Shows
The Political DispatchThe Politics of Higher EducationIn this episode, Tom, Lily, and Sidd reflect on the UK’s higher education system at a pivotal moment, as over 800,000 students, including the three of them, graduate from universities across the country.
Join the hosts for a deep dive into the financial crisis facing UK universities, as well as a personal reflection on their experiences studying at Cardiff University.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.
For more information about the sh...2025-07-1958 minThe Political DispatchFrom Episode 1 to 26: A Political Year in ReviewIn this special anniversary episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd reflect on one year of podcasting, one year of international politics, and one year of conversations that tried to make sense of it all.
From elections and education to Gaza, AI, Star Wars, and everything in between, the team revisits the moments, guests, and episodes that have shaped the show since it launched.
We’re so grateful for everyone who’s listened, shared, and supported us this past year. Here’s to more stories, more interviews, and more Political Dispatches to come.
...2025-06-2042 minThe Political DispatchLessons in DemocracyIn this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd sit down with Chad Mott, a history and government teacher from Evergreen, Colorado, to talk about the state of public education in the US and what it’s like to teach the next generation of voters in 2025.
From students' attitudes on America’s role in the world, to the impacts of the Trump administration on the education system, the conversation explores how high school classrooms are responding to the political tensions shaping the country today.
And a little disclaimer... Chad also happens to be Lily...2025-06-0746 minThe Political DispatchGaza StarvesOver 2,000 miles from the UK, Gaza is starving, cut off by an Israeli blockade. In this episode of the Political Dispatch, Tom speaks to Zoe Daniels from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), to discuss the situation on the ground in Gaza.
Everyone at the Political Dispatch echoes what the IRC and so many other organisations are calling for: an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of aid into Gaza.
The content of this episode is distressing. Listener discretion is advised.
You can find out more about the IRC’s work in the Occupied Palestinian Ter...2025-05-2623 minThe Political DispatchIn the Name of Love: 10 Years of Equal Marriage in IrelandIn this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom, Lily, and Sidd mark 10 years since Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. They explore how a conservative, Catholic nation transformed so rapidly, examining the role of activists, the decline of Church influence, and the landmark 2015 referendum. Join the team as they reflect on the global impact of Ireland’s vote, as well as the progress and challenges that remain.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sp...2025-05-1739 minThe Political DispatchThe Life and Legacy of Pope FrancisIn this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom interviews Fr Damian Howard, the Senior Catholic Chaplain at Oxford University, to talk about the life and legacy of Pope Francis.
Tom and Fr Howard discuss the impact of the Jesuit order on Pope Francis’s early life, his early career in Argentina and the papacy. As well as talking about what distinguished the 266th pontiff from his predecessors, Tom and Fr Howard discuss the role the Conclave plays in choosing a new Pope.
Please note: this episode was recorded on 1st May, before the election of Pop...2025-05-0949 minThe Political DispatchThe Politics of Star WarsTo celebrate May 4th, Sidd, Lily and Tom travel to a galaxy far, far away to explore the politics of Star Wars. The franchise’s creator, George Lucas, didn’t just draw on the mythology of Joseph Campbell or the cinematic style of Akira Kurosawa. He also held up a mirror to the politics, economics, and society of 1970s America.
The Political Dispatch team discuss the influence of the Vietnam War and Watergate on Lucas’s early writing, how the prequel trilogy reflects the anxieties of the War on Terror, and how a once-great democracy can backslide into t...2025-05-0327 minThe Political DispatchAI's Growing Role in Global ElectionsJoin Sidd, Lily, and Tom for a deep dive into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in global elections.
From deepfakes to ballot scanning, The Political Dispatch team breaks down how AI is shaping elections. With examples from South Korea, India, the United States, and beyond, they explore AI's impact on accessibility, efficiency, and disinformation—and what it all means for the future of democracy.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.
Fo...2025-04-1836 minThe Political DispatchThe Global Dispatch: Serbia, Canada, and TurkeyJoin Sidd, Lily, and Tom for political news from around the world. In this episode, The Political Dispatch team focuses on Serbia, Turkey, and Canada.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, 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.
2025-04-1255 minThe Political DispatchLiving in Trump's America - Part 2Join Sidd, Lily, and Tom for Part 2 of a special two-part series exploring what life is like in the United States now that Donald Trump has returned to office.
This episode features Amelia Southern Uribe and Bryson Austin, who are two new members of Be the Change. Media Network and the hosts of the upcoming podcast The Ozark Agenda.
If you have not listened to Part 1 of this series, please listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other podcasting platforms.
This episode explores the key differences between Trump’s first and second administrations an...2025-03-2943 minThe Political DispatchLiving in Trump's America - Part 1Join Sidd, Lily, and Tom for Part 1 of a special two-part series exploring what life is like in the United States now that Donald Trump has returned to office.
This episode features Amelia Southern Uribe and Bryson Austin, who are two new members of Be the Change. Media Network and the hosts of the upcoming podcast The Ozark Agenda.
This episode delves into the political climate, policy changes, and social impact of Trump’s second term. From firsthand experiences on the ground to an international perspective on US politics, the team unpacks what this new ch...2025-03-2140 minThe Political DispatchGeneration Z: The Magpies of TruthJoin Sidd, Lily, and Tom as they dive into Channel 4’s Gen Z Trends, Truth and Trust report, exploring the key themes shaping the views of young people in the UK. From a fragmented media landscape and declining trust in institutions to gender divides and shifting political ideologies, the team unpacks what the findings mean for society, democracy, and the future of news consumption.
This episode was recorded on February 16, 2025 and aired on February 21, 2025.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find th...2025-02-2242 minThe Political DispatchTrump’s Second ActJoin Tom Spare for a solo deep-dive into Donald Trump’s inaugural address as the 47th President of the United States. Donald Trump is now the second president in US history to serve two non-consecutive terms.
President Trump now holds another distinction: at 78 years and 220 days old, he’s the oldest person to assume the office, taking the title from his predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump is also the first convicted felon to hold the presidency.
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To get connected with Tom, please find him on Inst...2025-01-2418 minThe Political DispatchMeta, Musk, and the Politics of Social MediaJoin Sidd, Lily and Tom as they delve into some of the most pressing current events shaping the digital and political landscape, including Meta’s controversial decision to remove third-party fact-checkers, Elon Musk’s growing influence in global democracies, and the wider implications of online political speech.
This episode was recorded on January 9, 2025.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.
For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Netw...2025-01-1233 minThe Political DispatchThe Life and Legacy of Jimmy CarterAt the end of December, Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at the age of 100. In this episode, Sidd, Lily and Tom discuss the life, political career, and legacy of the peanut farmer’s son who became President and redefined the post-presidency career.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, 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.
2025-01-0317 minThe Political DispatchThe End of Democracy?2024 was heralded as the year of the election, however many democracies around the world find themselves in political crisis. France, Germany, South Korea, the United States of America and the United Kingdom have seen huge political changes over the last twelve months. In this episode, The Political Dispatch team discuss whether this is simply a blip of our time or if we are seeing the terminal decline of democracy itself.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and...2024-12-2039 minThe Political DispatchThe Climate Dispatch: The COP OutOn this episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they take a deep dive into COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11-22, 2024.
To learn more about the heat pumps mentioned in the episode, visit: https://www.getaheatpump.org.uk/.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, 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.
2024-12-1843 minThe Political DispatchThe American Political Dispatch: Trump's TriumphThis episode is the second in a two-part series focused on the 2024 presidential election in the United States of America. Join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they reflect on the election results and discuss the implications for the future of the US. This episode was recorded on November 9, 2024.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, 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.2024-12-1843 minThe Political DispatchThe American Political Dispatch: 2024 Presidential Election PreviewThis episode is the first in a two-part series focused on the 2024 presidential election in the United States of America. Join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they record from Cardiff, London, and Atlanta, Georgia and share their thoughts on the presidential race ahead of Election Day in the US.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.
For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram...2024-12-1834 minThe Political DispatchIreland, Brexit, and UK RelationsOn this episode of The Political Dispatch, Tom Spare interviews Dr Kathryn Simpson, who is an associate professor in the politics and economics of the European Union and the Director of Research at Keele Business School.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, 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.
2024-12-1843 minThe Political DispatchPolitics in ReviewOn this episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they discuss recent political updates from around the world. This episode features a review of events that occurred between early August and late September 2024.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, 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.
2024-12-1835 minThe Political DispatchThe Geopolitics of Artificial IntelligenceOn this week's episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they discuss the political, economic, military, civic, and environmental implications of artificial intelligence.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, 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.
2024-12-1853 minThe Political DispatchThe American Political Dispatch: 54 Days that Transformed the US Presidential RaceOn this week's episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they discuss the tumultuous and historic 54 days in the USA between Donald Trump's conviction and the nomination of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, 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.
2024-12-1840 minThe Political DispatchThe French Political Dispatch: Macron, Foucault and the Far Right - Part 2In part two of The French Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they dive into the recently concluded elections in France with Dr. Charles Devellennes, a senior lecturer in political and social thought at the University of Kent.
To get connected with Dr. Devellennes, please email him at c.devellennes@kent.ac.uk.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.
For more information about the show, please...2024-12-1833 minThe Political DispatchThe French Political Dispatch: Macron, Foucault and the Far Right - Part 1In part one of The French Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they dive into the recently concluded elections in France with Dr. Charles Devellennes, a senior lecturer in political and social thought at the University of Kent.
To get connected with Dr. Devellennes, please email him at c.devellennes@kent.ac.uk.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.
For more information about the show, please...2024-12-1844 minThe Political DispatchThe UK Political Dispatch: The Results Are InOn this week's episode of The Political Dispatch, join Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare as they discuss the results of the 2024 UK General Election.
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To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, 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.
2024-12-1843 minThe Political DispatchThe UK Political Dispatch: UK General Election PreviewWelcome to The Political Dispatch! On this podcast, Sidd Kurapati, Lily Mott, and Tom Spare explore the world of politics and policy through conversation.
In today's fast-paced news cycle, it's easy to get lost in the details. Our goal is to step back and look at the broader trends shaping our society. Whether you are a policy wonk, a political junkie, or just someone who wants to stay informed, this podcast is your go-to source for thoughtful and engaging discussions on the issues that matter most.
If you are interested in reading or listening to...2024-12-071h 16