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
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Klopp’s reveal, vaping PR and Barbie’s disappointment
Wed 31 Jan 2024
David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss keeping secrets, vaping PR and managing bad news.
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Quick Wins: How to deal with a difficult boss
Fri 26 Jan 2024
David Yelland and Simon Lewis share their advice on how to manage a tricky boss.
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CEO salaries, Jordan Henderson and prostate PR
Wed 24 Jan 2024
David and Simon discuss executive pay, Jordan Henderson and the challenges of prostate PR.
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Post Office PR, Boeing and the King's new biography
Wed 17 Jan 2024
David and Simon discuss toxic PR and the Post Office, Boeing and the King’s new biography.
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Quick Wins: How to ask for a pay rise
Tue 9 Jan 2024
David Yelland and Simon Lewis give their tips on how to negotiate your salary.
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Quick Wins: How to quit your job
Wed 3 Jan 2024
David and Simon share their tips on how to quit your job with style.
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Gerald Ratner special
Wed 27 Dec 2023
In a special episode, David and Simon meet Gerald Ratner, whose joke cost him his business
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Harry's victory, Baroness Mone Part 2 and 2023's PR lessons
Wed 20 Dec 2023
David and Simon discuss Harry’s victory, Baroness Mone Part 2 and 2023's PR lessons.
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Baroness Mone, ITV and VIP PR
Wed 13 Dec 2023
David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss Baroness Mone, ITV and VIP PR.
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Quick Wins: Office parties
Thu 7 Dec 2023
David and Simon share their advice on how to survive the office party.
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Omid Scobie Part 2, COP PR and Wilko
Wed 6 Dec 2023
David and Simon discuss Omid Scobie Part 2, COP PR and the Wilko select committee.
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Omid Scobie, RIP PR and Ridley v the historians
Wed 29 Nov 2023
David and Simon discuss Omid Scobie’s Royal book Endgame, obituary PR and Ridley Scott.
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You’re fired! Everton and political PR
Wed 22 Nov 2023
David and Simon discuss the sacking of OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Everton and political PR.
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The King’s PR, Shell and a million-dollar handbag
Wed 15 Nov 2023
David and Simon discuss royal PR, Shell and Pharrell Williams' Millionaire Speedy.
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Rishi and Elon, Robert de Niro and that M&S ad
Wed 8 Nov 2023
David and Simon discuss the PR take on Rishi Sunak’s fireside chat with Elon Musk.
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NatWest’s Alison Rose, Unilever and I’m a Celebrity...
Wed 1 Nov 2023
David and Simon discuss NatWest’s Alison Rose, Unilever and I’m a Celebrity...
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Britney’s memoir, BT's rebrand and Meryl Streep
Wed 25 Oct 2023
David and Simon discuss Britney's memoir, BT’s rebrand and Meryl Streep.
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Captain Tom's family, Barclays and the Grand National
Wed 18 Oct 2023
David and Simon discuss the decision of Captain Tom’s family to enter the lion’s den.
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Tobacco, Beckham Inc and an Eton mess
Wed 11 Oct 2023
David and Simon discuss tobacco PR ethics, Beckham on Netflix and an Eton mess.
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The Taylor Swift effect, GB News and following Feargal
Wed 4 Oct 2023
David and Simon discuss the Taylor Swift effect, GB News and Feargal Sharkey.
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Murdoch, HS2 and British Gas
Wed 27 Sep 2023
David and Simon discuss Murdoch’s retirement and royal relations, HS2 and British Gas.
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Russell Brand, BP and Britain's 'golden triangle'
Wed 20 Sep 2023
David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss Russell Brand, BP and Britain's 'golden triangle'.
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Elon Musk, 'sorry not sorry' and being booed
Wed 13 Sep 2023
David and Simon discuss Elon Musk, the 'sorry not sorry' interview and getting booed.
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Crumbling concrete, Harry returns and the Spanish FA
Wed 6 Sep 2023
David Yelland and Simon Lewis lift the bonnet on the government concrete crisis.
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Introducing When It Hits the Fan
Fri 1 Sep 2023
Who's in the news for all the wrong reasons? With David Yelland and Simon Lewis.
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3. Don't Break the Fourth Wall—Golden Rules - S3
Wed 7 Jan 2026
David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain the risks of showing your PR workings.
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2. Don't Delay PR—Golden Rules - S3
Wed 31 Dec 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain why speed can be vital in a crisis.
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1. Rolling the Pitch—Golden Rules - S3
Christmas Eve 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain why making your plans public can carry great risks.
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Quick Wins: How to avoid being typecast
Tue 15 Apr 2025
David Yelland and Simon Lewis share tips on how to avoid being the office dogsbody.
