Extraordinary People: Fiona Spargo-Mabbs
About this episode
<p><em>Trigger Warning: This week's episode contains a conversation about the loss of a child.</em></p><br><p>This is the second instalment of our special mini-series focusing on extraordinary people with remarkable stories to share. Gabby was inspired to break away from the usual roster of celebrities and experts, and instead spotlight ordinary people who have real insight when it comes to overcoming adversity; Fiona Spargo-Mabbs has exactly that.</p><br><p>In 2014, Fiona’s worst nightmare became a reality when a police officer stood on her doorstep in the early hours of the morning and informed her that her youngest son, Dan, was in intensive care. This was the start of the worst few days of her life, as specialists raced against time to counter the effects of an extremely strong dose of MDMA (ecstasy) which Dan had consumed whilst at a rave with his friends. All of them had taken the drug, but Dan had been the one who had unknowingly taken the dose which was twelve times stronger than had caused deaths in the past.</p><br><p>Dan never came home, and in the years since, Fiona has had to come to terms with her family’s new reality. She talks about this, and how she and her husband, Tim, have thrown themselves into making sure that teenagers and parents have the drug education they need in order to avoid any other young person dying needlessly. You can find out more about <em>The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation</em> <a href="https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>, and purchase Fiona’s book <em>I Wish I’d Known </em><a href="https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/more-information-for-parents/i-wish-id-known-fionas-book/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Extraordinary People: Fiona Spargo-Mabbs from The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Clue app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Vicki Anstey Jun 9, 2026
- Victoria Pendleton Jun 2, 2026
- Sarah Jossel May 27, 2026
- Fern Britton May 19, 2026
- Sam McAlister May 12, 2026
- Donna Ashworth May 5, 2026
- Cathy Newman Apr 28, 2026
- Family Special - Kenny and Lois Apr 21, 2026
- Hilary Whitehall Apr 14, 2026
- David Gray Apr 7, 2026
- Dr Jack Mosley Mar 31, 2026
- Rebecca Dennis Mar 25, 2026
- Owen O'Kane Mar 18, 2026
- Shirlie and Martin Kemp Mar 11, 2026
- Lesley Kara Mar 4, 2026
- Rhiannon Lambert Feb 25, 2026
- Jenni Falconer Feb 18, 2026
- Catherine Gray Feb 11, 2026
- Dr David Erritzoe Feb 4, 2026
- Alexandra Potter Jan 28, 2026
- Dr Adam Staten and Kate Davies - One Day Tests Special Jan 21, 2026
- Matt Hampson Jan 14, 2026
- Paul McKenna Jan 7, 2026
- Olivia Jackson Dec 31, 2025
- Dr Oscar Duke Dec 24, 2025
- Lara Lewington Dec 17, 2025
- Jess Butcher Dec 10, 2025
- Sian Sutherland Dec 3, 2025
- John Vincent Nov 26, 2025
- Kat Wong Nov 19, 2025