Spying tends to be a fairly secretive game, for obvious reasons. So eyebrows have been quizzically raised (a bit like Roger Moore's 007) following the naming of the woman apparently favourite to become the new chief of MI6.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis explore the murky world of leaks. Who benefits from them, why are they done and just how damaging can they be?

They'll explain why leaking is far from victimless and reveal their own experiences of turning on the news and realising someone is out to get you.

And in the extended episode on BBC Sounds, have the Beckham's lost control of their PR? With pages of newspaper coverage devoted to their supposed family rift, David and Simon look at when two PR tribes go to war.

Producer: Duncan Middleton

As far as royal interviews go, it'll take some beating.

This week, David Yelland and Simon Lewis sift through Prince Harry's BBC interview - and discuss whether it's a PR disaster. They discuss what sort of advice Harry is being given and why, when it comes to doing a big interview, the golden rule is 'never go in hot'.

Listen to the full extended version on BBC Sounds, where David and Simon also look at how Marks & Spencer responded to a cyber attack - and why saying nothing can sometimes be the best policy. Plus, what everyone in PR could learn from two of the great master communicators, Michelle Obama and Sir David Attenborough.

Producer: Duncan Middleton

What if your profession is to blame for almost everything? This week, David Yelland is joined from Washington by PR guru Phil Elwood - who thinks the industry needs to take a long hard look at itself.

Accusing PR of being like a virus, Phil says the tricks of the trade that have been used for decades to influence, mislead and cajole have been co-opted by both the media and by governments.

And the results aren't pretty.

Producer: Duncan Middleton

David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the global battle for hearts, minds and reputations between the US and China. Following JD Vance calling the people of China peasants, how far is China's retaliatory social media PR strategy seeking to embarrass America, or is the United States damaging its own reputation all by itself?

Plus - Birmingham's rat problem, Signal chat leaks and what's been dubbed 'the biggest PR disaster in the universe' - it's Jeff Bezos's rocket launch and why all great PR crises are self-made.

Producers: Eve Streeter and Duncan Middleton

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these special short episodes, David Yelland and Simon Lewis give you lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes of your time.

In this episode, they share their advice on how to avoid being taken for granted at work. If you feel like you're the office dogsbody, David and Simon have some great advice for boosting your profile and proving you're capable of so much more

Producer: Duncan Middleton

Quick Wins from the When It Hits the Fan team is our how-to guide to being better at your own PR and navigating the world of work like a pro. In these special short episodes, David Yelland and Simon Lewis give you lots of useful tips that might just change your working life – and it’ll only take a few minutes of your time.

In this episode they share their advice on how bosses and HR departments should best deal with making people redundant. Managing expectations and compassion are key. And remember, if it happens to you, a little bit of defiance goes a long way.

Producer: Ella Blaxhill

In this special episode David Yelland and Simon Lewis answer PR questions sent in by When It Hits the Fan listeners. First off, they are just two little words but they carry a lot of meaning... why 'no comment' can be both a good and bad thing to say - and what you might be able to say as an alternative.

Also, they have some great tips for how to deal with a boss who's demanding national coverage despite having nothing newsworthy to report.

There's advice for small charities on how to get your message out there in a very crowded marketplace. And David and Simon reveal the character traits they believe are vital for being a great PR pro.

Producer: Eve Streeter

In this special episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis unpick the PR levers being pulled behind the Heathrow airport shutdown caused by a fire at a local power substation – which left 300,000 passengers stranded, 1,300 flights cancelled and its CEO in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Was it wise to let it be known that CEO Thomas Woldbye was asleep when the decision was made to shut the airport? Or was it a leak?

In any crisis there is always a blame game - who are the winners and losers here?

Producer: Eve Streeter

Letting the cameras go behind the scenes of a company is always a risky strategy - but did it pay off for Thames Water? David Yelland and Simon Lewis assess whether BBC2's Thames Water: Inside the Crisis is a PR victory or a PR disaster for the much maligned utility. The frontline staff emerge as heroes, but is the real story being told?

Also, how bad PR can kill a business - will the Tesla brand survive being tainted by Elon Musk?

And how Prince William is using Aston Villa and football as soft Royal power. Beware - fake it at your own peril.

Producer: Eve Streeter

Across the world reputations are being set by how leaders react to Donald Trump, including those of Keir Starmer and the King. Now Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, has seen his standing transformed by his "elbow’s up" anti-Trump stance. But in the country’s upcoming election, the Canadian question will be binary – who is the best candidate to deal with Trump’s America?

Plus Abrdn’s reverse ferret and the decision by the investment company to return all its missing vowels following a widely ridiculed rebrand. Why do some ideas fail to pass the parody test?

And the power of positivity - how the Japanese ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hiroshi Suzuki, has won hearts by ditching grip and grin diplomacy.

Producer: Eve Streeter