Will Mayor-elect Andrew Knack be able to improve Edmonton's relationship with the province? Is there reason to believe city council will operate more smoothly than it has over the past four years? Should Alberta consider defunding private schools in light of sustained budget pressures, or should the education portion of property taxes "follow the student"? We take on these big questions and more in this episode of Real Talk. 

This episode is presented by RapidEX Financial: https://rapidexfinancial.com/

5:30 | Sarah Hamilton is the only Edmonton city councillor (aside from Mayor Sohi) that did not seek re-election. She gives us the inside scoop on alleged "dysfunction" with the previous council, how she thinks Mayor-elect Andrew Knack will navigate relations with the provincial government, and what was behind her high-profile dispute with fellow councillor Jo-Anne Wright. Feature interviews on Real Talk are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/

38:30 | You've still got time to check out the Jasper Dark Sky Festival! We've got details on the upcoming (free!) TALK concert, dinner with former astronaut Robert Thirsk, and more in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. We also tee up the first-ever Halloween event in Jasper, Creatures Return, running October 31-November 2. 

JASPER DARK SKY FESTIVAL: https://www.jasperdarksky.travel/

CREATURES RETURN: https://rtrj.info/MyJasperCreaturesReturn

42:00 | More Albertans are debating funding for private schools in light of budget restraints relating to the teachers' strike. John Jagersma from the Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta (AISCA) lays out the argument for continued support for independent education in the province. 

AISCA: https://www.aisca.ab.ca/

1:36:00 | Real Talkers share their thoughts on private school funding in our Live Chat powered by Park Power. We hear what you have to say about Alberta's new proposed license plate design. 

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.

We may not yet know the results of every municipal election in Alberta, but there's still a lot to talk about. Karen Leibovici, Tim Querengesser, and Max Fawcett join our Real Talk Round Table presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West (3:30). 

THIS EPISODE OF REAL TALK IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY: https://hansendistillery.com/

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

50:15 | Unit 36 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital is Edmonton's only inpatient mental health unit for children and teens. We share Avery's story in this week's Echoes of the Alex presented by the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation.

SUPPORT HOPE FOR CHILDREN WHO NEED IT MOST: http://givetoroyalalex.org/

52:45 | WHAT A GAME! Jespo and Johnny debrief after a wild Game Seven in Toronto, as the Blue Jays advance to the World Series. Real Talkers share their Election Day voting experiences in our 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.

Voters are headed to the polls across Alberta (9:30) as the teachers' strike enters its third week. The Toronto Blue Jays are one win away from the World Series. Recall petitions are targeting three UCP MLAs (29:30), and rumours are swirling around Pierre Poilievre's future as leader of the federal Conservatives (50:00). We get into it all with Supriya Dwivedi in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected]

MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/

1:04:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after a busy weekend including their collaboration at the Camp for a Cause mental health fundraiser at Bar Trove (1:08:00). We discuss the risk union members (and governments) take when labour negotiations lead to a strike. What do you think? Leave a comment below! 

1:36:00 | Shout out to whoever was operating Hazel Mae's camera for the Vlad Guerrero Jr. interview after Game Six! It's a perfect Positive Reflection presented by Solar by Kuby. 

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

SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] 

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.

Brent's got a message for "progressives;" Katie, Laura, and Amanda are all fired up over the teachers' strike, and KT says we were bang on about conditions at the Misericordia Hospital. 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, and LINKEDIN: @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.

Jespo and Johnny had a front row seat as thousands of Alberta teachers rallied outside our studio in the historic Mercer Warehouse, sending a message to Premier Danielle Smith, who was attending the Edmonton Chamber's State of the Province luncheon across the street at Rogers Place. Jespo opens this episode with a first-hand account of what it was like both outside and inside that event.

21:20 | Are Temporary Foreign Workers really stealing jobs from Canadian teens? Does Canada have a program we can truly be proud of? Marcello Di Cintio tells us what he discovered writing his new book "Precarious: The Lives of Migrant Workers."

CHECK OUT THE BOOK: https://lighthousebooksbrighton.ca/item/N8KJ1y9ScrwdX7eoxviRkQ

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

1:20:45 | Donald Trump's decision to recognize only male and female on documents like visas and passports is creating headaches for some Canadians. It's prompting a bigger sovereignty conversation around Nexus cards and more. Senator Paula Simons and Marni Panas explain why it matters. 

WATCH PAULA'S SENATE ADDRESS: https://youtu.be/yInsw13pkI4?si=xpjdMok0zA5oW6xm

1:20:45 | Jespo returns fire after "Redneck Philosopher" drops a "woke" bomb in the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. Pure entertainment ensues. 

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: 

1:48:30 | Brent's got a message for "progressives;" Katie, Laura, and Amanda are all fired up over the teachers' strike, and KT says we were bang on about conditions at the Misericordia Hospital. 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, and LINKEDIN: @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.

It's been a wild four years for Alberta school trustees. COVID, exploding class sizes, a contentious relationship with the province, a teachers' strike...and increased polarization from the left and the right, citizens critical of every move the school boards make. 

5:15 | We talk to Julie Kusiek in Edmonton, Marilyn Dennis in Calgary, and Tammy Henkel in High Prairie in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

ASBA: https://www.asba.ab.ca/

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected]

1:05:00 | How do you grow a 1,368.5 pound pumpkin?? We feature one of our favourite stories in a long time in Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta. 

DOWNLOAD the PLAY ALBERTA APP: https://playalberta.ca/

GET A $50 FREE BET when you deposit $50 using code RYAN50. Must be 18+ to play. If you gamble, please use your GameSense.

1:09:00 | What's happening with Mark Carney's nation-building projects? Jason Leslie from the Alberta Chambers of Commerce has his Eye on Alberta Business. 

CONNECT with ACC: https://www.abchamber.ca/

1:27:00 | Jespo and Johnny reflect on the passing of Bruce Saville, world-record pumpkin growing techniques, and the Blue Jays big win against Seattle.

1:44:00 | Real Talkers Kayley and KT in Calgary - both teachers - give us their first-hand perspectives midway through week two of the Alberta teachers' strike. 

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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.

World leaders including PM Mark Carney scrambled to get to Egypt at the behest of President Donald Trump in what's been described as a "chaotic" Gaza Peace Summit. This, as Foreign Minister Anita Anand lays out Canada's priorities in high-level meetings in India and China. Politico's Ottawa bureau chief Nick Taylor-Vaisey (3:30) digs into the details in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

SUBSCRIBE to the CANADA PLAYBOOK: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/canada-playbook

MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/

33:30 | Jespo looks to the our Live Chat powered by Park Power for Real Talkers' takes on the meetings in Egypt, India, and China before sharing more teachers' strike emails submitted to [email protected].

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

44:30 | Marmot Basin is rolling out some incredible deals to kick off the 2025-26 ski and snowboard season! We've got details in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. 

SKI MARMOT: https://www.skimarmot.com/

49:00 | NorthwestFEARfest is officially underway! We welcome "The Movie Guy" Lavallee and directors Linus O'Brien and Brandon Christensen to a spooky, scary, and super fun edition of the Real Talk Round Table. 

GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.northwestfest.ca/fearfest

1:35:00 | What's your favourite scary movie? Jespo, Johnny, and Real Talkers checking out our live stream share their must-watch Halloween flicks.

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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.

What will it take for Alberta's teachers and the UCP government to get a deal done and end this strike? Athabasca University labour expert Dr. Jason Foster gives us an informed take (45:30), including why he's skeptical the two sides are anywhere close. But first...

3:30 | Supriya Dwivedi tells us what she's keeping an eye on as an Israel/Hamas peace deal is signed, Canada looks to repair its relationship with India, Canada's Supreme Court justices undergo a makeover of sorts, and former PM Justin Trudeau is spotted smooching pop superstar Katy Perry on a yacht. Real Talk's feature interviews are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/

42:00 | Brent Kelland thought he'd seen it all as a retired paramedic. That is, until he became a patient at the CK Hui Heart Centre at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. We feature Brent's story in this week's Echoes of the Alex, celebrating 125 years of care, compassion, and community at the Royal Alex.

HELP ENSURE STORIES LIKE BRENT'S CONTINUE: http://givetoroyalalex.org/

 45:30 | AU professor Dr. Jason Foster compares the 2002 and 2025 Alberta teachers' strikes. 

CHECK OUT THE AU ADVANTAGE: http://athabascau.ca/

1:14:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief re: the teachers' strike, the Jays' back-to-back losses against the Mariners, and the Trudeau/Perry romance. 

GET YOUR TICKETS TO NorthWestFearFest: https://www.northwestfest.ca/fearfest

1:40:15 | Shout out to everybody who worked through the Thanksgiving weekend! Ryan shares a firsthand story about a power outage in rural Saskatchewan in Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby. 

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

SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] 

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.

It's an all-teachers' strike edition of The Flamethrower, as KP, "Confidential," Ross, Carmen, Jay, "Different Carmen," and Justin give us their hottest takes. The Flamethrower is presented weekly by our friends at the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park.

It's a hotly contested race for the Calgary Mayor's office. In this special presentation, you'll hear from the five highest-polling candidates for the top job at City Hall as Jeromy Farkas, Jyoti Gondek, Brian Thiessen, Sonya Sharp, and Jeff Davison square off in our Real Talk Calgary Mayoral Debate. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

1:12:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after the debate before kicking off another - white vs. dark turkey meat, apple vs. pumpkin vs. pecan pie, and other matters of Thanksgiving importance. 

1:35:30 | Donald Trump is not the recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. We hear why. 

1:45:00 | It's an all-teachers' strike edition of The Flamethrower, as KP, "Confidential," Ross, Carmen, Jay, "Different Carmen," and Justin give us their hottest takes. The Flamethrower is presented weekly by our friends at 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, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.