Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen

Background

Ryan Jespersen is the creator and host of Real Talk, one of Canada's most-downloaded daily news talk shows. Since its launch in 2020, Real Talk has carved out a unique space in the media landscape—offering sharp, accessible commentary on politics, pop culture, and pressing social issues through a Western Canadian lens.

Streaming live every weekday and available on-demand, the show serves a highly engaged, thoughtful audience primarily in Canada—with listeners tuning in from more than 40 countries. Built independently by Jespersen and his team, Real Talk blends in-depth journalism with real-life relatability, audience interaction, and a commitment to reaching audiences across as many platforms and formats as possible.

The Challenge

When building Real Talk, Jespersen and his team needed to move quickly and efficiently. They had a clear editorial vision and an established audience—but needed the technical infrastructure to support a daily show that could scale.

The team faced several key challenges:

• Launch a reliable, high-quality streaming talk show from scratch
• Reach and retain an audience across both video and audio channels
• Distribute across multiple platforms without compromising quality
• Minimize setup complexity and maintain flexibility as they grew

They were looking for a professional-grade solution to anchor their audio experience—one that would be simple to implement and dependable under pressure.

The Solution

Mixlr provided an ideal foundation for Real Talk's live audio strategy. With quick implementation, professional reliability, and excellent streaming quality, it allowed Jespersen and his team to confidently deliver live broadcasts to a growing and engaged listenership.

Seamless Implementation & Key Features

• 🎛 Multi-Camera, Multi-Platform Broadcasts

  The Real Talk studio is designed for flexibility and professionalism. Led by producer Johnny Hicks, the team operates a dynamic multi-camera setup capable of hosting multiple in-studio guests, delivering a polished, high-impact video production each day.
  
  To connect with as many viewers as possible, the show is broadcast live across six major video platforms — YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X — using Restream to manage distribution from a single, streamlined interface.
  
  But for Real Talk, video is only part of the equation. Audio-first access remains a cornerstone of the show's identity, and that's where Mixlr plays an essential role. As the exclusive platform for live audio streaming, Mixlr offers a dedicated listening experience for those tuning in while commuting, working, or multitasking—anytime a screen isn't practical. This low-bandwidth, audio-only option ensures Real Talk stays true to its talk-radio roots while embracing the reach of modern streaming.

• 🧩 Mixlr Integration

  The team routes their full mixer feed directly into Mixlr, delivering clean, uninterrupted audio to listeners. This setup gives Real Talk a reliable, professional-grade audio channel that stands apart from its video streams—ideal for fans who prefer to engage through sound alone.

• 📡 Accessible Listening, Anywhere

  Mixlr allows Real Talk to meet its audience wherever they are. Whether in the car, at a desk, or on a walk, listeners can tune in worldwide, without the need to watch—making the content more accessible and more flexible.

• 🖥 Seamless Website Integration

  To make access even easier, the Mixlr player is embedded directly on the Real Talk website. This gives fans a one-click listening experience without extra downloads or distractions—helping convert casual visitors into returning listeners.

Game-Changing Impact

• 📈 Significant Audience Growth: By consistently catering to both video and audio audiences, Jespersen has significantly expanded Real Talk's reach. Distributing across seven platforms has driven a listenership increase of over 600% in the past 6 months.
• 🔒 Reliable Daily Streaming Mixlr is a core part of Real Talk's daily broadcast infrastructure, valued for its consistency and professional-grade performance. It has become the go-to platform for listeners who prefer a dedicated audio experience—trusted for its stability. Its reliability makes it a key pillar in the show's multi-platform strategy, ensuring the audience can always count on a smooth, uninterrupted stream.
• 📡 Efficient, Professional Setup: Mixlr allows the team to maintain high-quality live audio with minimal friction. With no need for outside engineering teams or complex radio infrastructure, the team can focus on content—not tech troubleshooting.

Advice for Creators

Jespersen encourages emerging creators to focus on clarity and strategy:

• Know your audience and understand what makes your voice different.
• Build intentionally - with growth in mind, whether at a national or global level.
• Learn from others in your space - there's always something to take away editorially or technically from peers and competitors alike.

He emphasizes that the combination of strong editorial direction and the right tools can empower independent voices to create meaningful content and grow substantial, loyal audiences.

Conclusion: Why Mixlr?

For Real Talk, Mixlr is more than just an audio platform—it's a cornerstone of their daily production. Its professional-grade quality, stability, and ease of use have allowed Jespersen and his team to deliver consistent, accessible content while growing their show across multiple platforms.

Mixlr supports creators who want to focus on what matters most: making an impact with their voice.