Summers, Dr. Scott Ketcheson, and Andre Asselin join our Real Talk Round Table: World Water Day edition. 

EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 

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

GET A PAIR OF FREE REAL TALK SOCKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.

Leaked documents show a direct link between Take Back Alberta, the Recall Gondek campaign, and the push for municipal political parties in Alberta. What does it mean for you? We dig into it in this episode of Real Talk. 

3:10 | Political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt connects the dots on our top story, then breaks down the NDP leadership race in light of Gil McGowan's pending announcement, and discusses MP Anthony Housefather's future with the federal Liberals after the Palestine vote.

CHECK OUT ART IS...SNEAKERHEAD EDITION (MARCH 23) -- https://momentsbymorrel.com/product/art-is/

1:03:00 | The Jasper SkyTram opens Friday, March 22! You've got to see this drone-captured video from our friends at Tourism Jasper in #MyJasper Memories.

CHECK OUT THE SKYTRAM: https://www.jasperskytram.com/

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 

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

GET A PAIR OF FREE REAL TALK SOCKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.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.