Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

You ever notice how “going back to the Moon” somehow sounds kind of...small? Like, we already did it half a century ago. In the era of black-and-white TV, slide rules, and less computing power than your smartwatch. Apollo 8 sent humans around the Moon in 1968. So, what’s the big deal now?

Except, this is a big deal.

Because this isn’t nostalgia. It’s not a victory lap. Artemis II is the first time in more than 50 years that humans will leave low Earth orbit. No quick rescue, no space station safety net, no margin for error in the same way we’ve grown used to.

And here’s where it gets interesting. Is this about science? Is it about beating China? Is it about setting up a Moon base—or eventually getting to Mars? Or is it, as critics say, a wildly expensive prestige project dressed up as progress? What are we actually going to learn from a flyby? What could go wrong? And if everything goes right—what changes?

We find out in this episode. Dr. Martin Connors is a professor of astronomy, physics, and mathematics at Athabasca University. He's spent his career studying space, planetary science, and how humanity fits into all of it. And he joins us in our feature interview (3:40) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West to break down what Artemis II really means…and whether it’s worth it.

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/.

56:00 | Alright. Enough of the "dream big, blow your mind" Artemis II focus. Did you see President Donald Trump's post that "a whole civilization will die tonight"? Jespo and Johnny check in with Real Talkers in our Live Chat powered by Park Power ahead of the Tuesday 6pm ET deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. 

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/

THE REAL TALK LIVE STREAM is presented by CALIFORNIA CLOSETS. BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY: https://californiaclosets.ca/

REGISTER for the HEARTS & HANDS POKER TOURNEY on APRIL 16/17: https://benstelterfoundation.com/

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 

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

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.

Yes, it’s real. President Donald Trump is out with a profanity-laced threat toward Iran, setting a firm deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and warning of devastating strikes on key infrastructure if that doesn’t happen. We’re talking about a rapidly intensifying conflict that’s already shaken global markets, disrupted supply chains, and driven up fuel prices — in just over five weeks. So where is this headed? Is this high-stakes brinkmanship, or something far more dangerous?

We get into it with political analyst Supriya Dwivedi (11:30) - unpacking the rhetoric, the risks, and what it all means for Canada and the global economy - in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. 

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY OUR FRIENDS AT HANSEN DISTILLERY, THE FIRST DISTILLERY EVER TO RELEASE A SEVEN-YEAR AGED ALBERTA WHISKY. SHOP THEIR ALBERTA WHISKY LINEUP TODAY AT https://hansendistillery.com/.

33:00 | Were you as surprised as Jespo was when the results of the 2026 Kraft Hockeyville contest were announced on Hockey Night in Canada? What do you think Kraft and the NHL should have done?

EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected]

51:50 | Prime Minister Mark Carney could (and likely will) have a majority government eight days from now. Supriya tells us which by-election storylines she's keeping the closest eye on. 

1:13:00 | Wages are on the table in episode three of Worker Agenda. Jespo and Johnny see what Real Talkers have to say about minimum wage in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.

WATCH WORKER AGENDA - WAGES: https://rtrj.info/WA3

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://rtrj.info/WA3s

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://rtrj.info/WA3a

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/

1:34:10 | We honour the sacrifice of a Canadian soldier more than a century after his combat death, courtesy of Real Talker Jerry, in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby. 

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

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 

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

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.

Real solutions for Alberta workers from the Alberta Federation of Labour. Episode 3 of the Worker Agenda looks at WAGES.

Omar Mouallem leads a compelling conversation with hosts Gil McGowan and Cori Longo, joined by special guest Linda Marinai, Northern Director of UFCW Local 401. Together, they dive into the state of wages in Alberta—exploring the growing wage gap, the impact of inflation on working people, and the real challenges facing today’s workforce.

The discussion goes beyond the problem, highlighting practical solutions to improve pay, strengthen collective bargaining, and empower workers. From policy choices governments can make to the role employers play in raising standards, this episode lays out what it will take to ensure wages keep up—and workers don’t fall behind.

Follow the Worker Agenda at:
https://workeragenda.ca/

Ask your MLA to make the Worker Agenda THE Agenda for the province
https://workeragenda.ca/get-involved/

Follow AFL Media: https://www.youtube.com/@ABFedLabour/videos

Follow AFL on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABFedLabour
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abfedlabour/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/ABFedLabour
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alberta-federation-of-labour/

Follow the AFL and sign up for AFL News: https://afl.org/

Nicolaides and Smith in front of a school or something like that...or you could go with a big ghostbusters thing over a Pride flag or something like that....

FLAMETHROWER TITLE:

"Alberta's Ban on Ideology in Schools is Laughable!"

FLAMETHROWER DESCRIPT:

Anne says the UCP's take on classroom ideology is "laughable and ridiculous," Tim claims Mark Carney's forcing him to leave Canada, Bruce has a theory on the Golden Cat controversy, and "B" and Brent have thoughts on MAiD. It's The Flamethrower 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU!

REGISTER for the HEARTS & HANDS POKER TOURNEY on APRIL 16/17: https://benstelterfoundation.com/

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen

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

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.

The Alberta NDP needs to change its name...right? Party leader Naheed Nenshi isn't so sure (3:30), and he explains why in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. Nenshi leads off with his Opposition to Danielle Smith's trip to Saudi Arabia, and Alberta banning "politics and ideology" from classrooms. Do you agree or disagree with Nenshi on the name change? Leave a comment below! 

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/

38:30 | Did you watch Artemis II launch into orbit? Frank Florian, one of Canada's biggest space enthusiasts, sure did. The senior manager of Planetarium and Space Sciences at Telus World of Science spells out why the first moon mission in more than 50 years is such a big deal. 

TELUS WORLD of SCIENCE: https://telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca/

1:10:30 | Are Alberta teachers - social studies teachers in particular - handcuffed with the UCP's Bill 25? Dr. Jonathan Sharek explains how politics and ideology are integrated in the real world.

1:54:00 | Congratulations to our friends at North Road Investment Counsel for their "Trailblazer" honour on Edify's 2026 list of Edifiers! 

EDIFY EDMONTON: https://edifyedmonton.com/

FULL NORTH ROAD INTERVIEW on MITIGATING YOUR DIGITAL RISK: https://rtrj.info/040126NRIC

2:01:00 | Anne calls the UCP's take on classroom ideology "laughable and ridiculous," Tim claims Mark Carney's forcing him to leave Canada, Bruce has a theory on the Golden Cat controversy, and "B" and Brent have thoughts on MAiD. It's The Flamethrower 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU! 

REGISTER for the HEARTS & HANDS POKER TOURNEY on APRIL 16/17: https://benstelterfoundation.com/

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 

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

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.