Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

This episode is perfect for road trips, bike rides, and dog walks. We check in with talented storytellers Charles Adler and Matt Cundill to get up to speed on Canada's top headlines. 6:00 | What does ketchup have to do with Twitt...er, X? Charles Adler explains, in analyzing Elon Musk's rebrand. Why do we allow the general public to get so close to our politicians? Chuck chimes in on the Prime Minister being mobbed by the "brutes in Belleville". And, does anybody trust the process as gas station owners set their prices at the pump? 37:55 | Did Ottawa blow it in its fight against Big Tech? Podcast professional Matt Cundill gives us the good, bad, and ugly details of Bill C-18 - the Online News Act. CHECK OUT MATT'S PODCAST: https://www.soundoffpodcast.com/ 1:15:55 | Did you check out the Barbie movie this weekend? Johnny gives us his review, while Ryan takes a look at what a few cheeky monkeys are doing to respond to the film's loudest critics. Hilarious! EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] BUY K-DAYS 50/50 TIX IN SUPPORT OF YWCA EDMONTON: https://www.k-days.com/50-50 BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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.

Wayne's choked at Charles Adler and wants Ryan to put his money where his mouth's at in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services. KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Who'll be left standing in the Battle of the Billionaires - Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg? Will Zuck's Threads app ultimately take down Musk's Twitter? Bigger picture, what does the future of social media look like? Does Real Talk need to be streaming on Twitch? Are "Chinese surveillance" concerns around TikTok legitimate? What percentage of online angst actually manifests in real life? Professional social media strategists Kathleen "Kikki" Smith, Beverley Theresa, and Karly Watson join this week's Real Talk Round Table. 5:10 | It was the first thing Ryan saw trending when he woke up: legendary crooner Tony Bennett dead at 96. We take a minute to reflect on his incredible career. 7:00 | Do businesses need to be on Twitch? How do you decide which social media platforms are the best fit? 8:30 | She's got nearly 50,000 followers and co-hosts a podcast, meaning she's got every reason to participate on Twitter. So why did Kathleen Smith walk away from her account? CHECK OUT THE WOMEN OF ABPOLI PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/women-of-abpoli/id1463058002 15:10 | Is Elon Musk boosting Twitter's reputation or running it into the ground? We see how well Beverley's comments on Musk's Twitter takeover aged 15 months after her last Real Talk appearance. 20:30 | Is Threads the real deal? Will it ultimately take down Twitter? 26:00 | Have concerns about Chinese surveillance on TikTok subsided? And, how did Karly get 30 MILLION VIEWS of a video of her dog digging in the dirt? 38:10 | Is it a brilliant or bone-headed move for Premier Danielle Smith's most senior staffer to tweet his admiration for RFK Jr? 55:10 | Online anger translated into a troubling real life situation involving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday. Our panelists analyze the video out of Belleville, Ontario. 1:04:15 | A donair costume is making international news as its online auction tops $10,000. You knew we were going to hit on this story! 1:10:00 | Wayne's choked at Charles Adler and wants Ryan to put his money where his mouth's at in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services. KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] VOLUNTEER FOR THE YWCA AT K-DAYS: https://ywcaofedmonton.org/k-days-50-... GRAND DOG REAL TALK SPECIAL: for the month of July, enjoy $10 off pork raw pet food 40 lb. boxes using discount code JULY2023 at checkout - https://granddog.ca/ BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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.

Alberta has a significant and largely invisible methane measurement and management problem. Here's the thing: it doesn't have to be this way. There are a bunch of reasons why it makes sense to take methane emissions more seriously. As you'll learn in this episode of Real Talk, Canadians have every right to demand more from politicians and industry players. 6:00 | Jeff Gailus is an author and journalist based in Missoula, Montana. As a former Albertan, much of his work focuses on environmental issues relating to the oil and gas industry. He joins us to dig into his Alberta Views feature "Hidden Harm". READ HIDDEN HARM: https://albertaviews.ca/hidden-harm/ Use the promo code AVRJ to receive 50% off a one-year subscription to Alberta Views: https://albertaviews.ca/subscribe/ 1:11:30 | Are Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg seriously going to fight? Ryan and Johnny tee up our Friday Round Table with an update on the Battle of the Billionaires. EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] VOLUNTEER FOR THE YWCA AT K-DAYS: https://ywcaofedmonton.org/k-days-50-... BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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.

You don't have to work in oil and gas or journalism to know big changes are coming. Whether you're talking about a net-zero plan including emissions caps in the oil sands or big tech killing media outlets, disruption is all around us. 11:50 | Linda Solomon Wood is the founder and publisher of Canada's National Observer. She lays out how the media landscape has changed over the past 20 years, why Meta, Facebook, Google, and Twitter present such a threat, and what she thinks the feds should do to save journalism in Canada. READ LINDA'S COLUMN ON BILL C-18: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/07/04/opinion/tragedy-commons-google-meta-and-canadas-online-news-act 33:50 | What's Hon. Steven Guilbeault's message for Premiers Danielle Smith and Scott Moe, who've attacked the federal government's net-zero plan? What would he say to Conservative MP Mike Lake, who ripped the plan on Tuesday's Real Talk? Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change joins us from Calgary just hours ahead of his meeting with Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz. 57:55 | Are you an angler? There's an exciting new opportunity in Jasper! We're hooked on the idea of a day on the water with the guides at Jasper Park Fishing. Get details in this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. CHECK OUT JASPER PARK FISHING: http://jasperparkfishing.ca/ 1:06:40 | Got plans on Thursday, July 27? Why not join Ryan and a bunch of other golfers at Alberta Springs Golf Resort in support of CASA Mental Health? REGISTER FOR THE CASA CENTRAL AB GOLF TOURNEY: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/casagolfclassic2023-reddeer/event/reddeer/ EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] VOLUNTEER FOR THE YWCA AT K-DAYS: https://ywcaofedmonton.org/k-days-50-... BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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 hard to describe the power of an EF4 tornado, but Aaron Jayjack's videos speak for themselves. The professional storm chaser takes us into his wild world on this must-watch episode of Real Talk. 3:45 | Aaron Jayjack knew Mother Nature had something brewing in central Alberta ahead of Canada Day 2023. He packed up his car and headed straight for what wound up being Canada's strongest twister since Edmonton's "Black Friday" more than 35 years ago. Don't miss his firsthand account of the 2023 Didsbury tornado, along with some of the other wild weather events he's covered. SUBSCRIBE TO AARON'S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/aaronjayjack 38:20 | What would Canada's Conservatives do about climate change, the cost of living crisis, and skyrocketing crime rates across the country? Does the Conservative Party of Canada have an image problem? What's the secret to success next federal election? CPC MP Mike Lake joins Ryan in studio. 1:16:10 | Legendary American burger chain In-N-Out recently issued an "unmask mandate," meaning employees won't be allowed to mask up on the job without a doctor's note as of August 14. Is it a reasonable or reckless decision? Will other employers soon follow suit? Ryan and Johnny discuss. EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] VOLUNTEER FOR THE YWCA AT K-DAYS: https://ywcaofedmonton.org/k-days-50-... BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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.

News is supposed to slow down in the summer, but lucky for us, that's not happening. Politicians are posing for controversial photos at the Calgary Stampede, Alberta's back to warring with Ottawa, and people are taking steps to stretch dollars further than ever before. We get into it all with Minister Randy Boissonnault and Charles Adler in our first episode back from summer vacation. 3:55 | Randy Boissonnault takes Pride more seriously than most. The federal tourism minister, who happens to be gay, takes us behind the scenes of his Calgary Stampede pancake flipping tour alongside Premier Danielle Smith, and shares his thoughts on her (and Pierre Poilievre's) controversial photo with a man wearing a "Straight Pride" shirt. We tee up Wednesday's interview with environment minister Stephen Guilbeault, and hear why the Pathways Alliance oilsands consortium is key to advancing Canada's climate commitments. 43:30 | Charles Adler's earned a few bucks over the course of his career, but that doesn't mean he's cool with paying $3.50 for a small pop. We get into the cost of living crunch with the legendary talk radio host, and learn whether or not he thinks the feds should have paused the carbon tax increase on July 1. 1:27:35 | Who pranks a disabled eight-year-old kid?! This week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy starts off in a discouraging direction, but finds its way to a happy ending! GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/ VOLUNTEER FOR THE YWCA AT K-DAYS: https://ywcaofedmonton.org/k-days-50-50-raffle/ EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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.

Garth's got strong feelings about snow clearing, Kristie's ticked at people taking shots at her town, and Janice has a warning about oil prices in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Should the feds order striking BC port workers back to work? How bad is the CBC vs. Danielle Smith situation? Did Canadians deserve a break from the carbon tax increase on July 1? Veteran TV hosts Lynda Steele and Jody Vance give us their hot takes on Canada's biggest stories on this week's Real Talk Round Table. But first... 0:10 | Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants the NDP to apologize for suggesting her office attempted to influence Crown prosecutors. The Official Opposition says, "Hell no." In fact, they want the RCMP to investigate. Ryan opens with an update on this developing story. 6:10 | They've signed off of their show Steele & Vance for the summer, but CHEK TV personalities Lynda Steele and Jody Vance still have lots to say! We pick their brains on the stories making headlines across the country, including a strike at the port in Vancouver, developments in Danielle Smith's dust-up with the CBC, affordable housing, the latest carbon tax increase, and more. CHECK OUT STEELE & VANCE: https://www.cheknews.ca/shows/steele-and-vance/ 49:12 | Trudy Callaghan is fighting for her magazine's survival. The Edify publisher joins Ryan in studio for a frank conversation about the reality for independents these days, and why it's so important to fight to save reputable, fact-checked journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO EDIFY: https://edifyedmonton.com/subscribe/ CHECK OUT URBAN AFFAIRS: https://urbanaffairs.ca/ 1:11:30 | Ryan reads a great email from Bob Covey, publisher of The Jasper Local, in response to this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories (on July 5). Did you hear the story of the hiker who was fined $7,500 for shooting a bear in Jasper National Park? Sheeeeesh. THE JASPER LOCAL: https://www.jasperlocal.com/ WATCH #MyJasper MEMORIES: https://www.youtube.com/live/f0D-nXxHHQg?feature=share&t=2089 1:17:30 | Garth's got strong feelings about snow clearing, Kristie's ticked at people taking shots at her town, and Janice has a warning about oil prices in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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

There's a clear winner in the standoff between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the CBC. Seven months after reporting Smith's office had emailed Crown Prosecutors in an attempt to influence proceedings relating to the Coutts border blockade, the CBC says it "regrets" including details that couldn't be confirmed. Earlier this spring, Smith threatened legal action against the news outlet if an apology wasn't issued. 4:00 | What are the implications here? How will the CBC walking back its story impact public perception of the journalists involved and the brand as a whole? Ryan shares his personal perspective, including why media professionals across the country are finding this a tough pill to swallow. 16:35 | Who are the most and least popular political leaders in Canada right now? 338 Canada poll analyst Philippe Fournier breaks down recent numbers from Angus Reid Institute and Abacus Data, including a detailed look at Danielle Smith, Scott Moe, David Eby, Heather Stefanson, Blaine Higgs, Justin Trudeau, and Pierre Poilievre. 37:16 | After a nearly twenty year career as a TV meteorologist, Chris Gloninger is calling it quits, citing PTSD from sustained harassment and abuse. He joins Ryan a day ahead of his final broadcast for KCCI-8 in Des Moines, Iowa with details on why he decided to walk away from his broadcast career, and what he's doing next. FOLLOW CHRIS ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ChrisGloninger 1:07:50 | Our Real Talk Ryan Jespersen YouTube channel is now even easier to navigate! Ryan and Johnny outline a few improvements that'll make our interview highlights easier to share with your friends. APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE REAL TALK JULIE ROHR SCHOLARSHIP: https://ryanjespersen.com/scholarship THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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

Calgary is looking to convert six million square feet of vacant office space for new use. The city's already a third of the way there, capturing the attention of other cities around the world. How are they doing it? What's the secret to Calgary's success? 2:00 | Mayor Jyoti Gondek talks to Ryan about evolving Calgary's reputation, including downtown revitalization and reconciling a hot housing market with an affordable housing strategy. Plus, was she used by Danielle Smith to win seats for the UCP in Calgary? We get into the arena deal, mental health funding, using Minecraft in schools, and what's going on with disgraced Calgary councillor Sean Chu. 33:30 | Have you ever seen a bear in the wild? Ryan shares one of his favourite hiking stories before getting in to some "need to knows" if you're going to be visiting Jasper National Park this time of year. It's another edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper! BOOK YOUR JASPER ADVENTURE: https://www.jasper.travel/ 47:40 | We're accepting applications for the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship! Do you know a post-secondary student in Canada who lost a parent to cancer? Please share the link - they could win $5000 toward their school expenses. DETAILS: https://ryanjespersen.com/scholarship 51:10 | A bunch of CRA employees ripped off the CERB program, and somebody found a bag of coke at the White House. Ryan and Johnny recap today's wilder headlines. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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 all about transparency...but are Sunshine Lists the right way to go about it? Alberta Health Services just released its annual list of employees earning over $140k/year. Ryan hashes it out with Charles Adler (46:40) in our first episode back from the Canada Day long weekend. 6:45 | Happy 4th of July to our American audience members! We kick off this episode with a trip down memory lane - Johnny's early days in Dade County, Florida and Chuck's time down in Boston. Is Joe Biden "too old" to win another election? We tee up Biden v. Trump 2.0, and what that might mean for the US and the rest of the world. 28:00 | Is the Conservative brand *always* going to be associated with being "Albertan"? Can the Alberta NDP do anything to change that? 41:10 | Are plastic bag bans the right way to change behaviour and save the planet? The guys take a look at Edmonton's new law implemented over the weekend, and what it'll mean for businesses and consumers. 46:40 | If you work for Alberta Health Services and make more than $141,183 per year, your salary details have just been released to the public. The annual disclosure allows everyday citizens to understand the bottom line implications of firing the AHS board, for example, but it comes at a cost. Should the practice continue? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] CHECK OUT THE AHS SUNSHINE LIST: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/about/page13093.aspx 1:03:15 | Thousands of people are lucky to be alive after a big tornado ripped through central Alberta over the weekend, destroying multiple homes and killing livestock. We take a look at some of the remarkable video captured by local residents. 1:05:30 | Charles has a big announcement, and he makes it on this episode of Real Talk! 1:21:30 | We absolutely love this story of Alberta bison roaming free around Chief Mountain on Blackfeet Nation land near Glacier National Park in Montana. Thanks to Laurel, who submitted this week's edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy! KUBY ENERGY IS HIRING: https://kubyenergy.ca/ THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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

Frosty and Garry are upset at our Pride talk, while Lauren and Kat have a lot to say about the Titan sub disaster. Brace yourself for Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Alberta's former Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw was unceremoniously dismissed from a new position in Indigenous health, prompting the resignation of the program's medical director Dr. Esther Tailfeathers. The move prompted more than a hundred doctors to sign an open letter demanding a response from Premier Danielle Smith. 2:35 | Dr. Neeja Bakshi is one of the physicians who signed the letter demanding an apology from Premier Smith and Alberta Health Services administrator Dr. John Cowell.She explains why she stuck her neck out, and what she hopes the action accomplishes. 24:20 | Rest in Peace, Dr. Sue. Ryan and Johnny celebrate the life and legacy of legendary broadcaster and sex educator Dr. Sue Johanson. 30:50 | Police investigating a stabbing spree at the University of Waterloo say they're treating the incident as a hate crime. Athabasca University's Dr. Alexa DeGagne and Dr. Kristin Rodier say the threat of violence is far too real in the Women's & Gender Studies space. Has anything changed since the horrific events of December 6, 1989 at École Polytechnique? How should Canadians respond? (Note: The trans theorist/activist Dr. DeGagne mentioned in the interview is Alok Vaid-Menon.) CHECK OUT AU: https://www.athabascau.ca/ 1:16:30 | Frosty and Garry are upset at our Pride talk, while Lauren and Kat have a lot to say about the Titan sub disaster. Brace yourself for Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ SEND US YOUR TRASH TALK: [email protected] THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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's not "broken," but our communities are hurting. Crime rates are up, police are taking longer to respond to rural calls, many community supports are floundering, and important infrastructure is on the verge of collapse. It's time to talk. Mayor Cathy Heron (St. Albert), Mayor Trina Jones (Legal), and Councillor Krista Gardner (Calmar) join Ryan in studio for a look at how their municipalities are coping with serious challenges. While "quick fixes" may not be realistic, these Alberta politicians say they have a plan for improved public safety and policing, infrastructure, and more - they just need the province and the feds to play ball. The conversation starts with a look at the bizarre interruption of a Leduc council meeting earlier this week. Our guests are no strangers to people spewing wild conspiracy theories. Will an increase in these incidents ultimately close communication channels between elected officials and the people they serve? LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] CHECK OUT ALBERTA MUNICIPALITIES: https://www.abmunis.ca/advocacy-resources/its-time-talk THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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.

Unruly people spewing hateful conspiracy theories about the Pride flag forced Leduc Mayor Bob Young to abruptly cancel a recent council meeting. This, as RCMP are investigating vandalism of a Pride-themed crosswalk in the Alberta city. Incidents like these are making news throughout June (Pride month) across North America...not to mention the boycott campaign targeting Bud Light for partnering with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. 3:35 | So, what gives? What's driving this campaign against Pride? How are lawmakers and citizens alike to respond? Mayor Bob Young joins Ryan for a firsthand account of what went down Monday night, and what he's doing about it. 18:15 | Did you see Jackie Goldberg's rant? The president of a Los Angeles School Board, who happens to be a lesbian, had a pointed message for protesters calling for a book ban outside an optional Pride assembly at Saticoy Elementary School. 20:00 | We're still shaking our heads at the NHL's decision to cancel future themed jersey nights. That means no more Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys, no more Military Appreciation jerseys, and yes, no more Pride jerseys (among many others). Rinks Around the League founder and former NHL production manager Jeff Nash joins Ryan in studio to talk it out. CHECK OUT RINKS AROUND THE LEAGUE: https://www.youtube.com/@_TheRinks 40:35 | Calling all adventurers: the seasonal access road to the base of Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park is now open! We feature one of Canada's most iconic peaks in this edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. PLOT YOUR COURSE TO MT. EDITH CAVELL: https://www.jasper.travel/ 43:15 | Can the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) be trusted? How bad is this orphan well problem? Many of you have asked us those questions, prompted by our continuing coverage of environmental and fiscal liabilities stemming from oil and gas activity in Alberta. Assistant Auditor General Eric Leonty takes us into the AG's recent report examining Alberta's orphan wells and the AER. READ THE REPORT: https://www.oag.ab.ca/reports/oag-liability-management-of-non-oil-sands-oil-and-gas-infrastructure/ THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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 the most mind-boggling build in Edmonton's recent history. The Valley Line LRT, a $1.8 billion expansion to the city's light rail network, is now three years behind schedule after builder TransEd announced yet another delay. This time, it's because 140 km worth of corroded cables need to be replaced before trains can safely operate. 00:10 | Are Tim Cartmell and Andrew Knack worried Edmontonians are losing faith in their city's ability to build anything properly? The city councillors join Ryan in studio for a frank discussion about the Valley Line, downtown crime rates, and the municipal implications of provincial election results. HERE'S THE INJURED LRT WORKER'S GO FUND ME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mark-mcquiad-and-family-support-campaign?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer 39:40 | Former NDP MP Olivia Chow will serve as Toronto's next Mayor after winning a hotly-contested election. How did she win, what does her victory say about Toronto's priorities, and what does it mean for the rest of the country? Longtime political strategist and commentator Andrew Tumilty gets into it. 54:00 | Could Jack Layton have been Prime Minister? Ryan and Johnny discuss, inspired by the interview with Andrew. 1:10:00 | Did you catch the NHL Awards last night? Were you as appalled by Dierks Bentley's attempt to drink from the Stanley Cup as Johnny was? EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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.

The world watched over the weekend as tension between several of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most loyal lieutenants spilled into the streets, and one of them turned his guns on targets in his own country. What does the short-lived rebellion in Russia mean for the war in Ukraine, and Putin himself? What's the main takeaway for the West? 3:00 | Ian Bremmer is one of the world's foremost authorities on geopolitics. The political scientist and president of Eurasia Group joins Ryan off the top of the show to explain what led to this weekend's events, why Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin's uprising stopped so quickly, and what it all means moving forward. CHECK OUT IAN'S GZERO MEDIA: https://www.gzeromedia.com/ 29:50 | The NHL says no more Pride, cancer, military, or other special edition jerseys in warmups. Ryan and Johnny touch on the story (with more to come later in the episode from Charles Adler). 32:00 | Did you notice Dr. Deena Hinshaw was fired last week? Alberta's former Chief Medical Officer of Health was let go from an AHS position in Indigenous health, prompting the resignation of Indigenous Wellness Core medical lead Dr. Esther Tailfeathers. Ryan reads an email from Real Talker "Dr. Rick," who's got a message for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 35:40 | Talk radio legend Charles Adler wastes no words in assessing the NHL's jersey decision (and Bud Light boycotts), Vladimir Putin's near future, the fate of the Titan submersible, and Bell Media's plea to further suffocate local news coverage. 1:14:15 | An Edmonton man is recovering from a near-fatal workplace accident on the West LRT project. Ryan reads an email from Real Talker "Hamid," who's rallying support for his co-worker Mark McQuaid. CONTRIBUTE TO THE GO FUND ME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mark-mcquiad-and-family-support-campaign?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer 1:17:00 | Real Talker "Chad" made our week with his love letter to Real Talk. Written from Jasper, Alberta, his note made such an impression we decided to make it this week's Positive Reflection presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. Thanks Chad! KUBY ENERGY IS HIRING: https://kubyenergy.ca/ PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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.

Anne's hot under the collar about the latest wildfire conspiracy theory, Tracey won't be muzzled over masks in senior's centres, and Jeff's got a message for Pride protestors. It's a loud and proud edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Lost at sea, will the passengers aboard a small vessel bound for Titanic's wreckage survive? Why haven't the 280 Canadians killed in the Air India 182 bombing in 1985 been properly remembered? Today's episode tackles a developing story, and a tragedy nearly 40 years ago. 1:00 | The outlook is grim for the five people aboard the lost Titan submarine. Ryan and Johnny have the latest details, and wonder why another story isn't seeing the same attention. 12:30 | Dr. Meera Nair says Canada needs to do more to remember the bombing of Air India 182. As the anniversary of that horrible terrorist attack looms, Meera tells us why she thinks politicians have been too nervous to call this tragedy what it is. CHECK OUT DR. NAIR'S BLOG: https://june231985.wordpress.com/ 46:30 | Anne's hot under the collar about the latest wildfire conspiracy theory, Tracey won't be muzzled over masks in senior's centres, and Jeff's got a message for Pride protestors. It's a loud and proud edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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.

Ten years after the southern Alberta floods, what have we learned from one of the costliest natural disasters in Canadian history? How did the disaster impact individuals, families, and the way we build (or rebuild) communities? Speaking of building relationships and communities, are we too reliant on technology? Are we asking the tough questions or riding blissfully down a road to ruin? This episode of Real Talk looks to the past, then the future, from a few different angles. 3:00 | Paris Marx is a tech critic. The host of the Tech Can't Save Us podcast and author of Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong About Transportation explains what WILL save us, and what we need to be saved from. We cover a lot of ground re: natural disasters, Apple's Vision Pro headset, autonomous vehicles, community planning, and Bitcoin. SEE PARIS MARX IN EDMONTON: https://www.michaeljanz.ca/parismarx CHECK OUT TECH WON'T SAVE US: https://techwontsave.us/ 39:00 | It's National Indigenous Peoples Day, and Real Talk audience member Sharon Morin's family is celebrating a huge honour. Ryan and Johnny shine a spotlight on the newest stamp from Canada Post. 42:30 | This year, Jasper National Park is honoured to partner with Simpcw, People of the River, as hosts of the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. Find details in this week's edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. DETAILS: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/autochtones-indigenous/JNPA-2023-NIPD 44:30 | Disaster researchers Dr. Caroline McDonald-Harker and (Hurricane Katrina survivor) Dr. Tim Haney take us into their extensive research on the 2013 southern Alberta floods. What follows is an important conversation about recognizing signs of PTSD, holding planners and developers accountable over where we build new homes, and the future of fire and flood insurance. 1:18:00 | This lost submarine story is blowing our minds. Ryan and Johnny cover the details we know as the search continues. SIGN UP FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC ON JUNE 22: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-g... PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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's among the worst developed nations when it comes to government transparency. We're also in the beginning stages of a new century of fire that will forever alter the way we interact with the planet. You're guaranteed to learn something on both fronts in this episode of Real Talk. But first... 0:00 | Did you catch Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen on our June 19th episode? We open with her warning about the negative effects of social media on youth mental health. You don't have to be a parent to be alarmed at the evidence she presents. 4:00 | Canadians are being denied their "right to know" about thousands of files. In fact, Canada doesn't even rank in the Top 50 nations when it comes to transparency. Robyn Doolittle and her colleague Tom Cardoso at The Globe and Mail have spent nearly two years filing hundreds of Freedom of Information requests. The findings of their Secret Canada project are shocking. CHECK IT OUT FURTHER: https://www.secretcanada.com/ 47:30 | In May 2016, Fort McMurray was overrun by wildfire. In his new book Fire Weather, John Vaillant argues the costliest disaster in Canadian history was a shocking preview of what we must prepare for in a hotter, more flammable world. As hundreds of wildfires continue to burn across the country, you won't want to miss this reality check from one of Canada's best nonfiction writers. ORDER FIRE WEATHER: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/554938/fire-weather-by-john-vaillant/ 1:21:30 | We're SO grateful when you subscribe to our YouTube channel and our podcast, especially when you take the time to rate and review the show. Ryan and Johnny have some fun reading a few one-star reviews (they ain't pretty)! PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen SIGN UP FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC ON JUNE 22: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-g... WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj 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 couple years ago, data engineer Frances Haugen blew the whistle on Facebook, disclosing thousands of her employer's internal documents to the SEC and The Wall Street Journal. Was it worth it? 4:45 | The author of "The Power of One" tells us why she took such a gutsy step, and whether or not anything's changed since "The Facebook Files" series ran in the WSJ. What's the worst case scenario if platforms like Facebook and Instagram aren't held to higher standards of accountability and transparency? Frances shines a light on the ugly underbelly of social media like very few can. ORDER THE POWER OF ONE: https://www.franceshaugen.com/ CHECK OUT THE WSJ SERIES: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-facebook-files-11631713039 42:00 | How does Charles Adler navigate the negative aspects of social media? Chuck and Ryan debrief after the Haugen interview before getting into Adler's Father's Day column in the Winnipeg Free Press. Plus, what impact will today's four by-elections have on the federal political landscape? 1:09:10 | A British grandfather went from barely surviving COVID to winning gold at the European Arm Wrestling Championships less than three years later. We celebrate his remarkable story in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. KUBY'S HIRING! https://kubyenergy.ca/ SIGN UP FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC ON JUNE 22: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-g... WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Ryan got a call from a certain former Deputy Premier of Alberta after yesterday's interview with Danielle Smith. It set the table for today's Fact Check edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

June is Pride month. Chances are, you're seeing more rainbow flags, news coverage, and maybe even a controversial email or pamphlet referencing the annual celebration. Where should our focus be? We welcome three LGBTQ+ community members to the Real Talk Round Table for an unflinching look at the work that still needs to be done in Canada and around the world. 2:20 | Imagine coming to Canada as an immigrant or refugee, fleeing your country of origin because of discrimination against yourself and other members of the LGBTQ+ community. Those are the new Canadians Basel Abou Hamrah supports through the Rainbow Refugee program at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. He joins Outloud St. Albert's Bekah Marcellus and Robertson-Wesley United Church member Angela Glasel for a very personal, powerful conversation about Pride. CHECK OUT RAINBOW REFUGEE: https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/ LINK TO OUTLOUD ST. ALBERT: https://www.outloudstalbert.ca/ LEARN MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY & CONNECTION: https://www.communityandconnection.com/ 1:09:50 | Ryan got a call from a certain former Deputy Premier of Alberta after yesterday's interview with Danielle Smith. It set the table for today's Fact Check edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ SIGN UP FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC ON JUNE 22: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-g... WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

What are Danielle Smith's plans for Cabinet, an Alberta pension plan, and a "new relationship" with Ottawa and the media? Alberta's Premier joins Ryan in studio for an interview you won't want to miss. 2:00 | But first...we hear so many people declare society is more polarized now than ever before. Is that actually true? If so, how did we get to this point? More importantly, how do we move from polarization to collaboration? New York Times best-selling author Irshad Manji joins Ryan in studio for an interview she barely made. Find out why! ATTEND IRSHAD'S JUNE 8 EVENT AT THE CITADEL THEATRE: https://www.epl.ca/speaker-series/ 31:50 | Danielle Smith defied early polls, and won the Alberta election on May 29. Alberta's Premier talks to Ryan on the eve of her Cabinet announcement to discuss rural vs. urban representation, attracting "progressive conservatives" back to the UCP, plans to heal healthcare delivery, job losses in oil and gas, cooperation with PM Justin Trudeau and the federal government, a controversial "council of advisors" in Edmonton, her threatened lawsuit targeting the CBC, an Alberta pension plan, and unblocking her critics on Twitter. EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] SIGN UP FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC ON JUNE 22: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-g... WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Following a couple recounts, it's official: the Alberta NDP won 14 of 26 seats in Calgary. How did the party most closely tied to success in Edmonton take down high-profile UCP incumbents in south Calgary? 4:00 | Esmahan Razavi managed the NDP campaigns in Calgary-Acadia and Calgary-Glenmore, where Diana Batten beat Tyler Shandro and Nagwan Al-Guneid beat Whitney Issik. The NDP won both ridings by 25 and 42 votes, respectively. How'd they do it? When did they know they were going to win? What put them over the hump? What do these wins do for the party moving forward? 40:10 | There's no cooler way to explore the Athabasca Glacier than with Rockaboo Mountain Adventures. We take you to the Columbia Icefield in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. BOOK YOUR GLACIER ADVENTURE: https://rockaboo.ca/ 42:50 | It's one of the more mind-boggling stories in sports history. How did the PGA go from banning golfers bound for the LIV Tour to partnering with the Saudi-owned enterprise in less than a year? Ryan and Johnny discuss. SIGN UP FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC ON JUNE 22: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-golf-classic WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

David Johnston says he's staying on as Special Rapporteur despite a House of Commons motion calling for his resignation (and a public inquiry). The former Governor General says questions around his integrity and independence are off base. With such loud criticism around Johnston's "so called" friendship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will the average Canadian trust his investigation into alleged foreign interference with our democracy? Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley joins us (23:50) to discuss. 7:20 | But first...did you know 82% of Prairie Grasslands in Canada have disappeared? Grasslands are one of the world's most threatened ecosystems, yet they remain the least protected. Why does it seem nobody cares? Nature Conservancy of Canada's Jeremy Hogan explains why native Prairie Grasslands are so important, what the world might look like without them, and what's being done to save them. CHECK OUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA: https://natureconservancy.ca/en/ 23:50 | NDP, Conservative, and Bloc Quebecois MPs are sending a clear message to Special Rapporteur David Johnston: resign. But the former Governor General, appointed by the Liberals to investigate allegations of foreign interference in Canadian democracy, says he won't. Are the optics of Johnston's alleged longtime friendship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau enough to invalidate his efforts in this important role? Plus, will Trudeau stay on to battle Pierre Poilievre in the next federal election? Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley lets us know what he thinks. CHECK OUT BRIAN'S PODCAST "FULL COMMENT": https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/full-comment/id1561204292 57:45 | We need to give doctors a pay raise. Ryan explains why. 1:05:50 | Would you pay $4,700 for Apple's new Vision Pro headset? Ryan and Johnny debate. WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Populist politicians like Danielle Smith, Doug Ford, and Ron DeSantis have won support by appealing to everyday people. But do average, ordinary folks actually benefit from this brand of politics? 4:40 | Dr. Lisa Young's been writing about Danielle Smith's ascent to United Conservative Party leader and Premier of Alberta for the past six months. The political scientist joins Ryan to talk about populism, winning and losing campaign strategies, and her latest piece for Alberta Views. USE PROMO CODE "AVRJ" FOR 50% OFF A ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION OF ALBERTA VIEWS: https://albertaviews.ca/subscribe/ 36:30 | Charles Adler will be the first to tell you the Alberta election didn't go the way he'd hoped. The Emmy Award-winning talk radio host tells Ryan about his hopes for Alberta moving forward. Chuck chimes in on recent comments about "cultural Marxism" by Florida governor Ron DeSantis, and a comment on trans youth by presidential hopeful Nikki Haley at a CNN town hall over the weekend. Finally, should Justin Trudeau be held responsible for killer Paul Bernardo's transfer to medium-security prison? Pierre Poilievre says yes. Find out what Charles has to say about that. 1:14:00 | It's fascinating to see sights, sounds, or smells reignite the memory of someone living with dementia. We feature a heartwarming story out of Essex, UK over the weekend in this week's edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy. KUBY RENEWABLE ENERGY IS HIRING: https://kubyenergy.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

It's the first edition of Trash Talk since the Alberta election, and Real Talkers have a lot to say! Ryan busts out the flame thrower and gets into the hottest takes submitted to [email protected]. Trash Talk is presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services. KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

What can we expect to see from Premier Danielle Smith, Rachel Notley (and the Alberta NDP), and Justin Trudeau vs. Pierre Poilievre? Find out from Bad + Bitchy podcast hosts Erica Ifill and Kristin Raworth in this crossover episode of Real Talk. 3:40 | But first...is Taylor Swift's boyfriend really a Nazi sympathizer? 9:30 | Erica, born and raised in Edmonton, now calls Ottawa home. She says national coverage of Alberta's election fell short. Is that a CBC issue, or something bigger? 13:00 | What should we expect to see from Premier Danielle Smith and her UCP government? 26:10 | How about Rachel Notley? What might her future look like, and could it include a run at the federal NDP leadership? 42:35 | Will Danielle Smith survive a rumoured coup within her caucus? Can she outlast Jason Kenney, Jim Prentice, Dave Hancock, Alison Redford, and Ed Stelmach, and actually complete a full term? 44:15 | We turn our attention to federal politics, and get Erica and Kristin's take on the Liberal affordable housing plan, the future of $10/day childcare, and more. 52:00 | Did Pierre Poilievre cross the line with a blast aimed at PM Justin Trudeau in the House yesterday? Kristin explains why she's so turned off by the comment, and Erica chimes in on "unserious" people. 1:05:40 | It's the first edition of Trash Talk since the Alberta election, and Real Talkers have a lot to say! Ryan busts out the flame thrower and gets into the hottest takes submitted to [email protected]. Trash Talk is presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services. KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

In politics, is it possible to win and lose at the same time? You might describe the Alberta NDP's 2023 campaign in such a way. Rachel Notley's party lost the election, but there were gains in popular support, seats, fundraising, and overall momentum. How much of that actually matters? What's the right move for Notley and the party moving forward? 3:50 | Max Fawcett says Rachel Notley's NDP needs to finish the job. The lead columnist for Canada's National Observer explains where the NDP campaign got it right and where it failed. Max and Ryan discuss whether or not Notley should stick around for another election, how Premier-elect Danielle Smith is likely to govern, and what the future of federal politics looks like. READ MAX'S COLUMN: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/05/31/opinion/rachel-notley-ndp-needs-finish-job 59:24 | The Maligne Lake Boat Cruise is now open! This week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper highlights one of the most magnificent ways to explore the longest lake in the Canadian Rockies. CHECK OUT THE MALIGNE LAKE BOAT CRUISE: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/maligne-lake-cruise/ EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

The results are in: Danielle Smith and the UCP will form Alberta's next government. What can Albertans expect? What message does the election outcome send to the rest of Canada? What does the future look like for Rachel Notley and the NDP? 2:20 | And what does the NDP sweeping Edmonton mean for Alberta's capital city? Councillor Sarah Hamilton joins Ryan in studio. 15:30 | Will Danielle Smith's populist approach to campaigning continue into her first full term as premier? Calgary Sun scribe Rick Bell tells us what he's hearing. 42:50 | Was this the NDP's last decent shot at winning an election in Alberta? Does the party need a rebrand? We check in with Athabasca University political science professor Dr. Mark Crawford. WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

By the time most of us fall asleep tonight, we'll know which party will form the next government in Alberta. Will it be Premier Danielle Smith or Premier Rachel Notley we're talking about tomorrow morning? It's looking like this could wind up as the closest election in Alberta history. This episode of Real Talk, we talk about the x-factors that could contribute to a UCP or NDP win. 8:45 | Talk radio legend Charles Adler was one of the first high-profile Canadians to offer an endorsement, backing Rachel Notley's NDP on New Year's Eve. Since then, former PC cabinet ministers Thomas Lukaszuk and Doug Griffiths, and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi have followed suit. Meantime, former PM Stephen Harper, current CPC leader Pierre Poilievre, and Rebel Media founder Ezra Levant have endorsed Danielle Smith's UCP. How much do endorsements actually matter? Can they hurt more than help? 37:30 | Real Talker Scott supported the Reform Party growing up, campaigned for Ted Morton in 2006, and voted for Jason Kenney's UCP in 2019. He tells us why he "never thought (he'd) be here" as he prepares to vote in the 2023 Alberta election. EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 40:30 | Which ridings could come down the wire tonight? Which ones might swing? Will the NDP sweep Edmonton? Will the UCP hold onto their key Calgary ridings? What about Banff-Kananaskis, Red Deer, and Lethbridge? Political blogger and podcaster Dave Cournoyer tells us which races he's paying close attention to. CHECK OUT DAVEBERTA: https://daveberta.substack.com/ 1:18:30 | It's a special election edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy, as Ryan shoots from the hip and speaks from the heart. GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Lauren says it's gotta be people ahead of profits, and Catalina didn't love the tone of one of our interviews this week. Both Real Talkers sound off in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

The Alberta election is just days away. More than a half-million people have already voted in advance polls, suggesting this election could see record-setting turnout. It's a hotly contested race, with the UCP and NDP polling neck and neck. This episode is dedicated to those of you still making up your mind. 3:25 | Economist Dr. Trevor Tombe, journalist Drew Anderson, and Alberta Chambers CEO Shauna Feth form our Real Talk Round Table intended to Inform Your Vote. Our panelists dig into the policy of both leading parties, evaluating their plans for Alberta's economic, environmental, and energy future. What impact will raising the corporate tax rate have on jobs? Is a rate cap the best way to navigate rising electricity costs? Is carbon capture smart policy or a scam? Our experts hash out these questions and more. READ DREW'S PIECE IN THE NARWHAL: https://thenarwhal.ca/alberta-election-platforms/ CHECK OUT ALBERTA CHAMBERS' "VOTE PROSPERITY" CAMPAIGN: https://www.abchamber.ca/our-priorities/vote-prosperity-ab/ 1:04:25 | Lauren says it's gotta be people ahead of profits, and Catalina didn't love the tone of one of our interviews this week. Both Real Talkers sound off in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

It's a helluva thing for a high-profile Progressive Conservative cabinet minister to go on the record endorsing the New Democrats. But that's exactly what former Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffiths is doing. In an exclusive interview with Real Talk, Griffiths explains how he got here. 4:00 | Doug Griffiths played a big role in Alberta's Progressive Conservative governments between 2002-2015. The veteran cabinet minister grabbed a whole bunch of attention a few days ago, when he endorsed Rachel Notley and several of her NDP candidates. He tells Ryan why he went public in such a significant way, and what he makes of today's United Conservative Party. 41:00 | If political leaders and everyday Albertans aren't talking about climate policy during an election campaign running parallel to the worst wildfire season on record, when will we? Green Party of Alberta leader Jordan Wilkie talks about how the fires have affected the 2023 Alberta election, and what he wishes voters would consider. HERE'S THE GO FUND ME FOR FRANKIE PAYOU: https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-heartbroken-alberta-wildfire-burns-home?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR1GZjsbEMLbs3FRbv0kj6harq9jvkPwpjJHprc8P1uM0QojKtyoUJ8cHfI WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Alberta's making national news on two fronts this month. With more than a million hectares already burned before June (that's 2.5 million football fields!), the province is trending toward its worst wildfire season on record. Meantime, candidates in 87 ridings are campaigning for votes as the May 29 election looms. 2:40 | Why is this spring so bad for wildfires? What are the most significant contributing factors? How much of what we're seeing (and breathing) is the "new normal"? Weather expert and videojournalist Kyle Brittain shows us mind-blowing footage from the front lines, and explains what we can expect for the remainder of this summer and over the years to come. FOLLOW KYLE ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KyleBrittainWX 35:30 | Ian Donovan is best known in provincial political circles for crossing the floor from the Wildrose Party to the Progressive Conservatives in November of 2014. He compares the conservative movement from ten years ago to today, and explains how he's seen Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley evolve as leaders, too. FOLLOW IAN ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/IanDono99330524 1:04:30 | Calling all cyclists and runners! The Jasper Gran Fondo and Banff Jasper Relay are just a couple weeks away. We feature these super cool ways to explore Jasper National Park in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. PLAN YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Even the most experienced pollsters and pundits are having a hard time calling this one. As advance polls open today, with less than a week 'til Election Day, the UCP and NDP are neck and neck. Who's going to win the Alberta election, and how are they going to do it? 3:55 | Charles Adler doesn't live in Alberta, but you'd never know it. The veteran talk radio host knows the province inside out. He tells us who he thinks won the televised debate (and why), and what impact he thinks it had on the overall race. How might the national political landscape shift with a Danielle Smith win next Monday? Chuck tells us, after riffing on the new Canadian passport design out of the gates. (Hilarious.) 33:35 | Talk to a Conservative insider, they'll tell you Calgary's going blue. Talk to an NDP insider, they'll tell you Calgary's going orange. Talk to them both at the same time? You've got another must-watch Real Talk panel. This time, it's New West Public Affairs partner Michael Solberg and Wellington Advocacy VP Leah Ward who bring experienced insight to the table. Who do you agree with more? Let us know! EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 1:09:15 | The world's first "bee therapy retreat" is set to open in June in Scotland. The resort, which gives whole new meaning to "Air Bee & Bee," uses the sounds and scents of honey bees to help people relax, de-stress, even navigate PTSD. We feature the innovative travel destination in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Tania's got a strong message - delivered out of love (!) - for our Thursday Round Table guests (and Ryan), and Ned's sick of politics as sport. Both sound off in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Both the UCP and NDP are claiming a win at the only televised debate of the 2023 Alberta Election. Who's right? How do you gauge success? Did either leader - Danielle Smith or Rachel Notley - actually move the needle with undecided (or even "decided") voters? 2:10 | The Strategists produce and host one of Canada's favourite political podcasts. Stephen Carter, Corey Hogan, and Annalise Klingbeil join Ryan to recap the debate's most notable moments. Don't miss their takes on who scored better on image, messaging, and the intangibles! CHECK OUT THE STRATEGISTS: https://thestrategists.ca/ CHECK OUT ANNALISE'S SUBSTACK "GO OUTSIDE": https://gooutside.substack.com/ 57:05 | What exactly was wrong with former Alberta Party leader Stephen Mandel's suit at the 2019 Alberta Election Debate? Johnny presses Ryan on a bold statement earlier in the episode. 59:30 | Tania's got a strong message - delivered out of love (!) - for our Thursday Round Table guests (and Ryan), and Ned's sick of politics as sport. Both sound off in this week's Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

The only televised debate of the 2023 Alberta Election goes down tonight. What can we expect from Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley? Who has the upper hand? Does it even matter? Furthermore, does anybody even recognize the United Conservative Party anymore? 2:00 | Our Group Chat Round Table reconvenes with Katherine O'Neill, Harman Kandola, and Jenny Adams, veterans of multiple conservative campaigns. We open with observations on what sets this debate apart from any other in Alberta history. Then, our panelists discuss the abhorrent comments from UCP candidate Jennifer Johnson about gender minority students, and what an appropriate response from Danielle Smith looks like. We look back at the PC/WRP merger (Katherine was PC Party president at the time), and how that set the table for today's version of the UCP. Our panel discusses Rob Anderson (Smith's top advisor) defending a far-right commentator, NDP candidate Kevin Van Tighem's comments about the oil and gas industry, and polling discrepancies out of Calgary. All in all, this is an hour of Alberta election coverage you won't want to miss! Let us know what you think: [email protected] WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

It's a total disaster. For decades, Alberta has allowed oil and gas companies to ignore their legal obligation to clean up old wells, tailings ponds, and other environmental liabilities. It's obvious to anybody paying attention that the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) can't be trusted to look out for the public nor the planet. 4:00 | Markham Hislop has been covering the oil and gas industry for years, as publisher of Energi Media. He takes us into his investigative series "Unethical Oil: Alberta's Secret Shame," and explains how we got to this point. How bad is this mess? What happens if it's not cleaned up? Who on earth is going to foot the bill? Every Albertan needs to watch this interview. READ MARKHAM'S REPORTING: https://energi.media/ CHECK OUT MARKHAM'S PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/energi-talks/id1534771882 35:45 | Snow is disappearing from Jasper's hiking and biking trails, meaning May Long Weekend is a perfect time to head to the mountains! This week's #MyJasper Memories highlights some of the best early season options to explore Jasper National Park. CHECK OUT THE VENTURE BEYOND VIDEO SERIES: https://www.youtube.com/@JasperAlberta 39:50 | Our coverage of Canada's opioid crisis continues as Dr. Andrea Sereda and Guy Felicella join Ryan to talk harm reduction, safer supply, and political opportunism. Why are we so hesitant to accept evidence-based practices in this space? How do we hit stigma head on? What's the number one thing Guy, a survivor of six overdoses, wants you to remember about this issue? 1:17:10 | We are nothing without you, our amazing audience. Since the very first episodes of Real Talk, Brenda Walmsley was the first to sign into the live stream and wish us a "Good morning" in the comments. Ryan takes a minute to pay tribute to a forever friend. WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Nobody will blame you for being confused about voter intention across the province. Duelling polls from Abacus Data and Janet Brown have the UCP either losing big or winning big in Calgary. So, what's a voter to think? Ryan opens the show with campaign developments over the past 24 hours, including both parties' tax plans, controversial comments about transgender students from a UCP candidate in central Alberta, and a proposed plan for forced drug rehab. 10:40 | Ten years ago, Ben Perrin was Prime Minister Stephen Harper's advisor on justice and public safety. The UBC Law professor and best-selling author follows up on yesterday's interview with Adam Zivo about Canada's "safer supply" program. CHECK OUT PROF. PERRIN'S BOOK "OVERDOSE": https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/605163/overdose-by-benjamin-perrin/9780735237889 44:50 | Rachel Gilmore might be Canada's most-trolled journalist. The longtime major network correspondent on far right extremism, conspiracy theories, and misinformation was let go by Global News just two weeks after winning a national journalism award. In one of her first interviews since being laid off, Rachel talks to us about the personal toll of being threatened on an almost-daily basis, and her biggest worry re: the future of journalism, and women working in the field. FOLLOW RACHEL ON TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachel_gilmore?lang=en FOLLOW RACHEL ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/atRachelGilmore?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Could the UCP really be blowing a big lead in Calgary? Will the NDP be able to hold on and win the election on May 29? Do you even believe what the polls are saying, or is your gut telling you something different? We take a look at some of the top headlines two weeks out from Election Day, and what they could mean outcome-wise. But first... 9:55 | Is the federal government's "safer supply" approach actually fuelling a new opioid crisis in Canada? Is additions research really "politicized and ideologically driven"? Journalist Adam Zivo joins Ryan (from Odesa, Ukraine) to get into his expose published in the National Post. NOTE: PM Stephen Harper's former policy advisor Ben Perrin joins us Tuesday, and harm reduction expert Guy Felicella joins us Wednesday, to respond to Adam's report. READ ADAM'S REPORT: https://nationalpost.com/feature/how-the-liberal-governments-safer-supply-is-fuelling-a-new-opioid-crisis 38:10 | Does UCP leader Danielle Smith seriously think police should be taking orders from the Premier? Did NDP candidate Kevin Van Tighem hurt his party with an essay comparing oil and gas workers to slaves? Charles Adler takes a look at the top political headlines in Alberta two weeks out from the election. 1:22:30 | Every golfer who's played a course lined with houses can relate to the nightmare of a rogue shot smashing a big, expensive window. We LOVE the story of a homeowner who paid it forward, featured in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy! GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Jeff says people need to chill over the new Canadian passports, Laurie argues school buses are getting less safe in Alberta, and Monty's wondering what the hell happened to the candidates that lost the UCP leadership race. Buckle up for another fiery edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

What do Alberta's towns and cities most need right now? A solution to violent crime? Better access to healthcare? $30 billion to save essential infrastructure from collapse? This episode, four Alberta mayors tell us their top priorities two weeks out from the provincial election. 3:35 | Violent crime is up in Edmonton almost 17% over last year. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi knows it's part of the reason why the downtown core's not nearly as vibrant as it once was. What's the solution? Sohi joins Ryan in studio to discuss his State of the City address earlier in the week, crime prevention, harm reduction, the baffling decision to spare an Edmonton cop from charges in the brutal beating of teen Pacey Dumas, and the new Indigenous name for the longest river valley pedestrian trail in North America. 34:15 | Experts say Alberta's got a $30 billion problem on its hands. You might not have heard about it because it's not sexy: it's an infrastructure deficit. And it's a big deal. Mayors Cathy Heron (St. Albert), Tyler Gandam (Wetaskiwin), and Angela Duncan (Alberta Beach) form our Real Talk Round Table, and tell us what they want to see from provincial party leaders through the election campaign. CHECK OUT AB MUNIS ONLINE: https://www.abmunis.ca/ 1:05:25 | The Lebanese Burger Mafia premiered at Hot Docs in Toronto just a couple weeks ago, and this weekend, Omar Mouallem's feature film about the Burger Baron brand will close NorthwestFest. The filmmaker shares his personal connection to the story, and explains what it says about the immigrant journey in Canada. The interview wraps with Omar's thoughts on Ryan's controversial conversation with Mousa Qasqas the day before. NORTHWESTFEST: https://www.northwestfest.ca/ 1:28:30 | Jeff says people need to chill over the new Canadian passports, Laurie argues school buses are getting less safe in Alberta, and Monty's wondering what the hell happened to the candidates that lost the UCP leadership race. Buckle up for another fiery edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Violence is escalating again in the Gaza Strip, as Israel airstrikes target the militant Islamic Jihad group. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned civilian loss of life, saying the deaths of the women and children were “unacceptable and must stop immediately”. 7:30 | Mousa Qasqas has been advocating for peace in the Middle East his entire adult life. The Palestinian Canadian organizer shares his thoughts on why the fighting continues, and why it's not "anti-Semitic" to criticize Israel. CANADA PALESTINE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION: https://cpcayeg.ca/ MOUSA'S EVENT ON SUNDAY: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/palestinian-day-at-the-park-tickets-626747186707 36:15 | With wildfires burning across Alberta, violent crime on the rise in both rural and urban communities, and the opioid crisis continuing to claim lives, it's no wonder the average Canadian might tell you they don't feel safe. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair explains how Ottawa's helping the wildfire fight, and the best ways to cut down on crime. WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Sources inside the United Conservative Party say a faction's already organizing against Danielle Smith. Rumour has it if the UCP doesn't win big on May 29, she could be ousted as party leader. 3:00 | Are the rumblings valid or not? Veteran political columnist Graham Thomson tells us what he's hearing and what his gut's telling him. What does Graham make of Take Back Alberta founder David Parker's claim he "controls the premier's office"? And, with all this talk about Danielle Smith, is the media doing its job in applying proper scrutiny to Rachel Notley and the NDP? Ryan and Graham get into it. 40:52 | Thanks to the tireless work of firefighters across Yellowhead County, Jasper's power supply is stable, shelves are stocked, and the sky is clear. Ahead of May Long Weekend, we focus on some of the best spring openings in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. PLAN YOUR SPRING GETAWAY TO JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/ 43:43 | We hear a lot of talk about "diversification" from political parties eager to earn your vote. What are Alberta tech companies actually looking for in terms of political commitments? Council of Canadian Innovators president Benjamin Bergen explains where government can lead and where it should get out of the way. Plus, why is Alberta struggling more than any other province to recruit software engineers? Ben lays it out. WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.

Another day, another apology from Danielle Smith. The UCP leader is facing fire for comments in November of 2021 comparing vaccinated people with followers of Adolf Hitler. Even if her party weathers these storms and wins the election, what're the chances Danielle Smith stays on as leader? 3:40 | Talking about the Holocaust is personal for Charles Adler. The Emmy Award-winning broadcaster explains why, in assessing Danielle Smith's latest "optics issue". Plus, what's the key takeaway from Canada expelling Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei? 34:10 | Cultural values need to be central to research involving Indigenous people in Canada. Athabasca University associate professor Dr. Josie Auger joins Ryan in studio to explain how her kikapekiskwewin podcast came about, and why Indigenous knowledge is so important to shaping the future in all fields. CHECK OUT THE PODCAST: https://aufa.ca/member-news/2023/3/2/aufa-members-launch-indigenous-research-podcast-kikapekiskwewin LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. AUGER: https://news.athabascau.ca/research/au-researcher-studies-the-impact-of-sexual-violation-on-indigenous-women-2/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: 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.