Explore the silent triggers that spark crises and how they can impact decision-making. Fear, identified as a core motivator, shapes public response during challenging times. Gain insights into the importance of empathy in crisis management. Real-world examples illustrate how to navigate tumultuous situations effectively. Discover strategies to maintain and protect your reputation when everything seems at stake.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
LA Mayor's Crisis
LA Mayor Karen Bass faced a crisis after attending an inauguration in Ghana during LA wildfires.
Her absence, coupled with budget cuts to the fire department, fueled public criticism and reputational damage.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Lively vs. Baldoni
The Hollywood Reporter framed Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni as a 'David vs. Goliath' story.
Molly McPherson believes the silent trigger in this crisis was rooted in fear and insecurity.
question_answer ANECDOTE
9/11 Fund Cuts
Elon Musk's cuts to the 9/11 Survivors Fund sparked bipartisan rebuke.
These cuts, like others in government agencies, create fear and insecurity among those affected.
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This is the only thing you have to fear in a crisis. Listen as crisis and reputation strategist Molly McPherson explains what is at the heart of every crisis.
Recorded late on a Friday— moments after her meeting with a client in crisis— Molly checked out the national news headlines looking for a Friday news dump. She wanted to find the common theme between what she heard on that client call and what that headline story revealed.
She found it.
Learn what the secret trigger of every client crisis.
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 insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.
Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.
This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself.