The Leighton Smith Podcast

Let’s be honest, there’s a lot going on in the world - so much so that it’s difficult to keep pace.
Take America for example. A transformation is underway that has not yet been fully recognised for what it is or what it could become.
The same may be said of Australia, England, much of Europe and beyond.
If that sounds exaggerated, then this week's discussion with Patrick Basham will be of interest.
The days of “that will never happen here”, wherever ‘here’ may be - are drawing to a close.
As usual, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
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Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
To subscribe via iTunes click here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Worries about the outcome emerge in almost every election.

This 2026 election has much of the constituency concerned about a result that could lead to the end of the country as we know it.

Don Brash, arguably the best Reserve Bank Governor we’ve known, voices his thoughts on the matters he believes are most important.

He talks about our appallingly slow productivity growth - and on the country’s GDP per capita.

He also reflects on house prices, the long term outlook for government debt, and foreign policy .

And he rates the present government on its effectiveness.

As usual, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.
Listen here on iHeartRadio

Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
To subscribe via iTunes click here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our culture today there is a strange set of attitudes toward history.
On one hand there’s a highly politicised approach to the past, in which people care passionately about history’s symbols and what they represent.
And on the other hand, we know less than ever about history.
We have largely ceased to think of ourselves as historical beings; "the past has nothing to teach us”.
Associate Professor of History, Sarah Irving-Stonebraker rationalises the value of history and how it can improve our approach to life.
And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.
Listen here on iHeartRadio

Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
To subscribe via iTunes click here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salvatore Babones is a quantitative comparative sociologist (explained in the interview), at the University of Sydney.
He is an American living in Australia, and in his most recent book displays his knowledge of India.
The book is "Dharma Democracy; How India Built the Third World’s First Democracy”
He has visited India a number of times and established a relationship with Prime Minister Modi .
We discuss the Free Trade Agreements with both Australia and New Zealand, and present some alternative views on them.
We also expand the conversation to cover a number of other international issues.
And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.
Listen here on iHeartRadio

Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
To subscribe via iTunes click here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JR Bruning analyses her article, “An Election Agreement that has locked in a Road User Charging Revolution” and asks why this was necessary in the first place.
Crucially, how it will affect every one of us?
Investigative writer JR Bruning (aka Jodie Bruning) covers a range of topics; sociological studies of ignorance, "non-knowledge” and the production of science and technology.
Her primary research focus is on the relationship between governance, policy, and the production of scientific and technical knowledge for public good.
We cover “New York’s Deal with the Devil”. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.
Listen here on iHeartRadio

Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
To subscribe via iTunes click here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.