Hosted by Newstalk ZB · 🇺🇸 US · EN-NZ · 386 episodes
Established thought leaders with verified media credentials.
After 33 years behind the Newstalk ZB microphone, Leighton can’t give it up completely. There were so many requests to continue his opinionated commentary that the prospect of podcasting was born.So, without restriction, Leighton continues to serve up on everything you want to hear about and some things you don’t. Stand by to be enlightened, educated and enraged!
Newstalk ZB hosts The Leighton Smith Podcast, a news show with 386 episodes published.
Proven favourite Nick Cater turns up for the first time this year. Unsurprisingly, the Australian economy leads the discussion. We focus on the trio of hopeless politicians at the absolute peak of state power. Nick share
Depending on perspective, it’s not difficult to agree with George Friedman’s interpretations of “how the world turns”. I first met George in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1983 where he was a Professor at the United States
Dr Ramesh Thakur is well known on the Leighton Smith Podcast. He is an Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at the Australian National University. He is also a former United Nations Assistant Secretary General, and a Seni
“Based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery since 1980, Barry Soper has covered every New Zealand Prime Minister since, earning a reputation for his sharp questioning, wit, and deep institutional knowledge of Wellington po
"Socialism is based on bureaucratic planning. This means a restriction of personal freedom. The dream of equality, a goal even of democratically dressed up socialism, can only be achieved by coercion." Thorsten Polleit s
Leonard S. Hong arrived in New Zealand at the age of three. His story is one of choosing the right parents, hard work, and applied effort to succeed. At age 29 he has a Master of Science and has completed a Prime Ministe
An inventive way to encourage the understanding of the stupidity in New Zealand's governance... Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative, has authored a novella, ‘The Martian Audit: Or, How New Z
The International Health Reform Project (IHRP) is aiming to restore a rational framework to the polarised debate surrounding the World Health Organisation (WHO). Their intent is to rebuild international health governance
I’ve known Rodney Hide for a long time; through his career in politics and beyond. I’ve seen changes in his life, both personal and professional. He is still making adjustments, because he’s a man who pursues philosophy
"The science behind the risk of myocarditis following mRNA vaccination’, "A wake up call - The adverse health effects of forever genetic compounds” and "Biotech cannot be allowed a right to secrecy”. These are all commen
It is no exaggeration to say that New Zealand has a major energy crisis. Energy policy is at the base of everything. Energy is only about 6% to 8% of GDP but without energy, there is no GDP. Energy is the economy and "if
George Friedman, from Geopolitical Futures guested on Podcast 318, five weeks ago. As the Iran war has developed into a longer and much more serious event, it was appropriate to muster his knowledge and expertise for an
“The phrase ‘unintended consequences’ rarely passes the lips of our most senior lawyers, judges, or academics. Like many in the professional classes, lawyers have become cheerleaders for most fashionable progressive caus
"The Right to Health Sovereignty concludes that the restoration of trust in international health governance depends on rediscovering the moral foundations of medicine and public health, and the sovereign responsibility o
In the 13 years since I first interviewed Patrick Basham, Director of the Democracy Institute in Washington DC, he has shown himself to be an outstanding analyst and commentator. He is erudite on many fronts. His opinion
The recent announcement by the Reserve Bank focused on the availability of cash and ATM’s, and commercial bank branches. The Reserve Bank is currently seeking feedback on these possible changes from the public. Professor
Media around the world has been engrossed with reporting, speculating, and arguing the case over the war with Iran. While it may have been ‘out of the blue’ for many, the conflict came as no surprise to those following t
For some considerable time, in countries with judicial systems like New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the U.S., the senior courts have been expanding their power. Professor Jim Allan was commissioned to write an apprais
There are numerous approaches to management: Legacy, Ideological, Corporate, and Political Management. These combine to produce a system that cannot sustain long-term strategies. “Cultivation Management is the alternativ
Having spent two weeks in Australia, post New Year, Leighton & Carolyn are pleased to be home. Sydney was sweltering as is the political scenery. Nevertheless a good time was had. Now it’s back to business for 2026, the
Barry Soper
Senior Political Correspondent at Newstalk ZB · Newstalk ZB
1 appearance on this show
Oliver Hartwich
Executive Director · New Zealand Initiative
2 appearances on this show
David Bell
former WHO physician, leader of REPPARE Project at University of Leeds · Idea Farm Ventures
1 appearance on this show
Mike Schmidt
Senior Product Management Lead at Shopify · Agency Coach
1 appearance on this show
Shane Jones
Associate Energy Minister · New Zealand First
1 appearance on this show
Pierre Kory
MD, MPA, pulmonary and critical care specialist
1 appearance on this show
James Allan
Senior Director · University of Queensland Law School
2 appearances on this show
Dr William Happer
physicist, former White House science advisor, co-founder of the CO₂ Coalition · Princeton University
1 appearance on this show
Alan Roth
operating partner of The Restaurant People
1 appearance on this show
Zohran Mamdani
Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City · New York City mayoral campaign
1 appearance on this show
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The Leighton Smith Podcast is hosted by Newstalk ZB. The show is categorised under news and has published 386 episodes.
The Leighton Smith Podcast has published 386 episodes.
The Leighton Smith Podcast regularly covers news. It sits in the news category.
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Episodes of The Leighton Smith Podcast average 83 minutes, giving guests a long-form format with plenty of time to expand on their expertise.
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