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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
Hollywood
It Ends With Us
Travis Kelce
Jeffrey Epstein
Meghan Markle
Justin Timberlake
Colleen Ballinger
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes394Founded8 years ago
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Artwork for The PR Breakdown

Latest Episodes

Kelly Clarkson went to Art of Play in Brooklyn, asked about a singing mechanical bird named Molly, and left feeling talked down to. She posted about it that afternoon, and she named the store. The shop answered with a statement, then a longer follow-... more

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Mikayla Nogueira sat down with Jay Shetty and admitted something most creators who got rich on the platform won't. She had no followers, and her first videos were still getting thousands of views. She noticed the algorithm right away. Molly McPherson... more

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People are calling it the Cornell 7 case. In twelve days, Cornell, the Tompkins County district attorney, the mayor of Ithaca and Governor Kathy Hochul all put out statements about the same night in 2024. A former student, identified only as Jane Doe... more

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Buckingham Palace does not comment on books. It has said so for a hundred years. Last week it said it again, inside a comment on a book.

Charles Spencer, Diana's brother, writes that Charles sounded "giddily elated" on a phone call after Diana died.... more

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Recent Guests

Mikayla Nogueira
Beauty influencer and content creator featured in the Jay Shetty interview
Self-described brand/POV beauty line
Episode: Emily Gellis's Court-Ordered Apology and Mikayla Nogueira on Jay Shetty
Amanda Hirsch
Host of Not Skinny But Not Fat
Dear Media
Episode: Amanda Hirsch: The Notes App Apology Era Is Done
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

Host

Molly McPherson
Host of The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson; crisis communications expert and strategist.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 505 ratings
  • "Respects Both sides" of a well documented Genocide

    Imagine having Irish Catholic Heritage only to come out and say you

    "Respect both sides" of a well documented Genocide (that has been certified by UN, Genocide and Jewish scholars etc)

    It's giving when Trump said

    "There were good people on both sides"

    when describing the proud boys.

    Congratulations on being a mouthpiece for the Billionaire Class and a country in violation of international law.

    The internet is forever and silence equals complicity.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Blah!_Blah!
    Australiaa month ago
  • It’s great just listen

    Molly is a pro’s pro.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yocohontas
    Canada4 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 States8 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 States10 months ago
  • Insightful Analysis

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blah!_Blah!
    Australiaa 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

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Notes from the EdgeGamut Podcast Network
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Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
METRO with Sarah Koenig
METRO with Sarah KoenigSerial Productions & The New York Times
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The BuildersiHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Emily Gellis's Court-Ordered Apology and Mikayla Nogueira on Jay Shetty
Q: What did Mikayla Nogueira say in her interview with Jay Shetty, and why is it relevant?
Mikayla described her rise, the influencer dynamics, and the algorithmic forces that amplified her content, emphasizing the importance of authentic persona and work ethic. The interview highlighted how interviewers with strong followings can shape the narrative around an influencer's authenticity and business approach.
Emily Gellis's Court-Ordered Apology and Mikayla Nogueira on Jay Shetty
Q: What sparked the Tanya Zuckerbrot and Emily Gellis dispute, and what was the outcome?
The dispute began with Emily Gellis accusing the F Factor diet of making people sick, escalating to thousands of Instagram stories and a defamation/cyber-stalking lawsuit. Zuckerbrot ultimately won the lawsuit, and the settlement required Gellis to publish a public apology video, with a long-term impact on both brands' reputations.
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.

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?

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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Which podcasts are similar to The PR Breakdown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The PR Breakdown:

1. Back Row with Amy Odell
2. I've Had It
3. Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast
4. Deux U
5. Good Noticings

How many episodes of The PR Breakdown are there?

The PR Breakdown launched 8 years ago and published 394 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. Mikayla Nogueira
2. Amanda Hirsch
3. Amy Gertner
4. Greg Gallant
5. John Pernick
6. Michael Jammin
7. Dr Abbey Metcalf
8. Dr. Abby

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