The Leighton Smith Podcast
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!
Episodes
On this week's podcast:
This week we see the return of Michael Rectenwald PhD, Professor of Liberal Studies and Global Liberal Studies at New York University 2008 to 2019.
We recount again his departure from NYU and his transition from a Marxist/Communist to Libertarian.
Michael is the author of numerous books, and co-founder of American Scholars.
Much of our discussion is about NZ. But we also cover Totalitarianism, Ukraine, Bid...
On this week's podcast:
Professor Elizabeth Rata has been much requested. She is worth the wait. Overall it’s a ‘Defence of Democracy’ discussion. That’s if it is not already too late.
We revisit the Rolf Harris case (podcast 171) with some additional information.
We comment on the changes at Buckingham Palace, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz
Leighton is off this week with COVID.
This week's podcast is a "Best Of" edition featuring David Round from Podcast 149 on March 20th 2022.
Forty five years a law lecturer, David Round is renowned for his frankness. His unrestrained discussion covers many contentious matters confronting New Zealand today. From moral and political corruption to activist judges and the "meaningless piece of pious liberal posturing of t...
In 2014 Australian entertainer Rolf Harris was found guilty, on all counts, of charges brought by four women. Harris was but one of a number of public figures to be charged with sexual charges.
But that is just the beginning.
After the convictions ex-Auckland policeman William Merritt, now a specialist investigator, spent two years doing what Scotland Yard failed to achieve. In 171 Merritt relates a story of incompetence, lies, and...
On this weeks podcast:
Joel Kotkin, described according to THE NEW YORK TIMES, is America's uber-geographer. an internationally recognised authority on global, economic, political and social trends.
We talk to him about what is now brewing in Silicon Valley, proposed in Toronto and implemented in China, that could be the role model for our future urban civilisation.
The book, THE COMING OF NEO FEUDALISM, is a warning to the glob...
First, they came for CO2, then they came for methane.
Because apparently methane makes an outsized contribution to global warming.
Atmospheric physicists William Happer and William van Wijngaarden say otherwise.
Together they published the results of their highly technical research. In podcast 169, van Wijngaarden explains, in understandable language, why there is no need for panic over methane.
We have a follow up from last weeks int...
On this week's podcast:
"One of the most damaging statements of a world leader was from Jacinda Ardern, that there will only be a single source of truth. We need to rediscover the virtues that brought about the effloresces of scientific discoveries which have made the world infinitely wealthier, healthier, better educated and better fed."
So says Emeritus Professor Ramesh Thakur, guesting on Podcast 168. Outstanding com...
On this week's podcast:
From the Democracy Institute in Washington DC, Patrick Basham explains his blacklisting by the Ukrainian Centre for Countering Disinformation. He is one of approximately 79 targeted by the Ukraine Government.
Let’s ensure that sort of thing doesn’t happen here.
We extensively cover a wide range of concerns; China, Trudeau, Ardern and Hunter Biden’s laptop.
We also make comparison with Australia over the d...
On this week's podcast:
We talk again with Professor Aynsley Kellow, author of essay “The Madness of Net Zero” .
He says he has become more sceptical with time of the worst reports of climate change.
And that scepticism was exacerbated by his experience as an Expert Reviewer for the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report.
He is also the author of "Negotiating Climate Change: A Forensic Analysis."
We make commentary on Elizabeth Rat...
Democracy was invented in Ancient Greece. What would the great minds of Athens think of democracy in New Zealand today? Do we actually live in a democracy?James Kierstead, lecturer in Classics at Victoria University, is a specialist in Greek history and political philosophy.We talk democracy and government... then and now. We take a look at Sri Lanka, and the suffering the Tories will endure now that Bori...
Under the heading of “Democracy and the Free Market Economy”, retired judge Anthony Willy returns to the podcast to discuss the foundations of the free market, our complacency and threats to our way of life.We discuss communism, tribalism, co-governance and the consequences should the ‘progressive’ approach take hold.We comment on Boris Johnson, and why the Tories will miss him.And we return again to The ...
Every day the media utilises the term “experts”. Experts say, experts warn, experts criticise...Dr Michael Tomlinson is a Higher Education Governance and Quality consultant. He suggests that the age of deference to experts is over. He adds a much needed perspective to scientific ponderance.We comment on the J6 committee hearings, and the parlous state of the economy. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Pro...
Bruce Cotterill is a “transformation leader” with experience in real estate, media, financial services, technology, and retail. A CEO in both Australia and New Zealand, he’s a highly regarded business communicator. We dig into what is not right with NZ, and what we need to do to fix it. After listening, you’ll want to know why he’s not running the country. We make comment on Roe v Wade, and we take a visi...
File your...
New Zealand scientist Dr Kelvin Duncan dismembers the predictions of the IPCC.
His new book “Global Warming, a Counter-blaste to the Man-made Global Warming Hypothesis” provides counter-arguments to the many areas of official misinformation.
We make comment on the World Economic Forum, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz
Haven't l...
New Zealand scientist Dr Kelvin Duncan dismembers the predictions of the IPCC.
His new book “Global Warming, a Counter-blaste to the Man-made Global Warming Hypothesis” provides counter-arguments to the many areas of official misinformation.
We make comment on the World Economic Forum, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz
Haven't l...
The Australian Election; the rich voted left and caused political chaos. Is it as bad as some suggest or is there an upside? We analyse the result with Nick Cater, who has advice for those seeking to escape.
We ask whether there is a lesson for the NZ National Party.
And we take note on corporate groupthink and the absurd influence of wokeism.
And, of course, The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments...
We discuss the government’s Climate Change Plan with ACT Leader David Seymour. Spoiler alert — he is not impressed. We also garner his thoughts on the increasingly serious matter of defence, education, democracy, and the state of the country. Bryan Leyland, a power supply engineer, offers little hope for success of the “great plan”. We comment on the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and why it should be gone. ...
Popular Podcasts
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
Serial is a podcast from Serial Productions, a New York Times company, hosted by Sarah Koenig. Serial unfolds one story - a true story - over the course of a whole season. The show follows the plot and characters wherever they lead, through many surprising twists and turns. Sarah won't know what happens at the end of the story until she gets there, not long before you get there with her. Each week she'll bring you the latest chapter, so it's important to listen in, starting with Episode 1. New episodes are released on Thursday mornings.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
For every story that runs, countless others are killed before anyone gets the chance to read them. KILLED reveals the true stories behind reporting that was once considered too dangerous, too fringe, too…SOMETHING…by the media. With help from some of the biggest names in magazines, Justine Harman brings dead stories back to life.
Welcome to the Official Game of Thrones Podcast: House of the Dragon produced by HBO Max and iHeartRadio. This show is the go-to audio destination to unpack and discuss everything Game of Thrones for casual and die-hard fans alike, starting with the new HBO Original series, House of the Dragon. Join our hosts Jason Concepcion (X-Ray Vision) and Greta Johnsen (WBEZ's Nerdette podcast) every week as they share insights, fan questions, exclusive interviews with the cast and crew, and a whole lot of thoughts and opinions. It’s the only podcast with the inside scoop on all things Game of Thrones. It is also produced in association with Crooked Media.