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The Leighton Smith Podcast

Newstalk ZB
Covid-19
New Zealand
Jerusalem
Government Policy
Democracy
Public Health
Israel
Mandated Medicine
Science
Personal Freedom
Political Landscape
United Nations
Expertise
Public Trust
Climate Change
Titus
Jewish War
James Allan
Education
Douglas Murray

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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes360Founded7 years ago
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PoliticsNews CommentaryNews

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Artwork for The Leighton Smith Podcast

Latest Episodes

John Alcock updates us on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC’s) after the groundwork he laid down eighteen months ago on this podcast.

Within the last couple of weeks, two of the biggest NZ Banks have implemented mandatory behavioural and device... more

David Wolfson (Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, KC) is one of the most sought-after commercial Silks at the Bar.

He served as Minister of Justice in the House of Lords between 2020 and 2022, and is now the shadow Attorney General in addition to his full ... more

Interviewing Stephen Rowe exceeded expectations.

He shines as an example of achievement, success and self belief.

If you’re looking for someone to model your life on, he’s the ideal candidate.

After graduating in 2015, Stephen joined Charlie Ki... more

In 1971, the US dollar was backed by gold. That is until President Richard Nixon disestablished that relationship.

Since then, the US dollar has lost 87% of its value, meaning that one dollar buys only 12.5% of what it could back then.

These fi... more

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Recent Guests

John Alcock
An expert in banking systems, previous guest focused on CBDCs and Bitcoin.
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #312 - November 26th 2025 - John Alcock
Lord David Wolfson KC
A leading barrister and former Minister in the House of Lords.
House of Lords
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #311 - November 19th 2025 - Lord David Wolfson
Stephen Rowe
Program Director at Cato Courses with a focus on individual liberty, free markets, limited government, and peace.
Cato Institute
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #310 - November 12th 2025 - Stephen Rowe
Tony Coleman
Managing Director of New Zealand Gold Merchants
New Zealand Gold Merchants
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #309 - November 5th 2025 - Tony Coleman
Robert Clancy
Emeritus Professor with a focus on infection and the immune response
University of Newcastle
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #308 - October 29th 2025 - Professor Robert Clancy
Alon Roth
Israeli Ambassador with extensive experience in international diplomacy
Israeli Government
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #306 - October 15th 2025 - Alon Roth and George Friedman
Dr. Muriel Newman
Founder of the New Zealand Centre for Political Research and former member of parliament with expertise in public policy.
New Zealand Centre for Political Research
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #303 - September 24th 2025 - Muriel Newman
Louise Clegg
Former barrister with over two decades of experience in public law and a columnist
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #302 - September 17th 2025 - Louise Clegg
James Allan
Professor of Law with a significant background in legal philosophy and education
University of Queensland
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #301 - September 10th 2025 - James Allan

Host

Leighton Smith
Host of the podcast; known for insightful and opinionated commentary on current affairs.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 664 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 Zealand9 months 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
    Australiaa year 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 Zealanda year 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 Zealand2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many find the content to be a breath of fresh air in a media landscape that they perceive as biased.
Listeners appreciate the insightful and candid discussions, often complimenting the host's ability to bring out the best in his guests.
The show is noted for offering critical viewpoints on contemporary political and social issues, particularly those pertinent to New Zealand and beyond.

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 #309 - November 5th 2025 - Tony Coleman
Q: In regard to New Zealand's position on gold, have we discovered more in recent times?
Tony Coleman discusses current mining prospects and the optimism surrounding New Zealand's potential for gold production.
Leighton Smith Podcast #309 - November 5th 2025 - Tony Coleman
Q: Tell me a bit about the founding of New Zealand Gold Merchants. It goes back to your father, if I remember correctly?
Tony Coleman shares its history starting from his father's venture into precious metals in the 1970s amid the boom in silver.
Leighton Smith Podcast #306 - October 15th 2025 - Alon Roth and George Friedman
Q: Can you predict the future of Israel?
Both Roth and Friedman express cautious optimism that change is possible but emphasize the importance of changing education and perceptions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Leighton Smith Podcast #306 - October 15th 2025 - Alon Roth and George Friedman
Q: What are the biggest threats to the peace process succeeding?
Ambassador Roth suggests a multitude of challenges, including the need for Hamas to disarm itself and the ongoing influence of radical groups in the region.
Leighton Smith Podcast #305 - October 8th 2025 - Patrick Basham
Q: If he wins, become the mayor of New York City, what spin-off might there be to other parts of the country?
Other parts of the country will gain benefits in various ways, but cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and Portland could also be encouraged by his policies.

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 focuses on contemporary political issues, societal challenges, and the intersection of economics and governance, particularly in relation to New Zealand and broader Anglo democracies. Discussions often explore themes such as free speech, immigration, climate policy, and the critique of both leftist and rightist ideologies, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decision-making in public policy. The episodes tend to feature a variety of expert guests, contributing diverse perspectives on pressing global matters and observing the impact of governance on individual freedoms and societal well-being. It's particularly noteworthy for its willingness to tackle contentious subjects, often presenting a conservative critiq... more

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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. Between Two Beers Podcast
3. The Dom Harvey Podcast
4. The Front Page
5. Leaders Getting Coffee with Bruce Cotterill

How many episodes of The Leighton Smith Podcast are there?

The Leighton Smith Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 360 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. John Alcock
2. Lord David Wolfson KC
3. Stephen Rowe
4. Tony Coleman
5. Robert Clancy
6. Alon Roth
7. Dr. Muriel Newman
8. Louise Clegg

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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