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Spare a Thought
by Be the Change Media Network and Tom Spare
Welcome to Spare a Thought. The podcast for curious minds, exploring creativity, culture and stories from the margins. Join host Tom Spare for conversations that go to unexpected places, from Welsh culture and Japanese architecture, to media ownership and paternity leave. Whether you're on the morning commute, taking a Sunday stroll or looking for a lunchtime listen, take time out of your day to Spare a Thought.
Episodes
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The Iris Prize at 20
Join host Tom Spare for an episode of milestones. The 70th edition of the podcast, 2 years since Spare a Thought launched, featuring the first ever interview conducted for the show. Tom focuses on the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ film festival. The Iris Prize is the world's largest short film prize. 2026...
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A Beginner's Guide to University
This autumn close to three million students will be descending on universities across the UK. Tom Spare is joined by Leo Cartman who has just started her first year at University of Portsmouth studying journalism. Leo asks questions to Tom who draws on his own time as an undergraduate at the...
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The Art of Ethical Storytelling
This episode is based on a workshop Tom delivered in July 2026 for the Be the Change Media Network. Drawing on over 100 episodes of Spare a Thought and The Political Dispatch, Tom explores what makes a story worth telling and how to tell it responsibly. He gives the example of three very…
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Spider Man Brand New Day Review
With the school holidays in full swing, Tom reviews the biggest blockbuster of the summer, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The world has forgotten that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, including all the people he cares for most. Parker works round the clock to fight off New York's criminals. Isolated and...
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Breathing and the Menstrual Cycle
For the first ever in-person recording of Spare a Thought, Tom sits down with Harriette Wight a Breathing Coach and Menstruality Mentor who's on a mission to change the way women understand their menstrual cycles. This episode was recorded on 16th July 2026 with an audience as part of the Be the...
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Spare a Thought is Going Live
Tom started this podcast in October 2024, believing it would remain online only — but this month, that changes. On 16th July, Tom will be holding his first ever live podcast recording, as part of the Be the Change Media Academy's Digital Storytelling Workshop roadshow. He'll be joined by Lily…
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Windrush Day
Spare a Thought is the podcast for curious minds exploring creativity, culture and stories from the margins. About the episode CONTENT WARNING: This episode makes reference to suicide and attempted suicide To celebrate Windrush Day (22nd June), Tom is joined by Leonora Cartman to explore the...
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Refugee Week
Spare a Thought is the podcast for curious minds exploring creativity, culture and stories from the margins. About this episode To celebrate Refugee week (15th - 21st June), Tom brings together voices from three previous episodes of the show. Rosa Brown of the Welsh Refugee Council reflects on...
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Making Political Theatre
Spare a Thought, the podcast for curious minds exploring creativity, culture and stories from the margins. About this episode Tom interviews Chris Brian, Rhiannon White, Bianca Ali and Taylor Edmonds about the making of Demand the Impossible, part performance, part punk gig, part sensory…
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Who Owns the Media?
Spare a Thought, the podcast for curious minds exploring creativity, culture and stories from the margins. About this episode Tom interviews Steven Renderos, Executive Director of MediaJustice, a US based racial justice organisation that advances the media and technology rights of people of…
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Olivia Dean Live Review
In this episode, Tom reviews Olivia Dean's live show at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 14th May 2026. Featuring excerpts and clips recorded on the night, Tom reflects on Dean's extraordinary rise from the Brit School to record breaking artist, and on a concert that was, in his words,...
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Writing for Joy
In this episode, Tom is joined by writer and creative facilitator Taylor Edmonds to explore the therapeutic power of words and the inspiration behind her creative company, Writing for Joy. Taylor shares her journey from anonymous Tumblr poet to academic creative writer, and how moving from her...
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Catch up with Spare a Thought
There isn't a full episode this week as Tom is taking a break, however now is the change for you to catch-up on some previous episodes. In this edtion of Spare a Thought, you'll hear clips from the following episodes: Tadao Ando: to Create is to Live - Tom is joined by his friend Bee, together…
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Tadao Ando: To Create is to Live
In this episode, Tom is joined by multidisciplinary designer and architecture graduate Bee Yogasivam to explore the life and legacy of Tadao Ando, one of Japan's most celebrated architects. This episode is released during Golden Week, one of Japan's three busiest holiday seasons. Ando grew up in...
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The Waters that Raised Us
Spare a Thought returns with a refreshed format. The podcast for curious minds exploring creativity, culture and stories from the margins. In this episode, Tom explores the recently published essay anthology The Waters that Raised Us, a powerful collection of unique stories, histories and…
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Rethinking Student Loans
In this episode, Tom turns his attention to the student loan system in the UK, asking whether it is fit for purpose. You'll hear from six Plan 2 graduates: Josh, Tom, Emily, Alex, Brie and Bee, who share their experiences of a debt that keeps growing. Tom also speaks with Ollie from Rethink...
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Help shape next week's episode
Reforming Tuition debt repayments in the UK There is no episode of Spare a Thought this week, but I do need your help. I am currently developing an in-depth feature regarding the necessity of a fairer student loan repayment system in the United Kingdom. In collaboration with Rethink Repayment…
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Was King Arthur Welsh?
In this episode, Tom sits down with filmmaker Dan Freeman to ask the question: Was King Arthur Welsh? Dan is currently in production on Excalibur, an epic fantasy film set in Wales, centred on King Arthur and his knights. Tom and Dan explore the origins of the King Arthur myth and its relevance...
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The Welsh Language Part 2
In today's episode, Tom and Ben Kitchener step back from modern policy and into the history that still shapes the Welsh language today. This is Part 2 of 2. From the Blue Books to the Welsh Not, this episode explores the policies that explicitly tried to stigmatise Welsh and shame its speakers —...
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Long Covid Awareness Day
In today's episode, Tom tries something different. Instead of a guest interview, this is the first in a series of short essays, just Tom, in his own words, reflecting on issues that matter. This episode marks Long Covid Awareness Day 2026. Six years after lockdown began, an estimated two million...
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The Welsh Language Part 1
In today's episode, Tom and Ben Kitchener look past the St David's Day celebrations to explore the real mechanics and politics of the Welsh language - Cymraeg. This is Part 1 of 2. With an ambitious target of a million Welsh speakers on the horizon, this episode gets into the gap between policy…
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Monumental Welsh Women Part 2
In today's episode, Tom and Emily Merry conclude their two-part exploration of monumental Welsh women whose contributions to history are finally being recognised in bronze. From Elizabeth Andrews, the socialist activist who fought tirelessly for the rights of miners' wives, to Cranogwen, the...
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Monumental Welsh Women Part 1
In today's episode, Tom and Emily Merry explore the lives of several monumental Welsh women whose contributions to history are finally being recognised in bronze. This is part 1 of 2. From Princess Gwenllian, the 12th century warrior princess, to the modern-day campaign to commemorate her, this...
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St David's Day
Tom delves into the Spare a Thought archives for the Rewind to celebrate St David's Day on 1st March with conversations focused on Wales and Welsh identity. In this episode, you'll hear from four guests recorded in Spring 2025: Gwern Gwynfil, Director of New Wales and former CEO of Yes Cymru,...
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The Rewind: Paternity Leave
Tom delves into the Spare a Thought archives for the Rewind to return to the show’s most downloaded episode Paternity Leave, released on 18th November 2025 to celebrate International Men’s Day. In this episode, Tom profiles the work of The Dad Shift and its co-founder George Gabriel. The UK has…
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The Rewind: A Matricentric Future
Tom delves into the Spare a Thought archives for the Rewind to return to an episode from 23rd September 2025, A Matricentric Future. Tom interviews friend and founder of Womb CIC, Sinnead Ali. Sinnead opened a new studio space in Cardiff last summer. The conversation covers Sinnead's journey from...
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The Radical Act of Writing
In today’s episode, Tom speaks to five members of the Friday Writers Club run by Briony Goffin at Cardiff Writers Studio. Together they discuss the radical act of writing. Writing as an act of defiance, in dark times, in dark months. In a world where AI can generate text instantly, what does it...
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The Rewind: Spare a Thought for Creativity
In this rewind episode, Tom revisits a conversation about creativity with Briony Goffin, originally released on New Year's Day 2025. As we continue to navigate creative expression in 2026, this episode offers timeless wisdom on where ideas come from and how to sustain a creative practice. Briony...
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Curly's War Episode 5 - A Life Well Lived
This is the final episode of Curly's War, a mini series of the Spare a Thought podcast based on the self-published book by Tom's grandfather, Walter George Blaza. In this concluding episode, Tom is joined by his brother Matt and cousin Alex to share their personal memories of Walter - the...
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Curly's War Episode 4 - War's End
This is Episode 4 of Curly's War, a mini series of the Spare a Thought podcast based on the self-published book by Tom’s grandfather, Walter George Blaza. In this episode, Tom and Emily cover the final months of the conflict, from the brutal raids at Waspik through to the liberation of occupied...
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Living a Creative Life
In today’s episode, Tom explores how to navigate a creative life in a world that often feels structured against it. From algorithmic gatekeepers and AI interviews to the pressures of instant gratification, the path for young creatives is increasingly complex. Tom is joined by Lily Mott, director…
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Curly's War Episode 3 - From D-Day to the Winter War
This is Episode 3 of Curly's War, based on the self-published book by Tom's grandfather, Walter George Blaza. Walter participates in secret reconnaissance missions days before D-Day. After the invasion, 41 Commando is deployed to liberate the Netherlands, where he witnesses extraordinary acts of...
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Jesus was a Refugee
In today's Christmas special, Tom explores the often-overlooked refugee story at the heart of the nativity. After the birth of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the infant had to flee to Egypt to escape King Herod's violence, becoming refugees dependent on the kindness of strangers in a foreign land. Tom...
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Curly's War Episode 2 - Joining the Royal Marines
This is the second episode of Curly's War, based on a self-published book of the same name by Tom's grandfather, Walter George Blaza. Curly's War recounts Walter's life during World War Two as a Royal Marine and Commando, including his training, involvement in D-Day and the Liberation of the...
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Long Covid Kids
Content warning: This episode features personal experiences of living with long Covid. While some listeners may find aspects of this discussion difficult and triggering, we believe these stories are important to share. Listener discretion is advised. In today’s episode, Tom focuses on Long Covid...
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Curly's War Episode 1 - The Interwar Years
This is the first episode of Curly’s War based on a self published book of the same name by Tom’s grandfather, Walter George Blaza. Curly’s War recount’s Walter’s life during World War Two as a Royal Marine and Commando, including his training, involvement in D-Day and the Liberation of the...
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How Refugees Transform Cities
In today's episode, Tom interviews Karen Jacobsen, the Henry J. Leir Professor of Global Migration at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University to discuss how refugees transform the cities in which they are hosted in. Karen discusses how she progressed a career in forced…
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Paternity Leave
In today’s episode Tom marks International Men’s Day (19th November) by profiling the work of The Dad Shift and its co-founder George Gabriel. The UK has the worst paternity leave in the UK, the Daft Shift is looking to change that. A not-for-profit, the Dad Shift is a group of men, dads and…
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Curly's War - introduction
In this special introductory episode, Tom launches a new four-part mini-series of Spare a Thought titled Curly’s War, joined by his producing partner, Emily Merry. This series is inspired by Tom’s grandfather’s self-published memoir Curly’s War, written 25 years ago. The book recounts Walter…
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It Ain't Half Racist Mum
In today’s episode Tom speaks to Professor Les Back, a lecturer of Sociology at the University of Glasgow about 1979 TV episode of Open Door called It Aint Half Racist Mum. Together Tom and Les discuss the impact social work had on Les’s career as an academic, the life and legacy of Stuart Hall,...
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The life and legacy of Dorothy Height
To honour Black History Month, Tom is joined by Be the change. Media’s host of The Forgotten Generation Podcast Troy Njenje Mbanga. Together Tom and Troy discuss the life and legacy of Dr Dororthy Height, often referred to as the “godmother” of the Civil Rights movement. Tom’s research is based…
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How to Fall in Love with the Future
In this episode of Spare a Thought, Tom is taken in a time machine to 2030 by author, activist and environmentalist Rob Hopkins to show us how we averted the climate crisis and reshaped our relationship with nature and the planet. During their conversation Rob tells Tom about working in a Tibetan...
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Neighbourhoods of the Future
In this episode Tom interviews Charlie Edmonds from Civic Square, an organisation demonstrating neighbourhood-scale civic infrastructure for social, ecological, economic, and climate transition. Together Tom and Charlie discuss the gap between the idealistic vision of architecture students are...
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Black Authors of the Future
This episode marks a special milestone: Spare a Thought’s 1st Birthday! A huge thank you to every listener, guest, and supporter who has helped us reach 33 episodes and nearly 2,000 downloads! Your host, Tom Spare, takes a moment to reflect on the show's journey - from its beginnings with The...
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A Matricentric Future
Tom interviews friend and founder of Womb CIC, Sinnead Ali who has recently opened a new studio space in Cardiff. The conversation covers Sinnead's journey from working at Cardiff Students' Union with Tom to traveling and becoming a yoga teacher. They discuss the inspiration behind Womb CIC,...
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Universities and Climate Justice
Tom interviews Jay Chard, a PhD student from the University of South Wales who is researching the role universities play in a just climate transition. Together Tom and Jay discuss the terminology used by climate scientists, they explore the meaning behind climate justice and debate the role...
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Filmmakers of the Future
Join Tom as he interviews Sam Cullis London Breeze Film Festival founder and Executive Director. Amongst other roles, Sam is Tom’s former Film studies teacher. Together they discuss Sam’s career path into the film world, the influence of former teacher Ray Wilkinson on both their lives, how new...
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Getting Kids into STEM
In this episode, Tom speaks with Chris Thorpe, an apprenticeship coordinator and project manager at a photonics company. Chris discusses the importance of getting kids into STEM fields, his own non-linear career path, and how technology will shape the world of work for the school leavers of…
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Generation Covid
Tom hears from five members of Generation Covid, a cohort of young people whose education and lives were completely changed by the pandemic. This episode shares the stories of Will, Izzy, Emily, Eden and Emma as they recall navigating the early days of lockdowns. A sudden end to childhood, few...
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Going Spare in the USA Part 4: Election Night in DC
In the final episode of Going Spare in the USA, Tom flies to Washington, D.C., on the eve of the US Presidential Election polling day. He finds a city holding its breath and watches a tense election night unfold from a crowded pub in the shadow of Capitol Hill. In the days that follow, Tom visits...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Spare a Thought. The podcast for curious minds, exploring creativity, culture and stories from the margins.
Join host Tom Spare for conversations that go to unexpected places, from Welsh culture and Japanese architecture, to media ownership and paternity leave.
Whether you're on the morning commute, taking a Sunday stroll or looking for a lunchtime listen, take time out of your day to Spare a Thought.
HOSTED BY
Be the Change Media Network and Tom Spare
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Spare a Thought have?
Spare a Thought currently has 77 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Spare a Thought about?
Welcome to Spare a Thought. The podcast for curious minds, exploring creativity, culture and stories from the margins. Join host Tom Spare for conversations that go to unexpected places, from Welsh culture and Japanese architecture, to media ownership and paternity leave. Whether you're on the...
How often does Spare a Thought release new episodes?
Spare a Thought has 77 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Spare a Thought?
You can listen to Spare a Thought on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Spare a Thought?
Spare a Thought is created and hosted by Be the Change Media Network and Tom Spare.
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