Episodes

Nov. 20, 2024

290: TikTok's Pajama Drama and Entitlement: A PR and Psychology Breakdown

In this crossover episode of The PR Breakdown , a therapy session of sorts into the world of entitlement, both online and off. Starting with the TikTok pajama drama—where influencers Cecily and Samantha Bachman faced backlas…

Nov. 12, 2024

288: The Perfect Mess: Martha Stewart's Documentary Damage Control

Martha Stewart's Netflix documentary unpacks her biggest PR battles and delivers a masterclass in reputation repair. From that infamous CBS salad interview to the $45,000 ImClone stock trade that sent shockwaves through her …

Nov. 5, 2024

287: Election PR Showdown: Campaign Predictions with the Guys from the Reputation Town Podcast

It's a special episode featuring Molly's conversation with Canadian PR experts Warren Weeks and John Perenack from the Reputation Town podcast. Just days before the 2024 presidential election, they break down the most talked…

Oct. 30, 2024

286: Behind the Scenes with Dr. Abby: Celebrity Relationships, Loyalty, and Reputation in the Spotlight

Behind the Scenes with Dr. Abby: Celebrity Relationships, Loyalty, and Reputation in the Spotlight This week’s PR Breakdown Live episode on Patreon takes a deep dive into celebrity relationships, loyalty, and the challenges …

Oct. 23, 2024

285: The 3 Questions You MUST Ask Before Speaking to Any Reporter

This episode of The PR Breakdown explores whether individuals and organizations should always respond to reporters' inquiries. She presents a nuanced view of media engagement, highlighting key considerations before agreeing …

Oct. 16, 2024

284: The Risks and Realities of a 100% Denial Strategy

In this episode of The PR Breakdown , we take a deep dive into the high-stakes PR strategy of a "100% Denial." This approach has long been used by celebrities, politicians, and public figures when facing serious accusations.…

Oct. 9, 2024

283: Low Places, High Stakes: Garth Brooks’ PR Crisis Amid Assault Allegations

In this episode of The PR Breakdown , digging into the PR crisis surrounding country music legend Garth Brooks. Two days before sexual assault allegations against him surfaced, Brooks posted a seemingly wholesome photo with …

Oct. 2, 2024

282: Scandal Season: Why September Sparks Media, Celebrity, and Political Firestorms

September marks the beginning of scandal season, when politicians, celebrities, and the media heat up with controversy. In this episode, we break down the crisis communication tactics used by high-profile figures, focusing o…

Sept. 25, 2024

281: Scandal, Power, and Abuse: RFK Jr., Sean Combs, and Muhammad Al-Fayed

What happens when high-profile figures like RFK Jr., Sean Combs, and Muhammad Al-Fayed find themselves at the center of public scandals? This episode unpacks the unsettling truths behind RFK Jr.'s sexting affair with politic…

Sept. 18, 2024

280: The Hidden Meanings Behind Kate Middleton's Cancer Journey Video

In this episode of The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson , Kate Middleton’s health update video is more than just an announcement. It’s a masterclass in PR, packed with hidden symbolism and subtle storytelling designed to re…

Sept. 11, 2024

279: How Travis Kelce’s PR Team Turned A Fake Breakup Into A Win

In this episode of The PR Breakdown , we'll delve into the fascinating world of celebrity PR and dissect one of the most strategic PR moves we've seen lately: the rumored breakup between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Howeve…

Sept. 4, 2024

278: Courting Public Favor: Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake

Courting Public Favor: Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake Summary: In this episode of The PR Breakdown , analyzing the recent PR moves surrounding Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake. Following Timberlake’s arrest for a DWI in …

Feb. 7, 2024

277: The Inside Scoop: The Day I Became a Boston Globe Headline

‘Who’s holding those strings’: Molly McPherson goes viral on TikTok for decoding celebrity PR strategy. - Boston Globe, Dec. 25, 2023 Seeing my name next to the words 'viral' and 'TikTok' is nothing short of terrifying. In t…

Jan. 24, 2024

276: Before the Fame: Journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis on Taylor Swift's Early Years

Journalist and host of the Infamous podcastt, Vanessa Grigoriadis joins Molly as they dive deep into the life, career, and public image of global pop star, Taylor Swift. Vanessa profiled Taylor Swift for Rolling Stone in 200…

Jan. 17, 2024

275: Allegedly Series: Behind the Headlines Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez

This is the inaugural episode of the Indestructible PR podcast series called, Allegedly . In this series, I take a critical look at the PR moves, media narratives, and survival tactics that celebrities use to circumvent a PR…

Jan. 9, 2024

274: The Future of Public Relations: A Conversation with PRSA's Michelle Egan

An episode about the profession of public relations for the practitioners who make it one of the most exciting fields to work in. In this episode, a discussion about the future of the public relations industry with Michelle …

Jan. 2, 2024

273: 2023's Unforgettable Celebrity Scandals: A Year in Review

First episode for 2024! Hey there, PR pros and dedicated listeners! You won't want to miss this special episode where I dive deep into the year that left jaws on the floor with never-ending celebrity drama and crisis. Let's …

Dec. 18, 2023

272: Behind the Broadcast: Expert Tips for a Memorable Media Interview

Let's go behind the scenes of broadcast television, where a former producer joins us to reveal the tricks of the trade. Our guest David McAlpine takes us inside the world of anchors, reporters, producers, and bookers to find…

Dec. 12, 2023

271: 2023's Biggest Public Relations Fiascos: A Year in Review

Prepare to step back in time to revisit the top PR fiascos of 2023. Diving into the recent and semi-recent mishaps of the year and their enduring impacts. Joining Molly this week to breakdown the top crises of the year are t…

Dec. 5, 2023

270: Thin Ice: When Personal Conduct Comes Into Play - Navigating Crisis and Rumors in the Chicago Blackhawks Organization

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the process of terminating Corey Perry's contract due to unacceptable conduct, as part of addressing broader questions about the organization's culture. This episode examines their approach to m…

269: The Fine Line Between Apology and Denial: A Case Study of Colleen Ballinger and Matt Rife

Nov. 28, 2023