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...POLITICO's Mickey Djuric and Nick Taylor-Vaisey recap their 2025 election experience, having travelled the country covering the campaigns. Will Pierre Poilievre trigger a by-election in Alberta? Will Mark Carney's cabinet differ greatly from Justin Trudeau's?

READ POLITICO: https://www.politico.com/

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

33:33 | Nobody offers up political commentary quite like longtime strategist and podcast personality Stephen Carter. Not an actual doctor, Carter conducts a Conservative campaign autopsy (38:20), and responds to the Real Talk Rumour Mill report that Edmonton-Griesbach MP-elect Kerry Diotte has offered his seat to Pierre Poilievre.

SUBSCRIBE to THE STRATEGISTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-strategists/id1514440943

1:01:40 | Mother's Day is fast approaching - May 11 - and there's no better place to treat Mom than Jasper National Park! Ryan shares a few special family memories and lays out a perfect Mother's Day weekend itinerary in #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper.

BOOK MOTHER'S DAY in JASPER: https://www.jasper.travel/

1:06:00 | "Doctor Carter" continues his campaign autopsies with a look at the Liberals' disappointing performance on the prairies, including Amarjeet Sohi's defeat in Edmonton Southeast (1:10:50). Where does the NDP go from here after a disastrous performance (1:27:30)?

1:35:30 | What on earth is Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi doing (or not doing)? What's with the UCP's Bill 54, making life easier for would-be separatists to trigger a referendum? And what can we expect to see in Edmonton and Calgary's mayoral races (1:52:00)?

REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta...

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.

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 CEO Katherine O'Neill, comms strategist Jenny Adams, Edmonton city councillor Sarah Hamilton, lawyer Harman Kandola, and real estate broker Jarrett Campbell - dig into the election results, including early pressure on PM Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre in a tough spot as Opposition Leader without a seat, and the future of the NDP. We're joined by Party All The Time host Vicky Mochama (8:45), Liberal MP-elect Corey Hogan (46:10), and Conservative MP-elect Mike Lake (1:47:30).

PARTY ALL THE TIME: https://youtu.be/faCnUZsxmcQ?si=NL0UCxMj7jUwGURi

REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta...

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.

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 see Johnny's cameo on Hockey Night in Canada? The boys debrief after an incredible Game Four in the Oilers/Kings series.

1:41:10 | Ryan shares a personal thought on National Day of Mourning.

1:44:00 | Get out and vote! Positive Reflections is presented by Solar by Kuby.

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

REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta...

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 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 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!

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.

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 Canada ahead of his party," and the "Brantford Boomer" story.

MAKE BETTER POLICY: https://mbpolicy.com/

36:00 | One in six Canadians struggles with infertility. We welcome couple Linda Hoang and Mike Brown, Alberta Reproductive Centre's Dr. Ariana Daniel, and Fertility Alberta's Michelle Chidley to a Real Talk Round Table during Canadian Fertility Awareness Week.

TELL US YOUR STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com

MORE: https://www.fertilityawarenessweek.ca/

ALBERTA FERTILITY: https://albertafertility.ca/

1:21:30 | Jespo tells us about his tour of iHuman HQ.

CHECK OUT THE iHUMAN REAL TALK ROUND TABLE: https://rtrj.info/042425iHuman

JOIN RYAN on MAY 7 at CANVAS FOR HOPE: https://ihuman.org/canvas-for-hope-fundraising-luncheon/

1:28:30 | 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 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!

REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta...

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.

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 a camera operator outside a Liberal campaign event? We go to the source of the viral story - Caryma Sa'd.

22:00 | "Don't Be Canada," warns Tristin Hopper in his new book. The National Post columnist tells us why he thinks Canada's doing everything wrong all at once.

CHECK OUT TRISTIN'S BOOK: https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/product/dont-be-canada/

48:00 | We sit down with iHuman executive director Beryl Bacchus and iHuman youth artists Mahalia Jamerson and Ashra in what one Real Talker in our live chat calls "the most inspiring Real Talk Round Table of the year".

JOIN US MAY 7 at CANVAS FOR HOPE: https://ihuman.org/

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta...

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.

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 inclined to "loan" their vote to the Liberals?

2:20 | Jagmeet joins Jespo in the Real Talk studio, talking polls, key ridings, and the future of the party.

22:22 | POLITICO's Ottawa bureau chief Nick Taylor-Vasey gets into the Leafs' big win against the Sens, our interview with Jagmeet Singh, Pierre Poilievre's upcoming campaign stop in Trenton, and the Brantford Boomer.

READ POLITICO: https://www.politico.com/canada-politics-news-updates-analysis

40:00 | Solidarity! Amazon Labour Union founder Chris Smalls and Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan share cross-border perspectives on organizing, elections, and the future of unions.

CHRIS SMALLS on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/chris.smalls_

ALBERTA FEDERATION of LABOUR: https://afl.org/

1:32:30 | The UpLift! Jasper Mural Festival is back, the Jasper Canadian Rockies Half Marathon is coming up, the Taste of Spring culinary celebration continues, and Marmot Basin's keeping the lifts running until May 4! It's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.

UPLIFT! MURAL FESTIVAL: https://www.instagram.com/uplift.fest.jasper

BOOK YOUR GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/

1:36:45 | Jespo and Johnny debrief on the Brantford Boomer story and "real world" politics.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta...

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.

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 Francis' legacy and the significance of his death. We talk about a new Conservative ad campaign, diaspora voting, foreign policy positions, and key storylines with six days to go 'til Canada votes.

PARTY ALL THE TIME: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/party-all-the-time/id1803891407

24:15 | What prompted former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk to file a conduct complaint with the Law Society aimed at Alberta's justice minister Mickey Amery and lawyer Matthew Lindsay? We ask him.

49:45 | Alberta researchers are advancing nature-based solutions to pressing environmental challenges facing prairie landscapes impacted by industry. Athabasca University's Dr. Srijak Bhatnagar and Lethbridge Polytechnic's Dr. Adriana Morrell explain how their collaboration could transform conservation efforts.

READ MORE: https://www.athabascau.ca/news/research-and-innovation/science-and-environment/coalmine-grassland.html?

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com

REGISTER FOR THE REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC: https://www.ryanjespersen.com/real-ta...

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.