Be the change. Podcast

What does creativity mean in a world increasingly shaped by AI? And how does creativity shape politics?
In this episode, Lily Mott is joined by Tom Spare, the creator of Spare a Thought and co-host of The Political Dispatch, to explore both of these questions.
Lily and Tom talk about what creativity actually means, why expressing the ideas in our heads can help us understand ourselves and the world around us, and what happens when we start relying too heavily on technology to do that thinking for us.
They also explore how AI is changing the creative industries, what this means for young people entering an increasingly uncertain job market, and why skills like communication, curiosity, authenticity, and critical thinking are becoming even more important.
The conversation then turns to politics. Lily and Tom discuss the growing role of humor, graphic design, storytelling, and social media in political communication, and why politics needs creative thinking to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face.
To get connected with Tom, find him on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Listen, read, and subscribe to Spare a Thought:
Wherever you get your podcasts: https://spareathought.podbean.com/
On Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/
Listen to The Political Dispatch wherever you get your podcasts: https://thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com/
Listen to my first interview with Tom here: https://bethechangepodcast.podbean.com/e/tom-spare/
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
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.

For climate activists, watching the impacts of the climate crisis unfold can bring a particular kind of anxiety: knowing what is happening, understanding what is at stake, and still having to find the energy to keep fighting for change.
In this episode of Be the change. Podcast, Lily Mott sits down with climate activist and refugee rights advocate, Natasha “Tash” Pavey, during the UK’s fifth heatwave of 2026 to talk about climate anxiety, rising temperatures, and what it means to keep taking action when the future can feel overwhelming.
Tash shares what it was like to start climate activism as a teenager, how her understanding of the climate crisis has changed as its impacts become increasingly visible, and why she believes community can be one of the most powerful responses to climate anxiety.
As the climate crisis becomes increasingly difficult to ignore, how do we turn our anxiety and frustration into action?
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Check out the following resources and organizations to learn more and get involved:
Force of Nature: https://www.forceofnature.xyz/
Climate Cafés: https://www.forceofnature.xyz/climate-cafe
#StopRosebank Campaign: https://www.stopcambo.org.uk/
To get connected with Tash, find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Listen to my first interview with Tash here: https://bethechangepodcast.podbean.com/e/natasha-pavey/
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
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.

Change comes through confidence. Folusho Bello is an autism practitioner and researcher, as well as an #iwill Ambassador.
To get connected with Folusho, find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
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.

Change comes when you connect with others. De-Mario Knowles is an award-winning public speaker, who is on a lifelong mission to make an impact.
To get connected with De-Mario, find him on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
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.

Change comes when you find your wildcats. Thomas Grimwood is the host of Performing Passions and Super Summers, which are both podcasts produced by Be the change. Media Network. In addition to his podcasting, Thomas is a fundraiser for the National Autistic Society.
To get connected with Thomas, find him on Instagram.
Listen to Performing Passions wherever you're listening to this episode: https://performingpassions.podbean.com/
Listen to Super Summers on all podcasting platforms, as well: https://super-summers.podbean.com/
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
If you have guest suggestions or would like to join me on Be the change. Podcast, please email me at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
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.

Change comes through challenge. In (another) solo episode, I reflect on the last six years of Be the change. Podcast and shares a vision for its next six.
After spending the past year immersed in a community of changemakers, social impact leaders, and purpose-driven storytellers, I took some time to ask myself some difficult questions:
What is the purpose of Be the change. Podcast? What about Be the change. Media Network?
What happens when we surround ourselves only with people who share our values?
Am I truly practicing the openness, curiosity, and dialogue that I encourage in others?
Using Tommy Robinson's appearance at The Oxford Union as a catalyst, I explore the dangers of echo chambers, the growing polarization of public discourse, and why meaningful change often requires engaging with ideas that challenge us.
To be clear, this episode is not about defending controversial viewpoints. It is about defending the importance of conversation, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity.
As Be the change. Podcast enters its seventh year, I announce a new direction for the podcast: creating space for thoughtful, respectful conversations with people whose perspectives differ from my own. Rather than debates, clickbait, or "gotcha" moments, this new era will focus on listening, learning, and understanding across disagreement.
If you've ever changed your mind, held an unpopular opinion, or wondered how we can bridge divides in an increasingly polarized world, this episode is an invitation to you. Come join me on this podcast... I want to hear from you!
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If you have guest suggestions or would like to join me on Be the change. Podcast, please email me at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
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.

The first episode of Be the change. Podcast was released on June 2, 2020, and this episode marks six years since that first episode.
I've spent six years asking my guests: "Lots of young people want to make change but might not know where to get started. What is your advice for those people who might be listening?"
So, I devoted this anniversary episode to answering that question myself.
Thank you so much to my family, friends, guests, and listeners because, without all of you, there is no way Be the change. Podcast would still be around six years later. Keep being the change you wish to see in the world!
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
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.

This episode features Anita Okunde, Michael-Akolade Ayodeji, Zander Moricz, and Kahlil Greene.
On 14 May 2026, Zander Moricz, founder and executive director of SEE Alliance, and Kahlil Greene, also known as the Gen Z Historian, debated at The Oxford Union, where I recorded a live interview with them.
The debate was sponsored by VoxPop, which is an app that teaches young people about politics, as well as encouraging them to get involved in politics. I also interviewed Anita Okunde and Michael-Akolade Ayodeji, who are the co-founders of the app to learn more about their work.
To learn more about VoxPop, visit: https://www.voxpopco.org/
To get connected with Anita Okunde, find her on Instagram and on LinkedIn.
To get connected with Michael-Akolade Ayodeji, find him on Instagram and on LinkedIn.
To get connected with Zander Moricz, find him on Instagram and on LinkedIn.
To get connected with Kahlil Greene, find him on Instagram and on LinkedIn.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
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.

Change comes when you incorporate your creativity. Dyar Hussain is YouthTheGap's Director of Education and Knowledge Exchange, as well as the host of Legacies Lost & Found.
Legacies Lost & Found launched on Be the change. Media Network on March 24, 2026, so you can listen now via wherever you get your podcasts.
To get connected with Dyar, find him on Instagram and LinkedIn.
To learn more about YouthTheGap, you can listen to Episode 270 of Be the change. Podcast featuring Kaia-Allen Bevan or visit: https://youththegap.uk.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
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.

Change comes when you vote... again! Cosima Wiltshire is an advocate who is building bridges between youth, tech, and politics to create a digital world for and by young people. She joined me on the podcast ahead of the 2026 UK elections on May 7th, 2026 to reflect on her advocacy journey, share some advice for other changemakers, and most importantly, talk about why it's important to vote!
To get connected with Cosima, find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
To learn more about Shout Out UK, visit: https://www.shoutoutuk.org.
To learn more about FlippGen, visit: https://www.flippgen.com/.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
Follow Be the change. Podcast on Instagram: @bethechangepodcast.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.
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.