Will voters think "Justin Trudeau" every time they see Mark Carney or Chrystia Freeland? Both Liberal leadership contenders will do everything they can to differentiate themselves from the outgoing PM...but will it work? 

3:20 | We talk to political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt about Mark Carney's campaign launch (including a Rolls Royce limo publicity stunt and the cops showing up to remove a "journalist"), Jagmeet Singh's inevitable demise (35:00), Chrystia Freeland's chances in the Liberal leadership race (41:30), Danielle Smith snubbing her fellow premiers (57:45), and Joe Biden leaving the keys for Donald Trump (1:13:45). 

1:30:00 | Real Talkers are ALL fired up from ALL different angles as Danielle Smith tells her fellow premiers to pound sand. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith snubs her fellow premiers, as Alberta abstains from a cross-country collective effort to dissuade Donald Trump from imposing tariffs on Canadian goods and services. 

5:00 | Is Smith out of line, embarrassing Alberta, or doing exactly what a premier is supposed to do in circumstances like this? We hear from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Smith herself, and Ryan shares his own thoughts. 

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

26:00 | What alternatives does Alberta (and Canada) have, in dealing with Donald Trump? What should Pierre Poilievre be doing? Is the Canadian dollar about to plummet? And is Wayne Gretzky risking his legacy, being tied to Trump? Economist Moshe Lander lays it out. 

55:50 | Real Talker Garth La Beach had some challenging questions for us re: DEI in our January 15 Live Chat powered by Park Power. We figured it made sense to bring him on the show. Turned out to be one of our best conversations in a long time. Thanks, Garth, for being such a valued member of the Real Talk community! 

1:16:53 | What would Naheed Nenshi do differently if he was Premier? We hear from the Alberta NDP leader. 

1:21:21 | That selfie of Trump, Danielle Smith, and Kevin O'Leary is fake, friends. We have some fun (and wind up with a wake up call of our own) with AI image generation. 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

When does swift and sweeping political reform cross the line to authoritarianism? Is Premier Danielle Smith on a troubling quest to control everything and everybody in Alberta, or is recent legislation nothing more than a provincial leader attempting to fix broken systems?

2:01 | Independent journalist Jeremy Appel takes us into his Alberta Views feature "The UCP Want More Control". 

READ JEREMY'S PIECE IN ALBERTA VIEWS: https://albertaviews.ca/the-ucp-want-more-control/

SAVE 50% on a one-year subscription to ALBERTA VIEWS with the promo code AVRJ! 

54:30 | The University of Alberta is cancelling its formal DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policy. Some of the world's biggest corporations have done the same. What do you think about it? 

57:00 | It's a perfect time of year to visit the Rockies - and Jasper's ready to welcome you with open arms! Ryan shares some photos and video from his Jasper in January getaway. 

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

1:04:55 | We take a look at what Real Talkers have to say about DEI in our Live Chat powered by Park Power. 

1:16:40 | What did you think of Mark Carney's interview with Jon Stewart? The Real Talk Rumour Mill is churning out insights on a potential development in Edmonton...

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

170 million Americans who use TikTok will likely have to find another favourite app, as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to ban the popular Chinese-owned platform on January 19. We connect with tech expert Amber Mac (3:00) to determine what the ban will mean for TikTok users (including Canadians), other social media giants (including Instagram and X), and free speech in general. 

29:00 | Where are Real Talkers at with the TikTok ban, Meta dumping fact-checking, the future of X with the Musk-Trump bromance, and more? Jespo and Johnny jump into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power (including an unfortunate update on the "Pizzagate" guy at 44:00). 

56:30 | THANK YOU to our 20,000 Real Talk Ryan Jespersen YouTube subscribers! If you're reading this and you haven't yet subscribed, what are you waiting for? ;)

1:01:00 | What does Brian Mulroney have to do with Donald Trump's comments about Canada as the 51st state? Real Talker Scott in Sherwood Park lays it out. 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Danielle Smith says Canada needs to be prepared for tariffs threatened by Donald Trump. This, after Alberta's premier met with the President-elect at his Florida estate as a guest of celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary. We explore the smartest ways to respond in this episode of Real Talk. 

3:00 | Senator Charles Adler returns to Real Talk to discuss Premier Danielle Smith's meeting with Trump, Canada's live horse exports, and an apology 25 years in the making. 

54:30 | How can entrepreneurs best prepare for the potential impact of tariffs? Jason Leslie of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce has his Eye on Alberta Business. 

CHECK OUT ACC: https://www.abchamber.ca/

1:15:30 | Shout out to Real Talker Cynthia, who shared this week's Positive Reflection presented by Kuby Energy. We love this story of a father's powerful tribute to his beloved son. 

SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected]

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

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

7th Pilot, Jake, Travis, and David are ALL FIRED UP over Donald Trump's disrespect for Canada. This might be the fieriest edition in Flamethrower history, presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected]

When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, make sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!

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Donald Trump's turning everything upside down, including America's relationship with Canada, and he hasn't even sworn in yet. What do Trump's bluff, bluster, and threats mean for Canada's exports, energy included? Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot and Max Fawcett go toe-to-toe in an edition of the Real Talk Round Table you definitely don't want to miss (19:15). 

4:35 | But first...expansion news! In addition to our live stream across seven platforms (YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Mixlr), you can now find Real Talk Ryan Jespersen on iHeart Radio. Plus, our podcast subscribers can now watch the show in HD video on Spotify. 

REAL TALK on iHEART RADIO: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/867-real-talk-ryan-jespersen-108831341/

REAL TALK on SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/03RyuWqhe4YBI7mS48VDBA

8:40 | Ryan went on a rant about Trump near the end of our January 8 episode. ICYMI, we cut it down to 60 seconds.

10:30 | Real Talkers loved our interview with international trade lawyer Martha Harrison. She nails an explanation of who will really pay for Donald Trump's tariffs. 

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW: https://rtrj.info/010825Martha

19:15 | Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot and Max Fawcett debate Canada's best play with Donald Trump, the future direction of Canada's energy exports, Alberta's plan to double oil production, and the role Canadian resources will play in a geopolitically volatile world. 

CANADA'S NATIONAL OBSERVER: https://www.nationalobserver.com/

MACDONALD LAURIER INSTITUTE: https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/

57:25 | 7th Pilot, Jake, Travis, and David are ALL FIRED UP over Donald Trump's disrespect for Canada. This might be the fieriest edition in Flamethrower history, presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! 

FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected] 

When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, make sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 

REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK POND HOCKEY CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/pond-ho...

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Should the federal Liberals and NDP work even more closely together? Does a merger represent the left's best chance at forming the next federal government? Or are the parties too ideologically-opposed for such a relationship to actually work? 

3:30 | Mario Canseco, president of Research Co, takes us into polling on Canada joining the U.S., Conservative support following Trudeau's resignation, and a potential merger between the Liberals and the NDP. 

CHECK OUT MARIO'S WORK: https://researchco.ca/

33:20 | You can now watch Real Talk on Spotify! Johnny has details on our new offering for podcast subscribers. 

REAL TALK ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/03RyuWqhe4YBI7mS48VDBA

37:00 | Did you hear Fox News host Jesse Watters' ridiculous comments about Canada? We can't help but comment...

40:20 | Maxime Bernier's got no time for Trump's comments about Canada. Ryan takes a look at the PPC leader's tweet.

44:30 | Add Stephen Harper to the list of current or former party leaders and PMs speaking out against Trump. We look back at a CPC campaign ad re-released by Harper this week.

51:45 | A special guest returns to Real Talk on January 13! Ryan makes the announcement to everybody (including Johnny). 

53:45 | We're so grateful for you, our amazing audience. Ryan reads a hand-written card from Real Talker Karen that knocked our socks off. 

59:20 | Meta's new standards prohibit insults about someone's intellect or mental illness UNLESS they're a member of the LGBTQ community. Ryan tells us what he thinks about it. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT? [email protected] 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Donald Trump figures it's time Canada became the 51st state. He's calling the Canada/U.S. border an "artificially-drawn line," says America spends hundreds of billions "protecting Canada," and is threatening "economic force" to make a merger happen. What's the right way for Canada to respond? 

5:00 | Jespo and Johnny open the show with their own thoughts on Trump's comments and responses from PM Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre. 

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

18:15 | International trade lawyer Martha Harrison gives us an informed take on the history of the Canada/U.S. trade relationship, Donald Trump's version of diplomacy, and the true costs of tariffs. 

MARTHA'S FIRM: https://www.mccarthy.ca/en

47:00 | Real Talkers respond to Martha's interview and Trump's comments via our Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. 

57:15 | It's a personal edition of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper, as Ryan shares video and photos from his family's New Year's trip to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Marmot Basin. 

JOIN US at JASPER in JANUARY: https://www.jasper.travel/january/

CHECK OUT MARMOT BASIN: https://www.skimarmot.com/

1:04:00 | Ryan reads some of the calm, reasonable, totally normal replies to his tweets about Donald Trump's comments about Canada. 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

It's a lousy time for the federal government to flounder. As Donald Trump's inauguration date approaches, the Liberal Party's kicking off a leadership race as opposition leaders call for an election. What does Justin Trudeau's resignation mean for his party, Pierre Poilievre, Jagmeet Singh, and you?

3:35 | Timothy Caulfield gives us his perspective on Justin Trudeau's tenure as Prime Minister, Meta cancelling fact checks on Facebook and Instagram, and his new book The Certainty Illusion. 

CHECK OUT TIM'S BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/713451/the-certainty-illusion-by-timothy-caulfield/9780735245884

41:40 | What's next for Canada in the wake of Justin Trudeau's resignation? Conservative pundit Tasha Kheiriddin, former NDP staffer Julien Newman, and political strategist Sharan Kaur tell us what they're expecting. 

TASHA'S SUBSTACK: https://tashakheiriddin.substack.com/p/the-trudeau-circus-cannot-go-on

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him. Trudeau will stay on as prime minister until a new leader is chosen. 

3:50 | Former Trudeau advisor Tyler Meredith, former Harper advisor Ken Boessenkool, and former Alberta cabinet minister Shannon Phillips discuss the implications of Trudeau's historic announcement. 

CHECK OUT MBP: https://mbpolicy.com/

58:50 | Jespo and Johnny take a look at Pierre Poilievre's interview with Jordan Peterson. 

1:26:30 | Ryan recounts meeting Real Talker Shalaine in real life in the first Positive Reflections of 2025, proudly presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. 

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

SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] 

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.