The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 swept through central Texas. The timeline reveals a gap between federal alerts and local action. Lives were lost in those hours.We examine what went wrong, why the local warning system never materialized despite years of requests, and how messaging from state and national leaders continues to fail the public in real-time. From delayed sirens to political deflections, this is a story about infrastructure, accountability, and the high cost of silence.Plus: the Camp Mystic aftermath, FEMA’s delayed deployment, the governor’s football analogy, and the backlash to a viral video that reframed the tragedy through race and privilege.The floodwaters receded. The questions haven’t.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.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

July may seem quiet, but it’s a critical time for reputation management. This month sees a rise in scandals as journalists have more time and distractions abound. Notable cases include Lizzo's lawsuit and Drew Barrymore's strike backlash, both igniting in July and flaring up by September. The podcast highlights how reduced oversight can lead to reputational risks and stresses the importance of proactive communication. It also discusses social media's role in amplifying backlash and underscores the necessity of transparency during this high-risk period.

Warren Weeks, a media training expert and co-host of the Reputation Town podcast, joins fellow co-host John Perenak to delve into the complexities of modern journalism. They discuss the implications of Jake Tapper’s new book and debate whether journalists should profit from their stories. The conversation explores the shifting dynamics of media power from traditional outlets to independent creators, and the increasing public skepticism towards access journalism. With insights on the evolving landscape, they shed light on the ongoing struggle for integrity and trust in reporting.

Tyler Perry faces a staggering $260 million sexual harassment lawsuit, but his team's dismissal of the claims as a "scam" could backfire. The discussion highlights how aggressive legal tactics can tarnish a celebrity's reputation. Insights into the implications of a viral video add layers to the analysis. The episode touches on the dangers of ignoring public perception versus legal strategy and draws parallels to other high-profile cases. Ultimately, defensive actions can rapidly erode trust, proving that reputation is easily lost.

This podcast dives into the emotional aftermath of a tragic attack on elected officials, exploring its implications for political violence. It contrasts Donald Trump's aggressive immigration tactics with the grassroots No Kings movement, focusing on how different political strategies evoke fear and hope. Listeners are presented with insights on the art of public relations, revealing how messaging shapes public perception and encourages democratic engagement. The discussion highlights the importance of unity and strategic communication in a fractious political landscape.

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 against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their team. Spoiler: no one comes out clean.This episode goes beyond the legal headline to unpack what really happens when public figures weaponize defamation law to manage backlash. We cover:Why most defamation suits failWhat the law protects—and what it doesn’tThe reputational risks of suing to “fix” a storyAnd what Blake Lively’s post-verdict statement didn’t say out loudIf you’ve ever asked, “Should I sue for defamation?”—this episode is your answer. (And I’ve got a resource for you if you’re still not sure.)Mentioned in the episode:Should You Sue for Defamation? (Fillable Decision Tree for paid subscribers): PRBreakdown.MediaSocial Media Hints At Reasons Behind 'It Ends With Us' Cast Rift, Forbes.com (Aug. 12, 2024) Molly McPherson The media tool I use to track stories, monitor coverage, and help clients get their message in the right hands. Click here to learn more. 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.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

This week delivered a crash course in reputational damage. From a celebrity divorce to a DOGE(Y) dodge, and newsroom blowback, this episode highlights five real-time PR failures that exposed deeper internal fractures.Mentioned in this episode:Hugh Jackman & Deborra-Lee Furness: When a “conscious uncoupling” narrative veers into betrayalJeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez: The media quote provided about their pre-wedding press tour. Previous episode for context: (Houston, Gayle King and Crew Have a Problem: Blue Origins PR Free Fall)Elon Musk: His pivot away from Trump raises eyebrows. Jake Tapper: CNN’s anchor (and one crisis communicator) faces the heat from the release of Original Sin. Delta Airlines: A viral in-flight moment that struck the wrong chord. 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.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

Jake Tapper’s new book Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again is making headlines; not just for what’s in it. The backlash, the omissions, the PR fallout—it’s all part of a larger failure in messaging that started long before the first leak.In this episode, I’m breaking down the five communication sins at the core of the Biden cover-up. It’s not about politics. It’s about power, spin, and what happens when leaders forget that concealment is not strategy.You’ll hear:The five sins: from silencing to muting the messengerThe Tapper media tour misfireWhy crisis spin can’t beat truth—even with a teleprompterHow these same mistakes show up in boardrooms, campaigns, and C-suitesThis isn’t about politics or who you voted for. It’s about what not to do when people are watching...and when they’re not.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.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

This episode examines the sharp edge of celebrity scandal and why some reputations teeter over the cliff while others, against the odds, manage a comeback. With Sean Combs (Diddy) serving as the case study, this episode reveals PR moves public figure make when they are close to the edge of the “reputation cliff.”Comparing a trio of notorious comebacks and collapses—Robert Downey Jr., Tiger Woods, Ellen DeGeneres—the episode shares how two made it through the crisis while one fell victim to it. In this episode:The three signals a brand or person is beyond repairWhy apologies and silence aren’t equalThe harsh truth about when it's too little, too late. Sources: How allegations can impact Combs' Reputation, NBC News, May 14, 2025Brands! Take a Stand! But Do So With Caution, You.Gov, Deepa Bhatia - December 18th, 2018Poll: Tiger Woods Hits a Record Low, NY Post, 2009Want 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.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

Last week, my daughter graduated from Loyola University Chicago. After years of watching her build a life—on the field, on the sidelines, in the center of the action—she’s stepping into the real world. And like so many graduates right now, she’s walking in with drive, uncertainty, and a digital footprint that started long before her first job offer.This episode is a message to her—and to every graduate who needs a little direction that’s not sugarcoated. It’s a life list. The same one I’ve given my own kids (sometimes more than once). The same one I use with clients in crisis.In this episode:The top three questions students (and parents) ask me after every keynoteWhy your degree matters less than how well you can read a roomThe habits and mindsets that actually keep reputations intactWhat to say in your first “I don’t know what to do” moment at workAnd the one thing every Gen Z grad needs to hear—especially those shaped by the pandemic yearsThis is not motivational filler. It’s a real list for the real world. Send it to your grad. Save it for your kid. Or come back to it when your own clarity runs low.Read the entire list here on my PR Breakdown Substack: What No One Tells New Grads About Crisis Communication (And Life) The media tool I use to track stories, monitor coverage, and help clients get their message in the right hands. Click here to learn more. 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.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...