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The Leighton Smith Podcast

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes355Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for The Leighton Smith Podcast

Latest Episodes

In 2013 Nick Cater published a book called “The Lucky Culture”.

In the intervening years a whole lot has changed, so he is writing a follow-up.

And the essay, “Multiculturalism’s Berlin Wall Moment” (Quadrant magazine October edition) is associa... more

The US-brokered peace deal saw Hamas release the Israeli hostages on Monday – an event watched by both Israel’s CE Ambassador Alan Roth down in Wellington, and Leighton up in Auckland.

That evening, they joined up over Zoom to analyse the effects ... more

Patrick Basham, founder of Democracy Institute in Washington DC, returns in Podcast 305 to analyse the New York mayoralty election.

How could the biggest city in a country founded on freedom, be on the verge of electing a marxist muslim as its Mayo... more

“With the advent of postmodernism, the literal definition of truth itself has changed.

THE truth has been replaced by MY truth and YOUR truth. Truth has become an opinion, no more important than how you like your steak cooked.

In the past, we rel... more

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Recent Guests

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
Dr. Oliver Hartwich
Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative
New Zealand Initiative
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #300 - September 3rd 2025 - Oliver Hartwich
Michael Kelly
Emeritus Professor of Engineering at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #298 - August 20th 2025 - Michael Kelly
Thomas Harrington
Senior Brownstone Scholar and 2023 Brownstone Fellow, Professor Emeritus of Hispanic Studies
Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #297 - August 13th 2025 - Thomas Harrington
Alan Eggers
Executive Chairman of Trans Tasman Resources Limited
Trans Tasman Resources Limited
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #295 - July 30th 2025 - Alan Eggers
Maryanne Spurdle
Author of the Maxim Research Paper discussing euthanasia laws
Maxim Institute
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #294 - July 23rd 2025 - Maryanne Spurdle
Antonia Colibasanu
Senior Fellow for the Eurasia Programme at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and Associate Professor of Geopolitics
Romanian National University of Political Studies and Public Administration
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #288 - June 11th 2025 - Antonia Colibasanu

Host

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

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 662 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 Zealand7 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 #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.
Leighton Smith Podcast #302 - September 17th 2025 - Louise Clegg
Q: Do you think that progression in law has shifted to the left in Australia?
Clegg acknowledges a leftward swing in the legal profession, especially among elite practitioners.
Leighton Smith Podcast #302 - September 17th 2025 - Louise Clegg
Q: What is your view on the perception that America is in terminal decline?
Clegg argues that this view is substantially wrong and emphasizes the robustness of America's political contests.

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
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3. Shared Lunch
4. The Dom Harvey Podcast
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 355 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. Alon Roth
2. Dr. Muriel Newman
3. Louise Clegg
4. Dr. Oliver Hartwich
5. Michael Kelly
6. Thomas Harrington
7. Alan Eggers
8. Maryanne Spurdle

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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