Just days after her Breitbart interview raised the ire of Pierre Poilievre's campaign team, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is headed to Florida to co-host a conservative fundraiser with podcaster Ben Shapiro. Smith says the appearance is a continuation of her efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy on trade in favour of Canada. Her critics say she…

Pierre Poilievre had a Hamilton crowd all riled up, talking about "unelected" Mark Carney "acting like he owns the world," the World Economic Forum, and defunding the CBC. The Conservative leader talked at length about steel and the carbon tax, but spent very little time addressing Donald Trump. POLITICO's Nick Taylor-Vaisey (33:20) was there, and …

NEW SHOW ALERT! We're proud to be partnering with host Vicky Mochama on a brand new weekly news and politics show about the big personalities, bigger issues and pettiest dramas in Canada. Catch new episodes of Party All The Time every Friday through the federal election campaign right here on our YouTube channel and wherever you get your podcasts. …

We're pedal to the metal with federal election coverage from now until April 28. In this episode, we tackle the top political stories in Edmonton, Alberta, and across the country with The Discourse co-hosts Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes. 3:00 | We break down Liberal drama in Edmonton Centre, a tweak to Pierre Poilievre's talking points, Premier D…

Carolyn's hot in more ways than one, Gabe wonders if Albertans are "too stupid to know," Russ says Poilievre needs to free up his plane, RMc has the ballot box question, Gerald's got his tin foil hat on, FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to …

Most folks agree politicians' families are off limits when it comes to public criticism. But not all folks. A right wing media outlet in Canada made its own news in the lead-up to the election campaign, dragging Prime Minister Mark Carney's kid Sasha into the spotlight. 6:10 | Journalist Justin Ling tells us why he's pushing back on the Carney atta…

This could be the closest federal election in decades. After a decade of Justin Trudeau, Canadians will choose Mark Carney or Pierre Poilievre to lead the country through Donald Trump's second term. Multiple sources say Carney will call an election within days (Sunday?) for April 28. We've got you covered on Real Talk with conversation across the p…

We cover a LOT of ground in this episode of Real Talk, starting with Alberta allowing hunters to target "problem" Grizzly Bears. If the federal election and trade wars are all you can think about, skip ahead to 54:00 for updates on all the top headlines. 3:30 | Author and journalist Trina Moyles takes us into the justification behind (and protest a…

Talk about a turnaround. New polls from Leger and Angus Reid suggest the Liberals could form a majority government under Mark Carney. Could it be? 9:30 | Poll analyst Philippe Fournier digs into the new numbers and explains what's moving the needle across the country. MORE: https://www.338canada.ca/ 36:00 | What do you make of the tense exchanges b…

In her first interview since officially leaving the Prime Minister's Office, our pal Supriya Dwivedi is back with a behind the scenes look at what was going down in Justin Trudeau's inner circle through the party's polling woes, Trudeau's resignation, and the transition to a Mark Carney government. Supriya tells us what she really thinks about Chry…

Blahsheep says corruption is everywhere, Paul's pissed he's paying to demo the Coliseum, Jan calls Jespo and Johnny to the carpet over Tesla, and Michael has an NSFW message for our neighbours to the south. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com When you …

Nobody's hurting American farmers more than President Donald Trump. His trade war with Canada is raising prices, and his cuts to USAID are hitting U.S. producers where it hurts. Meantime, farmers and ranchers north of the border are escaping the pain...for now. Everybody knows that could change in an instant. What should Ag producers and Canadian c…

A familiar name will be missing from the ballot the next time Edmontonians elect a city council. 3:30 | Sarah Hamilton tells us why she decided against seeking re-election, and what she thinks the next council's biggest challenge will be. 40:30 | You've probably seen the YEG Wants London campaign over the past while. Why is that direct flight such …

We're not used to this. The President of the United States calling Canada "a very bad abuser" and a poor trading partner, a bad neighbour, and a future 51st state. Very few of us have seen the Stars and Stripes as a negative symbol (off the ice, anyway). But the rhetoric, economic pain, and reputational damage is only getting worse under Donald Tru…

Imagine being able to detect pine beetles or gold deposits from space. Imagine using satellite data to boost crops around the world. An Alberta-based company is doing exactly that with the support of Edmonton Unlimited's innovation community. 2:30 | We welcome Wyvern CEO Chris Robson, tech mentor/investor Kristina Milke, and Edmonton Unlimited CEO …

Mark Carney is Canada's next Prime Minister after a landslide 86% Liberal leadership win. Will he still be Prime Minister after an election as early as next month? Plus, have you been following the story involving Alberta MLA Scott Sinclair? Remember, he's the one that spoke out against his own party's budget, saying he'd never vote for it? After w…

Lucky's proudly flying the flag, Janey has a message for "traitors to the toque," Ron says Canada could become Puerto Rico, Jake's up for revoking citizenship, Debbie and Stephen are proud of Danielle Smith AND Justin Trudeau (!!), and Lisa isn't "drinking the Kool-Aid" on cougar hunting. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmo…

Chrystia Freeland says Donald Trump is underestimating Canada's strength. The Liberal leadership candidate tells us her plan for Trump, Ukraine, and the next federal election "when" she's Prime Minister (3:00). 29:30 | Where were you when you heard four RCMP officers had been murdered in Mayerthorpe? Hard to believe it's been twenty years since the…

The little old lady loses her life savings to someone she THOUGHT was her grandson. The retiree transfers hundreds of thousands of dollars to who he THOUGHT was his long-distance girlfriend. The teenager's being extorted over nude photos they sent to who they THOUGHT was another teen. We see these heart-breaking stories every day, and wonder "How c…

Boos rang down from the rafters of Rogers Place during the American anthem as the Oilers hosted the Anaheim Ducks. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says sorry not sorry. We've got an update (4:00) on day three of the trade war... 13:30 | Fresh off a trip to Washington, D.C., Sturgeon County Councillor Neal Comeau takes us behind the scenes of a diplom…

Canada's officially in a trade war. As President Donald Trump makes good on threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, it's never been more evident the relationship between our two nations is drastically different than even a month ago. What does this (what SHOULD this) mean for Canada? We discuss throughout this episode. Also... 10:10 | Jeromy F…

As POTUS and his VP pile on Ukraine's president in the Oval Office, the world is rightfully re-evaluating the role of the USA in global affairs. Alberta's budget is out as Trump's tariffs loom. Who are the winners and losers? And, are people actually serious about re-naming Wayne Gretzky Drive? 5:15 | Political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt talks Trump…

Tracey's got strong opinions about cougar hunts, Jim blows our mind with his take on humanity, Brent says quit yer bitchin' about Donald Trump, Garth's got a sovereign solution, and Ronnie has a direct question for Danielle Smith. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@rya…

It's the most anticipated international hockey showdown in 15 years. When Canada and the U.S.A. clash in the 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston, they'll be fighting for more than a gold medal. We kick off this episode with a perspective check on what's at stake. Later in the show (23:00), we shine a spotlight on life-changing (and life-saving) rese…

Nobody's giving Karina Gould a fighting chance, but don't tell that to the Liberal leadership candidate. The youngest female cabinet minister in Canadian history tells us (2:00) how she'd deal with Donald Trump, her plan for pipelines, and how she'd "unleash" a million entrepreneurs. MORE: https://karinagould.ca/ 34:20 | Don't miss your chance to a…

Emergency rooms are over capacity. Major surgeries are being delayed or cancelled. Allegations of shady government dealings are being investigated (or are they?). Health care in Alberta is an absolute mess. 6:25 | AMA past president Dr. Paul Parks understands the assignment - Real Talk - as he diagnoses the root of the rot in Alberta Health Service…

Markus says it's time to switch from defence to offence with the U.S.A., Brent says it ain't all Trump's fault, R.H. is fighting for independence, Don takes on "Alberta's Death Cult," Angie's sick over cougar hunts, and Les is putting the premier up for sale. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE U…

Here's to the risk takers. The industry shakers. The business and community leaders whose insights and investments are positively impacting the world around them. In partnership with Edify and the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, we present this Real Talk Round Table: Edifiers Edition. 2:40 | We talk small business, DEI, tariffs, refugees, lost weddin…

Alberta's new regulations allow hunters to target female cougars with cubs. That's exactly what happened to a cat John E. Marriott had been tracking for the past four years. The renowned wildlife conservation photographer tells us why he believes the hunt was "legal but unethical," and what he's doing about it. Later in this episode, we get details…

Pierre Poilievre's calling out Mark Carney for wearing $2,000 shoes. This, as Poilievre campaigns in a $2,000 parka (and Carney surges in the polls). DOES ANYBODY CARE? We demand more (58:00) in this highly-entertaining episode of Real Talk. 3:45 | But first...(speaking of nice shoes)...we check in with economist Todd Hirsch. Could Canada stop this…

Forget about that one month pause on Donald Trump's tariffs. The President shook everything up (again) with an off-the-cuff announcement aboard Air Force One en route to the Super Bowl. Do Americans realize Trump's policy will make everything more expensive...for everybody? 4:50 | Quick Dick McDick joins us from Louisville, Kentucky with a report o…

Premier Danielle Smith says reports tying her to alleged wrongdoing related to Alberta Health Services' procurement and contracting are "false, baseless and defamatory". Meantime, Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi is calling for an RCMP investigation into allegations Smith’s government dismissed the head of AHS two days before she was scheduled to m…

Sheryl schools us on dead chickens and dancing monkeys, Jenny wants you to join the resistance, Alanna's spitting fire over the newest Alberta Health scandal, Steve's sick of being robbed, Stephanie's had enough of the "treacherous tangerine," and Cody wants everybody to rethink a specific, recurring chore. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQ…

More than 600 families remain displaced after wildfire ripped through Jasper in July of 2024. As clean-up continues and rebuilds begin, officials are at odds over the "right way" to rebuild one of Canada's most magnificent tourism destinations. With hundreds of millions of dollars hanging in the balance, we check in with federal, provincial, and mu…

Countless Canadian businesses are taking a closer look at their supply chains, export markets, profit margins, and more in light of a potential trade war with the United States. We talk to entrepreneurs Lane Edwards (Pura Botanicals), Justine Barber (Poppy Barley), and Curtis Hrdlica (Honomobo) about Trump's tariff chaos, "Buy Canadian" messaging, …

Elon Musk isn’t just shaping the future of technology—he’s wielding unprecedented influence over American policy with an official role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. With deep economic stakes in transportation, social media, satellite technology, and space exploration, his personal interests are increasingly intertwined with nation…

With U.S. President Donald Trump delaying tariffs on Canada, how should Canadian businesses and investors approach the next month (and beyond)? 8:45 | Edmonton Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Griffiths says this entire ordeal should be a wake-up call for every business. CHECK OUT THE CHAMBER: https://www.edmontonchamber.com/ 41:15 | What are the marke…

Stormy seas ahead, as Canada and the U.S. prepare to lock horns. We get three different takes (plus dozens in the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power) on the implications of President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, and the Canadian counter-offensive announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Don't miss Positive Reflections presented by Ku…

Scott has words for former PM Jean Chretien, Greg's not buying the UCP's COVID task force report, Karen's head's about to explode over coal, Wayne's getting ready to burn tires and poach grizzly bears, Pilot One has a reminder for Westerners, and Ronnie's ready to chase neo-Nazis out of town. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest …

It's Tariffs Eve. Will Donald Trump actually make good on his threats? If so, who will ultimately pay the most? We present an international edition of the Real Talk Round Table featuring guests on both sides of the border. Plus, what was with Trump's bizarre political attacks after that deadly D.C. plane crash? HR consultant Dante King (39:30) expl…

A $2M report commissioned by the Alberta government advocates for limiting COVID-19 vaccinations, and suggests that health professionals should not face repercussions for promoting alternative treatments. Critics, including the Alberta and Canadian Medical Associations are calling the 269-page report "anti-science," suggesting it attempts to "rewri…

Foreign interference IS a thing in Canada, and Ottawa's dragged its heels doing anything about it. That's the general finding of Justice Marie-Josee Hogue's inquiry, which wasn't all bad. Turns out there aren't "traitors" in Parliament, but we're not out of the woods. We get into common sense conclusions with Mo Amir. 8:30 | But first...how about o…

Did you see those clowns flashing Nazi salutes in St. Albert over the weekend? What's the right way to respond when that happens in your community? Mayor Cathy Heron tells us where her head's at after the "Deport Them All" demonstrators were ushered away by RCMP. But first...federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson (2:40)…

Why on earth is Danielle Smith's government opening up the Eastern Slopes to coal mining again, when the majority of Albertans oppose it and the government makes next to nothing from it? In this episode, straight-shooting High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass (6:15) tells us why he opposes coal mining in the Rockies, and tells us about his ongoing conve…

Tonie hated our interview with Western Standard founder Derek Fildebrandt, Anna Banana peels paint over Danielle Smith's trip to D.C., and KP's got "liberals, dippers, easterners, greenies, Jespo and Johnny" in his sights over "fake love for Canada". It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FL…

We've got today's top political stories teed up for Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes, including Doug Ford's early election call, a lacklustre Liberal leadership race, Pierre Poilievre's "two genders" interview, and Danielle Smith's visit to D.C. 1:30 | But first...everybody's talking about what a great job our buddy Marty Jones did with Gene Princip…

Ranchers, land owners, conservationists, and everyday Albertans are joining forces to protest the Alberta government re-opening the Eastern Slopes to coal mining. With more than 80% of Albertans opposed to these projects, how can the UCP justify lifting its ban on coal exploration? 5:00 | We talk to the Alberta Wilderness Association's Kennedy Halv…

Canada will look a whole lot different 50 years from now. Our claim to Arctic sovereignty is threatened, existing trade relationships will be forced to evolve, and our population is forecasted to explode (like it or not). 4:00 | Before we get into the future of Canada, Ryan opens this episode with a prayer...sort of. Did you hear Right Rev. Mariann…

President Donald Trump is guaranteeing a "Golden Age" for the United States of America. Does that promised prosperity come at the expense of allies and neighbours like Canada? 2:55 | We run through Trump's inauguration speech with Dr. Bob Murray, political scientist and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@…

No need to speculate any more. Canadians will soon know exactly what Donald Trump's return to the White House will mean for trade with the United States, border security, and more. We take a look at early storylines in this episode of Real Talk. 3:30 | Wyatt Sharpe tells us what he's seeing behind-the-scenes in Washington, D.C. THE WYATT SHARPE SHO…