The Leighton Smith Podcast
The Leighton Smith Podcast
Playlist by The Leighton Smith PodcastAfter 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…Follow the podcast:
396 clip(s) in playlist
Leighton Smith Podcast #340 -August 5th 2026 - Patrick Basham
Let’s be honest, there’s a lot going on in the world - so much so that it’s difficult to keep pace. Take America for example. A transformation is underway that has not yet been fully recognised for what it is or what it could become. The same may be said of Australia, England, much of Europe and …
1:32:12
Leighton Smith Podcast #339 - July 29th 2026 - Don Brash
Worries about the outcome emerge in almost every election. This 2026 election has much of the constituency concerned about a result that could lead to the end of the country as we know it. Don Brash, arguably the best Reserve Bank Governor we’ve known, voices his thoughts on the matters he believ…
1:15:07
Leighton Smith Podcast #338 - July 22nd 2026 - Sarah Irving-Stonebraker
In our culture today there is a strange set of attitudes toward history. On one hand there’s a highly politicised approach to the past, in which people care passionately about history’s symbols and what they represent. And on the other hand, we know less than ever about history. We have largely …
1:23:31
Leighton Smith Podcast #337 - July 15th 2026 - Salvatore Babones
Salvatore Babones is a quantitative comparative sociologist (explained in the interview), at the University of Sydney. He is an American living in Australia, and in his most recent book displays his knowledge of India. The book is "Dharma Democracy; How India Built the Third World’s First Democra…
1:25:21
Leighton Smith Podcast #336 - July 8th 2026 - J R Bruning
JR Bruning analyses her article, “An Election Agreement that has locked in a Road User Charging Revolution” and asks why this was necessary in the first place. Crucially, how it will affect every one of us? Investigative writer JR Bruning (aka Jodie Bruning) covers a range of topics; sociological…
1:22:48
Leighton Smith Podcast #335 - July 1st 2026 - Muriel Newman
The New Zealand Centre for Political Research (NZCPR) was established twenty one years ago. Founded by Muriel Newman, the NZCPR is more important now than ever as an independent public policy think tank. In this election year, New Zealand is arguably facing its biggest challenge to date. Certain…
1:18:40
Leighton Smith Podcast #334 - June 24th 2026 - Nick Cater
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 shares his reaction to Pauline Hanson, and Angus Taylor, the new leader of the Li…
1:19:41
Leighton Smith Podcast #333 - June 17th 2026 - Dr George Friedman
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 War College. It was instantly obvious that the professors knowledge in his fi…
1:18:24
Leighton Smith Podcast #332 - June 10th 2026 - Dr Ramesh Thakur
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 Senior Scholar at the Brownstone Institute. Since the birth of Covid-19 he has b…
1:44:42
Leighton Smith Podcast #331 - June 3rd 2026 - Barry Soper
“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 politics.” Barry’s contribution to New Zealand journalism saw him recognised in…
1:17:36