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-level surveillance as a condition of online and mobile banking.

The customer cannot opt out.

They justify it as fraud prevention but go far beyond what is proportionate.

And this is only the beginning.

We discuss where to after this, and much more.

And we dive into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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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 time legal practice.

Wolfson is a man of principle, towering over so many who come up short in that department – especially in the political world.

He recounts the background of his resignation from the Boris Johnson Administration, which was a matter of personal conviction.

Also up for discussion was Wolfson’s thoughts on Donald Trump, education, the Middle East, mass migration, and the challenges facing England.

And as always we finish up in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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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 Kirk’s newly founded Turning Point USA. From there, like a rocket he advanced to one success after another.

He has trained more than 24,000 students and leaders in digital strategy and political technology.

Artificial intelligence is a specialty. There is so much more in this interview.

And we finish up in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 figures were published on Sept 29, 2024. Today it is even worse.

Multi billionaire Warren Buffet described gold as a ‘pet rock’ – good for nothing. Is that a realistic comment?

Its fixed value in 1971 was US$35, it is now in the vicinity of US$4000.

This week we tackle the whys and wherefores of gold with New Zealand Gold Merchants’ Tony Coleman. We look at its commercial value and use, the central banks, the geopolitics, and the trading of it.

And finally, we dive into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emeritus Professor Robert Clancy is a leading Australian immunologist and pioneer in the field of mucosal immunology.

He is known for his research and development of therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, commonly known as emphysema.

“Covid through our eyes”, edited by Robert Clancy, explains how Australian governments and health systems complied with instructions from the USA, to enrich multi-national drug companies.

“Immunologists, pharmacists, doctors and other professionals expose harm and loss caused by a seriously misguided response”.

Clancy doesn’t pull his punches — he’s articulate, honest and even entertaining. There is much to learn from his commentary, both past and future.

And, as always, The Mailroom with Mrs Producer

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
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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 associated with it.

The essay covers the assault on western culture, beginning with Pierre Trudeau’s inability to understand the mistake he was making. And so it spread.

If you’re wondering “Why State-Mandated Harmony Was Never Going to Work", there are plenty of answers in Podcast 307.

And, of course, The Mailroom with Mrs Producer

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
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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 of what had taken place over the previous few days.

On Tuesday morning, Geopolitical Futures’ George Friedman approached the milestone with an historic and militaristic perspective.

The two complementary analyses are packed with knowledge and information and not to be missed.

And as always, we end the programme in the Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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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 Mayor?

This is a position that is claimed by some to rank second only to the Presidency.

Zohran Mamdani looks set to take the mayoralty in the November 4 election.

Patrick also discusses other idiocies (of which there are many), in a most enjoyable interview.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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:
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.