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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

Every mess has a move behind it. Crisis communication expert Molly McPherson takes apart the viral scandals, celebrity meltdowns, and corporate disasters dominating the headlines, showing you exactly where they went wrong so you never do. She's the historian of the moves, and once you can name the play, you can see it coming.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes388Founded8 years ago
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Society & CultureBusiness

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Artwork for The PR Breakdown

Latest Episodes

Callaway spent three days saying it was disappointed by an ad. Then its CEO admitted Callaway approved that ad before it was posted.

This episode is about the gap between those two statements, and what a company reveals when it comments on its own c... more

YouTube

Three parties could have spoken about Hayden Panettiere. One had ten years with her and said nothing. One had ninety minutes and wrote her a letter. One was her mother.

This is an episode about standing — proximity plus obligation — and what each of... more

YouTube

Brad Pitt gave Esquire a Monday. Molly McPherson breaks down what he actually bought with it.

The September cover profile reads like an ordinary man letting a writer into his house — the dogs, the Perrier, a charcuterie board he builds himself. Moll... more

YouTube

A self-help influencer with nearly nine million followers is being sued by her own business partner, who is also one third of her marriage and, according to the filings, the person who actually wrote her books.

That is the story everybody is going t... 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 communications expert and strategist.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 501 ratings
  • It’s great just listen

    Molly is a pro’s pro.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yocohontas
    Canada2 months ago
  • 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 States6 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 States8 months ago
  • Insightful Analysis

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blah!_Blah!
    Australia10 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

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise personal storytelling as a useful angle for understanding complex crises.
Diverse case studies keep content fresh and relevant for leaders and teams.
Insights into PR and crisis strategy are actionable and practical for professionals.
Some listeners feel certain episodes mix topics or rely on surface-level recap, suggesting a preference for deeper case-study analysis.
A few reviews note pacing or depth; overall sentiment highlights expert analysis and actionable takeaways.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
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The Ezra Klein Show
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The Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & Mindset
The Determined Society with Shawn French | Adversity & MindsetDetermined Society Podcast | Overcoming Adversity & Mindset
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher

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

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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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?

Crisis-communication-focused analysis that breaks down high-profile scandals, political disputes, and corporate crises through case-study style episodes. Across recent topics, the format emphasizes accountability, proactive messaging, and the psychology of spin, with a knack for translating strategic moves into practical lessons for leaders, PR teams, and brands. Notable strengths include deep dives into how early moves, public apologies, and narrative framing shape outcomes, plus a willingness to connect personal storytelling to organizational trust. The show often highlights lessons on owning the story, avoiding blame, and maintaining mission alignment under pressure, making it useful for listeners who want actionable playbooks and real-w... more

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1. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
2. Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky
3. Next Question with Katie Couric
4. Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast
5. SmartLess

How many episodes of The PR Breakdown are there?

The PR Breakdown launched 8 years ago and published 388 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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