On this week's podcast: What is missing in New Zealand politics today? Not difficult to answer, when you listen to Steven Joyce deliberate on the many issues we face (one of the most important being infrastructure). We provide some commentary on hate speech laws, and communication from one of America’s most prolific analysts, Victor Davis Hanson. And, as always, we delve into the Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podc...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr 18 min
On this week's podcast: We talk with journalist, writer and former intelligence analyst Stella Morabito. Highly qualified, with degrees in Russian and Soviet history, Morabito discusses the propagandised ideas that are invading western culture. We also have commentary on the proposed hate speech laws. And, as usual, a full Mailroom. We love your contributions. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. L...
Jun 29, 2021•1 hr 16 min
On this week's podcast: We entertain two guests, Dr Muriel Newman (New Zealand Centre For Political Research), and consulting engineer Bryan Leyland. They both have plenty to say, according to their fields of expertise and neither hold back. We cover power prices, electric vehicles, the Climate Commission report, free speech (or not), politics and a couple of important court cases. And, thanks to your participation, we have a full Mailroom. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkz...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 9 min
On this week's podcast:Adam Creighton makes his first guest appearance. For three years, he was the economics editor for The Australian. Earlier this year he became the bureau head for the paper in Washington D.C.His column “Covid-19: When Governments Started Lying to Us” earned him a guest spot this week. We talk economics, politics and social matters. There’s also a comment on the Climate Change Commission report and more.As always we see what you have to say in The Mailroom. File your comment...
Jun 15, 2021•1 hr 11 min
On this week's podcast:Rodney Hide makes another appearance. He is the master of a good conversation, one of the cornerstones of podcasting. The State of the Nation is a great place to start. Hide’s opinion may surprise. What follows is enjoyable, informative, certainly opinionated and indulgent. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as we did. We have further commentary, and the weekly visit to the Mailroom. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podc...
Jun 09, 2021•1 hr 26 min
On this week's podcast:We have an overdue catch-up with George Friedman from Geopolitical Futures. We discuss Israel/Gaza and the Middle East, followed by China from a number of perspectives. George offers some alternative views from the mainstream media.We present a tribute to James R Flynn, an American professor who came and stayed at the University of Otago. He was also a previous guest on the podcast.We take a look at Amy Brooke’s article on the Fight for New Zealand, and finally, the Mailro...
Jun 02, 2021•1 hr 14 min
On this week's podcast:Professor Des Gorman returns to analyse the government’s rebuild of the NZ Health System. He is not happy.We promulgate further discussion of the origin of the Covid-19 virus. Lies, deceit and fake news.And, once again, a great Mailroom. Please feel free to communicate, we very much enjoy the feedback. 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 S...
May 26, 2021•1 hr 20 min
On this week's podcast:Dr Kevin Donnelly expounds on the curriculum in New Zealand and Australian schools. Donnelly defines the meaning of the terminology that is confusing a lot of parents, and that he feels is a danger to our children.An American educator warns the world about ’schools gone woke’.And Marxism in the American military… has the world finally gone insane?Lastly the Mailbox, with all of your commentary. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened...
May 19, 2021•1 hr 22 min
On this week's podcast:“Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What it Doesn’t, and Why it Matters”, is a very important new book by Dr Steven Koonin. The author argues not against current climate science but against the ‘propaganda’ of the media, politicians and activists. Koonin was chief scientist for B.P. before heading the Dept of Energy in the ObamaAdministration. A must listen, whatever your current views.We have further commentary on the madness in education.And, the Mailroom. Thank y...
May 12, 2021•1 hr 21 min
On this week's podcast:Peter Jennings, Director of The Australian Strategic Policy Institute Executive (ASPI), examines a myriad of issues relating to the Asia Pacific region and beyond.We cover the Australia-New Zealand relationship, growing tensions with China, and connections with the U.S and Europe. He gives his opinion on the chance of hostilities in the South China Sea.We opine on the Internal direction in which NZ seems to be heading - and a little on the Gates divorce.And, of course, you...
May 05, 2021•1 hr 16 min
On this week's podcast: We talk with journalist and writer Andrew Bolt. An outspoken commentator, he broadcasts five nights a week on Sky News Australia. Topics of discussion range from Five Eyes and NZ foreign policy, and hate speech laws and their inherent dangers. Andrew Bolt has had personal experience We also provide commentary on post-truth employment and climate. And, as always, the mailroom. We love your feedback. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't lis...
Apr 28, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Richard Prebble has never been fearful of expressing himself. He says what he thinks and believes. He’s a good old-fashioned brawler when necessary. In a lengthy discussion on things that matter, and some light- heartedness as a bonus, Prebble is a must listen in podcast 107. We also make comment on political science, climate, fear and hate speech. And, as always, we love your input with The Mailroom. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast be...
Apr 20, 2021•1 hr 23 min
History teacher, author and social commentator Stephen Chavura dissects woketivists and cancel culture. He does it superbly, and explains the antidote.Retailing legend Gerry Harvey, renowned for his outspokenness, wonders whether it’s worth it. A candid interview.We comment too, on Prince Phillip, and Newspeak.And we look into 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. Lis...
Apr 14, 2021•1 hr 31 min
This week we drill down on the knowledge, wisdom and opinion of Des Gorman, Professor of Medicine in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland.Of course, Covid-19, but we talk about many other life-matters that affect us all. We discuss science, philosophy, education, intelligence, the shortcomings of governance, and what binds us together.Share it with your friends.. and the not so friendly. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't li...
Apr 06, 2021•1 hr 7 min
On this weeks podcast, I talk with a leading figure in the field of infectious disease epidemiology. Professor Martin Kulldorff, from the Harvard Medical School, offers some alternative views on Covid-19. Jordan Williams, Executive Director of the Tax Payers Union, rips the Climate Change Commission. An essential listen. And The Mailroom, with your much appreciated correspondence. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our s...
Mar 30, 2021•1 hr 26 min
“Why do most Americans not recognise that Leviathan Democracy will be the end of individual liberty?” And why do most of the rest of us also not recognise it? James Bovard, Libertarian, sceptic, author and lecturer, guests on podcast 103. And he’s fun. Also, we address the newest bullying method in academia. And, as always, 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...
Mar 23, 2021•1 hr 22 min
This week Muriel Newman offers a critical analysis of the NZ political and social landscape. She accurately targets where we could be heading.We examine the Maori sovereignty movement’s power grab and the forthcoming criminalisation of free speech (based on the Royal Commission’s recommendations for new hate speech laws). And more, is democracy under threat in NZ.And we provide some words on Critical Race Theory. Really? Well, yes..And, as always, the Mailroom. File your comments and complaints ...
Mar 16, 2021•1 hr 19 min
Meet Michael Rectenwald, Professor of liberal studies at NYU, retired. Actually, he was cancelled... Under discussion, a series of essays on the Great Reset, including corporate socialism, stakeholder capitalism, capitalism with Chinese characteristics, wokeism, and what it all means for us. We draw attention to Frank Furedi’s words on scepticism. And, as always, the Mailroom.. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simp...
Mar 10, 2021•1 hr 17 min
Brendan O’Neill, editor at Spiked-online.com ponders the future of western civilisation on podcast 100. We talk Marxism (as he was once a Marxist), technocracy, Covid-19, democracy, racism and more. Even the Royals get a mention. This is an interview not to be missed. There is much comment on other matters. And, finally, 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...
Mar 02, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Guesting on podcast 99 is Penny Tucker. You may be unfamiliar with her but don’t be put off, so was I. Having met quite by chance, I knew I wanted to interview her. An ex-diplomat, she carved out a very successful career in Washington DC. We talk everything from U.S. politics to raising kids. She is opinionated, knowledgeable, and a Kiwi.And, of course, we look at the mail. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple h...
Feb 23, 2021•1 hr 38 min
On this week's podcast: Podcast 98 sees the much requested return of historian Michael Bassett. Several controversial matters are under discussion; the new history syllabus, local councils and race based wards. Then we speak with NZ meteorologist John Maunder. After a career spanning much of the world, he reflects on the state of the science, or the abuse of it. And, as usual, the Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a pod...
Feb 17, 2021•1 hr 35 min
On podcast 97, we dissect the Climate Commission report on emission reduction with Matt Burgess, Senior Economist at The New Zealand Initiative. He takes a blowtorch to it actually, and rightly so. Then, we take a look at the new technologies of freedom. And how they will remove government control of our lives. We talk with Professor Sinclair Davidson from the RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub. And, of course, The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb....
Feb 10, 2021•1 hr 31 min
Welcome to 2021 and the third season of the Leighton Smith Podcast. Guesting on podcast 96 is Paul Kengor Ph.D, Professor of Political Science and bestselling author. It is a riveting interview. Kengor is prolific in matters Marxist. Leighton has things to say about phonics and the media. And, even during the summer holiday, mail rolled in. We have some of it in the Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Ch...
Feb 03, 2021•1 hr 32 min
Leighton Smith is currently on his summer break, so we're going back and highlighting some of the best guests from the podcast this year. On this week's Best Of: Antony P Mueller is a German economist, teaching in Brazil. We talked technocracy, pandemics, climate change and the great reset. 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 iT...
Jan 27, 2021•1 hr 13 min
Leighton Smith is currently on his summer break, so we're going back and highlighting some of the best guests from the podcast this year. On this week's Best Of: Aynsley Kellow was a discovery. NZ-born and educated, he is Professor Emeritus of Government at the University of Tasmania. He has written widely on scientific matters. What initially caught Leighton's attention was an article, COVID-19: The Failure of Official Science. He is blessed with a sceptical mind. File your comments and complai...
Jan 20, 2021•1 hr 11 min
Leighton Smith is currently on his summer break, so we're going back and highlighting some of the best guests from the podcast this year. On this week's Best Of, we revisit Leighton's long anticipated interview with history professor Geoffrey Parker. A prolific author and collector of many awards, Parker published “Global Crisis: War, Climate Change & Catastrophe in the Seventeenth Century” in 2013, which he says it took him almost a century to write! While he and Leighton had some disagreem...
Jan 13, 2021•1 hr 23 min
Leighton Smith is currently on his summer break, so we're going back and highlighting some of the best guests from the podcast this year. On this week's Best Of, we revisit our chat with former Finance Minister Steven Joyce back in April during the heart of lockdown. The fact it rated the most listened to podcast of the year speaks for itself. 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 iHe...
Jan 06, 2021•52 min
Leighton Smith is currently on his summer break, so we're going back and highlighting some of the best guests from the podcast this year. On this week's Best Of, Todd Huizinga, who served as US diplomat for 20 years, is the author of “The New Totalitarian Temptation: Global Governance and the Crisis of Democracy in Europe. We had a most interesting discussion around the pending changes in Washington D.C. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Leighton Smith is currently on his summer break, so we're going back and highlighting some of the best guests from the podcast this year. On this week's Best Of, Bill Gertz is the national security correspondent for the Washington times. He guested on the April 8 podcast .Gertz’s latest book was ‘Deceiving the Sky: Inside Communist China’s Drive for Global Supremacy. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to g...
Dec 23, 2020•37 min
The big finale for 2020. We engage in a very interesting discussion with Dr Oliver Hartwich from the New Zealand Initiative. We talk citizenship, the Emissions Trading Scheme, China, education, and other matters. Christian Smith gives us an update from a bleak London lockdown. As usual, the Mailroom with Mrs Producer ..and a surprise guest to round out 2020. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Lis...
Dec 15, 2020•1 hr 35 min
