Australian author and academic Clive Hamilton guests on podcast 94. His recent book “Hidden Hand”, exposes how the Chinese Communist Party is reshaping the world. He believes that New Zealand is in more danger than Australia. Hamilton might be a man of the Left, but he is not in denial of reality. Leighton has further commentary on the CCP, and where the country is being coaxed in regard to free speech versus hate speech. It’s not healthy. And a big mailroom this week. File your comments and com...
Dec 09, 2020•1 hr 15 min
This week we talk with Michael Kelly, Professor Emeritus of Engineering, from the University of Cambridge. We discuss climate mitigation and why NZ is making a big mistake. It is a stunning listen. We give the happenings of the week the once over, and enter the mailroom 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 also available on iTun...
Dec 01, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This week I talk with Britain’s most quoted sociologist, Frank Furedi. He is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent, and a prolific author. His twenty five books are diverse in content; education, borders, democracy, progressivism and paranoid parenting. We cover it all. And power systems engineer Bryan Leyland is on the podcast again. We discuss emission free electricity - the dream and the reality. And, once again, Mrs Producer joins me with the mailbox. File your comments a...
Nov 25, 2020•1 hr 25 min
Education has been a political playground for decades. And so it continues. We talk with Briar Lipson from The New Zealand Initiative , whose report “Education Delusion” has brought conflicting reaction. Have we gone wrong, and if so, where? Do we think Trump is still alive for a second term? Never bet against him is the answer to that. And, finally, we venture into the mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 20 min
Whatever happened to Rodney Hide? This week I have an in-depth discussion with economist, scientist and ex politician Hide. It has made me realise how the political talent pool has shrunk. Unsurprisingly, there is also comment around the American election result. And the mailroom 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 also availab...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 39 min
In our second podcast of the week, we look into the US election. The mainstream pollsters blew it again with their predictions. While not perfect, the Democracy Institute/Sunday Express poll was in tune with the outcome of the American Election. Patrick Basham runs the results, such as they are. And I’ve included some great commentary from Victor Davis Hanson and Jonathon Turley. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our si...
Nov 05, 2020•54 min
There are going to be two Leighton Smith Podcasts this week. The first is available today, prior to the U.S. election, and the second on Thursday, where we analyse the results and the path from hereon in. We have lots of analysis with Patrick Basham from Democracy Institute, and scrutinise their outlier poll. They used the same methodology in 2016: they accurately picked the winner. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...
Nov 02, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Semi-retired investment banker Jonathon Urlich returns with a global economic update. We discuss the U.S., China, Eurozone and New Zealand. Then we have an hour with Salvatore Babones. He is Professor of Political Sociology, Author of “The New Authoritarianism: Trump, Populism, and the Tyranny of Experts, and he is brilliant. Mrs Producer is in the mailroom. And next week, to accommodate the U.S. Presidential election, there will be two podcasts: Monday and Thursday. File your comments and compl...
Oct 27, 2020•1 hr 41 min
Podcast 86 leads with election analysis from Michael Bassett. He raises some very thought provoking issues. I talk with Wayne Brown on why New Zealand has so many infrastructure issues and the genius he employs to turn failure into success. It is a revolutionary concept. And I pay tribute to a great climate scientist. As always, Mrs Producer enters the mailroom. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide....
Oct 20, 2020•1 hr 31 min
Patrick Basham is our guest in Podcast 85. We ruminate over the latest Democracy Institute/Sunday Express American presidential polling. Aaron Ironside gives us his thoughts on the Cannabis, Legislation and Control Referendum. Aaron is spokesman for Say Nope to Dope. We have some comment on Government debt and waste. And the mailroom 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 he...
Oct 13, 2020•1 hr 36 min
What a week since the last podcast. The U.S. President contracts Covid-19, enters hospital and after 3 days appears to be clear of the virus. This week we get Geopolitical Futures’ George Friedman’s perspective on the US election, and why he doesn’t watch Presidential debates. And we talk with historian Michael Bassett on our own electoral process. We have the mailroom with Mrs Producer, and much more. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast b...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr 27 min
On this week's podcast: Retired Justice Harriet O'Neill of the Texas Supreme Court is our 83 guest interview. We discuss the Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, the judicial system, politics and other matters. We also make comment on Military Generals, matters satanic and the importance of freedom. And, of course, the mailroom, and lots of correspondence with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simp...
Sep 30, 2020•1 hr 11 min
This week we have a timely discussion with Richard Prebble. He shares his thoughts on where the country is at, and what (rightly) concerns him. We address matters financial, social and political. And have a look at the Auckland Council, and more. We include commentary on the leaders' debate , the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the vacancy on the Supreme Court. And, of course, the mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a p...
Sep 23, 2020•1 hr 42 min
Michael Anton, author of “The Stakes: America at the Point of No Return”, provides insight that is an antidote to the Trump hatred that dominates the media. It’s an extensive and informative discussion that you won’t find elsewhere. I’ve collated some good local commentary, and, of course, the Mailroom 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...
Sep 15, 2020•1 hr 18 min
The sinking of the ship Gulf Transport has caused shipments to be suspended. Is this warranted? We talk about the decision, whether it is political, and what its effects are on the farmers. We talk with Alex Berezow, Doctor of Microbiology. We have had numerous requests for his further comments on C-19. And after 6 months in Poland, you’ll be interested in his thoughts on his return to Seattle. And we insert some balance in the media coverage of the Presidential election (there’s a lot of catchu...
Sep 08, 2020•1 hr 23 min
Patrick Basham from Democracy Institute talks to us about political polls. He explains the results of the Institute’slatest presidential poll and how it all works. And we have an interesting philosophical discussion with Andre Van Heerden on leadership and modernity. It’s an intriguing listen. There is some additional commentary on education and activism…and Mrs Producer in the mailroom. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check ou...
Sep 02, 2020•1 hr 40 min
Professor Thomas Borody is most famous for his ground-breaking work developing the triple therapy cure for peptic ulcers in 1987, which has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. In podcast 78, he details his solution for Covid-19. When you hear this interview, you may well agree that New Zealand should be taking his advice. Much to talk about today. And, of course, letters. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple h...
Aug 26, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Hilal Khashan is Professor of Politics at the American University of Beirut. He is also a senior analyst at Geopolitical Futures. We talk Lebanon: history, politics, Hezbollah, Iran, banking and Covid-19. It is a very informative interview, with some surprising insights. Leighton Baker, New Conservative leader, makes his case. We have comment on the future of New York City and the coronavirus; is NZ in lockdown panic? And finally….the mail room with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaint...
Aug 19, 2020•1 hr 44 min
Antony P. Mueller is my kind of economist. He is a German Professor, teaching in Brazil. Our discussion, revolving around the plans of the World Economic Forum for the world, is essential listening, We cover Technocracy, pandemic, climate change, and education; I’ve listened to it twice since we spoke. We also comment on the new lockdown, Biden’s running mate and the NZ climate risk assessment (hint: it’s useless). File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened t...
Aug 12, 2020•1 hr 33 min
Aynsley Kellow, Professor Emeritus of Government, University of Tasmania, dominates podcast 75. Here’s why: his latest article is titled, “COVID-19: The Failure of Official Science” . It runs 14 pages and covers both Covid-19 and climate change. The amount of information and knowledge contained therein is reflective of the very best investigative journalism. It leaves you wanting more. As further validation, Kellow was New Zealand born and educated, graduating from the University of Otago. It’s ...
Aug 04, 2020•1 hr 35 min
Dr Kevin Donnelly, author of “How Political Correctness is Destroying Australia’ and numerous other books, guests on Podcast 74. We discuss political correctness, education, moral cohesion, marxism, the state of the State of Victoria, and more. We take a look at Covid 19, Bernard-Henri Levy and U.S. attorney General William Barr and the Democrats. And some very good correspondence in the mailroom. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before...
Jul 29, 2020•1 hr 12 min
On the podcast this week - With the election closing in we deal with three matters of continuing importance. Three different but shorter interviews. Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers Union on Councils. Educationalist Alwyn Poole on education. And power systems professional Bryan Leyland on NZ’s dysfunctional electricity market. Comment also on polar bears, economists and JK Rowling. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out ou...
Jul 22, 2020•1 hr 28 min
On the podcast this week - Dr Oliver Hartwich, CEO of the New Zealand Initiative, guests for a wide ranging discussion. We cover much that is important to New Zealand. Michael Bassett discusses the changing guard at National. He is as sharp-witted as ever. We have commentary on media PC, and much more. 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 ava...
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 32 min
Nick Cater, executive director of the Menzies Research Centre, guests on podcast 71. One of his latest missives is titled "Losing the Freedom to Think”. We discuss the competence of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who put Melbourne into lockdown a few hours after we spoke. We have commentary on Thomas Sowell, how easy it is to be misled by fake news, and your correspondence with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? C...
Jul 08, 2020•1 hr 8 min
He might be the ex-Finance Minister but his profile is on the rise. Steven Joyce updates his April 15 podcast interview. It is a very insightful discussion.Semi- retired investment banker Jonathon Urlich reviews the economic data, timely commentary as the election date looms.We have comment on the possible crisis of the U.S. Supreme Court, and climate change; why you are being duped. This is not to be missed.And Mrs P delivers the mail. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co...
Jul 01, 2020•1 hr 37 min
Our discussion this week is with author, investor, farmer and commentator, Doug Casey. An adventurer of many talents and accomplishments, Doug dissects the state of the world from every perspective. He has lived in 10 different countries and visited 175. American born and educated, he is a libertarian philosopher. It is a great conversation.We have a look at Bolton’s (hit-job) book, a little climate and more, and finish up with Mrs Producer and your correspondence. File your comments and complai...
Jun 23, 2020•1 hr 33 min
This week, while the media is full of political correctness and Black Lives Matter, we take a different view.Freedom of speech, particularly academic freedom, is being challenged.Meet William Jacobson, American Law Professor, who doesn’t fit the left's narrative.And don’t think NZ is free of this virus. 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 av...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 10 min
On the podcast this week - Muriel Newman, ten years as an MP for Act, now runs NZCPR, The New Zealand Centre for Political Research. We discuss the notion that democracy is under threat.Patrick Basham makes a return, from The Democracy Institute in Washington DC. We talk about presidential election polling and analyse an exclusive poll result. There is much more to say on riots, demonstrations, journalism and Covid 19. And of course, Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@ne...
Jun 10, 2020•1 hr 15 min
George Friedman makes another return in this podcast. Who better, when there is so much affecting the world, than the Founder and Chairman of Geopoliticalfutures.com. We spend a lot of time on the U.S. riots, and it appears we don’t all agree. We take a look at China, and New Zealand’s place in developments. We update you on the General Mike Flynn case, and more... And finally, to Mrs Producer and your correspondence. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listene...
Jun 02, 2020•1 hr 8 min
On the podcast this week, we talk with New Zealander Dr David Bell. After 20 years in the US as Professor of Marketing at the Wharton Business School, Penn State University, David has ventured into the business world. Highly regarded, highly engaging, we talk marketing, post virus retail and political requirements for success. Historian Michael Bassett casts his critical eye across the political spectrum. His tongue is as sharp as ever. We comment on Todd Muller, and his unsteady start as leader...
May 26, 2020•1 hr 19 min
