Episodes
April 22, 2025
How Harvard Said No—and Made It Stick
This episode examines Harvard University’s April 2025 letter rejecting sweeping demands from the Trump administration—an act of resistance that was principled, measured, and strategically precise. The statement didn’t chase h...
April 16, 2025
Houston, We Have a PR Problem (And the Delicate Art of Proving You're Right)
A rocket full of high-profile women launched into space, but the real spectacle might’ve been the PR machine that sent it there. From Katy Perry floating with daisies to Oprah crying on the ground, every moment of Blue Origin...
April 9, 2025
Behind the Music: Unraveling 'The White Lotus' Composer's Dramatic Exit
In this episode the spotlight is on the unexpected exit of Cristobal Tapia de Vere, the brilliant mind behind the haunting score from the hit HBO series, The White Lotus. This episode examines the emotional and professional t...
April 2, 2025
Inside the Messaging Meltdown of the Signal Chat: From Denial to Damage Control
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 unpac...
March 26, 2025
Strategically Vulnerable? Inside Meghan Markle’s Latest PR Move
This episode explores the calculated timing and emotional storytelling behind Meghan Markle’s latest media rollout. With a new Netflix series and curated social media posts emerging alongside headlines about Prince Harry’s vi...
March 19, 2025
From Fairytale to Firestorm: Disney's Snow White Under Scrutiny
The controversy swirling around Disney’s live-action Snow White runs the gamut from casting backlash to political tension. Rachel Zegler’s modern spin on the iconic princess ignited debates over “wokeness,” while leaked photo...
March 12, 2025
Breaking Down the One Word Fueling This Week's Headlines
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, ...
March 4, 2025
Behind the Oscar Curtain: Scandals and Apologies
The 2025 Academy Awards weren’t just about golden statues—they were a golden opportunity to survive a PR crisis. From a rumored affair between two co-stars, resurfaced blackface performances to the growing debate over artific...
Feb. 26, 2025
The Secret Trigger Behind Every Crisis
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...
Feb. 19, 2025
The Invisible Machine Behind Celebrity Stories
Episode #300: The Invisible Machine Behind Celebrity Stories Overview In this episode, Molly explores how celebrity stories are crafted and shaped behind the scenes, examining the key players and mechanisms that drive celebri...
Feb. 12, 2025
299: Taylor Swift's PR Strategy: Distancing from Blake Lively
In this episode of 'The PR Breakdown,' Molly delves into the intricate PR maneuvers and power plays behind the rift between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively. Taylor Swift reportedly feels used in the ongoing legal tussle between...
Feb. 5, 2025
298: Analyzing Power Dynamics: Trump, Reynolds, and Jay-Z Under the PR Microscope
Dissecting the public relations and power dynamics involving three high-profile men who were in the news recently: Donald Trump, Ryan Reynolds, and Jay-Z. Let's take an impartial but critical look at Trump's controversial han...
Jan. 29, 2025
297: From Voicemails to PR Moves: The Battle Between Lively, Baldoni, and Reynolds
In this explosive episode, we delve into a Hollywood controversy grabbing headlines after a simple voicemail reignited the full-blown power struggle between Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds. Molly reveals how R...
Jan. 22, 2025
296: Takeaways from Trump's Inaugural Address: Key Highlights You Can't Miss
In this episode of The PR Breakdown , diving into Donald Trump’s second inaugural address and breaking down the PR strategies, rhetorical moves, and media messages woven throughout. From the decision to move the ceremony indo...
Jan. 15, 2025
295: L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is Bad in a Crisis. Here's Why
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 ...
Jan. 8, 2025
294: Behind the Spin: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and the High-Stakes PR Showdown
Amid the glamorous yet ruthless world of Hollywood, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni find themselves embroiled in a high-profile legal battle stemming from the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, “It Ends With Us.” The episo...
Dec. 18, 2024
293: Year in Review: 2024's Disasters, Recoveries, and Lessons Learned
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-w...
Dec. 11, 2024
292: Breaking Down Jay-Z’s PR Strategy In His Statement Denying Allegations
Is Jay-Z truly a victim? Or is this a masterful PR strategy? This episode analyzes Jay-Z’s bold statement denying recent allegations and the strategy behind his fiery words. Hear how Jay-Z frames the accusations as absurd and...
Dec. 4, 2024
291: Top 5 Controversies Surrounding Wicked Movie and Their PR Lesson
When controversies swirl, smart PR can turn turbulence into triumph. In this episode, dive into how Universal Pictures and the Wicked team transformed five headline-grabbing challenges into opportunities to strengthen the fil...
Nov. 27, 2024
290: Silent vs. Vocal: Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia's Breakup PR Battle
Send us a text The Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chicken Fry" LaPaglia breakup has become a masterclass in contrasting PR strategies, pitting traditional celebrity discretion against modern social media transparency. As country mus...
Nov. 20, 2024
290: TikTok's Pajama Drama and Entitlement: A PR and Psychology Breakdown
In this crossover episode of The PR Breakdown , a therapy session of sorts into the world of entitlement, both online and off. Starting with the TikTok pajama drama—where influencers Cecily and Samantha Bachman faced backlash...
Nov. 12, 2024
288: The Perfect Mess: Martha Stewart's Documentary Damage Control
Martha Stewart's Netflix documentary unpacks her biggest PR battles and delivers a masterclass in reputation repair. From that infamous CBS salad interview to the $45,000 ImClone stock trade that sent shockwaves through her empire, the documentary reveals the real story behind Martha's headlines. L…
Nov. 5, 2024
287: Election PR Showdown: Campaign Predictions with the Guys from the Reputation Town Podcast
It's a special episode featuring Molly's conversation with Canadian PR experts Warren Weeks and John Perenack from the Reputation Town podcast. Just days before the 2024 presidential election, they break down the most talked-about PR moves and media strategies shaping this historic race.
Episode…
Oct. 30, 2024
286: Behind the Scenes with Dr. Abby: Celebrity Relationships, Loyalty, and Reputation in the Spotlight
Behind the Scenes with Dr. Abby: Celebrity Relationships, Loyalty, and Reputation in the Spotlight This week’s PR Breakdown Live episode on Patreon takes a deep dive into celebrity relationships, loyalty, and the challenges o...