Accidentally Brilliant

• 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”

  --------  

  45:41

  --------

  45:41
• 2. 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”

  --------  

  50:20

  --------

  50:20
• 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

  --------  

  30:42

  --------

  30:42
• 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

  --------  

  1:27

  --------

  1:27

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About Accidentally Brilliant