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The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

www.mollymcpherson.com
Crisis Communication
Public Relations
Donald Trump
Crisis Management
Blake Lively
Social Media
Taylor Swift
Ryan Reynolds
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes372Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for The PR Breakdown

Latest Episodes

When a presidential interview goes off the rails, it is rarely an accident. It is a pattern.

A man tried to kill the president on Saturday. By Tuesday, the dominant news story was a court filing about a ballroom.

That is not a glitch in the news cy... more

YouTube

When a leader is under pressure, the first move tells you everything. Kash Patel sued The Atlantic for $275 million. Mike Vrabel called it a "private and personal matter." Both responses were designed to control the story. Both made it worse.

This w... more

YouTube

When serious allegations land, a public figure's opening move is supposed to signal steadiness, accountability, and command of the facts. Eric Swalwell's first move did the opposite. Within hours, he reached for lawyers, labeled his accusers politica... more

YouTube

Melania Trump didn't walk to that podium to defend herself. She walked there to distance herself. From Epstein. From the male executives around her. And quietly, unmistakably, from her husband.

This wasn't a press conference. There were no questions... 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 States2 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 States4 months ago
  • Insightful Analysis

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blah!_Blah!
    Australia6 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 States10 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 Kingdoma year 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
#231
Ireland/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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Which podcasts are similar to The PR Breakdown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The PR Breakdown:

1. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
2. Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky
3. Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast
4. Right Answers Mostly
5. Pop Apologists

How many episodes of The PR Breakdown are there?

The PR Breakdown launched 7 years ago and published 372 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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