The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson pulls back the curtain on the PR moves driving today's biggest stories. Join Molly each week as she decodes the strategy behind the headlines, revealing the hidden tactics at play. With her insider perspective, you’ll learn why these PR moves matter, who’s calli...

Recent Episodes

July 16, 2025

Flood Warning Failures: The Texas Tragedy

When the flood came, the warnings didn’t. In this episode, a deadly cascade of communication breakdowns and the consequences of delay. At least 129 people are dead, with dozens still missing, after historic flash flooding swe...
July 9, 2025

The PR Trap of July: Scandals, Silence, and the Setup for September

July appears quiet. It isn’t. This episode outlines why summer is a high-risk period for reputation management. With newsroom staffing reduced and audience attention low, deeper stories start brewing. Reporters have more time. Leadership is often distracted. That’s when reputational cracks start to…
July 2, 2025

When Journalists Become the Story: Who Really Controls the Narrative?

In this live edition of The PR Breakdown, Molly McPherson is joined by Warren Weeks and John Perenak, the hosts of the Reputation Town podcast, to explore the widening gap between journalism and public trust. The conversation...
June 25, 2025

The Tyler Perry Allegations: Why 'Scam' Claims Make Everything Worse

Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million sexual harassment lawsuit from actor Derek Dixon—and his legal team wasted no time calling it a “scam” and “shakedown.” That move may work in court. It won’t hold up in the court of public...
June 18, 2025

PR Wars: Trump vs. No Kings

Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the ...
June 11, 2025

Defamation as a Crisis Strategy: What the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Case Reveals

A $400 million defamation lawsuit, a full dismissal from a federal judge, and reputations still in question. This week, we’re breaking down the legal loss—and PR fallout—of It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni’s case again...