Accidentally Brilliant

By Sampu

Accidentally Brilliant is a Be Broadcast original podcast that explores one big question: How did you get into what you do?

Most of us don’t follow a neat career plan - we

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FAQs about Accidentally Brilliant:

How many episodes does Accidentally Brilliant have?

The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.

Accidentally Brilliant episodes:

January 08, 2026 8. How AI Could Force PR to Raise Its Standards with Stephen Waddington
PR has always been full of smart people.
The problem is the industry still struggles to take itself seriously.
In this episode of Accidentally Brilliant, Josh Wheeler speaks with Stephen Waddington, one of the most influential voices in modern public relations.
Stephen has spent 25 years leading agencies, advising senior teams, writing books, and pushing PR to be treated as a real management discipline. He is the founder of Wadds Inc, a professional advisory firm for agencies and comms teams, and a doctoral researcher focused on the relationship between management and public relations.
He is also a co-founder of Socially Mobile, a not for profit PR school that creates opportunities for people from underrepresented backgrounds.
This conversation is thoughtful, direct, and full of insight for anyone working in PR who wants the industry to be taken seriously.
In this episode, you will hear:
• Why PR still has a credibility problem
• How Stephen went from engineering into public relations
• What leadership looks like when pressure hits
• Why agencies struggle to hold on to trust and talent
• How Socially Mobile is changing access to PR
• What the profession needs to do to raise its own standards
About Stephen Waddington
Founder of Wadds Inc. Doctoral researcher. Author of 10 books. Co-founder of Socially Mobile. Board advisor and non exec director.
Follow Stephen Waddington – https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenwaddington/
Follow Socially Mobile – https://www.linkedin.com/company/sociallymobile/
Follow Josh Wheeler – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/
Follow Be Broadcast – https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-broadcast/
00:00 Intro
01:30 Falling into PR from engineering
04:10 Why PR is still misunderstood as a career
06:30 Agency life and leadership
10:00 PR and management thinking
14:30 Why credibility matters
18:30 Advising agencies and comms teams
23:00 Socially Mobile and access to the industry
28:00 What PR needs to change
34:00 What makes Stephen accidentally brilliant
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1h 1min
December 05, 2025 7. Having Hope & Finding Glory with Jo Carr
In this episode of Accidentally Brilliant, Josh Wheeler speaks with the co-founder of Hope and Glory. Jo began her career in Japan and Hong Kong before arriving in London in the mid-90s. Three decades later, she has helped build one of the UK’s most awarded consumer agencies, known for its creativity, culture and consistency. She has also become a leading voice for women and underrepresented talent through her work with Women in PR.

The conversation moves from the early decisions that changed her life to the reality of building and running an agency. It looks at confidence, partnership, levelling the playing field, and what experience brings to an industry that often overlooks age. It also explores the calm, grounded leadership style that has shaped Hope and Glory since day one.

This episode is thoughtful, generous and full of insight. It shows how far curiosity and steady confidence can take you, and why the right people can make a career last.

In this episode, you will hear:
• How a young graduate from Birmingham found herself teaching in Kyoto
• What Japan and Hong Kong taught Jo about confidence and reading a room
• How she blagged her way into her first PR job
• Why Hope and Glory worked from the moment she and James joined forces
• The early wins that proved the agency would fly
• How to balance high standards with a culture that protects people
• Why she champions women and marginalised groups
• The overlooked impact of ageism in PR
• How experience shapes ideas and insight
• Why calm leadership matters more than ever
• The simple advice she would give her younger self
• What makes Jo feel accidentally brilliant in her day-to-day work
This is a warm, honest and steady conversation about confidence, partnership, identity and the value of staying curious. A reminder that brilliance often comes from the decisions you make before you realise where they will take you.
About Jo Carr
Co-founder of Hope and Glory, the UK’s most awarded PR agency of the past five years. President of Women in PR. Champion of inclusion and a consistent voice for fairness across the industry.
Connect
Follow Jo Carr – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-carr-351639a/
Follow Hope and Glory – https://www.linkedin.com/company/hope&glory-pr/posts/?feedView=all
Follow Women in PR – https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-pr/
Follow Josh Wheeler – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/
Follow Be Broadcast – https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-tracey-398080281/
Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro – The confidence to take the first step
01:20 How Jo ended up in Kyoto
03:00 What Japan taught her about confidence and observation
05:15 Landing in Hong Kong and blagging her first PR job
07:45 Saying yes and the moments that shaped her career
09:10 Returning to London and finding her feet
10:30 Staying in consumer PR for more than 30 years
12:00 Launching Hope and Glory with James
13:40 Why partnership mattered
15:00 The early wins that proved the agency would fly
17:10 Building a place where creativity and care can co-exist
19:00 High challenge and high support
20:40 Levelling up opportunities for women and marginalised groups
22:30 What has changed and what still needs to change
24:30 Ageism in PR and why experience matters
27:00 The value of insight at every age
29:20 What outsiders misunderstand about consumer PR
31:00 Curiosity, courage and the detail behind big ideas
33:00 Connection and the power of reaching out
33:50 What Jo brings to every room
35:00 Calm, humour and not taking yourself too seriously
36:20 Advice she would give to her younger self
38:00 What makes Jo feel accidentally brilliant
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41min
November 28, 20256. Building Boldness and Belief With Brazen's Nina Webb
Some people change an industry without ever shouting about it. Nina Webb is one of them.
In this episode of Accidentally Brilliant, Josh Wheeler speaks with the founder and CEO of Brazen PR. Nina built her agency at 27 with a simple mix of self-belief, graft and a clear sense of who she wanted to be. Brazen went on to win more than 250 awards, become employee-owned and give countless people their start in PR. Along the way, Nina became a champion for women and girls through her work with Girls Out Loud.
The conversation covers how Nina found her way into PR, why boldness mattered in the early days of Manchester’s agency scene, and how a people-first culture creates lasting careers. It also looks at the influence of mentors, the reality of leadership during tough moments and the role of passion in keeping a business alive for nearly 25 years.
This episode is thoughtful, honest and full of heart. It shows how belief in others can be just as powerful as belief in yourself.
In this episode, you will hear:
How a first-generation university student fell into PR and instantly found home
Why Brazen’s orange branding, cheekiness and bravery were desperately needed in the early Manchester scene
The power of building a people-first culture where graduates rise to board level
How generosity became Nina’s quiet superpower
Why Girls Out Loud matters now more than ever
The truth behind becoming an Employee Ownership Trust
How leadership changes when life tests you
Why passion, purpose and people underpin everything she’s built
This is a warm, honest and powerful conversation about identity, boldness, resilience and the impact of lifting others up. A reminder that brilliance often emerges from the belief you give to other people.
About Nina Webb
Founder and CEO of Brazen PR, Manchester’s multi-award-winning consumer agency. Champion of women and girls, ambassador for Girls Out Loud, and proud creator of a people-first, employee-owned business.

Connect
Follow Nina Webb - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-webb-79658b19/
Follow Brazen PR - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brazen-pr/posts/?feedView=all
Follow Girls Out Loud - https://www.linkedin.com/company/girls-out-loud/
Follow Josh Wheeler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/

Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro – The generosity behind bold leadership
01:30 How Nina fell into PR
03:00 Founding Brazen at 27
04:50 The story behind the Brazen name and branding
06:00 Breaking the mould in the Manchester PR scene
08:10 Raising future leaders and creating opportunity
09:30 The business of the business – and knowing what you don’t know
10:45 Why Brazen is a training ground for talent
12:30 The leaders who’ve risen through Brazen
14:30 Identity, colour and confidence
15:30 How Nina has quietly helped others build their own paths
17:00 Why generosity matters in PR
20:00 The family roots of support
23:00 Girls Out Loud and fighting for girls’ futures
27:00 Equality, opportunity and the reality for young women
34:00 Supporting girls during lockdown
36:30 What lockdown changed for Nina as a leader
40:00 Becoming an Employee Ownership Trust
44:00 The impact on people, culture and purpose
47:45 Highs, lows and losing her dad
49:15 Dealing with a brain tumour diagnosis
52:10 Leading with humanity
55:30 Legacy, succession and the future
58:00 The thread running through everything
59:00 What makes Nina accidentally brilliant
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1h
November 21, 2025 5. The Power of Saying Yes with Kriss Herbert
In this episode of Accidentally Brilliant by Be Broadcast, Josh Wheeler is joined by Kriss Herbert, Network Content Director at Gaydio – the UK’s LGBTQ+ station.
Kriss oversees everything listeners hear: the music, the sound, the talent, the station’s identity and, crucially, the sense of community that sits at its heart. But his journey into broadcasting wasn’t predictable. From leading huge teams on the shop floor at Next, to spinning tracks at festivals and warming up for artists like Rita Ora and Clean Bandit, Kriss’s route into radio was built on graft, instinct and grabbing opportunities whenever they appeared. What started as voluntary shifts and late-night DJ sets turned into a career of shaping one of the most distinctive voices in UK radio.
In this episode, you will hear:
Why “say yes, then figure it out” became the mantra that changed Kriss’s career
How DJing taught him more about audiences than any classroom ever could
The wild ideas — including rebranding Gaydio as Gaydio Gaga for 12 hours — that show the magic of clever, instinctive creativity
How Gaydio creates trust, community and authentic representation
Why safe spaces, volunteer routes and the Gaydio Academy matter more than ever
What makes LGBTQ+ radio different in a world full of noise
How authenticity became the thread running through every role Kriss has taken on
This is an honest, energetic and inspiring conversation about leadership, creativity, representation and the courage to try. It’s a reminder that brilliance often reveals itself in the moments you almost talk yourself out of.
About Kriss Herbert
Network Content Director at Gaydio, the UK’s LGBTQ+ station, leading music, talent, strategy, and station sound. Kriss has built a career spanning retail leadership, DJing, presenting, production and talent development, helping shape the next generation of LGBTQ+ broadcasters through the Gaydio Academy.
Connect
Follow Kriss Herbert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kriss-herbert-0b96aa6a/
Follow Josh Wheeler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/
Be Broadcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-broadcast/?
Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro – The winding path into broadcasting
01:20 Growing up with radio dreams
03:00 From retail to voluntary radio
06:10 The leap of faith at 30
09:15 DJing, confidence and big moments
13:00 Saying yes and grabbing opportunities
17:50 What DJing teaches you about audiences
20:40 Managing talent and reading the room
26:00 Sound design, jingles and unexpected passions
31:00 Why Gaydio feels like a community
37:20 Representation, trust and LGBTQ+ storytelling
43:00 Creativity, stunts and the power of small ideas
48:00 Training the next generation through the Gaydio Academy
53:00 Authenticity, competition and staying true
59:00 Lessons from retail and people skills
01:05:00 Advice to a younger Kriss
01:08:00 What makes Kriss “accidentally brilliant”
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49min
November 05, 2025 4. Turning the Volume Up with Caroline Eardley
What happens when you create an agency that believes being loud can still be human?
In this episode of Accidentally Brilliant by Be Broadcast, Josh Wheeler is joined by Caroline Eardley, Co-Founder of Full Volume PR, a consultancy helping ambitious brands cut through the noise with authenticity, emotion and energy.
Caroline’s story is one of boldness and balance. From launching Full Volume with co-founder Rebecca to being named PR Moment’s Micro Agency of the Year, her career shows what happens when you mix creative courage with vulnerability.
In this episode, you will hear:
• How to build an agency that stands out for the right reasons
• Why honesty and openness create stronger leadership
• The real side of starting something new in PR
• What cutting through the noise really looks like
• Why embracing emotion is not a weakness but a strength
This is an inspiring and honest conversation about courage, community and what it means to lead from the heart. A reminder that brilliance often begins by accident.
About Caroline Eardley
Co-Founder of Full Volume PR, the award-winning consultancy helping brands stand out through creativity and authenticity.
Winner of PR Moment’s Micro Agency of the Year 2024.
Connect
Follow Caroline Eardley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineeardley https://www.linkedin.com/company/full-volume-pr/
Learn more about Full Volume PR: https://www.fullvolumepr.co.uk
Follow Josh Wheeler and Be Broadcast: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/
Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro – Josh introduces Caroline and Full Volume PR
01:15 How Full Volume started and early memories of the first pitch
03:40 Building a new breed of agency for a noisy world
06:30 What it means to be loud, confident and emotionally honest
09:45 Why transparency and vulnerability build trust in leadership
12:20 Full Volume’s journey to PR Moment’s Micro Agency of the Year
15:00 The reality of running a modern PR agency behind the scenes
18:10 Balancing bravery and burnout in the creative industry
21:40 How Caroline approaches mentoring and collaboration
25:10 The importance of community and celebrating others’ success
28:35 Why authenticity beats perfection every time
33:00 Learning from failure and finding power in honesty
37:50 What it means to lead with heart and humanity
42:10 What makes Caroline Eardley “accidentally brilliant”
...more
49min
October 24, 2025 4. Turning the Volume Up with Caroline Eardley
What happens when you create an agency that believes being loud can still be human?
In this episode of Accidentally Brilliant by Be Broadcast, Josh Wheeler is joined by Caroline Eardley, Co-Founder of Full Volume PR, a consultancy helping ambitious brands cut through the noise with authenticity, emotion and energy.
Caroline’s story is one of boldness and balance. From launching Full Volume with co-founder Rebecca to being named PR Moment’s Micro Agency of the Year, her career shows what happens when you mix creative courage with vulnerability.
In this episode, you will hear:
• How to build an agency that stands out for the right reasons
• Why honesty and openness create stronger leadership
• The real side of starting something new in PR
• What cutting through the noise really looks like
• Why embracing emotion is not a weakness but a strength
This is an inspiring and honest conversation about courage, community and what it means to lead from the heart. A reminder that brilliance often begins by accident.
About Caroline Eardley
Co-Founder of Full Volume PR, the award-winning consultancy helping brands stand out through creativity and authenticity.
Winner of PR Moment’s Micro Agency of the Year 2024.
Connect
Follow Caroline Eardley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineeardley https://www.linkedin.com/company/full-volume-pr/
Learn more about Full Volume PR: https://www.fullvolumepr.co.uk
Follow Josh Wheeler and Be Broadcast: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/
Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro – Josh introduces Caroline and Full Volume PR
01:15 How Full Volume started and early memories of the first pitch
03:40 Building a new breed of agency for a noisy world
06:30 What it means to be loud, confident and emotionally honest
09:45 Why transparency and vulnerability build trust in leadership
12:20 Full Volume’s journey to PR Moment’s Micro Agency of the Year
15:00 The reality of running a modern PR agency behind the scenes
18:10 Balancing bravery and burnout in the creative industry
21:40 How Caroline approaches mentoring and collaboration
25:10 The importance of community and celebrating others’ success
28:35 Why authenticity beats perfection every time
33:00 Learning from failure and finding power in honesty
37:50 What it means to lead with heart and humanity
42:10 What makes Caroline Eardley “accidentally brilliant”
...more
49min
October 17, 2025 3. Making the Complex Simple with Daniel Cohen
What if the secret to great PR was not about noise, but about clarity?
In this episode of Accidentally Brilliant by Be Broadcast, Josh Wheeler is joined by Daniel Cohen, Founder of Sentient, a boutique strategic and creative consultancy helping brands and agencies find their purpose, sharpen their thinking and spark meaningful change.
Daniel’s career has always been driven by one question: how can we make the complex simple? From working with global names like Electrolux, AEG and M&S to helping agencies rediscover their creative firepower, his work blends marketing, psychology and human insight to build stronger, more intentional connections.
In this episode, you will hear:
Why real creativity starts with curiosity, not chaos
How simplicity can be the most powerful strategy in business
The lessons Daniel learned from building Sentient from scratch
What brands often get wrong about connection
How to rediscover meaning and motivation in your work
Why slowing down can sometimes move you further forward
This is a thoughtful, grounded and inspiring conversation about leadership, creativity and the beauty of keeping things simple. It is a reminder that brilliance often begins by accident.
About Daniel Cohen Founder of Sentient, the boutique strategic and creative consultancy helping brands and agencies grow through clarity and creativity. Clients include Electrolux, AEG, M&S, Pernod Ricard and Treasury Wine. Connect Follow Daniel Cohen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-cohen-40845b8/ Follow Josh Wheeler and Be Broadcast: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/ Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro – The simplicity behind great communication
01:20 Daniel’s early career and finding his voice in PR
03:10 The philosophy of “making the complex simple”
06:00 Launching Sentient and the early lessons of entrepreneurship
09:15 How curiosity fuels creativity and clarity
12:40 Why brands overcomplicate their message
16:00 The connection between psychology, emotion and communication
20:25 The courage to slow down in a fast-paced industry
24:10 Working with clients like M&S, Electrolux and AEG
28:00 How to create work that feels meaningful and human
31:45 Why simplicity is often the hardest skill to master
35:00 Building trust, confidence and creativity in teams
39:10 What PR professionals can learn from marketing models
42:30 The future of simplicity in the age of noise
46:20 What makes Daniel Cohen “accidentally brilliant”
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46min
October 10, 20252. 30 Years Young with Yvonne Eskenzi
What if your entire career started with one phone call that changed everything?
In this second episode of Accidentally Brilliant by Be Broadcast, Josh Wheeler is joined by Yvonne Eskenzi – co-founder of Eskenzi PR, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, and co-founder of The Zensory, an app bridging productivity and wellbeing.
Yvonne didn’t plan a career in tech or cybersecurity. In fact, she started out at News International, helping young entrepreneurs get noticed before taking a leap to launch her own agency — from her home, with no clients, and a lot of determination. Thirty years on, she’s built one of the most respected names in technology PR, working with companies from startups to IPOs, and helping shape how the world talks about cybersecurity.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why the “one-minute rule” still defines great PR pitching.
How Eskenzi PR became a global name in cybersecurity.
Why PR will always be a people business — even in the age of AI.
The truth about awards, success, and what really matters.
How to build a career and business without losing your balance.
The importance of staying creative, colourful, and true to yourself.
This is a joyful, insightful, and refreshingly honest conversation about creativity, trust, and longevity in PR — and a reminder that brilliance often begins by accident.

About Yvonne Eskenzi
Co-founder, Eskenzi PR – the award-winning cybersecurity PR agency.
Co-founder, The Zensory – the wellbeing and focus app.
Winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Creator of the Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards and Unsung Heroes Awards.
Connect
Follow Yvonne Eskenzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonneeskenzi/
Learn more about Eskenzi PR: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/
Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro – Accidentally Brilliant begins
01:15 From News International to starting out in PR
03:30 Taking a leap: founding Eskenzi PR
07:00 The first cybersecurity gig that changed everything
08:45 The one-minute rule and the nine-word email
10:25 The thrill of coverage and the power of persistence
13:20 Measuring share of voice and proving PR’s value
15:50 AI, trust, and the future of PR
20:25 Building confidence and handling the hard days
25:40 Why wellbeing matters – and The Zensory begins
37:45 Work-life balance and lessons from 30 years
43:00 Creativity, confidence, and being true to yourself
47:40 What makes Yvonne “accidentally brilliant”
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51min
October 03, 2025 1. Crisis Mode with Kate Hartley Audio Only
What if your entire job was to imagine the worst-case scenario?
In this first episode of Accidentally Brilliant by Be Broadcast, Josh Wheeler is joined by Kate Hartley – co-founder of Polpeo, author of Communicate in a Crisis, and one of PR’s leading experts in how organisations respond under pressure.
Kate didn’t plan a career in crisis communications. In fact, she started out temping at Edelman stuffing envelopes before finding herself at the heart of the BSE crisis, major travel emergencies, and later, preparing IT systems for the Olympics. Fast-forward, and she’s built Polpeo, a pioneering crisis simulation company working with some of the biggest brands in the world.
In this episode, you’ll hear: Why so many brands get crisis response wrong – and how to do better.
The hidden pressures inside the boardroom: legal vs. comms vs. public perception.
How agency life in the 90s shaped her values (and why she refused certain clients).
The importance of authenticity and saying sorry, even when lawyers say you can’t.
How to protect your own wellbeing in a career built around adrenaline and pressure.
Why businesses must use their voice to stand up for diversity and inclusion.
This is an honest, funny, and insightful conversation for anyone in PR, marketing, or communications – and a reminder that the best careers often happen accidentally.
-
About Kate Hartley Co-founder, Polpeo – the crisis simulation company.
Author of Communicate in a Crisis.
Named twice in Provoke Media’s Innovator 25 list.
Co-host of the podcast What Just Happened.
🔗 Connect
Follow Kate Hartley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katehartley/
Learn more about Polpeo: https://polpeo.com/
Follow Josh Wheeler & Be Broadcast: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshwheelerbroadcast/
Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro – Accidentally Brilliant begins
01:19 Falling into PR at Edelman
02:48 Early crisis work – BSE & travel emergencies
05:25 Why brands fail in crises
07:50 Founding Polpeo & the Nestlé moment
09:14 Hardest moments in PR & staying true to values
11:26 LGBTQ+ rights, DEI & business responsibility
16:30 The psychology of crisis work (catastrophising)
20:59 Recovery, downtime & the power of choir singing
24:13 Advice to a younger Kate
26:15 Podcasting, curiosity & lifelong learning
28:50 What makes Kate “accidentally brilliant
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31min
October 02, 2025 Welcome To Absolutely Brilliant Audio Only
Most of us don’t follow a perfect career plan. We stumble into opportunities, discover strengths, and build unexpected careers. In this first episode, host Josh Wheeler recalls the 5am moment that sparked his love for broadcast - and sets up Accidentally Brilliant, a podcast of honest, funny conversations with creative leaders about the quirks, challenges and lessons that shaped their journeys.
www.bebroadcast.co.uk
...more
2min

FAQs about Accidentally Brilliant:

How many episodes does Accidentally Brilliant have?

The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.