Episodes

Ever thought about the tightrope walk public figures go through when expressing their personal beliefs? How a single statement can ignite a media firestorm, throwing them into a whirlwind of controversy? In this episode, digging into two intriguing instances: the aftermath of Ne-Yo's remarks on child-gendered transitions and the public relations quagmire that followed. Navigating the maze of misinformation, the fast-paced media frenzy, and the delicate dance between personal convictions and publ...

In the latest episode of the "Indestructible PR Podcast with Molly McPherson," the spotlight is cast on Lizzo. We're exploring the complex layers of her recent legal and reputation troubles. This in-depth analysis delves into allegations against the pop sensation, encompassing claims of coercion, weight-shaming, racial discrimination, and sexual harassment faced by her dancers. With an expert perspective from internet's renowned legal analyst, Emily D. Baker, the episode dissects the contradict...

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 the ticking time bomb of a public relations crisis was right under your nose and you didn't even recognize it? Our latest episode brings you face to face with the harsh realities of reputational damages and guides you through murky waters of irrecoverable PR disasters. This is a discussion on the subtle signs that hint at a PR crisis spiraling out of control, from public outcry going viral to your stakeholders making a quick exit. We dissect the challenging environment created by the #Me...

The following episode is a replay of Molly's live chat broadcast on YouTube on Thursday, June 29th at 12pm EDT. Join us for a special replay of Molly's live chat, where she delves into the captivating world of Colleen Ballinger, the performer behind the beloved character Miranda Sings. In this engaging episode, Molly takes us on a journey through Colleen's background, her significant following, and the recent PR crisis that unfolded. Starting with an introduction to Colleen Ballinger and her a...

An episode that explores the Colleen Ballinger PR crisis before she released the ukulele apology song. In episode 248 of "Behind the Headlines," we delve into the gripping case of Colleen Ballinger, the renowned YouTube star known for her alter ego, Miranda Sings. As shocking grooming allegations against her surfaced, the response—or rather, lack thereof—by Colleen during her ongoing tour has left fans and the public intrigued. Recorded just hours before Colleen Ballinger's unexpected official...

The captivating story of the missing Titanic submersible and the PR crisis that ensued for OceanGate. We unravel the media coverage, public perception, and the different strategies employed by Ocean Gate, the US Coast Guard, and other agencies, as well as the roles of social media and notable figures like James Cameron in shaping the narrative. Learn how transparency, timely communication, and empathy were key components in managing this disaster. We dive deep into the various media strategies ...

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...

Last week was a big week for breaking news. From the departure of CEO Chris Licht to wildfires, last week was an example of the dynamic nature of breaking news. With technology and social media, headline news can now spread at unprecedented rates on a global scale. There is a spillover effect resulting from breaking news that companies and brands can utilize to identify threats regarding reputation during a public relation crisis. Using the events that unfolded last week, gain insight into how ...

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 ...

On this episode of Indestructible PR Podcast with Molly McPherson, the focus is on the challenge of regaining a lost reputation after a crisis. Molly discusses the importance of acknowledging mistakes and taking steps to prevent recurrence, highlighting the recent statement by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an example of a strong PR crisis response. The discussion centers around the importance of reconciling with groups affected by the crisis, offering sincere apologies, engaging in dialogue, and sh...

In this episode, discussing the growing importance of understanding racial insensitivity online. We discuss the recent car chase story involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as the press accounts and possible long-play strategy behind their media statement. As well as how Meghan Markle's biracial identity impacts press coverage and public opinion, both positively and negatively. Additionally, the importance of taking responsibility for our words and content and to better understand th...

In today's episode, we delve deep into the realm of public relations (PR) and perception management. Step behind the curtain with us as we uncover the hidden strategies and tactics that PR professionals and Hollywood publicists employ to shape narratives and mold public opinion. Join your host, Molly McPherson, as she ventures into the realm of crisis management, where PR professionals truly showcase their mettle. From high-profile scandals to corporate disasters, we examine real-life case stud...

A digital intimidation campaign is only as effective as your fear of it. Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. How does that apply to Public Relations and strategic communications? Online attacks have become a pertinent problem for public relations clients but are not impossible to thwart. The best defense against an online attack is a strong offense, starting with your strong and trustworthy digital presence. By monitoring online conversations,...

As seen on NBC News, exploring the phenomenon of manufactured outrage and how it is used by celebrities and brands to generate buzz and profit. Molly discusses her contribution to the broadcast news story about the business implications of this practice, as well as its impact on politics and culture. We take a look at the intersection of celebrity, marketing, and social issues. We're back to Dylan Mulvaney and Bud Light, as well as a discussion on Meghan Trainor (rightfully) being lectured by t...

Employee well-being should be at the forefront of every CEO’s mind, not only because it is the right thing to do from a humanistic perspective, but also because your reputation as a leader and the longevity of your company depends on it. Since the pandemic, employees are no longer willing to put up with being treated disrespectfully, and many customers are no longer willing to buy from companies who treat their employees in such a manner. In this episode, you’ll hear about the tirades that the ...

It’s not often that one of the world’s most admired spiritual leaders who describes himself as an advocate for warm-heartedness, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, and self-discipline finds himself in the midst of a PR crisis. A video filmed in February 2023 of the Dalai Lama asking a young boy to ‘suck’ his tongue went viral in April. Although some people have argued that there has been a cultural misunderstanding, the overwhelming majority of responses have been vehemently critical. In this ...

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...

Sweeping layoffs were big news in 2022, and this shows no sign of slowing down in 2023. From Amazon to Salesforce, Twitter, Google, and more, major tech companies are making large numbers of employees redundant. Recently, Meta announced that it would be cutting 10,000 jobs (or roughly 10% of its workforce) in response to what CEO Mark Zuckerberg describes as “challenging market conditions.” While layoffs can be challenging and emotional for both the employees affected and the leaders of those c...

The Academy Award-winning actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow recently made headlines for a comment she made on a podcast about her daily wellness routine. This episode explains how information taken out of context is often the biggest obstacle faced by PR professionals and how this controversy seems to be an example of this. It then uncovers the potential reason why Gwyneth may have made this particular comment in the first place. Find out about Gwyneth Paltrow’s current legal battle for ...

As AI continues to advance and become more accessible, the question of using it to write press releases is becoming more relevant. After a tweet posted by Molly on the topic of using AI for this purpose received almost 19,000 views, this episode breaks down the pros and cons of doing this. You’ll learn about how these tools can be helpful to you and what safeguards you can use to limit the damage you can cause through them. You’ll also learn about the legal, copyright, and privacy implications o...