Spare a Thought

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-natal yoga.
Sinnead explains the term "matricentric" and how it influences the studio's holistic approach to wellness. Together Tom and Sinnead talk about how a matricentric future would centre the needs of mothers, leading to a ripple effect that benefits all of society. The conversation also highlights the Womb Festival, which focused on "bringing back the village" and supporting people during the fourth trimester. Sinnead shares how the festival's location in Grangetown, the most ethnically diverse ward in Cardiff, was chosen to be a welcoming and safe space for the community.
Tom and Sinnead also discuss the challenges of the asylum system in the UK, the work of charities like Asylum Justice, and the importance of community-based services to support parents.
To follow the latest news and events from Womb CIC head over to https://www.instagram.com/womb.sanctuary/ 
You can book sessions at the studio via https://www.wombcic.co.uk/ 
Sinnead’s yoga studio Womb on 99 Woodville Road, Cathays, CF24 4DY
Spare a Thought is a Be the Change. Media Network production. 
Follow Spare a Thought on Instagram: @spareathoughtmedia. 
You can listen to all previous episodes of the show wherever you get your podcasts or head to https://spareathought.podbean.com/.

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 breakdown? What is their role in fighting climate change? And are universities preparing their students to deal with the challenges climate change brings?
Spare a Thought is a Be the Change. Media Network production.
Follow Spare a Thought on Instagram: @spareathoughtmedia
You can listen to all the previous episodes of the show wherever you get your podcasts from or head to: https://spareathought.podbean.com/ to listen now.

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 Festival, which takes place in October. 
The London Breeze Film Festival takes place between 22nd and 26th October. You can find out more about the festival via their Instagram and check their website: https://londonbreezefilmfestival.com/
Spare a Thought is a Be the Change. Media Network production.
Follow Spare a Thought on Instagram: @spareathoughtmedia
You can listen to all the previous episodes of the show wherever you get your podcasts from or head to: https://spareathought.podbean.com/ to listen now.

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
For exclusive insights and reflections, subscribe to Tom's Substack: tomspare.substack.com 

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, and in a follow-up episode, explored how society can better support them. You can listen to those episodes below:
Living with Long Covid: https://spareathought.podbean.com/e/living-with-long-covid/
Supporting those living with Long Covid: https://spareathought.podbean.com/e/supporting-those-living-with-long-covid/
Subscribe to Spare a Thought and follow us on Instagram: @spareathoughtmedia. For exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and extended reflections, subscribe to Tom’s Substack: tomspare.substack.com
Spare a Thought is a Be the Change. Media Network production.

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 concludes with a final reflection on his journey and the state of a nation as a new era of politics begins.
Subscribe to Spare a Thought and follow us on Instagram: @spareathoughtmedia.
For exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and extended reflections on the US, subscribe to Tom’s Substack: tomspare.substack.com.
Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

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 Instagram: @spareathoughtmedia.
For exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and extended reflections on the US, subscribe to Tom’s Substack: tomspare.substack.com.
Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

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 jazz, he gets an authentic taste of NOLA’s rich culture. Along the way, he meets resilient locals and witnesses the subtle yet striking ways politics shape everyday life. But amid the magic, moments of stark reality emerge, prompting deeper reflection on the American experience.
Listen to Going Spare in the USA: Part 2 – The Big Easy now.
Subscribe to Spare a Thought and follow us on Instagram: @spareathoughtmedia.
For exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and extended reflections on the US, subscribe to Tom’s Substack: tomspare.substack.com.
Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

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 witnessing a groundbreaking "Romeo and Juliet" on Broadway takes an utterly unexpected turn.
Listen to Going Spare in the USA Part 1: Trump Headlines the Garden.
Subscribe to Spare a Thought today and follow Spare a Thought on Instagram. If you want a deeper dive, including exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and additional reflections on the US, subscribe to Tom's Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/
You can also follow Spare a Thought on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spareathoughtmedia/
Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

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 middle of a political rally, hearing the music of New Orleans, learning about the humble beginnings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and witnessing election night unfold in Washington DC.
Subscribe to Spare a Thought today and follow Spare a Thought on Instagram. If you want a deeper dive, including exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and additional reflections on the US, subscribe to Tom's Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/
Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.