Real solutions for Alberta workers from the Alberta Federation of Labour. Episode 1 of the Worker Agenda looks at AFFORDABILITY. Everything is getting more expensive. The dream of a secure, middle-class life is slipping away, especially for young people.

Gil McGowan and Cori Longo of the AFL join Omar Mouallem to discuss what can be done to make life more affordable for Albertans.

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/

Real Talkers Glenn and Tractor Dave have hot takes on Alberta's separatist movement; Keltie, Laura, and Les are fired up over our coverage of changes to disability benefits in Alberta; and Melvin has a geography lesson for Jespo. It's The Flamethrower presented by our amazing friends at the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!

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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.

Canada's premiers are calling out Alberta separatists en masse. BC's David Eby's calling it "treason". This, as American officials are (reportedly) meeting with an unelected, unofficial, and unserious delegation led by lawyer Jeff Rath. We get into it - along with the Canada-US relationship, the Canada-China trade deal, and the contentious F-35 fighter jet order - with longtime politician, diplomat, and CEO of the Canada West Foundation Gary Mar (4:00) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY -- ROOTED IN PRAIRIE GRIT AND A REBELLIOUS SPIRIT. PROUDLY LOCAL, ALWAYS ORIGINAL. HANSEN DISTILLERY IS MADE RIGHT, RIGHT HERE. https://hansendistillery.com/

45:00 | Heated Rivalry is now Crave's all-time most-watched series. Prime Minister Mark Carney just appeared with one of the show's stars - Hudson Williams - on a red carpet in Ottawa. More people than ever before are talking about LGBTQ2S+ inclusion in sport. This, as Edmonton-designed Pride Tape celebrates its ten year anniversary. Pride Tape co-founders Senator Kristopher Wells and Jeff McLean join our Real Talk Round Table to discuss.

TELL US YOUR STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com

PRIDE TAPE: https://pridetape.com/

SILENT AUCTION LINK for SIX CLUB TICKETS to OILERS/WILD on JAN. 31: https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/135812/auctions/195160/auction_items/6707590

1:47:00 | Real Talkers Glenn and Tractor Dave have hot takes on Alberta's separatist movement; Keltie, Laura, and Les are fired up over our coverage of changes to disability benefits in Alberta; and Melvin has a geography lesson for Jespo. It's The Flamethrower presented by our amazing friends at 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU!

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.

There's little doubt Pierre Poilievre will survive his leadership review at Conservative Convention in Calgary. The question is, what tone will he set, how will he manage Trump supporters and Alberta separatists, and which direction will the party adopt moving forward? Podcaster and former (United) Conservative staffer Erika Barootes talks it out from Calgary (3:40) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

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/.

41:20 | We dip into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power for your takes on Conservative Convention 2026.

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

47:10 | Albertans are rallying around former Jasper resident "Vrato" Durech, who's lucky to be alive after falling 40 metres while ice climbing in Colorado. In this week's "Alberta Wins" presented by Play Alberta, we celebrate the community spirit behind a GoFundMe to cover emergency medical air transport to bring Vrato home.

GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-bring-vratislav-home-for-ongoing-medical-care

THERE'S A MAJOR CASINO WINNER EVERY HOUR WITH PLAY ALBERTA, AND ALL REVENUE STAYS RIGHT HERE IN THE PROVINCE. DOWNLOAD THE PLAY ALBERTA APP TODAY TO GET STARTED WITH CASINO, SPORTS, AND LOTTERY ALL IN ONE APP. MUST BE 18+ TO PLAY. IF YOU GAMBLE, PLEASE USE YOUR GAMESENSE. https://playalberta.ca/

54:00 | Real Talkers have a LOT to say about Alberta axing disability supports. Shyla, Wendy, and Amanda share their families' stories in response to our Real Talk Round Table on the shift from ADAP to AISH.

TELL US YOUR STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com

WATCH THAT EPISODE: https://rtrj.info/012826ADAP

1:12:30 | Looking for club seats to the Edmonton Oilers/Minnesota Wild game on Saturday, January 31? We've got six up for auction in support of the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic! Auction closes January 31 at 2pm MT.

ENTER YOUR BID: https://www.32auctions.com/RTPondHock...

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.

Alberta's rolling back benefits for nearly 80,000 people with disabilities with its new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP). Amidst steep cost of living increases, benefits are being cut by 10% alongside a 67% cut to fully-exempt employment income. We talk to Inclusion Alberta CEO Trish Bowman and Real Talker Averie, an advocate for adults with mental illness, in our feature interview (4:00) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

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/.

SHARE YOUR STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com

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

INCLUSION ALBERTA: https://inclusionalberta.org/adap-facts-and-take-action/

ADAP: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-disability-assistance-program

47:00 | Get your neon ski suits out of storage - it's Retro Day in Jasper on January 31! We've got details in #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.

JASPER in JANUARY: https://www.jasper.travel/january/

MARMOT BASIN: https://www.skimarmot.com/

52:15 | The Bank of Canada maintains the key interest rate at 2.25%. Premiers in Saskatchewan and Ontario have very different takes on Mark Carney's deal with China. Alberta separatists are ramping up efforts around their petition. What does it all mean for Alberta businesses? Shauna Feth, president and CEO of Alberta Chambers of Commerce, has her Eye on Alberta Business.

CONNECT with ACC: https://www.abchamber.ca/

TAKE THE HOT BUTTON ISSUE SURVEY: https://research.albertaperspectives.ca/jfe/form/SV_0GOnjhL52yHpCm2

1:19:20 | Real Talkers have a lot to say in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.

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

1:52:15 | We're auctioning off six club tickets to the Oilers game vs. the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, January 31 along with (optional) Golden Bus transportation from Central Social Hall St. Albert to Rogers Place that evening. All proceeds from this amazing auction item generously donated by Play Alberta will go toward the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic's fundraising for KidSport and Uncles and Aunts at Large.

ENTER YOUR BID: https://www.32auctions.com/RTPondHockey2026

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

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @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.

Canadians are waiting way too long in emergency rooms. Dr. Andrew Boozary, executive director at the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine at Toronto's University Health Network and founder of Dunn House, explains how they've cut ER visits by 52% and length of stays by 79% (5:15) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

Stick around for former Jason Kenney staffer Blaise Boehmer's behind-the-scenes story (42:00) of the then-Alberta premier introducing recall legislation (and why Blaise thought it was a mistake from the start).

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY -- ROOTED IN PRAIRIE GRIT AND A REBELLIOUS SPIRIT. PROUDLY LOCAL, ALWAYS ORIGINAL. HANSEN DISTILLERY IS MADE RIGHT, RIGHT HERE. https://hansendistillery.com/

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

MORE on DUNN HOUSE: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/building-affordable-homes/housing-initiatives/supportive-housing-developments/90-dunn-ave/

CHECK OUT OUR INTERVIEW on BRIDGE HEALING at the ROYAL ALEX: https://rtrj.info/112825Bridge

1:17:00 | Are you an audiophile? Are you looking for the best bang-for-buck headphones on the market? Real Talker MetaModern tees up an interesting conversation. ($60,000 for headphones?!)

1:32:00 | Jespo and Johnny dip into the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power to hear Cassandra's story of living on the edge of homelessness.

SHARE YOUR STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.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.

It's been a wild few days in the United States. Another U.S. citizen is dead at the hands of ICE agents, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is publicly endorsing Alberta separatism, and President Donald Trump is threatening 100% tariffs on Canada following PM Mark Carney's deal with China. We get into it all with Supriya Dwivedi (3:15) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.

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/.

1:15:00 | Real Talkers share their family's rules on screen time, social media access, etc. in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.

SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS:

1:32:30 | Real Talker Lisa in B.C. has this week's Positive Reflection presented by Solar by Kuby. We love to hear it - welcome to the family, Lisa!

SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com

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

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.

Real Talker Michael deploys more f-bombs per minute than anybody in Flamethrower history with his message to the White House, Brendon lays out the real world cost of Alberta separation talk, Gerald's torn on the "leaked classroom audio" story, and Watty's got a proposal for a PST in Alberta. 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU!

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.