Best Dr. Mark McDonald Podcasts (2025)

1
Show 389. Julie Bindel 1:07:47

33m ago1:07:47

1:07:47

Following the unanimous Supreme Court ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law, Julie tells us how and why we got here. This is a fascinating history not just of women's rights, but of the distinct needs of the lesbian and gay communities. If you've wondered how this issue became so big and how it's come to dominate so …

1
Kerre Woodham: When did weather become such a big deal that it dominates the news? 6:37

7h ago6:37

6:37

Speaking of the bad weather, it brings me to the emergency mobile alerts. The emergency mobile alerts came about because Fire and Emergency and the National Emergency Management Agency and other agencies including New Zealand Police, Ministry of Primary Industries and Ministry of Health use emergency mobile alerts to alert people if their lives, pr…

1
Canada's Missing Agri-Food Election Agenda, RoundUp for Roundup and Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Chief Rainmaker, Mid-Day Squares 54:02

4d ago54:02

54:02

In Season 5, Episode 34 of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver a dynamic episode split between urgent food policy news and an in-depth interview with Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of the powerhouse better-for-you brand Mid-Day Squares. Kicking off with the news segment, Sylvain and Micha…

1
John MacDonald: What do you think about most at pre-school drop-off? 5:48

4d ago5:48

5:48

If you’ve ever done a pre-school drop-off, what’s been the main thing going through your mind? Aside from ‘am I going to get to work on time?’. Have you been more concerned about the safety and wellbeing of your child, grandchild, niece or nephew? Or have you been more concerned about the qualifications of the people working there? For me, qualific…

1
A New Plateau: Episode 219, April 21, 2025 1:10:25

7h ago1:10:25

1:10:25

This week on Disaffected, we tackle the sickening aftermath of Austin Metcalf's murder—a 17-year-old stabbed to death by Karmelo Anthony over a seat at a track meet. Anthony's family shamelessly spins the story, raising half a million dollars as fake victims of racism, while Metcalf's father inexplicably downplays race and rushes to forgive. Host J…

1
John MacDonald: Here's where I'm torn on gender identity 5:39

5d ago5:39

5:39

There’s a chance you'll think I sound like I’m contradicting myself with my views on NZ First jumping on the gender identity bandwagon. Politicians love a good bandwagon and that’s what NZ First is riding with its members’ bill to legally clarify the definitions of man and woman. I say they’re riding a bandwagon because it comes on the heels of the…

1
60 Minutes’ Steve Kroft reflects on his acclaimed reporting career 34:26

6d ago34:26

34:26

Steve Kroft is a renowned journalist and former CBS correspondent for 60 Minutes, where he reported for 30 seasons. His investigative reporting garnered widespread acclaim, winning him five Peabody Awards and 11 Emmy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement in 2003. His legendary reporting career includes international war coverage and major histor…

1
John MacDonald: What surprises me most after the Pope's passing 4:49

6d ago4:49

4:49

There’s only been one pope’s death that has really shocked me – and I don’t think it was because I was only 10 years old at the time. It was September 1978 and I remember the shock vividly. John Paul I died just 33 days after becoming the Pope. We were a Catholic family so it was all everyone seemed to be talking about. Not just because he had died…

1
Reviving traditional dairy: The raw truth 57:23

2d ago57:23

57:23

Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – Discover the health benefits of raw milk and learn how to return to its nutrient‑rich roots with expert insights from raw dairy pioneer Mark McAfee. Explore his pioneering food safety innovations, grassroots advocacy, and vision for clean, pasture‑raised milk. A compelling journey into re…

1
Show 388. Gregor Poynton 56:20

2d ago56:20

56:20

Gregor was elected as the MP for Livingston in Labour's 2024 landslide. It was a full circle moment for the man who'd been the party's organiser in the 2005 Livingston by-election following the death of Robin Cook. He went on to work for Blue State Digital, the team who masterminded Obama's 2008 and 2012 campaigns. This is a masterclass is the art …

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Canada’s Food Inflation Spikes, Investors & Innovators with Elysabeth Alfano, CEO of VegTech™ Invest 51:19

11d ago51:19

51:19

The episode kicks off with breaking economic news: while Canada’s overall inflation slowed to 2.3% in March, food inflation surged to a staggering 3.2%—a monthly jump not seen since 1983. Sylvain attributes the spike to Ottawa’s counter-tariffs, rising ingredient costs, and shifting sourcing strategies as Canadian grocers de-Americanize their suppl…

1
John MacDonald: What's so bad about ex-MPs being on local councils? 5:34

11d ago5:34

5:34

I’m starting to wonder who isn’t running for mayor in Wellington. Former Labour leader Andrew Little is the latest one joining the race to oust current mayor Tory Whanau. And, just in case you think so, I’m not endorsing Andrew Little in any way, shape, or form. But I do think having former MPs on local councils is a very good thing. Because whethe…

1
Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the inflation rate rising to 2.5% 5:07

11d ago5:07

5:07

Inflation is officially on the rise again. The latest Stats NZ figures show the Consumers Price Index rose 2.5% in the year to March – up from a 2.2% rise in the year to December. The numbers cover the 12 months to March 31, and don't reflect the impact of Donald Trump's new tariffs and other new trade barriers. NZ Herald Business Editor Liam Dann …

1
John MacDonald: Let's not go all misery guts over these crime stats 5:16

12d ago5:16

5:16

How are you feeling about the world, now that we know the Government’s goal of having 20,000 less violent crimes by 2029 has already been achieved? Four years early. Anyone who tries to pick holes in this result would be a bit of a misery guts, because who could find anything possibly wrong with there being 20,000 less victims? Try Ginny Andersen. …

1
Dr Alison Vaughan: SPCA Scientific Officer on the new regulations cracking down on prolonged dog tethering 3:19

12d ago3:19

3:19

The Government’s cracking down on dog owners tying up pets for too long. MPI and SPCA Animal Welfare Inspectors will now be able to issue fines topping $1,000. The regulation targets dogs tethered in poor conditions with signs of mistreatment like excessive barking. SPCA Scientific Officer Dr Alison Vaughan told John MacDonald that the regulations …

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Ruth Money: Chief Victims Advisor on the latest crime figures showing a downwards trend in victim numbers 9:09

12d ago9:09

9:09

The Justice and Police Minister says the Government's surpassed its own violent crime reduction target. It set a goal in March last year of having 20 thousand fewer victims of serious violent crime, with an initial 2029 deadline. It claims it’s already beat the deadline, but admits the data is volatile and subject to change. Chief Victims Advisor R…

1
From the Archives: Vanessa Williams: From Miss America to Miranda Priestly 38:16

13d ago38:16

38:16

There is bouncing back after adversity, and then there is: Vanessa Williams. The talented multi-hyphenate was only 21 years old when she became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss America. Yet a controversy surrounding the release of unauthorized nude photos led to her ultimately relinquishing her title 10 months into her reign. When doors wer…

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HOMESTYLE RAW: Episode 218, April 13, 2025 1:01:37

8d ago1:01:37

1:01:37

-Kevin's sick this week and the studio's a mystery to Josh, so come join him in the living room for talk on parents handicapping children, military boss ladies getting fired for insubordination, how a confessed killer raked in 400,000 sympathy dollars, and more! **************************************** Disaffected is sponsored by biltongusa.com, pu…

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John MacDonald: New sex ed curriculum is a great start 5:36

13d ago5:36

5:36

I’m liking the sound of Education Minister Erica Stanford’s approach to sex education. But it won’t be plain sailing, and she knows that. But there’s a glaring gap in this new framework she’s put out for consultation, with ideas of what kids might be taught and when from year 1 to year 13. I’ll come back to the glaring gap. But Erica Stanford is go…

1
Female predators and free health hacks 57:10

9d ago57:10

57:10

Informed Dissent with Dr. Jeff Barke and Dr. Mark McDonald – Domestic violence is now dominated by women — something media are loathe to report, as acknowledging that women frequently victimize men in intimate relationships runs counter to the toxic masculinity narrative that has become so popular today. What is less well known is the degree of sex…

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Show 387. Jason Stockwood 50:02

9d ago50:02

50:02

Jason Stockwood Brace yourself, you're about to discover one of the most inspiring voices in politics. Jason is Labour's candidate to be the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire. He's a hugely successful businessman from humble beginnings. But it's the way he talks about life, society and what the country can do, that makes him special. This is audio Red …

1
Greg Murphy: Road safety campaigner and Kiwi driving legend on changes to the driver licensing system 5:56

14d ago5:56

5:56

The driver licensing system may be in for a government overhaul. Under proposals released yesterday, the practical driving test for a full licence will go, and fewer eyesight tests will be needed. A clean record would be needed for restricted drivers to gain to their full licence, the demerit threshold for learner and restricted drivers would fall …

1
Henry and Lani: Air New Zealand workers on the newly unveiled uniforms 11:38

17d ago11:38

11:38

Air New Zealand’s new uniform has been unvieled. It was designed by world-renowned Kiwi designer Emilia Wickstead and comes 14 years after the airline’s last uniform update. An onboard wearer trial is beginning in May, and the new uniform will be rolled out in full from 2026. Henry, a pilot for Air New Zealand, told Kerre Woodham it’s definitely a …

1
North American Trade Lawyer Mark Warner on Tariffs, Trade & Trump: A Global Food Fight Begins 59:22

18d ago59:22

59:22

In this power-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois bring listeners up to speed on one of the most complex and fast-moving stories in the global food and agriculture sector: the unfolding international tariff war. Appropriately titled “The Global Tariff War Edition,” this episode features a t…

1
Ryan Cosgrove: Campaign for Wool Chairperson on the Government directive to build using wool 10:15

18d ago10:15

10:15

Industry celebrations over a directive to use Kiwi wool in Government buildings. New builds worth more than $9 million and refurbishments costing over $100 thousand must use wool where possible from July, meeting a Coalition deal. The directive orders state agencies to follow the directive where practical. Campaign for Wool Chairperson Ryan Cosgrov…

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Kerre Woodham: How do you operate in an environment like this? 7:08

18d ago7:08

7:08

The phrase “may you live in interesting times” is bestowed not as a blessing, but as a curse. And living in these most interesting of times, you can see why that might be. That's not even taking into account the previous five years – if we just take 2025 as our year of living in interesting times, you can see why it might be a curse. Donald Trump r…

1
Kerre Woodham: Policing is a community-minded calling 7:43

19d ago7:43

7:43

Now the police have been in the spotlight in the past few weeks. It should have been criticism, with Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul's comments and the criticism of police pulling back from attending mental health call outs, but in fact, the attention has highlighted just how much our men and women in blue are valued. I'm pretty sure that wasn't…

1
Chris Quin: Foodstuffs North Island CEO on the latest supermarket announcement, competition, prices 34:23

19d ago34:23

34:23

Pak’nSave shoppers seem to be getting the best deal. A recent study by Foodstuffs North Island has found that New Zealand stores offer the lowest grocery prices when compared to leading retailers in Australia and the UK. The study compared 20 everyday necessities, and after adjusting for sales tax and exchange rates, Pak’nSave came out on top – che…

1
American Ballet Theater’s Susan Jaffe, onstage and off 45:13

20d ago45:13

45:13

Susan Jaffe is a former ballerina who performed for 22 years as a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater. She is known for iconic roles such as Swan Lake’s Odette and Odile, Kitri in Don Quixote, and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Jaffe has performed internationally and her repertoire includes the works of iconic choreographers such as Geor…

1
Mary Holm: Personal Finance Journalist on the impact of Trump's tariffs on investment funds 11:36

20d ago11:36

11:36

Kiwis are being urged to stay calm and stay the course as stock markets tumble. There’s global uncertainty off the back of Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, and investment funds like KiwiSaver have been taking a hit. Mortgage brokers have been facing concerns from first-home buyers, wondering what to do about the slump in their balance as they look …

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Kerre Woodham: We have to be willing and prepared to play our part 4:58

20d ago4:58

4:58

Well, we were a little in advance of the day yesterday, weren't we? If you were with me yesterday, I was looking at the armed forces lowering their standards to try to attract more people into the services. They're leaving in droves, finding it very hard to recruit new people, men and women, to join the services. And instead of lowering standards, …

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White Lives Matter: episode 217, April 6, 2025 1:02:06

18d ago1:02:06

1:02:06

A 17-year-old white kid is stabbed to death, and his father rushes to show compassion for the killer. In what universe does that make sense? In this one. We break down the murder of Austin Metcalf and the psychotic cultural reflex that demands white people perform sympathy for their own destruction. Then we go to Colorado, where the state is writin…

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Kerre Woodham: NZDF has compromised standards, not fixed the problem 5:17

21d ago5:17

5:17

I find it incredible that within a few days of a report into the sinking of the Manawanui - a damning report that revealed the crew and the Commanding Officer of the Navy ship were under trained, ill-prepared, not up to the job, the boat wasn't up to the task it was doing when it grounded on a Samoan reef - we learn that the New Zealand Defence For…

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Pete Wolfkamp: Newstalk ZB's resident builder on the Government's decision to ease construction regulations for granny flats 12:10

21d ago12:10

12:10

Backyard granny flats are about to get bigger, and easier to build. The Government's announced it's going further to ease construction regulations, allowing for an estimated 13-thousand new flats to be built without consents. The proposed 60 square metre maximum is now increasing to 70. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, says removing t…

1
Show 386. Dr Scott Arthur 39:00

16d ago39:00

39:00

Dr Scott Arthur Scott is one the few lucky MPs who topped the ballot for Private Members' Bills. He wants to bring in a Rare Cancers Bill. But what would the Bill do? What difference would it make to someone diagnosed with a rare cancer? COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 12 May: Wes Streeting 9 June: Kemi Badenoch 14 July: Michael Gove Plus mo…

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Kerre Woodham: Are our mental health services working? 8:38

24d ago8:38

8:38

The Access and Choice Programme, biggest investment in mental health in a generation, has now been in place for five years. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission released its final report on the programme rollout yesterday. The programme was funded from the 2019 wellbeing budget. You'll remember that, where more than a billion dollars, nearer …

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Matt Doocey: Mental Health Minister on the results of the latest quarterly target updates 10:32

24d ago10:32

10:32

Slow and steady improvements in mental health and addiction service access. Minister Matt Doocey's latest quarterly target updates have been released and show a small increase in the proportion of people being seen by specialist and primary services in under a month. However shorter ED department stays are still far below the 95% target, rising sli…

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Tariffs, Trade, and Terroir: Trump's Liberation Day global earthquake, guest Michelle Wasylyshen, President & CEO, Ontario Craft Wineries 49:53

25d ago49:53

49:53

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast brings together global trade drama and local wine opportunity. In the opening news segment, Michael and Sylvain react to the latest trade bombshell from Donald Trump: sweeping new tariffs aimed at dozens of countries, with Canada & Mexico left off—for now. They dig into how this could reshape the Canadian …

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Todd McClay: Trade Minister on the new tariffs coming out of the US 6:36

25d ago6:36

6:36

Our Government is asking the US for more details on its new import rules for New Zealand. Donald Trump's announced 10% tariffs on almost all goods entering the country from around the world – including New Zealand. Many countries face much higher tariffs, with goods from China being hit by a combined 54% levy. Trade Minister Todd McClay has confirm…

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Tony Mitchell: Residential Property Managers Association Chairperson on the new 7:56

25d ago7:56

7:56

Kiwis seem to be on the move. Ministry of Housing and Urban Development data shows that half of New Zealand tenancies are less than two years old, and just 1% have been in place for more than 18 years. The average tenancy is now 50 months long, up from 28 in 2010, and the median has reached 25, up from 14 in 2010. Residential Property Managers Asso…

1
Show 385. LIVE Anthony Scaramucci 1:25:22

20d ago1:25:22

1:25:22

Anthony Scaramucci - LIVE The Mooch is back and is on barnstorming form. He's full-throttle from the start and gives his expert (and hilarious) view on how other world leaders should deal with Trump. Plus an incredible revelation about what the President was trying to watch online in the Oval Office... COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 12 May:…

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Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader talks the new US tariffs, future coalition partners, future of the Labour Party 35:00

25d ago35:00

35:00

Labour's leader says the US tariffs on New Zealand aren't justified in a retaliatory sense. A US chart states New Zealand imposes 20% tariffs on US imports, and Chris Hipkins is wondering if this includes GST, which isn't a tariff. He told Kerre Woodham New Zealand's one of the world's lowest no-tariff countries. Hipkins also says New Zealand won’t…

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Kerre Woodham: Paying the piper by turning down the America's Cup 6:59

26d ago6:59

6:59

Here we go again – the America’s Cup. How many times have you heard the debates for and against the America’s Cup? The Government, as you will have heard, has declined the opportunity to invest in hosting the America's Cup in 2027 and the usual arguments are raging over the wisdom or otherwise of that decision. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) chief…

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Mark Orams: AUT Sailing Professor on the dropped bid to host the America's Cup in Auckland 13:04

26d ago13:04

13:04

Auckland's chance of hosting the next America's Cup has gone the way of the wind. Auckland Unlimited confirmed yesterday that the city is unable to proceed with its bid for the 2027 event, as the Government isn’t contributing any funding. AUT Sailing Professor and former world champion sailor, Mark Orams told Kerre Woodham that the professionalisat…

1
From the Archives: Amanda Knox Navigates Labyrinths 43:09

27d ago43:09

43:09

Amanda knows about living inside other people’s preconceptions. When she was 22 years old, she was sentenced to 26 years in prison for a murder she didn’t commit. In 2007, on a study-abroad program in Perugia, Italy, Amanda’s roommate Meredith Kurcher was raped and murdered. The police and the tabloids pinned it on “Foxy Knoxy,” calling Amanda a se…

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Filth is my life: episode 216, March 30, 2025 47:52

25d ago47:52

47:52

The most famous drag queen in American history once declared, “Filth is my life.” Fifty years later, filth is everyone’s life. From Divine to Vivian Musk, from John Waters to Teen Vogue, the culture hasn’t just slid downhill—it swan-dived into a dumpster in heels. Let’s toast to that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Dr. Mark McDonald Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen