Spare a Thought

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.

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 heading to their website: https://driftwooddesigns.co.uk/ 

Don't forget to subscribe and rate Spare a Thought!

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spareathoughtmedia/

And you can also subscribe to Tom’s Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/ 

Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

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 skills needed to become a paralegal and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is impacting the legal profession.

Learn more about NALP via their website: https://www.nationalparalegals.co.uk/

Don't forget to subscribe and rate Spare a Thought! 

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spareathoughtmedia/

And you can also subscribe to Tom’s Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/ 

Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

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 organisations, advocating for human rights, for children, young people and women.

She has a dream. She wants her voice to become part of the change she wants to see in her country because: “I truly believe that real change doesn't start from the top. It starts with one person, with one heart, and with one small idea…that travels further than we ever imagined.”

You can listen to Tom’s interview with the International Rescue Committee on getting aid to Gaza from the Political Dispatch podcast here: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/  

If you are able to, there are a number of charities supporting aid to Gaza:

Choose Love: https://chooselove.org/ 

Doctors without Borders: https://www.msf.org/ 

The International Rescue Committee: https://www.rescue.org/uk 

To hear more about Spare a Thought follow us on our new Instagram account. 

Listen back to previous episodes of the show here: https://spareathought.podbean.com/ 

Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

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 website: https://everydoctor.org.uk/. You can also follow Julia on Tiktok and Bluesky. 

To hear more about Spare a Thought follow us on our new Instagram account. You can also subscribe to Tom’s free Substack newsletter.

Listen back to previous episodes of the show here: https://spareathought.podbean.com/ 

Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

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 the work of The CAE on their website: https://www.caentr.org follow them on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn. 

Follow Spare a Thought’s new Instagram account and you can subscribe to Tom’s free Substack newsletter.

Listen back to previous episodes of the show here: https://spareathought.podbean.com/ 

Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

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://forwalesseewales.buzzsprout.com/

Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.

You subscribe to Tom’s Substack here: https://tomspare.substack.com/ 

In this episode of Spare a Thought, Tom speaks with Luke Young, Head of Policy at Citizens Advice. Luke has previously worked for organisations including NUS Wales, Stonewall, the Senedd, and the Labour Party.

Tom and Luke discuss the people who shaped Luke’s worldview, the work of Citizens Advice, the unique challenges facing Wales, recent UK Government changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and three policy changes Luke would introduce to improve the lives of millennials and young people in the UK.

If you have been impacted by anything discussed in this episode, you can find support and information at the Citizens Advice website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

For the latest updates, follow Tom on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ and subscribe to his newsletter on Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/