Spare a Thought

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 he describes what the future tastes...

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 from architect to Mission Co-Lead ...

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 of Be the Change. Media Network, L...

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, and her training in pre-and post-na...

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 universities complicit in climate brea...

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 Festival and look ahead to the Festiva...

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: @spareathoughtmedia

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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 people who have lived with Long Covid, ...

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 the Lincoln Memorial. The series co...

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 Spare a Thought and follow us on I...

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 markets and the soulful history of jaz...

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...

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, accidentally finding himself in the m...

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 more about Driftwood Designs by headi...

In this episode, Tom chats with Amanda Hamilton, Director and Patron of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP). They delve into the crucial role paralegals play in helping the public gain access to the justice system.

Amanda shares insights into her fascinating career in law, how she rose to become CEO and now patron of NALP, and the significant impact of legal aid cuts from 2010-2015 on access to justice. Discover ...

The world’s media has very little access to Gaza. Reports from aid agencies and local news sources suggest 2 million people are at risk of famine. Amidst the horror, the people of Gaza endure. In this special edition of Spare a Thought, Tom shares Dalia’s story. 

Dalia is a Business Administration student who lives in Gaza. Life under the Israeli blockade is dire. Despite this she volunteers, supporting her community, working with ...

Tom talks to Dr Julia Patterson, the Chief Executive of EveryDoctor. EveryDoctor is a campaigning organisation fighting for patients, staff and the future of the NHS. 

This episode focuses on Julia’s journey from NHS doctor to campaigner and the personal costs of campaigning, what Wes Streeting’s reforms mean for NHS England, Julia’s book Critical and much more.

You can find out about the work of EveryDoctor by heading to their web...

Tom talks to Kim Mamhende, the Chief of Staff at The CAE, a Swansea-based charity that supports migrant, immigrant, refugee and asylum seeking communities in Wales. 

Together Tom and Kim’s conversation centres on the work of the CAE, how work helps migrants and immigrants integrate into society, why the UK wouldn’t run without migrants and what role entrepreneurialism plays in bringing communities together.

You can find out about t...

Tom talks to Will Hayward, a Wales based freelance journalist, columnist and podcaster. Together they talk about how Will got into journalism, his books about Wales, the Welsh media environment and who is most likely to become next First Minister after the 2026 Senedd Elections. 

You can subscribe to Will’s Substack here: https://willhaywardwales.substack.com/ and listen to his podcast For Wales, See Wales here: https://forwalessee...