1. Reputation is Everything

1. Reputation is Everything

Author: BBC Radio 4 July 23, 2025 Duration: 9:47

Loads of money, success and power - great. But what do people actually think of you?

In this new, short series, David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at some of the golden rules that they come back to time and again on When it Hits the Fan.

First up, they explain why reputation really is everything. You might be flying high now but if you fall, you might find it very hard to climb back to the top without having a good reputation.

David and Simon explain why it can be very healthy - if not a little daunting - to seek out the dreaded 360 degree feedback.

Also, they look at how your social media posts can affect your chances of recruitment - but insist businesses are getting it wrong by only seeking out candidates with a vanilla profile.

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4


Tune in to When It Hits the Fan for a masterclass in reputation management, hosted by two insiders who have lived through the pressure of the headlines. David Yelland, former editor of The Sun, and communications expert Simon Lewis, bring their unparalleled experience to this BBC Radio 4 podcast. Each week, they dissect the most spectacular public relations meltdowns making news, offering a rare glimpse into the frantic world of crisis managers and spin doctors. You’ll hear them trace the origins of a scandal, pinpointing the exact moment strategies began to unravel and public perception shifted. This isn't just commentary; it's a forensic breakdown of how modern media storms are weathered or worsened by those in charge. The analysis is grounded in real-world stakes, exploring the political and personal consequences of every misstep and recovery attempt. For anyone fascinated by the intersection of media, power, and human error, this podcast provides an essential and gripping narrative. Listening feels like being in the room for a candid, post-mortem between two veterans who understand the game better than most. Their conversations reveal the mechanics behind the news cycle, making sense of how stories explode and what happens when control is lost.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

When It Hits the Fan
Podcast Episodes
Quick Wins: How to break unwelcome news [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Quick Wins is a series of mini episodes from the When It Hits the Fan team to steer you through your own personal PR in your working life.In this episode, David and Simon answer listener Joe's question about how to deliv…
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David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss an extraordinary and terrifying weekend of political drama in the US, with the attempted assassination of Donald Trump crowding out calls for Joe Biden to quit the presidential race.…
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Just days after Sir Keir Starmer entered Downing Street, David Yelland and Simon Lewis take a special deep dive into what may prove to be a great communications reset at No 10 under the new Prime Minister, with greater t…
When It Hits The Fan x The Today Podcast x Newscast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:08
Three podcasts, one question: How influential is the media on the election?Newscast, The Today Podcast and When It Hits The Fan are coming together for a special election episode. Hosts from all three podcasts will discu…

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