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The Leighton Smith Podcast

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

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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes376Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for The Leighton Smith Podcast

Latest Episodes

In the 13 years since I first interviewed Patrick Basham, Director of the Democracy Institute in Washington DC, he has shown himself to be an outstanding analyst and commentator.

He is erudite on many fronts.

His opinions on the war with Iran may... more

The recent announcement by the Reserve Bank focused on the availability of cash and ATM’s, and commercial bank branches.

The Reserve Bank is currently seeking feedback on these possible changes from the public.

Professor Robert MacCulloch, (who o... more

Media around the world has been engrossed with reporting, speculating, and arguing the case over the war with Iran.

While it may have been ‘out of the blue’ for many, the conflict came as no surprise to those following the developments in the Mid... more

For some considerable time, in countries with judicial systems like New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the U.S., the senior courts have been expanding their power.

Professor Jim Allan was commissioned to write an appraisal of a new 600+ page book f... more

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Recent Guests

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
George Friedman
Executive Chairman and Founder of Geopolitical Futures
Geopolitical Futures
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #318 - March 4th 2026 - George Friedman
Jim Allan
Professor of Law at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #317 - February 25th 2026 - Jim Allan
Dr. Mike Schmidt
A highly qualified individual with extensive knowledge across various fields including science, business, and IT.
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #316 - February 18th 2026 - Dr Mike Schmidt
John Alcock
Writer and expert on financial systems and digital currencies
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: John Alcock - January 21st 2026
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
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

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 669 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
    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 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 Zealand2 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 #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.
Leighton Smith Podcast #316 - February 18th 2026 - Dr Mike Schmidt
Q: What are the two primary things Schmidt suggests Chris Luxon could do to help himself into another term?
He advises addressing internal training for skilled workers instead of just relying on immigration and emphasizes the critical need for more energy production to support the growing population.
Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Ramesh Thakur - January 14th 2026
Q: Do you congratulate Donald Trump for what he's achieved or otherwise?
Yes, I do, and I hope he has the self-belief to continue his approach.
Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Ramesh Thakur - January 14th 2026
Q: How long would it take to get the 60% to weapons grade proper and utilise it?
It becomes a matter of weeks rather than months to get to weapon-grade.

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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How many subscribers and views does The Leighton Smith Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Leighton Smith Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. John Anderson: Conversations
4. The Delingpod: The James Delingpole Podcast
5. The Brendan O'Neill Show

How many episodes of The Leighton Smith Podcast are there?

The Leighton Smith Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 376 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Leighton Smith Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Leighton Smith Podcast?

Recent guests on The Leighton Smith Podcast include:

1. Robert MacCulloch
2. George Friedman
3. Jim Allan
4. Dr. Mike Schmidt
5. John Alcock
6. Mike Sabin
7. William Happer
8. Lord David Wolfson KC

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