The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

www.mollymcpherson.com•mollymcpherson.com

Ever wonder what's really happening behind those viral headlines and celebrity PR disasters? Step into the war room with crisis communications expert Molly as she dissects the week's biggest reputation battles, media meltdowns, and brand controversies.

Each week, Molly peels back the curtain on headline-making moments to reveal the strategic chess moves that shape public perception. From corporate crises to celebrity comebacks, she breaks down what works, what fails, and what it means for the future of reputation management.

Whether you're a PR professional, business leader, or simply fascinated by the art of reputation management, join Molly every week for the conversation everyone in PR is talking about. Subscribe now to master the strategies shaping modern reputation—one breakdown at a time.

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Episodes

11: How Not to Be a Bridezilla

December is one of the most popular times of the year to get engaged, which means that many brides (and their mothers) are planning weddings! There are so many communication dynamics that go into wedding planning--from announcing the big day to booking vendors to managing family relationships and opinions. In this episode, we’re tackling all of these issues, as well as how vendors can help brides feel a little less overwhelmed during this busy time of their lives. Wedding planning requires two-w...

Jan 15, 2019•34 min•Ep. 11

10: A Golden Globes Recap: Who was on message and who missed the mark

In this non-traditional Golden Globes recap, I’m looking at how the stars’ publicists did on one of the most important nights in Hollywood. More than 18 million people tuned in to the 2019 Golden Globes on Sunday night and I was among them, as usual. As a Gen-Xer, I’m a pop culture fan and usually tune into the awards shows for both the entertainment value and to theorize about publicists’ angles. The show did not disappoint, as I discuss with my long-term friend and fellow pop culture enthusias...

Jan 08, 2019•45 min•Ep. 10

09: How to Write a Hollywood Ending with your Internal Communications

Every business needs a foundation to communicate with its employees, which is why I brought Victoria Dew of Dewpoint Communications to talk about this critical piece of the communication puzzle. Victoria’s unique perspective as a former entertainment industry professional and in-house communication professional both in the U.S. and overseas helps to bring a new voice to the creativity and transparency that goes into communicating with employees. In this episode, we talk human-centric business, c...

Jan 01, 2019•44 min•Ep. 9

08: Top Communication Fails that Made Headlines in 2018

Communication fails are a starting point in talking about the importance of having a sound communication skill set. And there were a lot of them in 2018. It helps to know what mistakes look like so you can avoid them, and even learn how to come back from them effectively. Last week, I talked about the top communications wins in 2018; in this week’s episode of the Confident Communications Podcast , we’re looking at the flubs. From mistweets to apologies gone wrong, from insensitivity to public sa...

Dec 25, 2018•56 min•Ep. 8

07: Top Communication Wins that Made the Headlines in 2018

With the year coming to an end, this week's episode delves into ten communication wins of the year by the people, politicians, brands, and beer drinkers who made headlines and then made hay from an earlier challenge they faced at some point in 2018. The stories on the list range from publicity stunts to political maneuvers that captured the public's attention over the past year. From #10 to #1, you will hear what made the story memorable and what was the communication strategy behind i...

Dec 18, 2018•37 min•Ep. 7

06: The State Funeral of President George H.W. Bush

As the country mourned the passing of President George Herbert Walker Bush, former presidents, congressional leaders and figures from across the political spectrum gathered for his funeral at Washington National Cathedral. While millions of people watched the service to honor Bush as a member of Congress, an ambassador to the United Nations, the director of the CIA, and the vice president and president of the United States, they were also watching the dynamics of the current and former president...

Dec 11, 2018•34 min

05: Just Listen! The Secret to Getting Through to Just About Anyone

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” - Stephen R. Covey. Are you really listening? One of the most valuable tools for communication is the ability to listen and understand what someone is saying and feeling. Whether we are solving issues at home or tackling tasks in the workplace, effectively listening can help us reach our goals sooner. In this episode, I explore some great tips for improving your listening skills, as well as some pers...

Dec 04, 2018•34 min•Ep. 5

04: How to Be a Great Conversationalist

With our daily communications frequently moving to the online world, we have forgotten some of the nuances of face to face interaction. Improving our conversation skills, both as a speaker and a listener, allows us to sharpen our message and get a better understanding from those we communicate with. This episode features a recent NY Times article about NPR's Terry Gross and the art of a good conversation. In this episode, you’ll learn: The only icebreaker you'll ever need. How to prepa...

Nov 27, 2018•20 min

03: Interview Secrets from the Other Side of the Desk. Lessons from Harvard Business School H.R.

Interviews don’t have to be stressful. Chances are you’ve been in many job interviews over the course of your career, and maybe even interviewed some candidates for your organization. Ellen Mahoney, chief human resources officer of Harvard Business School, has more than 30 years of experience interviewing applicants from a wide background, and she’s seen it all. Ellen dives into interview secrets from the interviewer’s perspective so you can nail your next interview--whether you’re looking for a...

Nov 19, 2018•59 min

02: Um...So, Let's Discuss Filler Words

If you want to project confidence and competence, you need to eliminate filler words from your vocabulary. Filler words. They’re a pesky tic that everyone uses. But if overused, filler words can undermine the potential for your success. We use them to take up space in a conversation, give us time to think up a response or simply because it’s a habit we’re not even aware of. In this episode, I’m sharing the different types of filler words and how you can (and should) eliminate them from your voca...

Nov 13, 2018•25 min•Ep. 2

01: Your Guide to Communication "Tells"

No matter your age or professional level, you need a guide to communication so you can be seen, heard and relevant. Today’s episode gives you the “tells.” Do you know that you can tell how old someone is just by how they communicate? It’s true, and many marketers and other professionals are savvy at using this information to determine whether you’re a good fit for a product or even a job. In this first episode of the podcast, I’m sharing my background in communication and how I used my status as...

Nov 13, 2018•34 min

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