Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Alberta is prioritizing short-term pressures over long-term savings. Budget 2026 forecasts a $9.4 billion deficit as the province grapples with volatile oil revenues, increased spending, and a softer-than-expected energy price outlook. With record spending on healthcare, new and increased fees, and a pause on contributions to the Heritage Savings Trust Fund, Albertans are right to question if they'll actually see better outcomes. 

This isn't your average budget recap episode. If you're looking to nerd out over spreadsheets, you'll be disappointed. We present real life budget implications - what the UCP's fiscal plan means for your household, your business, and Alberta's economic future.

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST, BUT YOUR TRUST IN AN EXCHANGE SHOULDN'T BE A GAMBLE. RapidEX IS SECURE, FINTRAC-REGISTERED, AND NON-CUSTODIAL. SAVE 50% ON FEES ON ONLINE INTERAC E-TRANSFER TRADES WITH PROMO CODE RYAN50 AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/.

3:40 | Official Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi comes out guns blazing, accusing the UCP of "waste, fraud, and corruption." He tells us what an NDP government would do differently, and responds to calls from "progressive" political commentators to resign. 

FEATURE INTERVIEWS ON REAL TALK ARE PRESENTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ EDMONTON WEST: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/

37:00 | What does Budget 2026 do for entrepreneurs, affordable housing advocates, and industries outside of oil and gas (including Alberta's massive food and beverage business)? Edmonton Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Griffiths, Jaffer Group's Alim Somji, and Alberta Food Processors Association's Bianca Parsons join our Real Talk Round Table. 

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EDMONTON CHAMBER of COMMERCE: https://www.edmontonchamber.com/

1:29:20 | Jespo and Johnny dip into the our Live Chat powered by Park Power to see what Real Talkers have to say about a PST in Alberta, physician salaries (prompted by an email from listener Laura), and more.

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2:01:35 | Abby says the UCP is gambling with Alberta's future, Robert's sick of "white nationalists talking shit," Don and Janice have different takes on Donald Trump's locker room call to the American hockey players, and Eddie's "fed up" with Edmonton City Council on the infill file. 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.

Canadian Curtis Wright has been detained by ICE for more than 100 days, after he was arrested at Houston's airport returning from business in Mexico. A lawful permanent resident of the U.S., Wright was taken into custody on November 6 after being flagged for additional screening by federal immigration authorities. During the screening, officials cited a misdemeanor conviction from more than two decades ago—a minor-in-possession offense involving a Xanax tablet—as grounds to challenge his immigration status. 

In our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West, Curtis' brother Adam Scorgie tell us how the family's holding up (2:50), and what they're doing to try to return Curtis to his three young children.

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY -- ROOTED IN PRAIRIE GRIT AND A REBELLIOUS SPIRIT. PROUDLY LOCAL, ALWAYS ORIGINAL. HANSEN DISTILLERY IS MADE RIGHT, RIGHT HERE. https://hansendistillery.com/

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32:55 | Real Talker Keltie celebrates entrepreneurs and risk takers in this edition of Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta.

SUBMIT YOUR ALBERTA WIN: [email protected]

THERE'S A MAJOR CASINO WINNER EVERY HOUR WITH PLAY ALBERTA, AND ALL REVENUE STAYS RIGHT HERE IN THE PROVINCE. DOWNLOAD THE PLAY ALBERTA APP TODAY TO GET STARTED WITH CASINO, SPORTS, AND LOTTERY ALL IN ONE APP. MUST BE 18+ TO PLAY. IF YOU GAMBLE, PLEASE USE YOUR GAMESENSE. https://playalberta.ca/

36:00 | It's Budget Day in our home province, and Shauna Feth has her Eye on Alberta Business. The president and CEO of Alberta Chambers of Commerce tells us what businesses are looking for in the UCP's budget. 

CHECK OUT AB CHAMBERS' VOTE PROSPERITY CAMPAIGN: https://www.abchamber.ca/our-priorities/vote-prosperity-ab/

52:25 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on the ICE detention story and the U.S. Women's Hockey Team's summer plan with Flavor Flav. 

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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.

Can a career longshoreman and national union leader resurrect Canada's NDP? Rob Ashton tells us how (and why) he'll do it in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West (6:20). 

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST, BUT YOUR TRUST IN AN EXCHANGE SHOULDN'T BE A GAMBLE. RapidEX IS SECURE, FINTRAC-REGISTERED, AND NON-CUSTODIAL. SAVE 50% ON FEES ON ONLINE INTERAC E-TRANSFER TRADES WITH PROMO CODE RYAN50 AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/.

CHECK OUT ROB'S CAMPAIGN: https://robashton.ca/

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40:20 | Fuck yeah, bud! Comedian Henry Sir joins Jespo in the Real Talk studio in the historic Mercer Warehouse to chat about the meteoric rise of his "Current Events Chirped by a Canadian" series. 

FOLLOW HENRY on IG: https://www.instagram.com/henrysircomedy/

SEE HENRY in CALGARY on APRIL 2: https://www.showpass.com/henry-sir-4/

1:23:40 | You've got to see Tourism Jasper's new cozy cabin experience at Gate 16 at Edmonton International Airport! We feature the new installation in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. 

CHECK OUT THE CABIN CAPITAL OF CANADA: https://www.jasper.travel/where-to-stay/cabins-lodges/

A note from Ryan: Our hearts are broken for our friends in Jasper and Hinton who lost two beloved friends, daughters, sisters, and teammates in a tragic crash after hockey practice on February 23. 
Our deepest condolences and much love to the entire Bearcats hockey team and the family at Harry Collinge High School.

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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.

People are being trafficked in your city right now. Exploitation is happening in communities across Canada and around the world. Country star Paul Brandt has been working to end trafficking for 20 years. He tells us how it's happening and how it can be stopped (2:30) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. (As you'd expect, Ryan hits the recent teachers' speech cancellation/Alberta separation story right off the top.)

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY -- ROOTED IN PRAIRIE GRIT AND A REBELLIOUS SPIRIT. PROUDLY LOCAL, ALWAYS ORIGINAL. HANSEN DISTILLERY IS MADE RIGHT, RIGHT HERE. https://hansendistillery.com/

37:30 | Pierre Poilievre's got a new video taking on "fake refugees" enjoying "deluxe healthcare" (50:15). The B.C. Supreme Court's Cowichan Decision is making international headlines, and causing a huge stir over property rights. We get into both stories with journalist Arno Kopecky, who leads off by telling us about being rejected for a press pass at the recent Conservative Convention in Calgary. 

FOLLOW ARNO ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/arnokopecky/

1:12:40 | Did we just see the biggest month in AI history? Cary Williams is in from North Road Investment Counsel with insights into software vs. energy stocks, and takeaways for investors and everyday citizens. 

COULD YOUR INVESTMENTS USE A SECOND SET OF EYES? REAL TALKERS ENJOY A DISCOUNTED RATE WHEN BOOKING A SECOND OPINION WITH NORTH ROAD INVESTMENT COUNSEL. JUST TELL THEM JESPO SENT YOU! https://www.northroadic.com/

1:47:40 | What do you think about the new Meta glasses? Real Talker Jackassica tells us how hers have changed the way she works and plays. 

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1:53:30 | Kudos to Real Talkers Kyle, Chantal G., and Chantal V. for being the first to correctly answer our impromptu trivia question about Alberta Conservative MPs crossing the floor to the Liberals. All three will receive a Real Talk prize pack. 

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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.

Thousands of Canadians are stranded in Mexico after a wave of violence erupted following the death of a cartel leader. Supriya and Ryan check in with snowbird Murray Billett (5:00) with smoke still lingering over Puerto Vallarta. We go on to discuss Canada's silver medal in Olympic men's hockey, ChatGPT's warning ahead of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, Alberta's referendum on immigration policy in October 2026, and Punch, the baby monkey that went viral. Feature interviews on Real Talk are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST, BUT YOUR TRUST IN AN EXCHANGE SHOULDN'T BE A GAMBLE. RapidEX IS SECURE, FINTRAC-REGISTERED, AND NON-CUSTODIAL. SAVE 50% ON FEES ON ONLINE INTERAC E-TRANSFER TRADES WITH PROMO CODE RYAN50 AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected]

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

42:00 | Corb Lund updates us on the status of his "no new coal" petition, including details he says are being misrepresented in mainstream media reports. 

GET INVOLVED with the WATER NOT COAL PETITION: https://www.waternotcoal.ca/

1:00:30 | We talk heart health with Dr. Ben Tyrrell, chief of cardiology at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, and Lindsay Robertson, VP at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation. 

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HEARTBEAT HIDEAWAY TICKETS for FEB. 27: https://trellis.org/heartbeat-hideaway-2026

1:31:00 | Jespo and Johnny recap the Olympic men's hockey gold medal game. 

1:49:20 | Real Talker Anne shines a light on cold weather heroes in this week's Positive Reflection presented by Solar by Kuby. 

SHARE YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected]

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

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

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

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

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