The political world was rocked on September 10th with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. As his killing is being investigated as a politically motivated act of violence, the tragedy raises urgent questions about the rise of political extremism, the safety of public discourse, and the consequences of toxic polarization in America. On today’s show, we unpack what happened, why it matters, and what comes next.

3:45 | Politico's Ottawa bureau chief Nick Taylor-Vaisey joins Ryan in studio for a candid conversation about Kirk's assassination in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

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

19:30 | Following his Real Talk appearance on September 10, Prime Minister Mark Carney announces the first wave of "Major Projects" to be built in the national interest. Nick has the scoop, and tells us how the absence of a pipeline on that list landed in Fort McMurray during his recent visit.

WATCH PM CARNEY on REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/091025PMCarney

READ NICK'S WORK for POLITICO: https://www.politico.com/canada-politics-news-updates-analysis

36:30 | Jespo and Johnny share their personal thoughts on Charlie Kirk's murder, and read comments in the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.

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

1:12:00 | What on earth was Andrew Scheer thinking? We look at the former Conservative leader's online squabble with political commentator Rachel Gilmore in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death. The conversation continues with further details at 1:20:35.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

1:15:10 | The Battle of Alberta was back in FULL force when the Calgary Stampeders visited the Edmonton Elks for the Labour Day Classic Rematch! That's a big win for Alberta, so it's no surprise to see Jespo feature the game in this week's edition of Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta.

DOWNLOAD THE PLAY ALBERTA APP: https://playalberta.ca/offers/play-alberta-app

1:34:00 | How has it already been 24 years? Jespo, Johnny, and Real Talkers reflect on the anniversary of 9/11.

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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

Mark Carney's got his hands full. Canada's Prime Minister joins Ryan in the Real Talk studio to talk about pressing pause on the EV mandate (0:30), finding a balance between industry and environmental priorities (4:30), Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's list of nine demands (7:00), and negotiating a new deal with the U.S. (11:15). Carney tells us about "the coolest experience of (his) life" (13:15), his new Major Projects Office in Calgary (14:00), the new Liberal climate caucus (16:00), bail reforms (17:30), promised gun reform (19:30), the Alberta separation movement (21:00), and Israel bombing targets in Qatar (27:15). Real Talk's feature interviews are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

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

Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is facing criticism over its emissions reduction plan, after pausing Canada's EV mandate and appearing to waffle on meeting its obligation to the Paris agreement by 2030. Have the Carney Liberals gone soft on their climate commitment?

2:30 | Caroline Brouillette, executive director of Climate Action Network Canada, says Canada's climate commitment is a matter of sovereignty. She lays out what her group's hoping to see from the feds in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

READ MORE: https://climateactionnetwork.ca/

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

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

32:15 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on "fun runs," Carney pausing Canada's EV mandate (40:30), and new polling on Carney vs. Poilievre (44:00). We share a big announcement (48:00) before getting to Real Talker "Lucy's Mom" on our Aaron Paquette interview, Real Talker Amanda's take on party-affiliated vs. independent candidates for council (1:18:00), and Real Talker Rob's feedback from southern Ontario (1:28:30).

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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.

Canada's first-ever Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Evan Solomon, says AI is the nation's "Gutenberg moment". How will the feds best equip and enable Canadian businesses to maximize its impact? How will legislation protect institutions like banking and healthcare from nefarious forces? What role will Alberta play in Canada's AI and digital innovation strategy? We get into it all with Minister Evan Solomon (1:00) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

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

24:00 | Minister Solomon and Ryan reflect on the career and legacy of the great Ken Dryden, who succumbed to cancer on September 5.

34:30 | Real Talkers in our Live Chat powered by Park Power share how AI is impacting their workplaces and everyday lives.

SHARE YOUR STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com

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

49:00 | Did you see President Trump's "Chipocolypse Now" post? We hear what conservative pundit Megyn Kelly has to say about Trump's plan to deploy the National Guard in Chicago.

1:14:00 | After linking autism to Tylenol use, is RFK Jr. on borrowed time as Trump's health secretary?

1:30:00 | Are Alberta teachers set to strike? Real Talker "Pete" gives us the goods from the inside.

1:46:00 | Real Talker Roxanne shares how an episode of the show potentially saved her life. Positive Reflections is presented weekly on Real Talk by our friends at Solar by Kuby.

WATCH OUR EPISODE with DRS. SHAZMA MITHANI & SHEILA WAJAYASINGHE: https://rtrj.info/081125DocTalk

SHARE YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com

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.

Rural Resident Ryan has a hot take on dealing with rural crime, (Urban) Robert says "woke" city people don't deserve the heat, Wendy calls Danielle Smith to the carpet, and Matthew wants Jespo to be better on the "Blatchford boondoggle". 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, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!

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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.

Veteran news anchor Lynda Steele set off a firestorm when she called out Alberta conservatives in our September 4 episode. We lead with the loudest responses (3:10), before turning our attention to a wide-open mayoral race in Calgary. Later in the episode, crack a cold one with Jespo's basketball teammates who bring insights on craft beer, inter-provincial trade, and vibrant communities.

WATCH LYNDA on REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/090425Lynda

15:00 | Jeremy Klaszus, founder and editor of The Sprawl, identifies Cowtown's number one election issue, and weighs in on the introduction of municipal political parties in Alberta. Real Talk's feature interviews are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

READ THE SPRAWL: https://www.sprawlcalgary.com/

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

36:00 | Prepare to be entertained! Three of Jespo's beer league basketball teammates - Andrew Ironmonger, Adam Corsaut, and Ryan Huska - talk craft beer, inter-provincial trade, and half-billion dollar community investments.

ALBERTA BEER GUIDE on IG: https://www.instagram.com/abbeerguide/?hl=en

DOG ISLAND BREWING: https://www.dogislandbrewing.com/

ANALOG BREWING: https://analogbrewing.ca/

1:42:15 | Rural Resident Ryan has a hot take on dealing with rural crime, (Urban) Robert says "woke" city people don't deserve the heat, Wendy calls Danielle Smith to the carpet, and Matthew wants Jespo to be better on the "Blatchford boondoggle". 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, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!

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

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

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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.

Could Donald Trump's history with Jeffrey Epstein ultimately cost him the presidency? Are you paying too much for cable? Are municipal parties polluting Alberta's political landscape? Veteran broadcaster Lynda Steele (2:00) gets Real in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

CHECK OUT LYNDA'S NEW PROJECT: https://killeenandsteele.ca/

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

56:00 | On top of its prosperous past and present thanks to oil and gas, Alberta's established itself as Canada's renewable energy leader. We highlight the bright future of Alberta's energy sector in the inaugural edition of Alberta Wins presented by Play Alberta.

DOWNLOAD THE PLAY ALBERTA APP: https://playalberta.ca/

SHARE YOUR "ALBERTA WINS" STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com

1:00:30 | The Alberta Chambers of Commerce are driving discussion on municipal red tape and business supports ahead of the election on October 20. President and CEO Shauna Feth outlines what members are telling them, with her Eye on Alberta Business.

TAKE THE SURVEY: https://research.albertaperspectives.ca/jfe/form/SV_0MNEx5aZQcA3axU?Source=EOB

ALBERTA JOBS STRATEGY: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-jobs-strategy

ALBERTA CHAMBERS of COMMERCE: https://www.abchamber.ca/

1:27:15 | We hear how Real Talkers are cutting cable and telecom costs via the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.

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

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.

Premier Danielle Smith's UCP government presses pause on a Ministerial Order targeting school library books, as Edmonton Public Schools pull 200 titles from shelves, including works by Margaret Atwood, Maya Angelou, and Ayn Rand. Smith calls the move "vicious compliance," promising new, more specific rules to come. Is this anything but a losing battle for the UCP?

7:30 | Political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt assesses the UCP's pivot, and potential longer-term impact on the government's popularity.

36:15 | Jespo's gaggle of "nerds and geeks" made Jasper the number one stop on their annual hockey pool getaway. Check out the highlights (including a must-visit sandwich stop) in this edition of #MyJasper Memories proudly presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper.

BOOK YOUR NEXT JASPER ADVENTURE: https://www.jasper.travel/

42:15 | Pundit Rob Breakenridge tells us why he thinks the UCP's book ban is "disastrous". Stick around for Rob's take on Pierre Poilievre's "Stand on Guard" proposal and Alberta's ballooning spending.

CHECK OUT ROB'S WORK: https://robbreakenridge.substack.com/

1:26:00 | Real Talker Marie's sick and tired of city slickers ripping on rural Albertans.

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.