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The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

www.mollymcpherson.com
Crisis Communication
Public Relations
Taylor Swift
Colleen Ballinger
Matt Rife
Matthew Perry
Eulogy Writing
Tiktok
Travis Kelce
Grief
Public Statements
Netflix
Chicago Blackhawks
Social Media
Forbes
Crisis Management
Friends
Domestic Violence
Media Preparation
Blind Gossip

The PR Breakdown reveals the moves behind the mess. Crisis communication expert Molly McPherson dissects the viral scandals, celebrity meltdowns, and corporate disasters dominating headlines to show you the strategic mistakes and desperate moves that destroy reputations — so you never make them yourself.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes368Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The PR Breakdown

Latest Episodes

Two coaches. Two losses. Two press conferences. 

Same signal. 

Villanova's Kevin Willard threatened to fire his staff on live television, doubled down in the post-game press conference, then called it a joke when the backlash hit. UCLA's Mick Croni... more

Your reputation isn't being shaped by what you say anymore. It's being shaped by everything everyone else says, organized by AI, before you've had a chance to respond. Crisis communication has a new first mover, and it isn't you.

Molly McPherson bre... more

YouTube

What actually breaks first in a scandal?

Not the headline. Not the viral clip. Not the backlash. It's trust.

In this episode, Molly McPherson breaks down three stories where trust was fractured long before the public ever reacted. Pima County Sheri... more

YouTube

Molly McPherson opens this episode not with a scandal, but with a pair of pants. It’s a disarming entry point into a much bigger question: what happens to trust when an expert starts to monetize? Drawing on her own decision to join the affiliate plat... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Greg Gallant
CEO and co-founder of MuckRack
MuckRack
Episode: PR in the Age of GEO: How to Make Sure AI Gets Your Story Right
John Pernick
Co-host of the Reputation Town podcast.
Reputation Town
Episode: When Journalists Become the Story: Who Really Controls the Narrative?
Michael Jammin
Emmy-nominated writer and screenwriter, author of A Paper Orchestra.
Episode: Takeaways from Trump's Inaugural Address: Key Highlights You Can't Miss
Dr Abbey Metcalf
Expert on relationships and emotional well-being
Episode: TikTok's Pajama Drama and Entitlement: A PR and Psychology Breakdown
Dr. Abby
Therapist and psychologist with a PhD
Episode: Behind the Scenes with Dr. Abby: Celebrity Relationships, Loyalty, and Reputation in the Spotlight
Vanessa Grigoriadis
Renowned journalist and award-winning author, known for her interviews with celebrities.
Episode: 276: Before the Fame: Journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis on Taylor Swift's Early Years
Dr. Abby Metcalf
Relationship maven and psychologist
Abbymetcalf.com
Episode: 275: Allegedly Series: Behind the Headlines Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez
Michelle Egan
Chair of the Public Relations Society of America
Public Relations Society of America
Episode: 274: The Future of Public Relations: A Conversation with PRSA's Michelle Egan
David McAlpine
Global Head of External Communication for Illumina, and former network news producer with significant experience in media.
Illumina
Episode: 272: Behind the Broadcast: Expert Tips for a Memorable Media Interview

Host

Molly McPherson
Crisis communication expert and host

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 472 ratings
  • Love this insightful podcast

    Came upon Molly by chance, doing a search on a public figure. What a refreshing take she provides.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MidwestByDesign
    United Statesa month ago
  • Useful tools

    Molly really does “break down” actionable tips for responding to communications crises. She uses her own experience and teaches her audience how to ferret out the nuggets of truth in a muddled media landscape.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marge Inovera
    United States3 months ago
  • Insightful Analysis

    Brilliant analysis of events and behaviours happening in politics and pop culture today.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blah!_Blah!
    Australia5 months ago
  • Got the ick

    Guests were bad enough that I’m just finished listening altogether and unsubscribed. Exposed bad judgement and taste.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    omp19
    United States9 months ago
  • Exceptional insight

    The Jan 29 episode in particular was filled with true insider knowledge. Grateful for the inside access

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    elleshoe
    United Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback is mixed where some critics call for less filler and more depth or guest vetting.
Overall, listeners praise the host for sharp, actionable PR analysis and insider-like insights.
Positive comments frequently highlight clarity, expertise, and engaging delivery.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#165
Mexico/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Michael Wolff’s Messy Attempt to Explain Why He Was Helping Epstein
Q: Were you his media advisor?
Wolff insists he was not Epstein's media advisor, though his actions suggest otherwise.
When Sports and Scandal Collide: Inside the Biggest Controversies and Comebacks
Q: What advice would you give if you had the ear of a new athlete, someone who's a big college star?
Focus on building a good reputation, which helps withstand negative situations. Be conscious that everything you say can be fodder for the media and avoid sending controversial messages late at night.
When Sports and Scandal Collide: Inside the Biggest Controversies and Comebacks
Q: So looking back at all these cases from Aaron Rogers to Brett Favre to Tom Brady, what's the common thread you see in sports crises or sports issues that make or break a response?
A lot of the regular crisis rules apply, such as timeliness and gathering all the facts. The first response is usually bungled, and navigating through social media is crucial.
276: Before the Fame: Journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis on Taylor Swift's Early Years
Q: Was there any sense of maturity stunted due to her fame at a young age?
There is a theory that you get stuck at the age you become famous, which may apply to her.
276: Before the Fame: Journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis on Taylor Swift's Early Years
Q: When you interviewed her, did you see her as someone who would become this big star?
I believed she was driven and talented, but her rise was beyond what she expected herself.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The PR Breakdown

What is The PR Breakdown about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show revolves around dissecting high-profile crises, PR missteps, and how messaging shapes public perception. Episodes consistently analyze celebrity scandals, political controversies, and corporate disasters through the lens of crisis communication, transparency, and reputation management. Listeners can expect practical takeaways on spotting early PR signals, evaluating official messaging, and understanding what separates effective crisis responses from damage-control misfires. A few standout angles include in-depth breakdowns of public figures' communications, media strategy decisions, and how narratives evolve under scrutiny. The host's professional emphasis on actionable PR insights and real-world examples makes it valuable for mark... more

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1. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette Official Podcast
2. Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast
3. Deux U
4. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
5. Pop Apologists

How many episodes of The PR Breakdown are there?

The PR Breakdown launched 7 years ago and published 368 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The PR Breakdown?

Recent guests on The PR Breakdown include:

1. Greg Gallant
2. John Pernick
3. Michael Jammin
4. Dr Abbey Metcalf
5. Dr. Abby
6. Vanessa Grigoriadis
7. Dr. Abby Metcalf
8. Michelle Egan

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