What's at stake as Mark Carney meets in person with Canada's premiers for the first time since becoming Prime Minister? What happens if the first ministers' meeting wraps without a deal to advance Canada's role as a "global energy superpower," or progress toward "free trade in Canada," as Carney promised on election night? Senator Charles Adler get…

Alllllll aboard! 7th Pilot dares Jespo to board the Freedom Train, Alex is pissed at the province for pulling library books, Gerald has a message for ready-to-strike Canada Post workers, Rik calls out Citizens Against Virtually Everything (CAVEs), and Jenny wants YOU to join the resistance. It's The Flamethrower presented by our friends at the DQs …

For the second year in a row, the Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Florida Panthers for the Stanley Cup. Jespo and Johnny, who first worked together as the team's in-game host and DJ, set the table (2:00) for the Stanley Cup Final. 23:00 | It's Canadian Innovation Week! In partnership with Athabasca University, we learn about innovation in…

55,000 Canada Post employees are set to strike as labour negotiations continue to stall out. A looming second strike in less than a year has millions of Canadians questioning the future of the institution. In this episode, we sit down with CUPW Local 730 president James Ball (59:00) who presents the case for Canada Post. 24:00 | But first...a coupl…

"The True North is indeed strong and free." Delivering his first Throne Speech in Canada, King Charles reiterates Canada's sovereignty in a dramatically changing world. It's also the first Throne Speech for PM Mark Carney, who won the election a month ago with a promise to kickstart the economy. What does it all mean for investors, entrepreneurs, a…

Danielle Smith's UCP is targeting school library books it deems "graphic and age-inappropriate". The government is surveying the public before rolling out new standards ahead of the next school year. 2:30 | Max Fawcett, lead columnist at Canada's National Observer, says there's more to this story than "banning books". What do YOU think? EMAIL THE S…

David's demanding an election NOW, Don's "outraged" at Real Talk guest Sharan Kaur, and Michael's dropping bombs on one of Jespo's loudest critics. 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, an…

Andrew Knack wants to be Edmonton's next mayor. The longtime city councillor tells us (2:10) why he entered the race after initially announcing he wouldn't return to City Hall, and how he'll shake off the unflattering reputation the current council has earned. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 53:00 | Jespo and Johnny check in on the R…

A longtime Conservative cabinet minister is stepping back into the spotlight to save Alberta's place in Canada. Thomas Lukaszuk tells us why he's spearheading a petition to keep Alberta in Canada (5:30), and how he plans on collecting more than 600,000 signatures. The former Alberta deputy premier gives us his take on a Globe and Mail report on Dan…

Canada's joining the UK and France in threatening Israel with sanctions if aid doesn't start flowing into Gaza. Israel says it's "taken aback" by the ultimatum. Meantime, Prime Minister Mark Carney's changed his mind on a budget - his finance minister will have one ready for fall, he says. What's the right call in these scenarios? Sharan Kaur, form…

Canada's ramping up pressure on Israel alongside France and the UK. Mark Carney's new cabinet is sworn in, and the PM's got less than six weeks to fulfill his promise of "free trade in Canada before Canada Day". And, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have to wait (yet) another year for a shot at Lord Stanley's Cup. We catch up on the top stories in Cana…

Les is choked at a Carney cabinet exclusion, Taylor wants an election NOW, Michael's losing it over the politics behind his traffic ticket, and Sunil's taking aim at recent guest Markham Hislop. It's The Flamethrower presented. by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected] When you visit the D…

Canada declared measles completely eliminated thirty years ago. Not anymore. Public health experts say the disease could become endemic once again, with hundreds of cases confirmed in Alberta and Ontario. What happened? 2:15 | Drs. Shazma Mithani and Sheila Wijayasinghe talk vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, menopause (31:00), and mental health (4…

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet is making waves—not just at home, but around the world. From military spending signals to the careful choreography with Washington, New Delhi, and Beijing, these picks aren’t just about portfolios—they’re about priorities. In this episode, we dig into what Carney's picks tell us about Canada’s place on the w…

This special episode peels back the curtain on a chapter of life that impacts every woman but still too often gets ignored or misunderstood. Menopause advocate Jesse Schewchuk joins us (2:50) to talk about the raw, real, and often isolating experience of perimenopause and menopause—and why breaking the silence could be life-changing. This conversat…

For decades, the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa has been...adversarial. Can't we all just get along? Could both levels of government cooperate, with shared perspective and priorities, to benefit everybody? What might that look like? 4:00 | Energy and climate journalist Markham Hislop maps out a path to partnership between the Alberta and f…

HOT TAKE ALERT. Patty's got a years-old axe to grind with Jespo. Real Talkers Blahsheep, Ontario James, Pedro, KP, Jake, Cactus Sheriff, and Darian sound off on Danielle Smith, separation talk, and Liberal voters. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected] Wh…

Your car insurance is about to get a whole lot more expensive. With no mandate to do so, Alberta's government plans to transition to a no-fault auto insurance system by January 2027. The change aims to shift the focus from litigation to providing care and support for those injured in vehicle collisions, with benefits payable regardless of who is at…

2:00 | Is toying with separation talk the biggest political risk Danielle Smith's ever taken? We ask her in an exclusive interview in the Real Talk studio. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 24:00 | Jespo and Johnny debrief, get into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power, and check our email inbox. SAVE on ELECTRICITY, NATURAL G…

Is everything going to be okay after all? Donald Trump and Mark Carney play nice in their first Oval Office meeting following the Liberals' election victory, giving hope Canada-U.S. tensions will soon ease. In this episode, we present a cross-border conversation on our shared economic future. 9:00 | NAIOP CEO Marc Selvitelli and Eric Schmutz, both …

Premier Danielle Smith says her Canada includes Alberta...but she'll trigger a referendum question on separation if enough Albertans petition her to do so. This, just days after her UCP government made it (much) easier to do exactly that. Meantime, as Alberta sovereigntists grow louder after Mark Carney's election win, First Nations leaders are pus…

It's been ten years to the day since Rachel Notley's NDP ended a 40+ year Conservative dynasty at the Alberta Legislature. In this episode, the province's 17th premier reflects on how that win changed politics on the prairies forever. 3:30 | But first...does separating from the federal NDP help the Alberta NDP's chances next election? Could Alberta…

Kenny's not sold on Mark Carney, Other Ken feels differently, Darian's seeing doom and gloom on the horizon, David wants Danielle to call a by-election, Steve calls Jespo out re: a recent interview, and Jenny wants you to join the Alberta Resistance. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FL…

All but burned to the ground on Election Night, the NDP faces an existential crisis. Is Canada a two-party system moving forward, or does our democracy need the NDP? 6:30 | Shannon Phillips and Ken Boessenkool disagree on the future of politics in Canada. Who do you agree with? Leave a comment below! Note: this episode was recorded one hour before …

It sure looks like Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is trying to make life easier for Alberta separatists. Her UCP government's removing barriers to trigger a referendum (on Alberta sovereignty, obviously) at the same time she's rattling her sabre at Prime Minister Mark Carney. Folks grounded in reality know Alberta's not going anywhere...so why woul…

Stephen Carter doesn't do podcasts to make new friends. That's obvious early in his appearance here, which proves to be one of the most entertaining episodes we've ever released. A veteran campaign strategist, Carter tells us what each party did wrong (and what they should have done instead) leading up to the 2025 federal election. 3:20 | But first…

How did Mark Carney erase a 20-point deficit in the polls and lead the Liberals to victory? Why did Pierre Poilievre's momentum hit a wall at the very worst time for Conservatives? Who should be the next leader of the NDP? Will the election results actually fuel separation sentiments in Alberta? 2:30 | Our Real Talk Group Chat Round Table - YWCA CE…

Freedom is a garden planted by sacrifice, watered with courage, and kept alive by participation. It's Election Day in Canada. 4:00 | What will a Conservative or Liberal win mean for Canadians? Supriya Dwivedi breaks it down. 58:00 | How will history remember Election 2025? Senator Charles Adler presents some Canadian common sense. 1:30:20 | Did you…

The Brantford Boomer story's being overblown, says GK. Jagmeet Singh didn't exactly win over Ross and Darian with his Real Talk interview. Heather's wondering where Ryan's head is at. Gerald says Mark Carney's not who they say he is. And Jennifer's calling out, well, EVERYBODY. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sh…

Take it to the bank: Mark Carney's Liberals will form the next federal government. So say both the left- and right-leaning experts joining us on this pre-Election Day edition of Real Talk. 4:30 | Shannon Phillips and Ken Boessenkool analyze the party leaders' tour stops, Pierre Poilievre's beef with Nova Scotia's premier, Jagmeet Singh "putting Can…

A real estate bubble that never bursts. Orwellian internet laws. Controversial MAiD policies. Complex identity politics. Tristin Hopper says Canada has become a global cautionary tale. We connect with the author of "Don't Be Canada" in this episode of Real Talk. But first... 3:15 | What prompted the "Brantford Boomer" to bust out the double bird to…

His NDP is languishing in the polls, his leadership's being questioned, but Jagmeet Singh's still throwing punches and pounding the pavement with just days to go until the election. What does he say to critics who hold him responsible for propping up Justin Trudeau's minority government for too long? What's his message to progressive voters incline…

We're less than a week out from a hugely significant election. The Pope's just passed away. Alleged corruption plagues the Alberta government. The planet is on a road to ruin. But fear not...we've got inspiring takes on (nearly) all of it in this episode of Real Talk! 5:30 | Party All The Time host Vicky Mochama gives us her thoughts on Pope Franci…

KP says the Liberals are losing (and they know it), Jonathan questions Jespo's patriotism, Jeremy says there's no excuse for abusers, and Johnny (not Infamous) says we're out to lunch on rent control. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected] you visit t…

Nobody expects the People's Party of Canada to win a seat this election. But don't tell that to party leader Maxime Bernier, who tells us (2:45) why he's not cooperating with Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives. Max's critics (including Shannon Phillips and Ken Boessenkool right after the interview) say his party's too extreme to be taken seriously. D…

Here's where things get real. First in French, then in English, party leaders will thrust, parry, and try to convince Canadians they're the best bet for Prime Minister. Will Pierre Poilievre go for the jugular or present a more measured demeanour? Does Mark Carney's proficiency in French really matter? Will anybody be moved by what Jagmeet Singh ha…

Prank gone horribly wrong: Liberal staffers plant unflattering campaign buttons at a Conservative event, then blab all about it at the bar. What were they thinking? Pierre Poilievre says he's step outside the Charter to crack down on Canada's most violent criminals. Could he gain a few points with the public, or is it a risky move? 4:00 | Vicky Moc…

People throw the word "fascist" around a lot these days, but does it actually fit U.S. President Donald Trump? An internationally-respected Canadian scholar says yes. 2:35 | Dr. Andy Knight, professor of political science at the University of Alberta, tells us why he thinks the US should be declared a pariah state. We hear firsthand how USAID cuts …

Nesen says Pierre better get serious about policy, AJ says Jespo's out to lunch on "grey areas," Ms. B has a hot take on The Great One, Cam has an axe to grind with Max Fawcett, and Brandon paints a picture of a sovereign Alberta. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@rya…

Pretty much everybody agrees: the consumer carbon tax is dead in Canada. Mark Carney's getting credit for it in the polls, which has to drive Pierre Poilievre crazy. After all, he's the one who's promised to "Axe the Tax" for the past two years. In this episode, two of Canada's most credible voices on the matter debate: Who ultimately killed the ca…

Everybody eats. But how many of us actually pay attention to what's going on in the Agriculture sector? There's something for everybody in this episode, from the city slickers to farmers and ranchers across Canada. Stick around for the second half of the show, where we take a look at wild swings in the market with massive wealth implications. 6:00 …

Jespo's family dodged a bullet just hours before this episode, nearly losing their beloved black lab Monroe in the icy, frigid North Saskatchewan River. It's the most dangerous time of year to be around water, says Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, and one of the most dangerous calls their firefighters respond to. 2:40 | Ryan's wife Kari, their dog Mo…

This episode is all about the bottom line. With headlines screaming "Market Mayhem," what's the average investor supposed to think, let alone do? Is now a good time to buy? Or is it time to sell before things get worse? And...whatever happened to election campaigns that were supposed to be all about AFFORDABILITY? 4:50 | We check in with Marshall M…

The Great One is taking more shots than any goalie he ever faced for his friendship with President Donald Trump. Pierre Poilievre's boasting about crowd sizes at his rallies, just like 47 does. Danielle Smith's spending more time in Florida than she is in Alberta. In the midst of a full-blown trade war, why do Canada's Conservatives still want to b…

"TheSco" says Danielle Smith's Breitbart interview is a "nothing burger," Lindsay's sick of hearing so much about The Donald, "G" wants to know who wants out (of Canada), Todd in Grande Prairie has a challenge for Alberta's premier, and Charlene's hoping you'll join her April 11 at the Alberta Legislature. FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjesper…

Has the average Canadian learned anything about the major parties' election platforms, with talk of Trump and tariffs taking up so much space? In this episode, our Real Talk Round Table panelists highlight the most significant policy announcements to date - including Conservative and Liberal housing plans. 3:45 | Shannon Phillips and Ken Boessenkoo…

Trump's costing the global economy trillions of dollars. What does this trade war mean for you? We get into it from a bunch of different angles in this episode. Plus, she's one of Canada's most prominent independent journalists. For a brief moment, she had a plum election gig with a mainstream outlet...until political opponents pounced. We talk to …

Trump's trade war with Canada is about to level up. A popular political podcaster is throwing his hat in the ring this election. Another popular TikTok commentator just got dumped by CTV. We cover all of it (and more) in this episode. 3:40 | It's not an April Fool's joke! The Strategists co-host and Real Talk Editorial Board member Corey Hogan is r…

Paul Chiang is out as the Liberal candidate in Markham-Unionville after suggesting a political opponent should be turned over to Chinese authorities. Mark McKenzie is out as the Conservative candidate in Windsor after a podcast interview surfaced wherein he calls for Justin Trudeau's, er, execution. 3:15 | Was standing by Chiang (for a day or two, …

Can Pierre Poilievre turn the Conservative campaign around in time? Are Mark Carney's Liberals peaking too soon? What does Donald Trump REALLY want? 2:30 | Our Group Chat Round Table is back together, as Katherine O'Neill, Jenny Adams, Harman Kandola, and Jarrett Campbell give us their take on the top election stories across the country. Will Amarj…