Cultural Commentary Episodes

Taylor Lorenz discusses her new book 'Extremely Online' and delves into the untold story of fame, influence, and power on the Internet, exploring internet culture and societal impacts. Taylor unravels the complexities and trends of online communities, shares her research and experience, and explores the impact of internet culture on our society. Highlights The influence of content creators: Content creators have become a driving force in shaping online culture and influencing public opinion. Th...

Delving into the aftermath of the damning Rolling Stone article that uncovered a hostile work environment at "The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon." We analyze the responses of Fallon and NBC to this damaging exposure and navigate the intricate relationship between celebrity culture and workplace dynamics. Unmasking the Toxicity: Molly explores the details of the Rolling Stone article, which paints a picture of a toxic work environment filled with bullying and intimidation. She examines the s...

Ever wondered how celebrities handle allegations of infidelity and the intricate dance of public perception? This episode might just quench your curiosity. We journey through the scandalous world of celebrity affairs, from the rumored affair of Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater to infamous cases like Tiger Woods, Brad Pitt, and former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (with an unexpected e connection to a popular social media influencer you may know from TikTok.) Discover how these celebrities, with ...

Picture this: A quarter of our population and forty percent of American families are affected by disability, yet its representation in media and advertising is a mere 1%. As we navigate the complex world of disability rights and inclusion, we are joined by a special guest who gives us a first-hand perspective. Meet Kelsey Lindell, a physically disabled woman who’s educating a million people about disability rights and ableism, while challenging misconceptions and stereotypes. Disability isn't j...

This episode explores the unsettling world of gaslighting in media, culture, politics, and personal relationships. White House briefings and actor Jonah Hill's leaked texts illustrate how manipulation and control shape narratives. We discuss a recent press briefing, allegations and irresponsible reporting surrounding a controversial incident. Additionally, we discuss damaging texts leaked by Jonah Hill's ex-girlfriend, which led to a viral revenge plot on social media. The topic of gaslighting w...

What if you could connect with your audience and experts like never before? Discover the incredible new platform called Five that's backed by big names like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates. I'm your host, Molly McPherson, and I'm thrilled to share how this game-changing app allows me to engage with my audience and answer your burning questions about public relations, crisis management, popular culture, news, and more. Join me in the Five community and let's dive into some valuable di...

What does it take for a brand to successfully navigate the delicate waters of LGBTQ+ marketing during Pride Month? Join us as we explore the challenges and rewards of inclusive marketing and branding, sharing various experiences from companies like Bud Light (messy) and Adidas (did anyone notice?) in their 2023 campaigns, we discuss the importance of having values and initiatives in place - and crisis communication plans - to avoid costly PR crises and the potential backlash from embracing this ...

The current level of discourse on social media has created a pretty strained environment for users (and that’s putting it mildly). Even a simple analysis can trigger intense responses from viewers, creating an inordinate amount of stress for creators. This week’s podcast examines the current level of pushback on social media and how it is affecting the online landscape. Hear about the latest headlines concerning Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and why posts about the couple always seem to elicit ...

In this episode, discussing how celebrities can turn scandal into opportunity and leverage their time in the spotlight to create positive change. We will explore different ways in which celebrities have used their platform to redeem themselves and make a positive impact on society. Key Points From This Episode: The Anatomy of a Scandal What are the different types of scandals that celebrities may find themselves in and how these scandals can affect their public image. We will also explore how...

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate, connect, and consume information, and will continue to do so. The world of social media is ever-changing and, as we enter the next generation of social media, we need to adapt and learn new ways to respond to social media crises. In this episode, you’ll learn about the ways in which social media is changing, with the predicted proliferation of deep fakes and the ever-increasing influence of bots. You’ll discover how to determine the best p...

Context is everything. February 22nd, 2023, cartoonist Scott Adams aired an episode of his nightly podcast that would turn his career on its head. The creator of the beloved character, Dilbert Done, surprised us all with the heavily racist remarks he made in the video entitled, “It’s Okay to Be White,” which very quickly went viral. As a result, Scott Adams has been canceled, not only figuratively by society, but also literally through the loss of his newspaper contracts. Nobody is immune to t...

The rise of social media influencers means it is easier than ever to form parasocial relationships with celebrities or online influencers. Although parasocial relationships are one-sided and don’t involve any contact in the real world, the death of someone whose life you have been closely following online can cause a visceral reaction. In the case of Dave Hollis, his sudden death at the age of 47 sent a subreddit community of over 13,000 people into an emotional freefall. In this conversation w...

This week’s podcast discusses the anger algorithm and why social media platforms favor aggression, enraged behavior, and the shaming of people. It looks at the 60 Minutes episode “Angry in America,” what it reveals about the combative ecosystem of social media, and why you should watch it if you are a business leader or someone involved in communication. Our Indestructible PR Tip discusses how you might be able to hack the social media algorithm to stop the negative commentary. Key Points From...

Today’s Indestructible PR podcast episode discusses the trending TikTok drama surrounding the Don’t Worry Darling Venice Film Festival premiere. Did Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine? Did Olivia and Harry break up? What’s the deal with Florence Pugh? As the cast of the upcoming American psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling, directed by Olivia Wilde, hit the Venice Film Festival, they brought plenty of behind-the-scenes drama. Covered in this episode is Olivia’s statement at a press conferenc...

In a recent exclusive interview with The Cut, Meghan Markle opened up about her new life in California, the struggles of her past, and her plans for her future. This was partly done as part of a promotion effort for Meghan’s new podcast, Archetypes. This week, we examine and decode this article to analyze what she said and what she meant. Hear how Meghan and Harry’s PR has perpetually let them down, why their campaigns always feel like plan Bs, and discover examples of their many PR missteps. T...

For all of social media’s ills, there’s an equal amount of things to love. When I think of Emily Rose, I think of a light, fun, intellectual, critically thinking millennial who has deservedly exploded on TikTok. Not only that, she also has a wildly popular podcast called It’s Become a Whole Thing, and a book deal with Simon and Schuster! As a social media influencer speaking on behalf of the hoi polloi, Emily is as much a crisis communicator as I am, and today she and I are diving into the wor...

Have you noticed the benefits of writing an opinion piece for expressing yourself? Do you want to start writing an opinion piece but don’t know where to start? Then today’s episode of Indestructible is for you! The power of opinion pieces has grown rapidly in recent years, becoming a popular form of communication and expression. In today’s show, we interview an expert on writing opinion pieces, Chad McLeod. Chad is the CEO of McLeod Communications, providing unmatched communications counsel and...

There is no quicker way to make an impact on your reputation than standing on stage in front of a room of people staring at you, listening to your every word. Here are the lesser known tips on public speaking to help set you up for success. Tune in to hear a series of practical tips from an experienced speaker who isn’t afraid to dish out the inside scoop. Learn how to get the best out of your relationship with the tech team, how to cover your bases with a rehearsal run-through, and what to put...

Let's start here: TikTok is not for everyone. One of the newer social media apps on the block is distracting, addictive, and potentially dangerous if you overshare information. However, the app has some advantages over its competitors. TikTok is an easy-to-use tool with digestible video clips, making it a marketer's dream. Listen to tikTok in 10 minutes (or close to it). Follow me on TikTok. Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts © Molly McPherson 2022 Join Molly on Patreon for eve...

President Zelensky knows how to work a medium to his advantage. Volodymyr Zelensky, then a comedian playing the president of Ukraine in a TV series, won the very first season of the popular dancing show in 2006. Now he is winning the PR war against Russia by strategically sharing 'selfie' videos filmed from a smartphone. In this episode, why the 'selfie' is a powerful weapon for anyone in battle. Mention in the Episode Molly McPherson on TikTok @mollybmcp "I think I have found my favorite cl...

Wondering if it's okay to keep marketing during times of unrest? Social media is a helpful way to get a snapshot of the public's mood. And right now, it's safe to say that people feel uneasy watching the horrific scenes from Russia's attack on Ukraine. But it turns out, people are still interested in your products and services - they just need them delivered in a different way right now. We know it's hard to stay positive watching, but that doesn't mean your business has to stop. In fact, we t...

What happens when self-help influencers can't seem to help themselves? In the spring of 2020, Rachel Hollis announced her divorce from her husband of 14 years, Dave Hollis. Neither Hollis has yet to recover from the PR fallout triggered by that announcement. From a viral bikini photo to a failed book tour that led to a two-hour manic rant, what transpired from a business and PR perspective that negatively impacted the joint Hollis brand? In this episode, David Irwin, a marketing and social me...

There's no question that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are important topics for communicators to share on behalf of their companies. But where do you start? In this episode we help you get started with your DEI communications. We will define what DEI means, cover some basics on how to get started and the benefits when you do. Mentioned in this episode: Join Indestructible Online for monthly communication trainings Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts © Molly McPherson 202...

Making news for the wrong reasons is simple. Just screw up publicly, and you're on your way to going viral. Bad news spreads fast, especially on social media. To make a positive story newsworthy, you have to cut through a lot of noise to become a leading authority. Discover how to make your story newsworthy and become famous the right way. My guest on the podcast is former television journalist Kristi Piehl. She is the Founder & CEO of Media Minefield and the host of the Flip Your Script Pod...