The Leighton Smith Podcast

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 a...

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  Leighto...

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...

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...

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...

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 liste...

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. A...

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...

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...

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...

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 (h...

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...

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....

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 co...

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 be...

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. Fi...

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 no...

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 clim...

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 podcas...

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, j...

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...

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 s...

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...

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...

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...