As we approach 1,000 episodes of Real Talk, we count down the top ten show stopping statements uttered on the show.. Find all these interviews and more highlights in our YouTube and podcast archives! TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch…

Meet Pulkit Kumar. Just 24 years old, the surgical student has already been featured in Forbes for his innovative work in healthcare. He also happens to be an avid Real Talker who reached out to us after our July 17 episode with Dr. Paul Parks - "Alberta's Healthcare Crisis Explained". 3:40 | Pulkit explains how growing up in India, the USA, and Ca…

We call politicians hypocrites, flip-flops, and worse when they change their tune. We expect our elected (and appointed) officials to stand by what they say no matter what. Whatever happened to "live and learn"? On the heels of our conversation with newly-minted Senator Charles Adler about his personal and political evolution, we connect with anoth…

Longtime talk radio host Charles Adler is headed to Ottawa to serve as a Senator, after being appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It's an interesting situation, as Adler has long been critical of the Senate, calling for its abolition back in 2013. 2:05 | We put Chuck's old tweets in front of him, and ask if he's changed his mind (you might …

Merrick's miffed about paying too much for gas, Wendy's not sure about Adler's take on science, Gerald says Pierre Poilievre is hardly a genius on Bitcoin, and Jill doesn't GAF if you don't like her store's Pride display. They've all fired up The Flamethrower presented by our friends at the DQs in Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR …

We go behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics with photojournalists Leah Hennel and Candice Ward! 2:15 | Leah's still in Paris. Candice just returned home to Las Vegas. The award-winning photographers tell us what it was like to shoot the world's best athletes on the world's biggest stage. FOLLOW LEAH: https://www.instagram.com/leahhennelphoto FOLL…

Alberta's government plans to knock down the former Royal Alberta Museum, replacing the magnificent Manitoba Tyndall stone structure with (more) green space. Many prominent Albertans are speaking out against the plan, including architect Vivian Manasc, who says the UCP is about to make a huge mistake. 3:00 | Vivian explains what makes the former RA…

Alberta will allow hunters to target "problem" Grizzly bears that have shown aggression to humans or livestock. The controversial changes to the Wildlife Act have prompted loud public outcry, but is everybody with an opinion truly informed? 3:15 | Mark Hall says the Alberta government is making the right move with "problem" bears. The Blood Origins…

UCP MLA Eric Bouchard says he's working to have the COVID vaccine banned in Alberta. In a recent podcast interview, the Calgary-based politician claims to have had "multiple lengthy conversations" with Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, and that his "win would be having the shots removed." We dig into what continues to fuel the anti-vaxx movement, a…

C'est fini! With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in the books, we take a look at the athletes and stories that captured our attention and won our hearts. 1:00 | But before we talk Olympics, Ryan and Johnny debrief after a late night at NOFX's final tour stop in Edmonton. 6:10 | What was your most memorable moment from the Paris Games? Who's your new f…

It's an Alberta politics version of The Flamethrower! Travis says Jespo needs to "stop carrying water," Sheryl's calling for "voices of sanity," and Gerald's sick of all the fear mongering. The Flamethrower is presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park (Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road). FIRE UP YOUR FLAME…

2:10 | Royalty in the house! Miss Universe Canada Ashley Callingbull joins us in studio to talk about why her big win means so much. The first Indigenous woman ever to be crowned, Ashley takes us through the many challenges she's overcome through the years. Plus, we learn about her new film and book projects, and go behind the scenes of her trainin…

Scammers are more active now than ever before. Opportunists are trying to steal donations after natural disasters like the Jasper wildfire, romance and "hitman" scams are targeting people of all ages...and then there are those spam calls that are a daily occurrence for most smartphone users. 4:10 | Consumer protection expert Julie Matthews has been…

Natural disasters like wildfires impact us in many different ways. On top of the obvious physical devastation, communities typically experience increased rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. This Real Talk episode with Dr. Jody Carrington is dedicated to Jasper evacuees and the people helping them, first responders, and the countless Canadians i…

We go behind the scenes of the Jasper wildfire: how did it start, why did it grow so quickly, and how did crews manage to save 60% of the town, including most of the Jasper Park Lodge? Plus, we fact check the role the mountain pine beetle played in the blaze, and learn what communities across the country need to do to prevent future disasters. 3:20…

How do you feel about Canada's Olympic women's soccer team's cheating scandal? Surprised? Embarrassed? Or, did the team get busted doing what every competitor does: whatever it takes to win? In this episode, we ask Charles Adler where he draws the line. 4:00 | But first...Chuck tells us what he thinks about Premier Danielle Smith's emotional news c…

Martin says it's time to politicize wildfires, while Brad says that's "incredibly poor taste". Two different takes responding to the Jasper wildfire in this week's edition of (sorry) The Flamethrower presented by our good friends at the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park. FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com When you visit the…

One of Canada's crown jewels sustained devastating damage on July 24, as wildfire tore though the beloved mountain town of Jasper. In this episode, with firefighters still battling the blaze, we speak with evacuees, an extreme weather expert, a veteran fire chief, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. 2:37 | Jasper town councillor Wendy Hall joins us…

It's a whole new ball game now that Joe Biden's out. Does Kamala Harris have what it takes to knock off Donald Trump and keep the Democrats in charge? Closer to home, could Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's goose be cooked with this hockey ticket controversy? 4:30 | Charles Adler tells us how he thinks the presidential race changes with Biden pullin…

The Sco's at odds with Adler, Paul cracks on our coverage, Kyle's angry at the liberals and "so-called centrists," and Merrick the Red Headed Prick says moral decay isn't limited to lefties. Real Talkers are alllllll fired up in this all-Trump edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLA…

Before she became a Canadian Senator, Paula Simons was an investigative journalist and National Newspaper Award-winning columnist. It's clear she approaches accountability around her role in the Red Chamber differently than most of her colleagues. Right out of the gates in this must-watch episode, Senator Simons opens up her own expense reports, ta…

Has someone close to you chosen a medically-assisted death? The total number of Canadians requesting MAID rises 30% or so every year, accounting for just over 4% of all deaths in Canada in 2022. While concerns remain - including implications for people living with mental health challenges, severe disabilities, or in extreme poverty - MAID appears t…

In episode 2 of Bombshells, Amy and Fleur talk to Eric Kaufmann, professor of politics at the University of Buckingham. Eric is the author of Rise and Fall of Anglo-America, Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth? and Whiteshift: Populism, Immigration and the Future of White Majorities. He is a specialist in nationalism, populism and political and r…

Good luck finding a family doctor if you live in Alberta, let alone getting an MRI, surgery, or cancer care right when you need it. Health care professionals are leaving in droves, thousands of patients are stuck on waitlists, and some rural communities are declaring a state of local health care crisis. In this episode of Real Talk, we find out how…

We get you up to speed on the FBI investigation into the attempt on Donald Trump's life, buzz from Republicans and Democrats days removed from the attack, and growing focus on "Project 2025". 4:40 | The Republican National Convention is underway, and Trump is front and centre (and trying to stay awake). We check out a compelling cross-aisle message…

"I'm supposed to be dead." Not only did Donald Trump survive an attempt on his life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania over the weekend...he appears to be more motivated than ever to retake the White House. In this episode of Real Talk, we explore the many different angles of the Trump assassination attempt, including what it means for the Republic…

If you're going to publicly challenge healthcare delivery in Canada, approach with caution. Ryan's July 9 remarks about waitlists and other barriers to care enraged more than a few folks. Many took to Twitter to throw a grenade. In this edition of The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park, we get into a few of th…

Animals die every year at rodeos around the world. And, stands are packed every year at rodeos around the world. As protests against animal exploitation increase, many circuses and zoos have been shut down. Is it time to ban rodeo? 2:45 | Prompted by their Dialogue feature in the summer issue of Alberta Views, animal rights attorney Camille Labchuk…

Should Joe Biden accept Donald Trump's challenge to play 18 holes of golf? Is it important for Justin Trudeau to attend the Calgary Stampede? What'll Naheed Nenshi's first big move be as leader of the Alberta NDP? 2:14 | We talk about the presidential race (2:40), Trudeau v. Poilievre (13:45), our "Naheed Nenshi: Fact Checked" episode (28:30), maki…

They're one of the most magnificent animals on the planet. For years, they've been a threatened species in Alberta. But grizzly bears will soon be hunted again after the UCP government quietly lifted a 20 year ban. In this episode, we investigate changes to the Wildlife Act allowing "problem" bears to be targeted by sport hunters, and learn what wi…

Was Naheed Nenshi accurate and fair in his criticism of Danielle Smith's government when he joined us on June 24? In this episode, we task two UCP supporters with "fact checking" the Alberta NDP leader's comments and providing alternative perspectives. 2:25 | Former UCP president Cynthia Moore and Alberta Institute's Peter McCaffrey respond to Nahe…

Does a monument of the Ten Commandments belong in Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park? We tackle the developing story - and fifteen others - in this episode of Real Talk. 6:16 | Charles Adler wastes no time chiming in on Russia bombing a children's hospital in Ukraine, the UK's new Prime Minister (10:35), former minister Marc Garneau's scathing indictment …

On ‘Politics and Heterodox Social Sciences with Eric Kaufmann,’ Brussels Signal podcast with Ralph Schoelhammer, Apr 11https://brusselssignal.eu/2024/04/politics-and-heterodox-social-sciences-with-eric-kaufmann/By Eric Kaufmann

Real Talkers are FIRED UP over Sophie Grégoire Trudeau's comments about ADHD on Real Talk (June 26). Robyn, Sara, and Travis sound off, then "Raging Grannie" Karen chimes in on our Spittin' Chiclets interview (June 13). It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.…

For more than a century, Albertans have celebrated a collective entrepreneurial spirit. A bold, scrappy, "never say die" attitude. But does that hard-wired reputation actually translate into a better business environment? We talk to Alberta's best in class in this episode - a Real Talk Round Table featuring Alberta Business Award of Distinction win…

Canada's rate of workplace fatalities is among the worst in the developed world. More workers die in Alberta alone every year than the entire UK. Why is Canada's safety record so poor? Why haven't we learned from tragedy after tragedy? Where's the accountability? How do we turn this trend around? 2:55 | Nicole Gnazdowsky's brother Andrew was killed…

Coming up on a year since her separation from Canada's Prime Minister, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau talks to us about her own public and personal journey, and her new book Closer Together. 2:30 | Sophie tells us about her conversations with experts on ADHD, infertility, eating disorders, "mindful masculinity," and more. LEARN MORE: https://sophiegregoir…

Ugggggh. Connor McDavid and the Oilers will have to wait another year for a shot at the team's first Stanley Cup in decades. We talk it out - and get an update on the water main mess in Calgary - in this episode of Real Talk. 1:17 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after a heartbreaking Game Seven. 6:55 | The Globe and Mail's Carrie Tait tells us about som…

Naheed Nenshi just RAN AWAY with the Alberta NDP leadership. Connor McDavid's poised to hoist his first Stanley Cup. We've got the two biggest stories in Canada covered (plus a recap of the sold-out Real Talk Golf Classic!) in this episode of Real Talk. 0:30 | Jespo and Johnny tee up Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final. 10:00 | Are they cheering fo…

Anne's sick of crybabies in Calgary, and Don schools Ryan on the Royal Canadian Navy in The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.comWhen you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, make sure you tell 'em Real Talk sent you!…

Ryan's longtime friend Kathleen McGee joins (2:00) for REAL Talk about living with cancer. You'll laugh, you might cry, and we guarantee you'll be inspired. FOLLOW KATHLEEN ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/kathleen_mcgee DONATE TO HER GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/june-dresses-for-the-alberta-cancer-foundation?member=34764567&sharetype=teams…

Is Justin Trudeau done in the next two months? Paul Wells, one of Canada's best political writers, takes us into his new book "Trudeau on the Ropes: Governing in Troubled Times". 2:50 | We get Paul's opinion on the Canadian warship in Cuba, Justin Trudeau's future with the Liberal Party, Pierre Poilievre's human side, the opioid crisis in Alberta, …

Anybody who's ever been to Calgary knows there's no way the Stampede's getting cancelled, water shortage or not. We look at how that major water main break's been impacting communities (and neighbourly relations) in this episode (18:40). Ahead of that, we hear "the other side" of the story of the HMCS Margaret Brooke docking in Cuba alongside a Rus…

Conversation with young UK influencer Jess Gillhttps://www.jessgill.net/p/how-the-left-have-captured-academiaBy Eric Kaufmann

On Times Radio with Ayesha Hazarika discussing Britain’s mental health crisis, Mar 24 (from 38:18)https://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio/show/20240324-27912/2024-03-24By Eric Kaufmann

While it seems like wokeness is out of control, a new study from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute suggests Canadians aren't actually that woke after all. Author Eric Kaufmann, a professor at the University of Buckingham, joins to explain.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRmaAOmZkCwBy Eric Kaufmann

Why is a Canadian warship docked beside Russian vessels in Cuba? And why didn't Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly even know about it, when asked over the weekend? Defence Minister Bill Blair says it's a "smart" move, while the opposition Conservatives are calling it "reckless, radical, and dangerous." Who's right? 2:15 | Charles Adler dishes Ca…

Real Talker Sierra delivers a eulogy for the Canadian Energy Centre - aka The War Room - in The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park. FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, make sure you tell 'em Real Talk sent you!…

Fact or fiction? We task two of Alberta's most experienced journalists with scrutinizing our recent interview with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. 3:30 | Veteran commentators Graham Thomson and Markham Hislop dig into our June 12 interview with Premier Smith, including her eyebrow-raising comment about former premier Alison Redford, her thoughts on…

The stars of Spittin' Chiclets - the biggest hockey podcast in the world - join Jespo and Johnny in studio for a special Stanley Cup Final edition of Real Talk. Paul "BizNasty" Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney, Rear Admiral, and Mike Grinnell talk about the Oilers' decade of darkness, today's team (including a Leon Draisaitl contract extension), and wheth…