Crisis Communications Episodes

This episode of The PR Breakdown examines a viral crime case out of Albany, New York, that drew national attention when a suspect confessed on camera to killing and burying his parents. Guest Greg Floyd, veteran journalist and anchor, recounts how the investigation evolved from a financial-crimes lead into a homicide revelation, and reflects on the ethics, accountability, and human weight behind the interview. In this episode: How the case surfaced and escalated from a backyard dig to a double ...

Outrage isn’t random anymore, it’s a playbook. In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, what started as shock turned into a communication crisis that exposed how words can either shape narratives or ignite division. Here’s the problem: in 2025, speech doesn’t live in a vacuum. Every comment, post, and soundbite ricochets through algorithms, institutions, and public opinion. And when words turn into weapons, the fallout is swift—firings, censures, and reputational scars. This episode explor...

Outrage isn’t new, but the way it plays out in 2025 feels like a full-time industry. This week, it’s Phillies fans brawling over a foul ball, a CEO swiping a signed hat at the US Open, Bruce Willis’ family facing judgment in a Diane Sawyer interview, and American Eagle cashing in on controversy with its headline-grabbing campaign. Here’s the problem: every headline slaps the same word on these stories—backlash. But backlash and blowback aren’t the same thing. If you don’t know the difference, y...

A shooting inside a Minneapolis church during a back-to-school gathering left two children dead and several others injured. The Annunciation Catholic School community was shattered. The country watched. And almost immediately, public officials and school leaders stood in front of microphones, tasked with speaking into heartbreak. In this episode, examining what was said—and how it was said—during the press conferences that followed. Joining the conversation with Molly is Greg Floyd, evening an...

The Breakdown: The first move most people make in a crisis is often the one that causes the most damage. It happens when emotion outruns strategy, and the brain mistakes public pressure for personal danger. The result is impulsive action, usually in the form of a rushed post, a scrambled statement, or a desperate attempt to make the backlash go away. But the real problem isn’t public. It’s neurological. This episode explains why the body’s threat response takes over during high-stakes moments...

Seventy thousand five hundred twenty-one. That’s how many news stories included Andy Byron’s name after one juicy Jumbotron moment at a Coldplay concert. In this episode of The PR Breakdown, dissecting how a viral moment spiraled into a corporate PR disaster that exposed a CEO, an HR chief, and a total breakdown in communication control. What made this story explode? Not just the video, but the silence that followed a hoax. Molly breaks down the viral ingredients: A real-life HR entanglement...

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 lea...

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 fail What the la...

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 betrayal Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez: The media quote provided about their pre-wedding press tour. Previous episode for context: ( Houston, Gayle King and Crew Have...

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....

A football legend avoids the one question everyone’s asking. A Hollywood power couple frames advocacy through a lens that feels just a little too curated. And a trusted draft analyst unravels on-air when his favorite prospect freefalls. This episode covers three high-profile figures—Bill Belichick, Blake Lively, and Mel Kiper Jr.—each caught in a reputational storm of their own making. The instinct to protect ego is understandable—but it’s also where most people go wrong. When public figures re...

The SignalGate fallout isn’t just about an accidental group chat. It’s about the unraveling that happens when powerful people panic, deny, and deflect—all while trying to hold onto credibility in real time. This episode unpacks how a single journalist ended up in a military planning thread with top Trump officials, and why the aftermath says more about the communication breakdown inside the administration than it does about the strike itself. From strategic missteps to ethical high-wire acts, th...

In this episode, Molly McPherson takes you behind the scenes of crisis management, starting at SXSW. She reveals how this one single word came up in a week of speaking engagements. A word that can strip away layers of trust, ignite public outrage, and transform everyday moments into high-stakes dramas. Listen to real-world examples that reveal this word—from the controversial campaign to save a beloved local beaver to the corporate shakeup at Target over shifting DEI commitments. Tune in for an...

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 cris...

The episode examines the mismanagement of communication during the recent LA wildfires, focusing on Mayor Karen Bass's absence during the crisis and the subsequent erosion of public trust. Key lessons in crisis communication emphasize the need for transparency, empathy, and accountability from leaders facing critical situations. • Analysis of Mayor Bass's timeline during the wildfires • Discussion on the impact of her international travel • Examination of communication failures and trust erosio...

They’re back and ready to dissect the year’s biggest communications fiascos. I’m joined by Warren Weeks and John Perenack, my Candian colleagues in crisis behind the Reputation Town podcast, to break down 2024’s most cringe-worthy PR disasters. We’re talking about brand meltdowns, public figures who just couldn’t keep it together, and major corporations fumbling their way through social backlash. From outrageous missteps to the frantic damage control that followed, you’ll hear why these moments ...

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 his wife, Trisha Yearwood. Coincidence? Maybe not. Exploring how the couple is strategically handling the allegations in public, breaking down their moves and drawing parallels to familiar PR playbook tactics used by other high-profile figures. With serious accusations broug...

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 on New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his response to federal charges of bribery and fraud. We take a closer look at Adams’ video statement and compare it to strategies used by former President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and former New York Governor Andre...

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 political reporter Olivia Nuzzi, exploring how his wife Cheryl Hines' glamorous appearance at Milan Fashion Week might be a strategic distraction. We delve into the ethical implications of such behavior and the vital role transparency and accountability play in maintaining public tr...

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 reshape the public perception of the royal family. Uncover ten key meanings behind the visuals, from Kate in the driver’s seat to the color blue, and explore how Kate and William are distancing themselves from Harry and Meghan as they face ongoing branding challenges. Mentione...

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 hit the rewind button and explore the twists and turns of 2023's scandalous celeb behavior that kept publicists on their toes and the rest of us following along closely. Here are your top five most popular episodes of the year. (Thank you, listeners!) Top Five Episodes: E...

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 two seasoned media and PR pros - John Perenack and Warren Weeks. This episode covers everything from significant advertising blunders to historical corporate crises. It's a mix of the obvious stories you'd expect on this list as well as some surprises. We're discussing what we...

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 managing rumors and controversies, particularly those related to personal conduct. It highlights the importance of developing clear, timely, and empathetic communication strategies to uphold an organization's reputation. The episode analyzes Corey Perry's specific case to illu...

Apologies, denials, and online disasters. Molly is breaking down the Matt Rife and Colleen Ballinger PR crisis. This episode is all about perception management. As soon as the backlash starts, every subsequent step needs to be calculated. Often, this fine line between apology and denial can alter reputations and determine careers' trajectory in a blink. These three key takeaways: 1. Exploring the anatomy of an apology, and what happens when it's done wrong, using Colleen Ballinger as our case...