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, Lily Mott, on her recent shortlist nomination for Cardiff University’s 30(ish) Awards.
In honour of Black History Month and as part of our 'Educating for the Future' series, Tom is joined by Clarice Rodney, the Operations Manager of the Black British Book Festival .
Clarice shares her career path and tells the story of how the festival began and how it has grown into a vital space for writers and readers. Together, Tom and Clarice discuss the powerful role of reading and storytelling in understanding our world, referencing the words of James Baldwin, and how the festival acts as an essential voice in a complex and often divisive media landscape. Clarice also shares invaluable advice for emerging writers, particularly those from Black and other marginalised communities, on getting their work published and seen.
The conversation looks ahead to the Black British Book Festival, which takes place on October 19th at the Barbican Centre in London.
You can book your tickets to the Black British Book Festival via the Barbican’s website: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/black-british-book-festival-2025
Listen to Keyari Page’s Shadow and Light: https://shadowandlightpod.podbean.com/
Listen to the previous episode of Spare a Thought with Sinnead Ali: https://spareathought.podbean.com/e/a-matricentric-future/
Listen to the most recent episode of The Political Dispatch - Trouble in France and Britain's Far Right March: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/e/trouble-in-france-and-britains-far-right-march/
And Olivia Dean’s latest album The Art of Loving is available to buy and stream wherever you get your music from. Head to Olivia’s website for more information about her music and upcoming tour: https://www.oliviadeano.com/
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/.
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