Spare a Thought

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 of the Be the change. Media Network production , to discuss the transition from broadcasting to partici...

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 kindness from the starving Dutch population. Tom and Emily discuss the assault on Flushing, winter war...

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 speaks with Rosa Brown from the Welsh Refugee Council about the realities facing refugees and asylum se...

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 Netherlands. In Episode Two, Tom and Emily take listeners from the autumn of 1939 through Walter's extraord...

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 Kids, a charity supporting children and young people living with Long Covid. Tom shares the stories of...

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 Netherlands.  To kick off this 4-part mini series, Tom and co-host Emily Merry take listeners back to the mi...

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 migration, the history of refugees, how city governments often diverge from national governments and the r...

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 other parents campaigning for better paternity leave in the UK.  Co-founder of the organisation, George, d...

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 George Blaza’s experiences as a Royal Marine Commando during the Second World War, from his early training,...

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, one of the creators of cultural studies in the UK. The central focus of the pod this week is a TV episo...

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 off an interview with Dr Height, available to watch on Youtube: A Conversation with Dorothy Height - Na...

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 monastery in Tuscany Italy, what he learned from a maverick teacher in Ireland about permaculture and...

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 taught at university vs the profit driven private practice they work in. Charlie outlines his own journey...

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 Political Dispatch to becoming a standalone show - and gives a special shout-out to the Founding Director...

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, including Sinnead's personal experience with health issues, her work in Singapore hosting women's circles,...

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 universities play in helping to adapt during ecological, environmental, social and economic change. Are uni...

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 filmmakers can break into the industry, as well as discussing the timeline of the London Breeze Film Fes...

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 today.  Spare a Thought is a Be the Change Media Network production . Follow Spare a Thought on Instagram: @...

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 formal goodbyes, and a jarring start to adulthood. In Season 2, Tom also collated the accounts of 12 peop...

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 the Capitol Building and a museum dedicated to the Palestinian people, and finds a moment of peace at...

Tom takes an epic Amtrak train journey, crossing four states to get from New Orleans to Atlanta. Onboard he meets a couple travelling to New York, talks voodoo and paranormal activities with an Amtrak worker and stays in a sketchy motel once he reaches Atlanta.  Join Tom as he explores the lives of two Georgia’s greatest sons: Martin Luther King Jr, and former President Jimmy Carter.  Subscribe to...

Content warning: This episode makes brief references to drug use and death. This is Going Spare in the USA, a four-part mini-series following Tom Spare’s journey across America in the lead-up to the 2024 US Presidential Election. Part 2: The Big Easy Leaving behind the buzz of New York, Tom dives into the unique rhythm of New Orleans. From a chaotic arrival and a memorable Uber ride to vibrant mar...

This is Going Spare in the USA, a four episode mini series focused on Tom Spare's trip to the US in the lead-up to the US Presidential Election in November 2024. What started as a meticulously planned cultural immersion in the Big Apple, exploring the grandeur of the New York Public Library, discovering the magic of Carnegie Hall, losing himself in the political treasures of Argosy Bookstore, and...

Cast your minds back to October 2024. The US Presidential race is neck and neck between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and three-time Republican pick, President Donald Trump. Amidst the political drama, Tom Spare flew out to New York City to start an epic two-week journey traveling the United States as voting day fast approached. In a new four-part series, join Tom as he recounts his travels, ac...

In this episode, Tom chats with Lizzie Spikes, an artist who lives in north Wales and is the co-founder of Driftwood Designs, an Aberystwyth based company who publish and produce a range of gifts, homewares, prints and cards. Together Tom and Lizzie talk about the role Wales plays in Lizzie’s art, the importance of community and taking things slow when starting up a business.   You can find out mo...