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In today’s episode, Tom explores how to navigate a creative life in a world that often feels structured against it. From algorithmic gatekeepers and AI interviews to the pressures of instant gratification, the path for young creatives is increasingly complex.
Tom is joined by Lily Mott, director of the Be the change. Media Network production, to discuss the transition from broadcasting to participating. They share personal stories of creative leaps: from Lily’s first voice memo during a protest to Tom’s four-part series documenting a historic trip through the USA.
Together they give examples of the persistence required for this journey, such as Amelia Dimoldenberg’s years of work on YouTube, Tom’s brother’s decade-long path to becoming an artist in a big city, and Olivia Dean’s elevation from playing to empty fields to breaking chart records. These were not overnight success stories, they were built over time.
Drawing on the wisdom of figures like George Orwell and Albert Camus, this conversation moves through the three pillars of a creative journey: finding your field, sustaining the work through winter and doubt, and making a meaningful contribution to the world.
This episode asks: if we have more agency than we realise, how do we stop waiting for a platform and start building the community we want to see?
Watch Lily Mott’s TED Talk on Political Content Moderation on Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqDO0B82ENY
Watch Lily’s speech at The Children's Media Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF3azSIuN5A
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Follow Lily Mott on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilymott3/
Keep up to date with Tom's work via his Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/
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You can listen to all previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts from or head to: https://spareathought.podbean.com/
