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When It Hits the Fan

BBC Radio 4
Public Relations
Social Media
Crisis Management
Donald Trump
Prince Harry
Royal Family
BBC
Keir Starmer
Journalism
Prince Andrew
Buckingham Palace
The Sun
Elon Musk
Nigel Farage
Rupert Murdoch
Rishi Sunak
Apple
Fox News
Reputation Management
Personal PR

When It Hits The Fan takes you behind the headlines and into the high-stakes world of power, influence and reputation. Each week, it unpacks the PR playbook used by some of the world's most powerful people and asks how the hidden hand of the communications industry shapes what you see, hear and believe.

Hosts David Yelland and Farzana Baduel dive into the week's biggest media storms, scandals and... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes156Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for When It Hits the Fan

Latest Episodes

It's a feeling, it's something you can't quite put your finger on - but you know it when you see it.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel are all about the vibes. The good ones. Whether it's at Downing Street or M&S, vibes have been one of th... more

If PR is all about weaving great stories, then the Bayeux Tapestry might just be the perfect example.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel celebrate the comms coup that was 1000 years in the making. The tapestry's arrival back in the UK was c... more

Whether you're a multimillionaire or the son of a King, sometimes it can still feel like everyone is out to get you.

And so we turn to Nigel Farage and Prince Harry. Both are dealing with huge PR fallouts on which the dust is nowhere near settling. more

Public life would be an awful lot easier if you never had to answer questions from pesky journalists.

Or would it?

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at Andy Burnham's decision to not take questions as he launched his vision for Brita... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Media Show
The Media ShowBBC Radio 4
Radical
RadicalBBC Radio 4
Newscast
NewscastBBC News

Recent Guests

Candice Owens
MAGAt podcaster, outspoken commentator
MAGAnetwork / MAGA media circles
Episode: Hunter Biden: Back from the Brink
Lauren Beeching
Crisis management expert and friend of the show
Independent crisis communications consultant
Episode: BP v 'Shouty' Albert
Gemma Collins
Reality TV personality and mega influencer
Episode: Lower Value Humans
Rhiannon Mills
Royal correspondent-turned communication secretary for King Charles
Sky News / King Charles' communications team
Episode: When Poachers Turn Gatekeepers
Iwena Griffiths
Editor of the Today programme
BBC
Episode: When Poachers Turn Gatekeepers
Farzana Baduel
Global PR superstar guest on Fan Hitters segment
Global PR expert
Episode: A Gulf in Communications
Susan Jebb
Professor of Diet and Population Health at Oxford and chair of the Food Standards Agency.
University of Oxford
Episode: Is the Worm Turning on 'Fat Jabs'?
Phil Elwood
A prominent public relations professional in Washington DC
Episode: PR is a virus
Tyrone Mings
English professional footballer and Aston Villa defender
Aston Villa
Episode: Thames Water’s PR gamble, Tesla backlash and William’s Villa in The Sun

Hosts

Farzana Baduel
Host with crisis communications specialization; widely cited PR strategist with BBC/When It Hits the Fan affiliations.
David Yelland
Former editor with deep experience in media and public affairs; co-host with a practitioner's view of PR strategy

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 445 ratings
  • Fab

    Don’t agree with previous reviews that the show has suffered since Simon left, it’s still extremely entertaining and insightful, love it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    threepotato
    United Kingdom14 days ago
  • Pompous

    An absolute pompous take on the trivia of PR.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Marty555
    United Kingdom15 days ago
  • Not the same

    David is great but when Simon left, I left too, not the same

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    vanessalouwill
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Fascinating takes on current affairs

    Since I discovered this podcast, it’s been a ‘must listen’. I subscribe to a lot of politics podcasts, but this one offers something a bit different - often covering different stories, or approaching them from a different angle. Since Simon’s departure, the new co-hosts have added some fresh new perspectives, which has been welcome - but as you’d expect, it will take time for them to build up rapport with David, and to become comfortable with the podcasting format. Currently Farzana appears to b... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    L1584
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • The PR of departures

    Whatever happened to Simon Lewis? No announcement, not a word? Is that good PR? David Yelland is fantastic as was Simon and I loved every episode until the unmentioned departure of Simon and the arrival of a carousel of lackluster stand ins! The pod is exactly half of what it was. I wish the BBC would tell us before I unsubscribe!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Dr W02116
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics note shifts in dynamics with new co-hosts and wish for stronger chemistry.
Listeners appreciate the hosts' credibility and real-world PR experience.
Many praise the show for actionable crisis-management insights and storytelling guidance.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#68
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#163
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#184
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#22
Finland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#65
Finland/News
Apple Podcasts
#112
Ireland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BP v 'Shouty' Albert
Q: What impact do social media followers have on firing decisions?
Firing decisions are increasingly influenced by social media dynamics, as employees with large followings can drive rapid content creation and reputational risk, forcing companies to plan content and messaging more carefully before announcements.
BP v 'Shouty' Albert
Q: How did Albert Manifold attempt to control the narrative?
He issued a long, emphatic statement asserting his innocence and framing his leadership as cost-focused, while bringing in high-profile PR support to push a counter-narrative.
BP v 'Shouty' Albert
Q: What makes the BP case unusual in terms of PR strategy?
The case is unusual because the PR narrative became the story itself, with the board recognizing the need to address governance issues while managing the intense media scrutiny and the counter-narratives from Manifold's side.
Lower Value Humans
Q: What should PR teams learn from the bank's handling of the 'lower value human capital' remark?
PR should read the room and anticipate a global audience; use precise, careful wording, prepare for amplification on social platforms, and consider staged messaging rather than one big post, to avoid a cultural moment spiraling into a long-lasting controversy.
Lower Value Humans
Q: Was Gemma Collins the right influencer for the Department for Education campaign?
The hosts debate that influencer reach can cut through noise, but effectiveness depends on credibility, alignment with the message, and timing; in this case the choice sparked controversy and a lack of prepared talking points, suggesting the partnership may have been ill-timed and poorly justified.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About When It Hits the Fan

What is When It Hits the Fan about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A high-velocity look at the PR ecosystem, focusing on how reputation is built, managed, and sometimes salvaged in the face of crises. Episodes frequently dissect political scandal, corporate missteps, and celebrity moments to expose the tactics, timing, and narrative choices behind public perception. Expect rigorous analysis from seasoned practitioners who translate newsroom and boardroom dynamics into practical takeaways for risk, crisis, and reputation management. A standout trait is the emphasis on real-world case studies—from royal and political stories to corporate campaigns—paired with blunt commentary on media ecosystems and audience psychology, making it useful for brands, agencies, and executives navigating public scrutiny.

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Which podcasts are similar to When It Hits the Fan?

These podcasts share a similar audience with When It Hits the Fan:

1. The Media Show
2. Radical
3. The News Agents
4. Newscast
5. The Rest Is Politics

How many episodes of When It Hits the Fan are there?

When It Hits the Fan launched 3 years ago and published 156 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on When It Hits the Fan?

Recent guests on When It Hits the Fan include:

1. Candice Owens
2. Lauren Beeching
3. Gemma Collins
4. Rhiannon Mills
5. Iwena Griffiths
6. Farzana Baduel
7. Susan Jebb
8. Phil Elwood

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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