Briony Goffin is a writer, tutor, and mentor. She teaches creative writing at Cardiff University and is a specialist in facilitating creative writing experiences in community and healthcare settings.

In this episode, I spoke to Briony about where ideas come from, being creative, getting back into writing and facilitating workshops.

You can find out more about Briony and the sessions she runs by visiting the Cardiff Writer’s Studio website: https://www.cardiffwritersstudio.co.uk/

Watch Briony’s TedX video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YChjblFMw20&t=903s

And sign-up to Briony’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dKa342

Also, feel free to follow Tom via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparetom/

Stephen Wheatley is a volunteer crew member for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in London. In this episode Stephen speaks to host Tom Spare about the RNLI’s mission, its history and his experience of volunteering for the 200 year old charity.

So, sit back and spare a thought for the RNLI.

Stephen’s Just Giving Page raising money for the Royal National Lifeboat 200th anniversary: https://www.justgiving.com/page/stephen-wheatley-1721734766708

You can find out more about the RNLI by visiting: https://rnli.org/

Also, feel free to follow Tom via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparetom/

Content warning: This episode includes reference to genocide, sexual assault, coercion, torture and other topics listeners might find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

Dima Hamdan is a Palestinian filmmaker and former journalist. In this episode Dima Hamdan talks about why she became a filmmaker, her experience of being a member of the Palestinian diaspora and why she made the Iris Prize winning film Blood Like Water.

Her film Blood Like Water tells the story of a Palestinian gay man who is blackmailed to become an informant in occupied Palestine.

This conversation with Dima is honest, open, challenging and thought provoking. Near the end of the episode Dima provides recommended reading, listening and watching which can be found below. It’s time to Spare a Thought for Dima Hamdan.

Books about Palestine

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi

Palestinian Walks by Raja Shehadeh

Films

Palestine Film Institute

Podcast

Makdisi Street

Also, feel free to follow Tom via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparetom/