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.
A Brief Coffee With Yessi Bello-Perez, LinkedIn - Episode 18
Want to grow your profile on LinkedIn? Yessi Bello-Perez, Senior Creator Manager at LinkedIn, joins Cathy White to explain why consistency beats virality, authenticity matters more than ever in the age of AI, and founders need to stop making every post about their company.
1 Oct 2026
A Brief Coffee With Sofia Chesnokova, Tech Funding News - Episode 17
What makes a startup story stand out in a journalist’s overflowing inbox? Tech Funding News Senior Editor Sofia Chesnokova joins Cathy White to talk funding stories, founder interviews, deep tech, AI-generated pitches and what founders can do to earn her attention.
22 Sept 2026
A Brief Coffee With Dave Lee, Bloomberg - Episode 16
Bloomberg Opinion’s Dave Lee joins Cathy White to discuss life as a tech columnist, what gets his attention, UK vs US tech and media, the rise of independent journalism, AI—and why startups shouldn’t assume Bloomberg is out of reach.
4 Aug 2026
A Brief Coffee With Dominic-Madori Davis, TechCrunch - Episode 15
TechCrunch is still one of the most sought-after publications for startup founders—but what actually makes a story stand out? Cathy White speaks with Dominic-Madori Davis, Senior Venture Capital and Startup Reporter at TechCrunch, about European startups, founder culture, AI in journalism, and what she’s really looking for in a pitch.
23 Jul 2026
A Brief Coffee With Ana Metz, Future Travel - Episode 14
Future Travel founder and editor Ana Metz joins Cathy White to discuss the future of travel tech, building a niche media community, what makes specialist stories stand out, and why founders need more than a product announcement to earn attention.
14 Jul 2026
A Brief Coffee With Damisola Sulaiman, Sifted - Episode 13
Sifted fintech reporter Damisola Sulaiman joins Cathy White to discuss what catches her attention in a crowded inbox, why context matters more than product features, and how founders can build stronger relationships with journalists from day one.
7 Jul 2026
A Brief Coffee With Tim Smith, Freelance, Infinite Loop, BBC - Episode 12
Freelance technology journalist, BBC producer, and former Sifted news editor Tim Smith joins Cathy to discuss how AI is changing journalism, why authentic expertise wins, and what founders can do to become a trusted media source
2 Jul 2026
A Brief Coffee With Nick Huber, Freelance, Financial Times, BBC, Guardian - Episode 11
Veteran technology journalist Nick Huber shares lessons from more than 25 years in the newsroom, from what makes founders memorable to why expertise beats product announcements. A practical conversation on storytelling, AI, media relations and becoming a trusted source for journalists.
23 Jun 2026
A Brief Coffee With Caitlin Macdonald, The Observer - Episode 10
Cathy is joined by Caitlin Macdonald, Social Media Editor at The Observer, to discuss how journalists use LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram to discover stories, sources, and trends. Caitlin shares why authenticity matters more than ever in the age of AI, and how founders can build an online presence that attracts media attention.
16 Jun 2026
A Brief Coffee With Charlotte Jee, MIT Technology Review - Episode 09
MIT Technology Review’s Charlotte Jee joins Cathy White to discuss AI hype versus reality, emerging technologies, and what founders need to do to earn meaningful media coverage. From AI-generated content and startup storytelling to deep tech, defense technology, and the future of innovation, this episode explores the trends shaping technology today—and what comes next.
9 Jun 2026
A Brief Coffee With Shona Ghosh, Bloomberg - Episode 08
Bloomberg Senior Editor Shona Ghosh joins Cathy White to discuss what it takes to earn coverage from one of the world’s most influential financial news organisations. From startup storytelling and AI trends to media relationships and Bloomberg’s unique newsroom culture, Shona shares practical advice for founders and PR professionals alike.
2 Jun 2026
A Brief Coffee With Thomas Ohr, EU-Startups - Episode 07
In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Thomas Ohr, founder of EU-Startups, to discuss the evolution of startup media, the realities of running an independent publication, and what founders need to understand if they want to earn meaningful coverage.
Thomas shares the story behind building EU-Startups from a hobby blog into one of Europe’s leading startup publications, reflects on the company’s recent acquisition, and explains why storytelling, not product features, is often the difference between getting noticed and getting ignored.
From AI-generated pitches to startup events, media relationships, and the future of European tech journalism, this episode is packed with practical advice for founders, PR professionals, and anyone trying to stand out in a crowded market.
Key moments
00:00 – Meet Thomas Ohr, founder of EU-Startups
02:00 – Reflecting on the EU-Startups Summit in Malta
03:00 – Building EU-Startups from a hobby project to a leading publication
06:00 – The acquisition of EU-Startups and what changes next
07:20 – The changing startup media landscape in the age of AI
08:15 – What EU-Startups looks for in startup stories
09:15 – Why founders need better narratives, not more features
11:00 – How to get a journalist’s attention
12:20 – Why AI-written pitches are hurting founders
14:15 – The role of thought leadership and opinion pieces
15:00 – What makes a great podcast guest
16:30 – Quick fire: pitching journalists, exclusives and press releases
18:00 – What founders consistently get wrong with media
19:15 – New projects, African Startups and the Me Out Summit
21:00 – How to pitch EU-Startups and connect with the team
If you’re looking for support with your communications, get in touch at cewcomms.com.
26 May 2026
A Brief Coffee With Martin Bryant, PreSeed Now, Episode 06
In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Martin Bryant, founder of PreSeed Now, to unpack what really makes an early-stage startup stand out — and why storytelling can be just as important as the technology itself.
From deep tech communication challenges to the realities of modern startup media, Martin shares what he’s learned from covering hundreds of pre-seed companies across the UK startup ecosystem. The conversation also explores how founders can improve their narrative, why investors sometimes struggle to understand technical businesses, and what PRs should stop doing when pitching journalists.
Key moments
00:00 – Meet Martin Bryant & the story behind PreSeed Now02:15 – Why Martin launched a publication focused on pre-seed startups03:10 – How the startup funding landscape has changed in recent years04:30 – From ElevenLabs to hidden gems: spotting startups early05:40 – How PreSeed Now has helped founders attract investors06:20 – Why deep tech founders struggle with storytelling07:00 – The importance of leading with impact, not complexity08:10 – Martin’s journalism journey: TNW, Tech Nation & startup comms09:30 – Journalism vs communications: can the two coexist?10:45 – Why Martin moved from Substack to Beehiiv11:40 – The rise of creator-led media in tech journalism12:20 – How Martin handles startup pitches today13:50 – Why email still beats LinkedIn DMs15:00 – Tips for first-time founders doing media interviews16:40 – The “duty of care” Martin feels towards early-stage startups17:20 – Why founders shouldn’t obsess over early valuations18:50 – Quick fire: pitching, press releases & PR mistakes21:50 – Martin’s advice for every founder: build a “micro pitch”22:40 – How to contact Martin & pitch PreSeed Now
If you're looking for support with your communications, get in touch at cewcomms.com.
19 May 2026
A Brief Coffee With Freya Pratty, Sifted, Episode 05
In episode five of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Freya Pratty, Associate Editor at Sifted, to unpack what’s really happening inside Europe’s startup ecosystem right now — from AI hype cycles and robotics to media narratives, founder storytelling, and the return of “tech bro” culture.
Fresh from her promotion at Sifted, Freya shares what’s catching her attention across the UK startup landscape, why she’s increasingly interested in the “middle generation” of startups adapting to the AI era, and what founders still misunderstand about working with journalists.
The conversation also dives into the growing problem of AI-generated comments and press materials, how tech media should balance amplification with accountability, and why some of the most important conversations in tech are still the hardest to have.
Key moments
00:00 – Meet Freya Pratty, Associate Editor at Sifted02:00 – Freya’s new role and evolving UK coverage03:00 – What startup stories are standing out right now05:00 – Why hardware and AI companies are spreading beyond London07:00 – The best way to pitch Freya and Sifted08:30 – AI-generated comments, press releases, and “slop”10:30 – The psychology of AI-generated writing11:00 – Inside Freya’s “tech bro culture” article and the backlash13:00 – Why criticism and accountability matter in tech media16:00 – Tech media’s role beyond startup amplification19:00 – What Freya wants to hear from founders right now20:00 – The “middle generation” of startups navigating the AI boom21:00 – Is climate tech disappearing or just being rebranded?23:00 – Quick fire: pitches, PR mistakes, and founder storytelling25:00 – Why Sifted doesn’t cover product launches27:00 – Freya’s preferred ways to connect
If you’re looking for support with your communications, get in touch with CEW Communications at www.cewcomms.com
12 May 2026
A Brief Coffee With Tasmin Lockwood, Freelance and Former Business Insider - Episode 04
In episode four of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy is joined by Tasmin Lockwood, a freelance journalist covering tech, climate, and impact across Europe.
From her time at CNBC to launching an independent newsletter, Tasmin shares how her perspective on journalism has evolved—and why human, impact-driven storytelling is more important than ever. They also explore the realities of freelancing, the decline of climate coverage, and how AI-generated commentary is changing the media landscape.
Key moments00:00 – Meet Tasmin Lockwood (freelance journalist)01:30 – Life on the road and recent work at CNBC03:00 – What she learned from covering global markets04:30 – Transitioning back to freelancing05:30 – What stories she’s looking for now06:30 – Balancing meaningful work vs paid work07:30 – Expanding into editorial strategy & consulting08:30 – The shift in tech media (Business Insider & beyond)10:30 – Why climate coverage is declining12:00 – Launching the Verdant newsletter13:30 – The role of independent media & Substack15:00 – Climate, energy, and global instability17:00 – Why human impact stories matter most18:30 – Quick fire: pitching, formats & timing20:30 – What PRs should stop doing21:30 – What founders get wrong in interviews23:00 – AI-generated content & “slop” in journalism24:30 – How to contact Tasmin
5 May 2026
A Brief Coffee With David Savage, Tech Talks - Episode 03
In episode three of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy speaks with David Savage, host of Tech Talks, about what makes a great podcast conversation. From building a global show to producing documentaries, David shares insights on storytelling, pitching, and why passion—not perfection—creates engaging interviews.
28 Apr 2026
A Brief Coffee With Jane Wakefield, Freelance and Former BBC - Episode 02
In episode two of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy White speaks with Jane Wakefield, former BBC tech journalist turned freelancer and podcaster. They explore the fast-moving world of AI, the rise of online scams, and why human storytelling is key to standing out. Jane also shares practical advice on pitching, what makes a great guest, and how founders can better connect with journalists.
21 Apr 2026
A Brief Coffee With Cate Lawrence, Tech EU - Episode 01
In episode one of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy White sits down with Cate Lawrence, Senior Journalist at Tech.eu, to unpack what really makes a story stand out in today’s fast-moving media landscape.
From AI saturation to health tech, sustainability, and Europe’s push for tech independence, Cate shares what’s catching her attention—and what founders and PRs need to know to cut through.
Key moments00:00 – Meet Cate Lawrence (Tech.eu)01:20 – Choosing events & avoiding burnout03:15 – What stories are getting attention now04:45 – What makes a strong founder story06:20 – The rise of younger founders06:45 – Beyond AI: health, materials & impact tech09:00 – Hype cycles & Europe’s tech momentum12:20 – Quick fire: how to pitch journalists13:40 – What PRs should stop doing14:40 – What founders get wrong16:30 – Why every pitch needs a clear “why”17:10 – How to contact Cate
If you're looking for support with your communications, get in touch at cewcomms.com.
17 Apr 2026
A Brief Coffee With Teaser - Episode 00
<p><em>A Brief Coffee With…</em> 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.</p><p>From pitching and storytelling to media trends and startup coverage, this is your inside track on modern media—one brief coffee at a time.</p><p>Join us for the first episode, live on April 21st.</p>
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