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The Leighton Smith Podcast

Newstalk ZB
Covid-19
New Zealand
Climate Change
Donald Trump
Education
Public Health
Australia
Judicial Activism
Democracy
Artificial Intelligence
Israel
Iran
Immigration
World Health Organization
Education System
Free Speech
Ukraine
United Nations
Treaty Of Waitangi
United States

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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes382Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for The Leighton Smith Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 and knowledge, and isn’t afr... more

"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 commentaries by Guy Hatchard PhD, ... more

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 you don’t have everythi... more

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 update.

Knowing that there w... more

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Recent Guests

Lars Schernikau
Energy economist, entrepreneur, commodity trader and author
Independent energy expert
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #324 - April 15th 2026 - Lars Schernikau
Robert MacCulloch
Professor, former employee of The Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (former); Professor (economics)
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #319 - March 11th 2026 - Robert MacCulloch
Jim Allan
Professor of Law at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #317 - February 25th 2026 - Jim Allan
Shane Jones
Deputy Leader of New Zealand First and Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources, Associate Minister of Finance, and Associate Minister for Energy
New Zealand First
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #315 - February 11th 2026 - Shane Jones
John Alcock
Writer and expert on financial systems and digital currencies
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: John Alcock - January 21st 2026
Martin Durkin
Documentary maker known for producing "The Great Global Warming Swindle" and other scientific documentaries
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Martin Durkin - December 31st 2025
Antonia Colibasanu
Senior Fellow for the Eurasia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and Associate Professor of Geopolitics and Geoeconomics on International Relations
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Antonia Colibasanu - December 24th 2025
Mike Sabin
Ex-policeman with expertise in drug enforcement, especially in the area of methamphetamine.
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #314 - December 10th 2025 - Mike Sabin
William Happer
Cyrus T. Fogg Professor Emeritus of Physics at Princeton University and founder of the CO2 Coalition
Princeton University
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #313 - December 3rd 2025 - Dr William Happer

Host

Leighton Smith
Host of critical discussions on legal, political, and societal issues, inviting diverse guests to enhance the discourse and engage listeners.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 670 ratings
  • Love this podcast

    Great podcast. Learn so much and Leighton has a great style when interviewing. He lets the guest speak without interrupting and covers a wide range of topics. Definitely worth listening to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fiwynne
    New Zealanda year ago
  • The battle for humanity continues

    As of 25/9 Leighton Smith brings excellent international & local speakers every week on his podcast from a broad range of disciplines. He brings the best out of his guests, raises provocative issues, is well researched & actually discusses subjects intelligently and I cannot thank him enough for all he does!

    Dr Marik from FLCCC today was particularly prescient visiting NZ with other eminent dissenting Drs like Angus Dalgliesh, lawyers & freedom oriented professionals for lectures in Christchurc... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    marnotton
    Australia2 years ago
  • Vital information for all free thinking citizens!

    I look forward to this every week. I’ve learnt a great deal and found some essential websites and books to further my education. I am so happy to have discovered this podcast and regularly share episodes with friends. Spread the word!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lairennnnnnn
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • Balanced viewpoint

    I have listened to Leighton for more than 20 years, of course this is because I am on the same side of his opinions. However what makes the show stand out for me, is the fact he does take on opposite views. And while it is on occasion an echo chamber, the fact Leighton will Liston to both sides of a story and sometimes come to a different conclusion, shows the balance of opinion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    avoman157
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • Dull

    Very dull podcast by a jaded ex talkback hack. Don’t waste your time.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Gareth_Hodson
    New Zealand3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticisms include a perceived bias towards conservative viewpoints, with a few listeners expressing dissatisfaction with the content as overly focused on particular ideologies.
Listeners appreciate the informative and engaging style of presentation, with many noting the vast range of topics covered and the quality of guest experts.
There are mentions of the podcast providing a much-needed alternative viewpoint to mainstream media, often challenging conventional narratives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Leighton Smith Podcast #324 - April 15th 2026 - Lars Schernikau
Q: What is the core critique of current energy policy?
The core critique is that the energy transition heavily emphasizes wind and solar despite their low energy density, high system costs, and intermittency, leading to unreliable grids and higher total costs; a more balanced approach including coal, gas, and nuclear, along with system-level efficiency, is argued to be necessary.
Leighton Smith Podcast #322 - April 1st 2026 - Louise Clegg
Q: How do you view the role of experts in shaping policy and the potential for unintended consequences?
Experts often dream up policy with good intentions, but they can be out of touch with the coalface, leading to unintended consequences that politicians then struggle to manage. The conversation suggests that policy should be more grounded in practical realities and inclusive of diverse perspectives.
Leighton Smith Podcast #321 - March 25th 2026 - Ramesh Thakur
Q: How could the UN be reimagined to maintain legitimacy while increasing efficiency?
The guest suggests a two-track approach: preserve UN legitimacy for global norms and standard-setting, while enabling a more nimble, technocratic body (or a replacement) to handle policy across health and governance sections, potentially linking leadership by major powers with regional and multilateral input.
Leighton Smith Podcast #315 - February 11th 2026 - Shane Jones
Q: What changes have occurred in New Zealand since 1980 regarding the issues discussed?
Shane Jones points to the degradation of family units and a shift in values, particularly within the Māori community, leading to increased challenges.
Leighton Smith Podcast #315 - February 11th 2026 - Shane Jones
Q: What is the biggest challenge this country is faced with at the moment?
According to Shane Jones, the biggest challenge is the cost of energy affecting competitiveness and the underlying issues with resource management and immigration.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Leighton Smith Podcast

What is The Leighton Smith Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content primarily revolves around current events, society, and politics, often offering a critical perspective on various ideologies and government policies. The discussions frequently explore themes of judicial power, political challenges, economic issues, cultural values, and contentious scientific narratives, providing listeners with a quick dive into potentially polarizing subjects. Each episode typically features informed guests who bring expertise in law, politics, healthcare, and social issues. This approach not only enriches the conversation but also challenges mainstream narratives, making it a unique platform for listeners who appreciate alternative viewpoints and robust debate.

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How many listeners does The Leighton Smith Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Leighton Smith Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Leighton Smith Podcast:

1. The Mike Hosking Breakfast
2. John Anderson: Conversations
3. TRIGGERnometry
4. Outsiders
5. Shared Lunch

How many episodes of The Leighton Smith Podcast are there?

The Leighton Smith Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 382 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Leighton Smith Podcast?

Recent guests on The Leighton Smith Podcast include:

1. Lars Schernikau
2. Robert MacCulloch
3. Jim Allan
4. Shane Jones
5. John Alcock
6. Martin Durkin
7. Antonia Colibasanu
8. Mike Sabin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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