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Artwork for When It Hits the Fan

When It Hits the Fan

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes146Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for When It Hits the Fan

Latest Episodes

There is an art to resigning.

Fall on your sword immediately and you might end up enhancing your reputation. Cling on for months in spite of overwhelming evidence you should quit - and the opposite can be true.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana ... more

Finding the right words in a high-pressure situation is not easy - especially when the world is watching. But by common consensus, King Charles' speech to Congress was deemed pretty much pitch perfect.

This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel tak... more

There are jobs and there are jobs. And then there are jobs like being head of the FBI.

So when you're in that role and get accused of excessive drinking and unexplained absences from duty, the reputational risk is huge.

This week, David Yelland an... more

These are busy days in the world of crisis comms. Keeping calm is vital - keeping the public calm is even more vital.

David Yelland and Farzana Baduel explain what's going on behind-the-scenes everywhere - from supermarkets and airlines to energy co... more

Key Facts

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

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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The Media ShowBBC Radio 4
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Recent Guests

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
Marianna Spring
BBC social media and disinformation correspondent
BBC
Episode: When It Hits The Fan x The Today Podcast x Newscast
Mike Lynch
British entrepreneur often referred to as Britain's Bill Gates
Autonomy Corporation
Episode: Sunak's D-Day blunder, is Farage using dog whistles?, and Mike Lynch
Matthew Freud
PR expert and head of Freud Communications, known for advising powerful figures in media and politics.
Freud Communications
Episode: Matthew Freud special

Hosts

David Yelland
Co-host and seasoned crisis comms professional with background as editor; brings deep experience in political and corporate PR.
Simon Lewis
Co-host with a background in corporate crisis, government, and media strategy; often presents as the more analysis-driven counterpart.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 435 ratings
  • 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 States20 days ago
  • Used to be excellent but dont bother now

    This podcast used to be an entertaining and enlightening adult conversation between two old PR hands. The loss of Simon Lewis and the addition of some truely dreadful women is a disaster. Farzana Baduel is patronising and tedious. Please get rid of her

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    AJP09876
    United Statesa month ago
  • Has gone downhill

    Yelland and Lewis were a great duo with unquestionable experience and authority. Since Lewis left, they have struggled to fill the gap with someone of similar insight. A real shame as this was a must-listen show before.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Jcbeddie
    United States2 months ago
  • Oh dear

    I thought this programme couldn’t get anywhere worse than whenever they were fawning all over the royals but what is this fresh hell? Terrible. I’m done.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    andrethescribe
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • What’s happened to this podcast?

    This podcast used to be a favourite but since Simon Lewis’ departure it’s become really boring - the discussions are generic instead of interesting insights into current issues. It’s a real shame.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TallouS
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

A mix of admiration and critique around coverage of royal topics and elitist perspectives.
The hosts' chemistry and experience shine; practical, useful PR insights.
Balanced critique with high credibility; engaging and insightful even on complex topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#60
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#122
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#193
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#22
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#124
Ukraine/News
Apple Podcasts
#170
Chile/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

5. Know How To Go Off the Record
Q: Did you just, were you told to just sit in that room and do that?
Simon describes the overwhelming experience of being thrust into the role without much guidance, relying on practice with a mutual friend.
Dynasty PR: Can the Trumps learn from the Royals?
Q: Why do PR people love anniversaries?
Anniversaries provide a new angle for media coverage and are seen as excellent opportunities for celebration and promotion.
Dynasty PR: Can the Trumps learn from the Royals?
Q: What is Eric Trump's PR objective?
He seems to be creating a narrative of inevitability that another Trump will sit in the Oval Office, separating himself from his siblings in terms of political aspirations.
You're Banned!
Q: Did Prince Harry's PR team miss something on pre-interview advice?
Yes, they should have scheduled the interview to allow more time for reflection after his court loss, as immediate interviews can lead to emotional responses.
Quick Wins: How to avoid being typecast
Q: Are there personal PR techniques to change the narrative of being typecast in a role?
The hosts urge listeners to expand their networking efforts and consider new roles, even if they aren't promotions.

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?

Two veteran crisis communicators dissect the week's biggest PR disasters, revealing behind-the-scenes decisions, messaging pivots, and the human dynamics that drive reputational outcomes. With decades of experience at the helm, the discussion blends high-profile case studies (royal, corporate, and political) with practical takeaways on crisis management, media relations, and audience targeting. Expect candid assessments of what worked, what backfired, and how brands and institutions navigate rapid, sometimes hostile, media cycles. A standout feature is the hosts' willingness to expose how power, influence, and strategic storytelling shape public perception in real time, making it a valuable listen for professionals who craft or critique cri... more

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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. The News Agents
3. Radical with Amol Rajan
4. Newscast
5. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

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

When It Hits the Fan launched 3 years ago and published 146 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. Rhiannon Mills
2. Iwena Griffiths
3. Farzana Baduel
4. Susan Jebb
5. Phil Elwood
6. Tyrone Mings
7. Marianna Spring
8. Mike Lynch

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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