A Brief Coffee With...

Cathy White
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A Brief Coffee With… is a podcast from CEW Communications, hosted by Cathy White, featuring honest, unfiltered conversations with journalists and content creators. In a fast-moving media landscape shaped by AI, shifting markets, and constant demand for content, we explore how stories are formed, what makes them stand out, and how to cut through the noise. From pitching and storytelling to media trends and startup coverage, this is your inside track on modern media—one brief coffee at a time.

  1. 5d ago

    A Brief Coffee With Sofia Chesnokova, Tech Funding News - Episode 17

    In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy White sits down with Sofia Chesnokova, Senior Editor at Tech Funding News, to find out what actually makes a startup story stand out when hundreds of pitches are competing for attention. Having started her career in copywriting and PR, Sofia has experienced both sides of the inbox. She shares what Tech Funding News looks for beyond funding announcements, why founders shouldn’t underestimate the value of their own story, and the practical things that make a pitch easier to cover. The conversation also explores the rise of European deep tech, why Sofia prefers data over a pre-packaged narrative, the problem with obviously AI-generated pitches and quotes, and how the Tech Funding News team is using AI behind the scenes to manage an inbox containing around 100,000 emails. Key Moments 00:00 – Meet Sofia Chesnokova, Senior Editor at Tech Funding News 01:00 – From copywriting and PR to the other side of the journalist inbox 03:00 – Tech Funding News: going beyond funding announcements 04:00 – Why TFN actively looks for founders who don’t always get the spotlight 05:00 – Deep tech, climate tech, sovereignty and the trends appearing in Sofia’s inbox 06:00 – Moving beyond daily news into features and market analysis 08:00 – Inside the Tech Funding News editorial team 09:00 – Europe, UK and US: where TFN is looking for stories 10:00 – How Sofia prefers PR professionals to pitch her 11:00 – Advice for founders pitching Tech Funding News directly 13:00 – A typical day in the Tech Funding News newsroom 15:30 – Quick fire: email vs DM, press releases, data vs narrative and phone calls 17:00 – Founder or expert? Exclusive or embargo? 18:00 – Why PR people should stop sending obviously AI-generated pitches 19:00 – Why authentic founder voices matter even more in the AI era 20:00 – How Tech Funding News actually uses AI in its newsroom 22:00 – Why deep tech is the sector grabbing Sofia’s attention About A Brief Coffee With… A Brief Coffee With… is the podcast from CEW Communications, where Cathy White sits down with journalists and creators for honest, unfiltered conversations about the stories behind the stories. If you’re looking for communications support—from PR and media relations to content, social and thought leadership—get in touch with CEW Communications.

    A Brief Coffee With Sofia Chesnokova, Tech Funding News - Episode 17

  2. Sep 22

    A Brief Coffee With Dave Lee, Bloomberg - Episode 16

    What changes when a journalist stops simply reporting the news—and starts getting paid to have an opinion about it? In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Dave Lee, Bloomberg Opinion's US technology columnist, to talk about his journey from the BBC in London to Silicon Valley, the Financial Times, and now Bloomberg in New York—and what he's learned from more than a decade covering the technology industry. Dave explains what makes opinion journalism different, why he now spends more than half his day reading, and why startups may actually have more opportunity to catch his attention in the AI era than they think. They also dig into the differences between British and American tech and journalism, the rise of independent media, how PR teams can work effectively with columnists, and why good data still matters. Plus, Dave shares how he's thinking about AI in journalism, why the US-China relationship could become the defining question of the AI era, and the role he thinks the UK could play in what comes next. Key Moments 00:00 – Meet Dave Lee, Bloomberg Opinion's US technology columnist 01:00 – From the BBC in London to Silicon Valley, the FT and Bloomberg 05:15 – Reporter vs columnist: what changes when you're paid to have a take? 07:00 – Why “your output can never be greater than your input” 09:15 – How Dave decides when to react quickly—and when to let a story breathe 11:10 – How the relationship between PRs and journalists changes when you're a columnist 13:15 – The risk—and reward—of pitching an opinion writer 15:20 – Can startups and scaleups realistically get Bloomberg's attention? 17:15 – Why being small and experimental can actually be an advantage in the AI era 18:00 – UK vs US tech: capital, ambition and why Silicon Valley still has the edge 21:00 – Has the UK failed to capitalise on its technology successes? 23:00 – British vs American journalists—and the difference in newsroom culture 26:00 – The rise of independent journalism and the economics behind it 29:00 – What Dave reads to keep up with AI and technology 30:30 – Becoming an “AI-enhanced journalist” 31:20 – Quick fire: press releases, data vs narrative and what actually makes a good pitch 33:30 – Why the best startup pitch might come directly from the founder 35:00 – Email, DM or Signal? And exclusive vs embargo 36:00 – Why US-China could be the defining technology question of the AI era 37:00 – Where does Europe fit—and could the UK carve out a unique role in AI? About A Brief Coffee With… A Brief Coffee With… is the podcast from CEW Communications, where Cathy White sits down with journalists and creators for honest, unfiltered conversations about the stories behind the stories. If you're looking for communications support—from PR and media relations to content, social and thought leadership—get in touch with CEW Communications.

  3. Aug 4

    A Brief Coffee With Dominic-Madori Davis, TechCrunch - Episode 15

    In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy White sits down with Dominic-Madori Davis, Senior Venture Capital and Startup Reporter at TechCrunch, to explore what one of the world's most influential technology publications is really looking for today. From the future of TechCrunch's European coverage to the cultural differences between founders in the US and the UK, Dominic shares why storytelling is shaped as much by sociology as by startups. If you've ever wondered what catches a TechCrunch reporter's attention—or why some startup stories resonate more than others—this episode is packed with practical insights for founders and communications professionals alike. Key moments 00:00 – Meet Dominic-Madori Davis, Senior Venture Capital & Startup Reporter at TechCrunch 01:40 – Dominic's journey from Business Insider to TechCrunch 02:40 – Is TechCrunch still covering European startups after its restructuring? 04:15 – The biggest cultural differences between US and UK founders 06:00 – Risk, ambition, failure and the British startup mindset 09:30 – Why Dominic became fascinated by Europe's startup ecosystem 13:10 – The startup stories that are really catching her attention right now 14:15 – Beyond AI: biotech, healthtech and the science of creating entirely new smells 16:40 – How TechCrunch journalists are actually using AI day-to-day 19:30 – AI as a research partner, brainstorming tool and search engine 20:50 – Quick fire: pitches, press releases, narratives and founder interviews 21:00 – Why your first message should be a DM, not an email 22:00 – Press releases still matter 22:30 – Data vs narrative—and why the best stories need both 23:15 – The one thing PR professionals should stop doing: cold calling Gen Z journalists 24:00 – How to connect with Dominic and the TechCrunch team

  4. Jul 23

    A Brief Coffee With Ana Metz, Future Travel - Episode 14

    In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy is joined by Ana Metz, Founder and Editor of Future Travel, to explore how a niche travel tech newsletter has grown into one of the industry's leading media brands—and why community has become just as important as journalism. From launching Future Travel during the pandemic to building the annual Future Travel Summit in Barcelona, Ana shares what she's seeing across travel technology, the biggest opportunities emerging around AI, and why founders need to think beyond product announcements if they want to earn attention. The conversation also explores how specialist publications work, what makes a story stand out, the importance of understanding a publication's editorial rhythm, and why building genuine relationships is far more valuable than chasing coverage. Key Moments 00:00 – Meet Ana Metz, Founder and Editor of Future Travel 01:00 – From EU-Startups to launching Future Travel during the pandemic 03:00 – What Future Travel covers and why travel tech deserves its own publication 04:00 – Inside the Future Travel Summit and bringing the industry together 05:30 – The biggest trends shaping travel technology today 06:00 – AI in travel: balancing automation with human experiences 08:30 – How the Future Travel newsletter is curated each week 09:50 – Using reader questions to demystify AI through industry experts 11:00 – How PR professionals can work with Future Travel 11:45 – Inbox zero, email pitches and managing a growing publication 12:30 – Quick fire: founder interviews, embargoes and pitching preferences 13:20 – Why understanding a publication's editorial calendar matters 16:00 – What PR professionals should do more of—not less 17:00 – Why travel tech founders need to professionalize their communications 18:30 – The AI travel startup story that's exciting Ana most 19:40 – How to get in touch with Ana and the Future Travel team If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content strategy and thought leadership, get in touch with CEW Communications at cewcomms.com.

  5. Jul 14

    A Brief Coffee With Damisola Sulaiman, Sifted - Episode 13

    In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy is joined by Damisola Sulaiman, Fintech Reporter at Sifted, to explore what it's like joining one of Europe's busiest startup newsrooms—and what founders need to understand if they want their stories to stand out. From covering Europe's biggest fintechs to tracking emerging trends in AI, digital assets, and financial services, Damisola shares what catches her attention, how she works through more than 200 pitches a day, and why context matters just as much as the product you're building. Key Moments 00:00 – Meet Damisola Sulaiman, Fintech Reporter at Sifted 02:00 – From financial trade journalism to Europe's startup ecosystem 04:00 – Why fintech moves faster than traditional finance 05:20 – The stories shaping fintech today: neobanks, AI, digital assets, and insurtech 08:10 – Revolut, growth-stage fintechs, and spotting the next big trend 09:20 – Inside a fintech reporter's inbox: managing 200+ emails a day 11:50 – How to write a subject line that catches Damisola's attention 13:30 – Why founders should build relationships before they need coverage 14:10 – What makes a great founder interview 17:10 – Quick-fire round: exclusives, data vs narrative, experts vs founders, and press releases 19:30 – The biggest mistake PR professionals make when pitching Sifted 20:20 – Why founders need to place their company in a wider context 23:30 – AI in journalism: research assistant, not replacement 24:00 – The rise of AI-generated pitches and why they're easy to spot 26:00 – How journalists are using AI for sourcing and research 27:00 – Why media coverage increasingly influences AI discovery 28:50 – The best way to pitch Damisola and the Sifted newsroom If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content strategy and thought leadership, get in touch with CEW Communications at cewcomms.com.

  6. Jul 7

    A Brief Coffee With Tim Smith, Freelance, Infinite Loop, BBC - Episode 12

    In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with freelance technology journalist and producer Tim Smith to explore how journalism is evolving. Drawing on his experience covering startups and AI at Sifted, producing programs for the BBC, writing for The Infinite Loop, and creating documentary-style YouTube content, Tim shares practical advice on becoming a trusted expert source, why authentic opinions will always outperform AI-generated content, and the simple changes that make journalists far more likely to get in touch. The conversation also explores how AI is really being used inside newsrooms and why the best stories are those that explain how technology affects real people—not just other people in tech. Key Moments 00:00 – Meet Tim Smith, freelance journalist, BBC producer, and former Sifted news editor 02:20 – Why Tim returned to freelancing and the projects he's working on today 03:30 – Writing about AI for The Infinite Loop and the changing media landscape 05:20 – Producing documentary-style YouTube content about technology and work 07:15 – The difference between being a journalist and a producer 09:30 – How Tim finds expert sources for BBC programs 11:00 – The simple website mistake that stops journalists contacting startups 12:10 – How AI fits into Tim's daily workflow 15:10 – Why AI still can't write great journalism 15:50 – ChatGPT talking to Claude: the problem with AI-generated LinkedIn content 17:20 – Why authenticity is becoming more valuable in an AI-first world 18:00 – Journalists want original thinking, not average opinions 19:20 – Finding experts with genuine points of view 19:45 – Quick-fire round: pitches, exclusives, founders vs experts, and press releases 20:50 – One thing PR professionals should stop doing 21:30 – Tim's advice for founders: don't let your PR run the interview 23:10 – The AI stories Tim is most interested in covering next 24:00 – How to get in touch with Tim   If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content strategy and thought leadership, get in touch at CEW Communications via cewcomms.com.

  7. Jul 2

    A Brief Coffee With Nick Huber, Freelance, Financial Times, BBC, Guardian - Episode 11

    In this episode of A Brief Coffee With, Cathy White sits down with veteran technology and business journalist Nick Huber to explore what more than 25 years in journalism has taught him about media, storytelling, and why so many companies still get communications wrong. Having written for the Financial Times, The Guardian, the BBC, and The Telegraph, including many trade titles, Nick shares a unique perspective from both sides of the fence, combining his work as a freelance journalist with advising technology companies on content, thought leadership, and media strategy. The conversation explores why founders should stop talking about their products and start becoming trusted industry experts, why strong opinions and clear storytelling matter more than ever, and whether every business really needs a "Chief Storyteller". Key moments 00:00 – Meet Nick Huber, veteran technology and business journalist 01:15 – From aspiring TV journalist to covering technology for more than 25 years 04:30 – Writing for the Financial Times and why AI dominates today's newsroom 07:20 – How technology journalism has evolved from niche to mainstream 10:00 – Why journalists increasingly work alongside companies as communications consultants 13:00 – The biggest mistake companies make: writing for themselves, not their audience 16:00 – Why founders should position themselves as industry experts, not just company spokespeople 17:20 – How to explain complex technology so journalists actually understand it 18:50 – What makes a founder memorable? Simplicity, enthusiasm, and strong opinions 21:00 – Why authentic expertise stands out in an AI-generated content world 22:00 – The surprisingly common mistake startups make that stops journalists getting in touch 26:00 – Does every business really need a Chief Storyteller? 30:00 – Why companies struggle to produce genuinely great content 33:00 – What's catching Nick's attention in technology right now 35:20 – Quick fire 41:15 – How to get in touch with Nick If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content strategy and thought leadership, get in touch at cewcomms.com.

  8. Jun 23

    A Brief Coffee With Caitlin Macdonald, The Observer - Episode 10

    In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Caitlin Macdonald, Social Media Editor at The Observer, to explore how one of Britain's most historic newspaper brands is reinventing itself for a digital-first future. From helping to transform a 234-year-old publication for audiences on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to finding stories in LinkedIn comments and social media conversations, the two discuss how modern journalism is evolving — and why founders, experts, and communications professionals should pay closer attention to their online presence. The conversation covers the role social media now plays inside newsrooms, how journalists discover sources, why authenticity is becoming more valuable in an AI-driven world, and how a single comment or post can lead to media opportunities. Plus, Caitlin shares practical advice for founders and PR professionals looking to earn coverage, build relationships with journalists, and stand out in an increasingly crowded information landscape. Key Moments 00:00 – Meet Caitlin Macdonald, Social Media Editor at The Observer 02:00 – Bringing a 234-year-old newspaper into the digital age 04:00 – From journalism student to startup employee to The Observer newsroom 07:30 – Why startup environments create better media professionals 08:30 – How social media surfaces stories traditional newsrooms might miss 09:30 – The Steven Bartlett debate and how Cathy ended up in The Observer 11:00 – How journalists use LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok to find sources 12:20 – Finding overlooked voices through social media 13:30 – Why your online presence matters more than ever 15:30 – The role of personal branding in earning media opportunities 16:00 – Can journalists spot AI-generated content? 17:30 – Why authenticity is becoming more valuable in the AI era 19:20 – Posting less, but posting better 19:50 – How stories are pitched and developed inside The Observer newsroom 20:30 – From Dua Lipa's wedding to spotting wider cultural trends 22:00 – Turning social media conversations into published features 23:30 – Why social media now sits at the center of the newsroom 24:00 – Quick-fire round: DMs, exclusives and founder interviews 25:00 – The best time to pitch Caitlin 25:30 – Why PR professionals should stop "spray and pray" outreach 26:30 – Breaking major exclusives and the power of social distribution 28:00 – What Caitlin is watching next at The Observer 29:00 – How to get in touch with Caitlin and the social team   If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content and thought leadership, get in touch at CEW Communications via cewcomms.com.

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About

A Brief Coffee With… is a podcast from CEW Communications, hosted by Cathy White, featuring honest, unfiltered conversations with journalists and content creators. In a fast-moving media landscape shaped by AI, shifting markets, and constant demand for content, we explore how stories are formed, what makes them stand out, and how to cut through the noise. From pitching and storytelling to media trends and startup coverage, this is your inside track on modern media—one brief coffee at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Cathy White
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cathy White
  • Show Website
    A Brief Coffee With...