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The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

www.mollymcpherson.com
Crisis Communication
Public Relations
Donald Trump
Crisis Management
Blake Lively
Ryan Reynolds
Social Media
Taylor Swift
Justin Baldoni
Tiktok
Sean Combs
Bill Belichick
It Ends With Us
Travis Kelce
Jeffrey Epstein
Meghan Markle
Justin Timberlake
Colleen Ballinger
Hollywood
Jimmy Kimmel

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.

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Artwork for The PR Breakdown

Latest Episodes

Five scientists were escorted out of a diabetes conference by police for handing out a scientific paper — published in the host's own journal. By the time the American Diabetes Association finished explaining itself, its president and president-elect... more

A 37-year 60 Minutes correspondent got fired in a conference room over a dinner he refused to attend. Scott Pelley lost his job and won the PR war in the same week, and the side that was supposed to be running the institution handed him the moral hig... more

When a Senate campaign gets hit with a sexting scandal, the spouse is supposed to disappear. Amy Gertner grabbed her phone, walked into a cloud of Maine blackflies, and recorded the most effective crisis response of the cycle.

Everyone is covering t... more

YouTube

A New Jersey congressman has been missing for 77 days. His office keeps posting like he's at his desk. His father is fielding press calls. And almost no one is talking about it.

Tom Kean Jr. hasn't cast a vote since March 5. His team's answer? "Pers... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Amy Gertner
Wife of Graham Plattner, public figure responding to coverage of her marriage and husband's campaign
Spouse of Graham Plattner
Episode: How Amy Gertner's 20-Take Video Out-Performed Graham Platner's Own Response
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

Host

Molly McPherson
Host of The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson, crisis-communication expert.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 486 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 States4 months 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 States5 months ago
  • Insightful Analysis

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blah!_Blah!
    Australia7 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 Statesa year 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 Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value actionable, data-backed breakdowns of high-profile cases.
Shows back-and-forth between analysis and real-world guidance, loved by professionals.
Highly insightful take on PR and crisis communication, with practical tips.

Chart Rankings

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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 centers on crisis communications, reputation management, and PR strategy, with in-depth analyses of high-profile scandals, celebrity moments, and corporate crises. Across episodes, the host dissects messaging, transparency, and leadership moves—highlighting how poor handling, mixed signals, or over-polished narratives erode trust and how proactive, human-centered responses can preserve or rebuild reputations. Notable throughlines include the impact of first moves in crises, the misuse of visibility versus accountability, and the rising role of technology and media dynamics in shaping public perception. The format often blends case studies with practical takeaways for business leaders, brands, and communications teams seeking to avo... more

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1. Next Question with Katie Couric
2. Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel
3. Back Row with Amy Odell
4. Pop Apologists
5. 2 Angry Men

How many episodes of The PR Breakdown are there?

The PR Breakdown launched 8 years ago and published 378 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. Amy Gertner
2. Greg Gallant
3. John Pernick
4. Michael Jammin
5. Dr Abbey Metcalf
6. Dr. Abby
7. Vanessa Grigoriadis
8. Dr. Abby Metcalf

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