Podcast Episodes

Leighton Smith Podcast #307 - October 22nd 2025 - Nick Cater

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”…

Published on 5 hours ago

Leighton Smith Podcast #306 - October 15th 2025 - Alon Roth and George Friedman

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,…

Published on 1 week ago

Leighton Smith Podcast #305 - October 8th 2025 - Patrick Basham

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 t…

Published on 2 weeks ago

Leighton Smith Podcast #304 - October 1st 2025 - Guy Hatchard

“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THE truth has been replaced by MY truth and YOUR truth.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 …

Published on 3 weeks ago

Leighton Smith Podcast #303 - September 24th 2025 - Muriel Newman

There’s a difference between criticising politicians just because you don’t like them, and drawing attention to a politician’s inadequacies when they are failing to deliver.

The same applies to a pol…

Published on 4 weeks ago

Leighton Smith Podcast #302 - September 17th 2025 - Louise Clegg

To suggest that there is considerable turmoil across the globe is an understatement.

“Nature abhors a vacuum” is constantly given new reign.

Following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1989, political s…

Published on 1 month ago

Leighton Smith Podcast #301 - September 10th 2025 - James Allan

Canadian born Law Professor James Allan holds a New Zealand passport and taught at University of Otago for eleven years.

He is also an Australian passport holder and professor at the University of Qu…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Leighton Smith Podcast #300 - September 3rd 2025 - Oliver Hartwich

After six weeks north of the Equator, it’s good to be back.

"Two years ago, New Zealanders voted for change. Not just a change of government but a change of direction. They were promised fiscal disci…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Leighton Smith Podcast #299 - August 27th 2025 - Christian Smith

Two years ago my son Christian and I recorded an interview in London.

Many people commented on it, and many messages requested a repeat. So, under some difficult circumstances we managed it.

We have …

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Leighton Smith Podcast #298 - August 20th 2025 - Michael Kelly

New Zealand’s Big Climate Mistake. This interview with Prof Michael Kelly is full of logic and rationale.

A kiwi, Kelly is Professor Emeritus at Cambridge University (coincidentally a place we visite…

Published on 2 months ago