When It Hits the Fan Podcast
David Yelland and Farzana Baduel take you behind the headlines and into the high-stakes world of power, influence and reputation as they unpack the PR playbook.
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 corporate crises, revealing how PR disasters unfold in real time. From political controversies to celebrity missteps and brand meltdowns, they trace where the story began, how it spiralled, and who ended up in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Bringing sharp insight and insider knowledge.
David Yelland is the former editor of The Sun and Farzana Baduel is an award-winning communications strategist and crisis management specialist. Together, they draw on decades of frontline experience shaping narratives, handling reputational firestorms and understanding what really drives the news cycle.
Episodes to download
![]()
Don't Panic!!!
Wed 1 Apr 2026
David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss how to keep the public calm in a crisis.
![]()
When Poachers Turn Gatekeepers
Wed 25 Mar 2026
David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss crossing the great PR divide.
![]()
Can You Spin ChatGPT?
Wed 18 Mar 2026
David Yelland and Lauren Beeching look at the secretive world of influencing the chatbots.
![]()
A Gulf in Communications
Wed 11 Mar 2026
David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at the role of influencers during the war in Iran.
![]()
The Generation Game
Wed 4 Mar 2026
David Yelland and Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty on the struggle to cut through to Gen Z.
![]()
Friends: The One About PR
Wed 25 Feb 2026
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the use of friends in reputational combat.
![]()
Heart v Head PR
Wed 18 Feb 2026
David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss how to fight a PR battle in the face of raw emotion.
![]()
Is the Office of PM Beyond PR?
Wed 11 Feb 2026
David Yelland and Simon Lewis ask whether doing comms for any PM is now an impossible job.
![]()
Are Andrew and Mandelson Beyond the Fan?
Wed 4 Feb 2026
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at reputational black holes.
![]()
Is the Beckham Brand in Jeopardy?
Wed 28 Jan 2026
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how a family feud could be bad for family business.
![]()
A New Blueprint for PR
Wed 21 Jan 2026
David Yelland and Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty look at how the rules of PR are changing.
![]()
Is the Worm Turning on 'Fat Jabs'?
Wed 14 Jan 2026
David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine how the discussion on 'fat jabs' is subtly shifting.
![]()
Why Optimism is a PR Superpower
Wed 17 Dec 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at why PR needs reasons to be cheerful.
![]()
Simon Cowell's PR: Judged!
Wed 10 Dec 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at whether Simon Cowell's PR has the X-Factor.
![]()
Nuns on the Run
Wed 3 Dec 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis celebrate the PR brilliance of an incredible Sister Act.
![]()
Power, PR and the 'Epstein Class'
Wed 26 Nov 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the secrets of how the elite communicate.
![]()
The Secrets of the List: Putting Yourself in the Frame for a Top Job.
Wed 19 Nov 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis reveal how to PR yourself onto the list for a top job.
![]()
Is the BBC 'hopeless at PR'?
Wed 12 Nov 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how the BBC's handling its reputation in a crisis.
![]()
Two Weeks that Shook the Palace
Wed 5 Nov 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine the gulf between two royal statements.
![]()
The Strictly Bombshell
Wed 29 Oct 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis dance around what happens when a PR team is blindsided.
![]()
The Prince Andrew Crisis
Wed 22 Oct 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how the Palace is handling the Prince Andrew crisis.
![]()
What Victoria Beckham's revelation reveals about PR
Wed 15 Oct 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss how to have the most delicate conversations.
![]()
Michelle Mone: Her PR Rise and Fall
Wed 8 Oct 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine whether some people are beyond the help of PR.
![]()
Prince Harry and the Men in Grey Suits
Wed 1 Oct 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine the fine line between coincidence and conspiracy.
![]()
Why the Macrons are willing to bare all
Wed 24 Sep 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis examine how to fight back against disinformation.
![]()
Prince Harry's PR Comeback
Wed 17 Sep 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis analyse a surprisingly good week for Prince Harry.
![]()
Alas WH Smith and Jones
Wed 10 Sep 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at the rebranding of a high street institution.
![]()
7. Be Honest With Yourself—When it Hits The Fan: Golden Rules
Wed 3 Sep 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain the importance of self awareness in business.
![]()
6. Never Over Promise—When it Hits The Fan: Golden Rules
Wed 27 Aug 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain why managing expectations is a vital part of PR.
![]()
5. Know How To Go Off the Record—When it Hits The Fan: Golden Rules
Wed 20 Aug 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain how to speak to the media on and off the record.



