Why do we allow politicians to drive wedges between us? Why do we listen when they try to convince us cities are the enemy of rural communities, and vice versa? It's a divisive-yet-effective political strategy in countries like Canada and the USA. Is this the new normal?

2:20 | Dr. Kathy Cramer is an internationally-renowned expert on the urban-rural political divide. The University of Wisconsin-Madison poli sci prof explains what Alberta and the United States have in common.

CHECK OUT KATHY'S BOOK: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/P/bo22879533.html

U of A EVENTS: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/political-science/katherine-cramer.html

MIT CENTRE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE COMMUNICATION: https://www.ccc.mit.edu/

DR. JARED WESLEY on REAL TALK (Jan 24, 2024): https://rtrj.info/012424Wesley

47:50 | Jespo and Johnny debrief.

52:40 | Congratulations to our pal (Senator) Charles Adler!

59:20 | Real Talker Calvin lays out the pros and cons of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's $8.6B commitment to building new schools.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

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

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

agmeet Singh goes toe-to-toe with a protestor outside Parliament, after being called a "corrupted bastatrd". Was it the right move, or could the federal NDP leader pay a political price?

2:20 | Shannon Phillips, Ken Boosenkool, and Tyler Meredith get into the top political stories in Canada, including Justin Trudeau's future, Pierre Poilievre's "Axe the Tax" campaign, Danielle Smith's upcoming leadership review, Alberta's orphan wells, and upcoming provincial elections in BC and Saskatchewan.

CHECK OUT THEIR FIRM: https://mbpolicy.com/

1:00:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief. Do you agree with their take on Jagmeet Singh confronting the protestor?

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

1:14:40 | Real Talker Clarke shares a heartwarming story of childhood soulmates in this week's edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy.

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

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

REAL TALK MUGS, SNAPBACKS, and TEES: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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

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

Lindsey's got a hot take on Trump at the debate, Concerned Citizen's not sold on the UCP hospital plan, and Jo-Jo and Debra are all fired up about the Green Line LRT project. It's 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 to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!

The way music is made, distributed, monetized, and enjoyed is dramatically different than even five years ago. We get Real with CCMA nominees JJ Shiplett, Hailey Benedict, and Dan Clapson ahead of a big weekend in Edmonton.

MORE ON JJ: https://www.jjshiplett.com/

MORE ON HAILEY: https://www.instagram.com/thatsmehaileyb/?hl=en

MORE ON DAN: https://www.thebluejaysessions.com/

Jespo and Johnny recap Donald Trump and Kamala Harris' performances at the presidential debate. Do you agree or disagree with their assessment?

Shoot us an email: talk@ryanjespersen.com

You have to assume Andrew Knack has his next move planned out...but what is it? We sit down with the long-time Edmonton councillor just hours after his announcement he won't run again in Ward Nakota Isga.

4:00 | Is Knack considering running for Mayor? Is the rumour mill correct about him joining Naheed Nenshi's team with the Alberta NDP? We talk polarized politics, "left wing" councils, cancelled transit projects, and collapsing water mains.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: talk @ryanjespersen

50:15 | Have you signed up for our Real Talk newsletter? Stay in the loop re: recent highlights, upcoming interviews, and insights from behind the scenes: ryanjespersen.com

51:30 | It's six and a half years in prison for two men convicted of mischief and weapons charges relating to the Coutts, AB border blockade. Does the punishment fit the crime?

56:00 | Will you be watching the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris?

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

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

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

Russia's paying Canadian influencers to sway public opinion. Danielle Smith's government just delivered a death blow to a multi-billion dollar transit project. Jagmeet Singh says he's ready for a fight...but is he?

3:00 | We put today's top political stories in front of Max Fawcett, lead columnist for Canada's National Observer. We talk Russian interference in Canada, the upcoming debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris (7:15), Danielle Smith's strategy heading into her leadership review (14:10), Naheed Nenshi's plan (26:00), Jagmeet Singh's sabre rattle (29:00), Justin Trudeau's future (36:15), and the role the Bloc Quebecois may play (44:00).

READ MAX'S WORK: https://www.nationalobserver.com/opinion

52:40 | A big thank you to everybody who joined Jespo and Johnny at the Jasper Wildfire Benefit Concert! This week's Positive Reflections celebrates the quarter-million dollars raised for the Jasper Community Team Society. Positive Reflections is presented by our friends at Kuby Renewable Energy.

SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com

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

CHECK OUT THE JASPER COMMUNITY TEAM SOCIETY: https://www.jaspercommunityteamsociety.ca/

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

REAL TALK MUGS, SNAPBACKS, and TEES: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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

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

KP hates Trudeau's Senate appointments, Lauren and Erin respond to our coverage of the Covid vaccine injury class action, Brenda's had it with horn honkers, and Travis wonders WTF is up with drivers crashing into trains. It's 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!

Buckle up: Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes are back to break down the top political stories across the country, including Justin Trudeau's Senate appointments (2:40), Jagmeet Singh's publicity stunt, Danielle Smith's war with AHS, the future of Calgary's Green Line LRT, and the upcoming Saskatchewan election.

JOIN US SEPT. 7 at 5pm at the JASPER WILDFIRE BENEFIT CONCERT: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/jasper-wildfire-benefit-concert-tickets-1001580102047?aff=oddtdtcreator

DR. PAUL PARKS on AHS SHAKE-UP: https://rtrj.info/082924Parks

57:45 | Jespo and Johnny debrief.

TALENT, TFWs, and INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: https://rtrj.info/090324ACC

1:05:45 | Real Talker Phyllis shares her family's experience with end of life care, after our interview with palliative care Nurse Practitioner Reanne Booker.

REANNE BOOKER on REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/090524MAiD

1:12:45 | KP hates Trudeau's Senate appointments, Lauren and Erin respond to our coverage of the Covid vaccine injury class action, Brenda's had it with horn honkers, and Travis wonders WTF is up with drivers crashing into trains. It's 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!

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

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

RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen

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

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