Cultural Commentary Episodes

Is it time to cancel the cancel culture once and for all? Not really. But it might be time to rethink what the term actually means. Many people know the online shaming that happens when a person's past actions, affiliations or offensive social media posts return to haunt the reputation, but many disagree on the reason for it. Is it a mob of spiteful Twitter users or people who want certain names held responsible for problematic behavior? USA Today reporter David Oliver discusses his recent ...

A podcast listing 10 easy ways to become a super-likable person that people will want to talk to. Whether you are attending a conference, a meeting, or dinner, learn how to exude likability that will help you connect with people in a way they won't forget! In this episode, we discuss how to be likable. Here are a few to get you started... Start here - first tip. (2:05). The eyes have it. (2:35). How to remember names. (3:15). Listen + Subscribe Stitcher or Apple Podcasts © Molly McPherson 202...

June is Pride Month. A time to acknowledge and celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community. But behind the jubilant events and rainbow flags, there is a community of people who want Pride to be a part of the conversation every month of the year. Anthony Hayes has spent more than 15 years in communications, crisis and issue management, political and legislative campaigns. He founded The Hayes Initiative to apply his experience steering organizations’ public a...

As people strive to improve conversations about race and racism in this country, the environment for speaking about both seems to be constantly shifting. What is appropriate to say? What will offend? What is genuine? What is off-the-mark? These conversations are more important now than ever, which is why people need to feel confident when they speak up or ask questions about race and racism. Mentioned on the Podcast: Ep: 014 How to Talk About Racism Without Sounding Like a Racist with Jeffrey B...

As many business leaders come to recognize that online media is an important part of any reliable business plan, many are reluctant to take the leap onto social media for many reasons including: fear of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. However, there is a significant push for turning to public relations to help boost the visibility and credibility of not only the business, but of the CEO. However, PR today usually means social media. How can CEOs make that leap? Public relations prac...

Just found out your dear friend or family member was giving a scary diagnosis? Do you not know how to deal with it? Wondering how to respond? This episode is here to help. A deeply personal episode about how to respond to a friend or loved one who has recently been diagnosed with a shocking and serious diagnosis. Although there may not be a set script for the best words to say to a friend or loved one who is dealing with a frightening diagnosis, there are words of comfort that are the right ...

Communicators who have been responding to the outbreak of the coronavirus since last spring know how stressful it can be to write the content about your organization's ongoing response. I hear you. That is why I launched the COVID 19 communication series at the end of 2020 to recount episodes from the first months of the pandemic that still provide valuable insights and tactics that can be used now, months later. In this episode, my favorite writing coach Ann Wiley discusses with me how to wri...

Knowing how to respond when a friend mourns the loss of a loved one can be confusing. People struggle to find the right words to say or to the right thing to do to help a friend cope with grief. Many do not know how to help ease the burden of grieving, especially with quarantine restrictions imposed by the pandemic. This episode is for the person who wants to understand what to say, what to do, and what not to do, for a friend mourning the recent death of a loved one. © Molly McPherson 2020 ...

A holiday primer for sending a holiday card on behalf of your business—the 2020 edition. Should you send a holiday card this year? Do you send a Christmas, holiday, or E-card? And Hanukkah and Kwanza? Who to send a card to, where, and what to say. Plus, easy-to-remember, easy-to-apply tips for getting through a task that many of us put off every year. Don't forget to download your holiday gift from me: How to Properly Address a Holiday Card © Molly McPherson 2020 Join Molly on Patreon for...

The hottest social media app on the market has exploded amid growing frustration over the alleged censorship of pro-conservative posts by Facebook and Twitter. So what is Parler about and who is using it? Listen to hear everything you need to know about the social media platform and whether it is the right place for you. Listen + Subscribe Stitcher or Apple Podcasts © Molly McPherson 2020 Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions! Fo...

The month of June in the year 2020 will always be known as the month that racial inequality was recognized at a global level and discussed on a digital level like never before in history. One area of the discussions that arose from this month - the experience for racial minorities in the workplace. On this week's podcast, Molly speaks with PR professional Cedric Brown about his work experience as a black man working in traditionally white-collar positions. From code-switching (alternating how yo...

In the week leading up to June 19, 2020, many communicators were faced with the question: to celebrate Juneteenth or not to celebrate Juneteenth on the company's social media feed. For big brands, the choice was an easy one to make: definitely. But if you’re that lone communicator still agonizing over your organization’s silence on racism in the month of June—whether in its public statements, internal communications, or commitment to long-term action—you likely need more clarity on how to proce...

A sense of belonging is a human need. People need personal connections to feel accepted and supported. Without it, the feeling of exclusion can create toxic environments at home and at work. According to my guest, the key to these personal connections to feel accepted and supported can come from the traits, tragedies, and traumas of our ancestors for over 200 years in our cellular biology. Rajkumari Neogy is an epigenetic coach and executive consultant who approaches belonging from a neurobiolog...

All wonderful relationships began with a conversation. That’s why having a conversation starter handy is the gateway for a future connection with a person, whether it be for networking or in a new friendship. These are my six secrets that work like a charm for starting a conversation with anyone. [2:34] 1: The first one is my go-to. Everyone loves to be complimented on their appearance. (But it comes with an important warning.) [3:50] 2: This opener is gold. This tip works particularly wel...

This week I’m sharing my 7 deadly sins of grammar. These are some of the mistakes you might be unknowingly making in your writing that’s causing you to lose credibility - especially online. The goal of this episode is to give you more confidence in your writing. It is, after all, one of your most valuable currencies for intelligence. Proper grammar makes for good business, helps you command respect, and creates clarity in your message. The definition of grammar is the study of the way words ar...

It’s Thanksgiving week in the United States; a time of year when a lot of people plan to travel through airports on their way to visit family and friends for the holiday. This is the episode to help you, and everyone around you, travel with ease in the air. Everyone holiday, you can almost bet on someone picking up their phone to snap a photo or film a video of not-so-good behavior on the plane. After all, when people are on edge or in a hurry - chances are they are not at their best. So let’s ...

What were you doing 18 years ago this week, on September 11, 2001? If you’re like most people in my talks and workshops, you know exactly where you were, what you were doing and what you thought about first when you heard about the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center. But have you thought about how the way you find and react to the news has changed since that day? Today, we wouldn’t run to television stations to find the latest on breaking news; we’d grab our cell phones or laptops....

Podcasts have become one of my favorite innovations in the 20th century. They’re easy to listen to on the go and offer both valuable information and entertainment. The downside? We have so many to choose from these days, it’s hard to know what to tune into. As a self-professed podcast junkie, I wanted to share with you some of my own favorite podcasts right now (aside from my own, of course!). Here’s my list, by category, so you can dive in and start enjoying some of your own. Business Podcast...

I’ve heard a lot of disparaging remarks about Millennials during my talks and workshops, and after asking other generations their thoughts on these so-called youngsters I’ve decided it’s time to give them a break. The thing is, most people’s perceptions of Millennials are wrong. Not only are they not the lazy, entitled narcissists I’ve heard them being called, they’re also not even in the age bracket most people assume they fall into. It’s time to give Millennials a break and stop blaming them f...

How do you ask for your check at a restaurant? Are you a “Check, please!” person or someone who waits to make eye contact with their server then air-signs to let the server know what you want? Do you know which is the more appropriate thing to do? In honor of National Waitstaff Day, this week’s episode of Confident Communications focuses on all the things your waitstaff wants you to know about dining in a restaurant--but can’t actually tell you. Waitstaff are key personnel in my business because...

You know you’ve seen and heard it: The person driving down the street texting. The mom Facetiming her teenager in the grocery store. Loudly. The video call with background noise (or underwear hanging on the treadmill in the background). The “reply all” email threads that go on...and on...and on… Sure, you’re well aware of the annoying communication habits that others are guilty of. Do you know what you might be doing that’s annoying others? This week on the Confident Communications podcast, I’m ...

Everyone has difficult moments in their lives, whether it’s a high-conflict divorce, an argument with a friend or family member or clashed personalities at work. It happens because we’re human and because we often don’t know how to react or interact during difficult times. Instead of reacting to triggers that only make the moment more heated, this week’s guest teaches us how to pause a moment to make sure we’re reacting appropriately. Lara Currie is a speaker and trainer who teaches professional...

Too many people get stressed out when it comes to writing, and it’s usually because they’ve told themselves that they’re a bad writer. But that’s not actually true. Most people know how to write. What you need to figure out is how to make writing a little less something you dread. When I was a kid, I loved writing-- as most kids do. But it was when my paycheck started depending on my writing ability, that writing became something I dreaded. I’ve noticed that this is usually when most adults star...

Let’s face it, we all lie. Many of those lies are innocent white lies with the intent of making the other person look or feel better (That jacket looks great on you!) but other lies are much more hurtful and impactful (think: the Fyre Festival). Most people can’t spot a lie because humans are wired to believe one another. In this episode of Confident Communications, I’m sharing the common reasons we lie, which gender is more likely to lie, the lies each gender tell and which gestures can be mis...