Episodes

There is more to you than your worst moment. This week we are joined by educator, speaker, and consultant Dan Farkas to discuss Bill Simmons’ Jalen Green blunder on his podcast, the Ringer Podcast. Tuning in, you will hear exactly what happened during the incident and what Dan thought of it. We also discuss how Bill and Jalen handled it and Dan’s opinion of Bill’s response. Next, we discuss the successful crisis management framework Bill followed and how that led to them both coming out on top....

In any crisis, the first 48 hours are make-or-break. Things can quickly spiral out of control if you don't have a solid plan in place. Police Chief Pedro Arredondo's failure to respond to the CNN crew when they stopped unannounced looked bad for the school district's chief of police. It was even worse when he dodged legitimate questions. The patterns that lead to a crisis are discussed this week on the podcast. Listen + Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives i...

In our digital age, it’s hard to hide from the ugly side of life. Social media has allowed us all to bear witness to some of the most tragic moments in human history. From videos of natural disasters to intimate updates from people in the midst of personal crises, we are constantly barraged with images and stories that are hard to stomach. Amidst this onslaught of sadness and suffering, it can be hard to know how to cope with our own grief. How do we balance our need for solace with our desire...

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...

So you've had a misstep at some point in your career. It made news, maybe it made the press or it just created news in your ecosystem? If you have ever made a poor choice on a job, off the job, were fired publicly, were involved in a sticky situation, or had a professional relationship that adversely affected your reputation or the reputation of your employer, this episode is for you! in this epsiode we cover how to explain a public blip that impacts your professional reputation. Tuning in you...

Making regrettable choices is inevitable for anyone but, when you're in the public eye, the stakes are higher and the risks are greater if you refuse to answer certain questions pertaining to your misdeeds. The purpose of today’s episode is not to help you respond when you are asked about divorce, infidelity, or being palsy with a convicted sex offender. This episode is about strategy; the strategy you need to employ to answer the questions you don’t want to answer. In it, we discuss Microsoft ...

The unfortunate circumstance of a social media storm is part of modern life on the internet. We have all seen the high-profile cases of cancellations and controversy that occur as a result of tweets and videos, and these may even extend to people we know more closely. So what can you do if you encounter such a problem, especially in light of old tweets and content, and the way the connected world has the potential to remember everything you have ever done? In today's episode, we consider this su...

Social media has made it exponentially easier for activists to share their grievances and find like-minded individuals online to join their cause. In today’s episode, we take a look at the root cause of dissent, why it happens, and how you can respond. Learn how to identify the typical activist who might target your business and what you can do about it. Remember that it’s not necessarily about ego or malice, but rather, a desire for control. Tune in to learn more about what drives activists, ...

Today’s topic is relevant to everyone who dares to engage in online dialogue, no matter our standing in the public eye. Using the ever-relevant example of ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s controversial tweet following the untimely passing of NFL quarterback, Dwayne Haskins, we tackle the great question: Delete or Not Delete That Tweet? In this episode, you’ll discover the best way to repair the damage of an insensitive tweet, as well as how to avoid such an unfortunate circumstance altogether. Tune in to...

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...

By now most people will be somewhat familiar with the controversial events of the 2022 Oscars. Apart from the awards and winners, the incident in which Will Smith hit Chris Rock after a joke aimed at Jada Pinkett Smith, has clearly stolen the headlines and overshadowed the entire night. The situation provides a great opportunity to look at how a crisis unfolds in real-time in the contemporary climate and the role of social and digital media in the process of public response. One of the main que...

Ever wondered what it takes to get your own Wikipedia page? Here's the short answer: it's not as easy as you think. In this episode, we get into the details about one of the most visited websites in the world and why outsourcing might be your best option for getting a Wikipedia page of your own. Andrew Burnett, co-founder of Lumino Digital, talks about why many people struggle with the rules and guidelines for creating a Wikipedia page, as well as why many people are even eligible to have a W...

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...

When Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty the Queen had tested positive for Covid-19, the press was alerted to the news via media advisory. Even if a media advisory isn't necessary for your organization, knowing how to handle it is always helpful for communicators. In this episode, we'll discuss how to craft a media advisory: What is the point of writing an advisory and how to structure it. Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts © Molly McPherson 2022 Join Molly on Patreon f...

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...

When a brand is dealing with a crisis of their own making, one aspect of the response must be absolute - the apology. An apology that is heartfelt can quickly reduce a crisis, while an apology that is unclear and half-hearted can create an entirely new one. This week we examine two recent apologies from Whoopi Goldberg and Joe Rogan for actions that caused ABC News and Spotify executives to issue official statements. How did Goldberg and Rogan's comments help or harm their respective brands? ...

The news of Jeff Zucker resigning as the president of CNN after admitting not disclosing a romantic relationship with another senior executive at the network was certainly a bombshell. It was also a story with similarities to many of the crises we hear about that land on the front page. This episode features an interesting element about Zucker's departure that points to a significant shift in crisis management. What is one red flag you need to be on the lookout for that indicates a potential cr...

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...

Do you use phrases you know are overwrought and overused? Many people do, according to Lake Superior State University in Suite St. Marie, Michigan. The university has released their annual list of banished words as a way to uphold, protect and support excellence in language by encouraging avoidance of overused words that are ineffective or irritating for readers. Well said! Mentioned in this episode: Lake Superior State University Banishes Those and Other Familiar but Problematic Words and T...

Do you work for a brand, company or organization that has been attacked online? Social media has made bullying easier than ever before. In this episode of the Indestructible PR Podcast, we’ll discuss how social media bullies attack brands online and how you can turn their attacks into a net positive for your brand. You will learn how the cyberbully attacks, why it is important to respond quickly when attacked, and some strategies that work well in turning negative attention into positive resul...

Twitter can be a great way to connect with customers and show off your brand’s personality. But is it safe to be sarcastic? There’s a thin line between being clever and sounding mean, and you don’t want your brand to cross it. My guest, Dusty Weis from Podcamp Media - a branded podcast production company - joins me to discuss tips for having a snarky Twitter account without damaging your brand. Mentioned in this episode: Pabst Blue Ribbon Is Facing Backlash Over This Now-Deleted Tweet, Mashed...

A public relations crisis and a public relations issue are two very different things. Many in senior leadership are unaware of this distinction, preventing their communication teams from planning properly. In this episode, we define a public relations crisis. To help plan for any event, issue, incident, or crisis, you need to know the differences between them. Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts © Molly McPherson 2022 Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR ...