Be the change. Media

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Channel • 25 Shows

Careers

Careers

Updated 11 May
Health & Fitness

Health & Fitness

Updated 2 Jun
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated 14 Jun

Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated 5 days ago
News Commentary

News Commentary

Updated weekly
Politics

Politics

Updated 20/12/2025
Politics

Politics

Updated fortnightly
History

History

Updated 28 May
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated fortnightly
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated 14 Jun

22 Jun

How Brexit Happened Part 2: A Tale of Two Campaigns

In part two of our three-part series marking ten years since the Brexit referendum, Tom and Sidd return to their old stomping ground, Cardiff's School of Journalism, Media and Culture, to interview their former lecturer Dr Mike Berry, Director of the MA in Political Communication. Mike traces why immigration became the issue that swallowed every other debate during the campaign, and how decades of media coverage left voters with a skewed picture of the EU long before the official campaign began. He explains the thinking behind "Take Back Control," one of the most effective political slogans in modern British history, and why Remain's rational, economics-led case struggled to compete with it. The conversation also turns to where things stand a decade on, and whether the same result would happen if the vote were held again today. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To connect with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the Change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the Change. Media Network.

22 Jun

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41 min
16/12/2025

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 Netherlands. In Episode Two, Tom and Emily take listeners from the autumn of 1939 through Walter's extraordinary transformation from civilian bricklayer to elite Commando. After rejecting a farmer's offer of exemption from military service, the young Walter volunteers for the Fleet Air Arm but instead finds himself posted to the Royal Marines in Plymouth. What follows is a harrowing journey through Stonehouse Barracks, dangerous patrols off Scapa Flow, near-death experiences with experimental balloon bombs, and ultimately, the brutal twelve-week Commando training at Achnacarry in Scotland, where less than half survived the course to earn the coveted Green Beret. You can follow Tom’s work via his Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/ Keep up to date with Spare a Thought via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spareathoughtmedia/ You can listen to all previous episodes of the show wherever you get your podcasts or head to https://spareathought.podbean.com/ Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network.

16/12/2025

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51 min
17 Jun

How Brexit Happened Part 1: The Road to Vote Leave

In the first of a three-part series marking ten years since the Brexit referendum, Tom, Lily and Sidd sit down with Dr Nicholas Startin, Associate Professor of International Relations at John Cabot University in Rome, to trace the long history of British Euroscepticism. Nick takes the story back to Charles de Gaulle's two vetoes of British membership, the UK's eventual entry in 1973, and the referendum that followed just two years later. He revisits Margaret Thatcher's 1988 Bruges speech, often cited as the starting gun for modern Euroscepticism, and asks whether that reading really holds up. From there, the conversation moves through John Major's "bastards," the Maastricht rebellion, and the slow-burn rise of Farage, UKIP and the Brexit Party. Nick also looks back on his own 2015 paper, written when almost no one else in his field was willing to predict a Leave vote, and closes by asking whether, with Gen Z overwhelmingly pro-European, Britain could ever find its way back into the EU. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! To connect with Tom, Lily or Sidd, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati. For more information about the show, please find Be the Change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Opinions shared by the guests and hosts of this show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the Change. Media Network.

17 Jun

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57 min
21/10/2025

What is Youth Social Action?

Welcome to the first episode of Voices in Action, a podcast from The National Lottery Community Fund, co-produced with Be the change. Media Network. In this episode, host Lily Mott is joined by Molly Taylor and Henry Hughes, Co-Chairs of the #iwill Movement, to explore what youth social action really means and why it’s such a powerful force for change. Together, they unpack what it looks like when young people lead projects, organisations, movements, and communities, the role of adults in empowering youth leadership, and how small acts of social action can have a big impact. Molly also shares a moving poem that captures the power of youth voice and belonging. The episode also marks the launch of the new #iwill Fund, opening on 22 October 2025. The #iwill Fund is a fantastic opportunity for organisations across England to access funding that supports young people to lead positive change in their communities. Whether you’re a changemaker, youth worker, or just curious about how young people are shaping our present and future, this episode will leave you inspired to take action. For more information about: The National Lottery Community Fund: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk The #iwill Fund: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/funding-programmes/iwill-fund-2025-strand-2 The #iwill Movement: https://www.iwill.org.uk Be the change. Media Network: https://www.bethechangemedianetwork.com/ Follow The National Lottery Community Fund on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram and LinkedIn. Subscribe to this podcast and join us for more stories of youth-led change, community, and the power of social action.

21/10/2025

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46 min
14 Jun

S3 Ep 8: It's Not That Deep, with Moka

In this episode, I sit with Moka - an engineer, designer and secret poetic genius - who tells me about how she would tell her younger self to be grateful for each phase of her life, from being a college student to a university student, and to not worry so much. She describes her journey during a Design Project (DP) at university and how even though it was difficult, she got through it and became a stronger engineer! For the students among us who often worry about whether they'll make it - just remember, it's not that deep, and you've got this.

14 Jun

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18 min
29/04/2025

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

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/

29/04/2025

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44 min
21 Jun

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 history, the legacy, and the deeply moving human stories of the Windrush generation. Leo details the post-war labor shortages that prompted the UK government to invite Caribbean citizens and discusses the profound impact of the 2012 "hostile environment" policies that led to the Windrush scandal. Keyari Page, creator and host of Shadow and Light, talks about the research for her episode "Borders of Belonging," reflecting on the emotional toll of the scandal and how systems can value bureaucratic paperwork over lived realities. Dr Nick Beach, a trustee for the Stuart Hall Foundation, shares his personal experiences working closely with the late Professor Stuart Hall to transcribe his memoir, Familiar Stranger: A Life Between Two Islands, and explains how the Foundation continues Hall's vital intellectual work today. Find out more about the Stuart Hall Foundation here and read Professor Hall's memoir, Familiar Stranger at Penguin Books. Professor Les Back of the University of Glasgow reflects on Stuart Hall’s incredible gift for using everyday cultural symbols, like a simple cup of tea, to map the vast histories of the British Empire, identity, and belonging. If you are in Cardiff on the 16th of July, come watch a live recording of the show featuring briefing coach Harriet White at Cathays Community Centre from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. You can book a free ticket here. The co-hosts for this episode were Leonora Cartman and Tom Spare. The content was researched by Leonaro Cartman and edited by Tom Spare. Keep up-to-date with Tom's work Keep up to date with Tom's work via his Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/ Get the latest news on the podcast via the Spare a Thought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spareathoughtmedia/ You can listen to all previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts or head to: https://spareathought.podbean.com/ Spare a Thought is a Be the Change. Media Network production. The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the Change. Media Network or its partners.

21 Jun

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36 min
12 Mar

How to Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Heart

In this episode, Skylar explores the powerful shift that can happen when we move out of our heads and into our hearts. After losing her brother, Sam, Skylar began to notice something unexpected — other people experiencing loss started coming to her for guidance, comfort, and connection. What started as conversations with fellow grievers eventually grew into the work she does today through the Live Like Sam Foundation and this podcast. In this episode, Skylar reflects on the role grievers can play in the world and why helping others has been one of the most meaningful parts of her own healing journey. She shares how service — in big ways and small — can bring purpose to loss, ease the heaviness of grief, and remind us that the love we still carry for someone can continue to impact others. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! Follow Good Grief: Life After Loss on Instagram @goodgrief.pod If you have any questions please email Skylar Jackenthal at skylar@livelikesam.org Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram @bethechangemedianetwork The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

12 Mar

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12 min
03/05/2024 · Bonus

On Air with Cardiff Students' Union Sabbatical Officers

Cardiff University Students' Union is committed to ensuring that every student has opportunities to raise their voice through debate, providing feedback, and suggesting ideas. Noah Russell served as the Vice President Undergraduate Students for the 2023-2024 academic year, and Micaela Panes served as the Vice President Postgraduate Students this year. Micaela was re-elected to her position for the 2024-2025 academic year. To get connected with Noah, find him on Instagram at @vpundergraduatecsu. To get connected with Micaela, find her on Instagram at @vppostgradcsu. To listen to Be the change. On Air live at 5pm GMT, visit: https://player.broadcast.radio/xpress. A recording of each live show will be published as a podcast on this feed every Friday. Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork. Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast. Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe! If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.

03/05/2024 · Bonus

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24 min
3 Mar

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 episode explores why representation in public spaces matters and how the Monumental Welsh Women project is changing the landscape of Wales. Tom speaks with Helen Molyneux, a key organiser for the Monumental Welsh Women, about the journey to create five statues of five Welsh women in five years. In Part 1, Emily and Tom discuss Betty Campbell, Wales' first Black headteacher; Lady Rhondda, the militant suffragette and businesswoman and Elaine Morgan, the screenwriter who challenged evolutionary theory. In Part 2, which follows later this week, Tom and Emily will discuss Elizabeth Andrews, the socialist activist who fought for miners' wives; and Cranogwen, the master mariner, poet and preacher who declared "gender difference is nothing in the world." With only one statue left to complete the original mission, this episode celebrates the women who educated, agitated, organised, and changed Wales forever. Find out more about the Monumental Welsh Women project and support the completion of Elizabeth Andrews' statue: https://monumentalwelshwomen.com/ Support the petition for a statue of Princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd on the Senedd's petition website. Keep up to date with Tom's work via his Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/ Get the latest news on the podcast via the Spare a Thought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spareathoughtmedia/ You can listen to all previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts from or head to: https://spareathought.podbean.com/ Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production. The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

3 Mar

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35 min

Be the change. Media Network is a youth-led platform dedicated to sharing stories, amplifying underrepresented voices, and informing the public about issues that matter to young people and our communities. The Network is home to podcasts, blogs, and video series produced by dozens of creators based around the world. For more information about Be the change. Media Network, visit: www.bethechangemedianetwork.com.