On this week's podcast: It’s election year and things are hotting up, both here and in the US.We include a highly critical analysis from a forensic accountant on the present state of play.We talk to Michael Doran, from the Hudson Institute, on the trials and tribulations of General Michael Flynn. He guested on Podcast 12 when he was in the country last year. It is a most fascinating case.And Mrs Producer enjoys a letter writer who has it in for your host. File your comments and complaints at Lei...
May 20, 2020•1 hr 8 min
This week we thought it would be a good opportunity to talk at length with Barry Soper, Newstalk ZB Political Editor. We had a wide ranging discussion on the government, the opposition, the upcoming election, and of course, the virus. We followed that up with Sir Roger Douglas, who in conjunction with Professor Robert MacCulloch, is producing study papers on the current crisis. “The March Towards Poverty”. We respond to some listener comments. There is some restlessness afoot. And, of course, yo...
May 12, 2020•1 hr 22 min
There is much to say this week on central banks, travel, Jacinda in Canberra, the Pulitzer Prize, and the New York Times.My interview is with ’Science Left Behind’ author Alex Berezow. I have an update on the virus and some other interesting matters.And, as always, letters with Mrs P. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:T...
May 06, 2020•1 hr 6 min
This week’s interview is with Geoffrey Parker. It is lengthy but compelling. His book ‘Global Crisis ; War, Climate Change & Catastrophe in the Seventeenth Century' is the foundation for a wide ranging and challenging discussion. We take a look at a non-mainstream opinion on Trump and why the MSM is getting more deranged.As a brief escape from Covid-19, Malcolm Turnbull’s autobiography is worthy of some commentary.Then Mrs Producer rounds out podcast 61 with letters from you. File your comme...
Apr 28, 2020•1 hr 48 min
In this week’s podcast - I have commentary on the global fiscal and economic state, along with more on the coronavirus. There is reaction to last week’s interview with Steven Joyce, and to my QE questioning. Modelling garners some warranted criticism, and why ‘experts’ make so many wrong decisions. This week’s interview is with author, columnist, and speaker Melanie Phillips. I enjoyed it immensely. Melanie’s autobiography explains her political transition from left to right. It also provides a ...
Apr 22, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Ex Cabinet Minister Steven Joyce occupies the major part of this week’s podcast. We talk about the consequences of the virus on everything from GDP to employment, to retail, trade, real estate and tourism. And I ask whether Joyce is interested in returning to politics. I have further commentary on Cardinal George Pell’s acquittal, with some interesting and appalling information on Victoria’s justice system. Some good correspondence with Mrs Producer, and a business person’s take on the virus. Fi...
Apr 14, 2020•1 hr 20 min
In January, I picked up a book in Australia by American author Bill Gertz. Called DECEIVING THE SKY: INSIDE COMMUNIST CHINA'S DRIVE FOR GLOBAL SUPREMACY, the book makes for a fascinating discussion. I’ve been looking forward to talking to Gertz. Now you can hear it. I have commentary on George Pell’s acquittal and the death of Dr Fred Singer. I briefly address Auckland governance and prime examples of media bias. Carolyn, as expected, appears with correspondence and some cheap shots at your host...
Apr 07, 2020•1 hr 11 min
On the podcast this week, I interview two very interesting and informative people. First, Patrick Basham, Director of the Democracy Institute. Patrick assesses the burden of responsibility for the coronavirus pandemic. The World Health Organisation does not rate highly. Then, Todd Huizinga, who was an American diplomat for 20 years. Todd’s 2016 book, "The New Totalitarian Temptation", plus a more recent article, “The Postmodern Pursuit of global Governance”, make for a very interesting discussio...
Apr 01, 2020•1 hr 39 min
On this week's podcast:In 2007, I had a call from a semi-retired investment banker by the name of Jonathon. He was keen to talk about the world financial situation. He was most concerned about it, and the fact that coverage was scant.We had a long, informative conversation, and I was impressed. It wasn’t long before his fears were realised. He was the first professional I had spoken to, who had voiced these concerns so eloquently. As we all know, it became known as the GFC.So Jonathon is my gues...
Mar 25, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Two interviews are on the podcast this week. Rosemary Gibson, author of CHINA RX, talks about the ignorance of the west in its dealings with China. China has overwhelmed the West on multiple fronts, but specifically in the field of pharmaceuticals. China could literally shut most of the world’s hospitals by pulling supply. The author says the media has failed in its responsibility. I speak with Ehud Yaari, senior Israeli commentator and journalist, on the Middle East and matters local. Feedback ...
Mar 17, 2020•1 hr 30 min
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Mar 13, 2020•52 sec
This week, the whole world is talking Coronavirus. We cannot escape the discussion. I thought I’d heard enough but it is the biggest developing news story and I’m suspecting it will continue.So I have some interesting detail on the scenario that we are facing.On different matters, I talk with Andre Van Heerden about critical thinking. I really enjoyed it. Thinking critically is more important than it has ever been.I look into parallel universes, and much more.And, of course, Mrs Producer with fe...
Mar 10, 2020•58 min
COVID 19, or the Coronavirus, has dominated headlines this week, and will likely do so for some months to come. This week I talk with science writer and communications consultant Alex Berezow. Also a public speaker, he is known as “The Junk Science Debunker." He is Co-author of ‘Science Left Behind’, ‘The Little Black Book of Junk Science’. He has a PhD in micro-biology and writes for The American Council on Science and Health. There’s more on the virus from various perspectives. And more on the...
Mar 03, 2020•1 hr 1 min
On the podcast this week: New York Times best selling author George Friedman’s latest book is released today (February 25th U.S). ’The Storm Before the Calm’ suggests that America is in for a rough time in the decade beginning 2020. Why this occurs is something you’ve never read before. The reasons for it and the results that follow are fascinating. But, here’s a spoiler, it’s nothing to do with this years election result. George Friedman is my guest in podcast 52. Also, continued analysis of th...
Feb 25, 2020•58 min
He was a New York Times reporter, but don’t hold that against him. He wrote on the pharmaceutical industry, and on cyclone Katrina. He reported on the world of finance and the crimes of Bernie Madoff. Then the Iraqi war, where he went on two separate journalistic missions spread over a number of months. It was in that environment that the idea for John Wells was born. The central character for his first novel ’The Faithful Spy’. He has since penned another eleven. But bestselling author Alex Ber...
Feb 18, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Podcast 50, and Leighton is once again attacking political correctness. After many years of calling it for what it is, this week he reveals a new low. And how, from the 1980s, it has all come to this. He touches on Huawei, and a backhander for Mitt Romney, the Senator from Utah. This weeks interview is a must listen. It involves a tragedy in one mans life and how he overcame it. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our sim...
Feb 11, 2020•1 hr 2 min
In year two of THE LEIGHTON SMITH PODCAST, we again turn our attention to rolling news and ruminate on our own particular interests. So, this week it’s coronavirus, Donald Trump’s impeachment trial (except that it’s really the U.S. Constitution on trial), education and the New Zealand election. Leighton’s guest is Chris Trotter; they discuss the 2020 election; leadership, education, hate-speech legislation, media bias, the growing power of the unelected administrative state and more. And some go...
Feb 04, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Welcome to 2020. The second year of the Leighton Smith Podcast. On the first podcast of the year, Leighton talks about the impeachment, the ex-royal couple, the bushfires, and climate and climate education. Actually, climate indoctrination. This week’s guest is Dr Jennifer Marohasy, an Australian scientist and writer. She talks bushfires, the Great Barrier Reef, universities, and addresses whether sea level rise might in fact be sea level fall. As always, Mrs Producer, with correspondence and a ...
Jan 29, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Welcome to the best interviews of 2019!They were all good, so I’ve assembled a few pairings combining the people I enjoyed talking to, the subjects we loved discussing, and your reactions that made our discussions stronger.For the final Best of 2019 interviews, we’ve got Jacob Shapiro from Geopolitical Futures talking China, expansion, New Zealand, Australia and more. He’s good. Then, John Scarry, a New Zealand Construction Engineer who has been fighting for better local construction standards. ...
Dec 27, 2019•1 hr 18 min
Welcome to the best interviews of 2019!They were all good, so I’ve assembled a few episodes combining the people I enjoyed talking to, the subjects we loved discussing, and your reactions that made our discussions stronger.In this episode, we have Sir Tim Ball, author of “The Deliberate Corruption of Climate Science”. I think this interview, which runs for an hour, was the most popular podcast this year. If you are listening to Tim for the first time, I’d love to hear your reaction. Hope you enj...
Dec 27, 2019•1 hr
Welcome to the best interviews of 2019!They were all good, so I’ve assembled a few pairings combining the people I enjoyed talking to, the subjects we loved discussing, and your reactions that made our discussions stronger.In this episode, I’ve assembled a pair of conversationalists: Australian journalist Miranda Devine and NZ author Alan Duff. Both were great conversationalists, and the feedback on both was huge. Hope you enjoy and more next week. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@n...
Dec 27, 2019•1 hr 8 min
Welcome to the best interviews of 2019!They were all good, so I’ve assembled a few pairings combining the people I enjoyed talking to, the subjects we loved discussing, and your reactions that made our discussions stronger.In this episode we feature James Rickards, author and commentator on matters financial, followed by NZ lawyer, ex-politician and free speech fighter Stephen Franks.Hope you enjoy and more next week. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listene...
Dec 27, 2019•1 hr 2 min
In the final podcast of 2019 we indulge ourselves in Christmas’s past. But first a little compulsory commentary, followed by a post-British election discussion with Christian Smith. Some feedback from you with Mrs Producer. Due to numerous requests, we reprise some LEIGHTON SMITH SHOW traditions. The best of THE LEIGHTON SMITH PODCAST will feature during the summer period, where we will be replaying some of the best interviews of the year. The usual email advice will sent. If you are not on the ...
Dec 17, 2019•1 hr 14 min
On the podcast this week – The tragedy of White Island. The British election and a brief from Kiwi lawyer and journalist Christian Smith. And a comment on a different perspective by Niall Ferguson. Tough on crime, why it’s nonsense not to be. A great conversation with Dr Patrick Michaels. He is co author of a new book “Scientocracy; The Tangled Web of Public Science and Public Policy. The cover story of the October 19, 1913 Economist magazine was “How Science Goes Wrong”. Not much has changed. F...
Dec 10, 2019•1 hr 16 min
On the podcast this week – Commentary on housing, debt, working mothers, globalisation, banking and the connection between them all. I talk with social commentator Lindsay Mitchell. We start with the controversial topic of voting for prisoners, but there is much more. And of course feedback with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast a...
Dec 03, 2019•1 hr 13 min
The long lasting debate over whether prisoners should be able to vote is enough to drive you nuts. But it’s on again because some people just don’t get it. More on bushfires in Australia. A commentary from someone who experienced the 2009 fires in Victoria. 173 people died. And one of the top interviews of the year with Prof. Boaz Ganor. Prof. Ganor is author of “The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle - A Guide for Decision Makers. He is also Exec. Director of the International Institute for Counter-Terro...
Nov 26, 2019•1 hr 7 min
On this week’s podcast: November 19th is International Men's Day. Do we really need to celebrate it? The same day is also the United Nation’s World Toilet Day. Pure coincidence, of course... More reference to the fires that are all caused by global warming; only if you follow the fiction and ignore the facts. This week I chatted with Olivia Pierson, author of “Western Values Defended; A Primer”. It was a very interesting and enjoyable discussion. And our favourite segment; your feedback with Car...
Nov 20, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Last week National did the unthinkable. It fell into line with the government and voted for the Zero Carbon Bill. So we decided to do things differently, and put together a panel to discuss this asinine move. On the agenda today —National leadership, education and the abuse of children’s minds by climate propagandists. I spoke with two National long-time members and one of the best educationalists in the country. And there is something to offend almost everyone. File your comments and complaints...
Nov 12, 2019•1 hr
In this week's podcast: XR — otherwise known as Extinction Rebellion. We examine their history and, more importantly, their ambition. Are they just a Green subset or something more dangerous?Impeachment — a beginners analysis of ‘high crimes and misdemeanours’. On what grounds can a U.S. president be thrown out of office? Not as straightforward as you might think.Michael Bassett rates the Labour-NZ First coalition after two years at the helm. Is his critique more generous than 12 months ago? And...
Nov 05, 2019•1 hr 5 min
In this week’s podcast we talk debt, investments, negative interest and Q.E. The thoughts of a fiction writer who specialises in dystopian subjects. And another who writes non-fiction but can be dystopian nevertheless. I drew up a list of matters for this interview with George Friedman. Right off the cuff, he bats them away. Some very good correspondence with Carolyn and did I mention climate? (just a little) Get in touch: Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out...
Oct 30, 2019•1 hr
