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”
