The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

When your marriage becomes a media strategy, what do you say—and what do you not say? In this episode, Molly McPherson breaks down Cheryl Hines’ carefully crafted response to rumors surrounding her husband, RFK Jr., and journalist Olivia Nuzzi. Fresh off her appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast, Hines offered a masterclass in polished PR talk, leaning on trust, communication, and a dash of Kennedy-style deflection. But was it authenticity or choreography? Molly dissects: * The Kennedy family’s long history of narrative control * How Hines framed her marriage as a story of trust and composure * What her phrasing reveals about modern political spouse PR * The difference between personal grace and public messaging * Why sometimes the smartest media move is saying less (with confidence) Tune in for an unfiltered look at how Hollywood charm meets political spin—and what it teaches us about image, loyalty, and the art of public denial. Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts. Follow Molly on Substack [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/newsletter] Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. [https://www.addevent.com/calendar/VX903119] Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/speaking]. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. [https://muckrack.com/?utm_source=mollymcpherson] Follow & Connect with Molly: * https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson [https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson] * https://mollymc... [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/]

When Politico dropped nearly 3,000 pages of leaked Telegram messages from the Young Republican National Federation, it revealed a disturbing culture behind closed doors. In this episode, Molly McPherson unpacks why private chats are never really private, how weak apologies deepen a crisis, and what this scandal teaches every leader about accountability, ethics, and reputation in the digital age. Key Discussion Points: * The leaked Telegram chat that destroyed the Young Republican National Federation’s credibility * Why “kids will be kids” is not a defense when adults hold positions of power * The myth of online privacy and how “anonymous” messages are always traceable * How a values gap—what an organization says publicly vs. what it allows privately—leads to crisis * Dissecting the failed apologies that followed the leak * Molly’s five “PR truths” for digital-age leadership: * The difference between genuine accountability and PR spin Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts. Follow Molly on Substack [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/newsletter] Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. [https://www.addevent.com/calendar/VX903119] Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/speaking]. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. [https://muckrack.com/?utm_source=mollymcpherson] Follow & Connect with Molly: * https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson [https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson] * https://mollymc... [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/]

When the internet comes for you, your instinct is to fight back or disappear. Neither helps. In this episode, Molly breaks down her simple, proven 90-second rule for handling online hate without losing your cool or your credibility. You’ll learn: * Why outrage online is a revolving door (and why it’s never really about you). * How to recognize when your brain has flipped into fight-or-flight mode—and what to do about it. * The golden rule of when not to apologize (and where to respond instead). * How to move from panic to power in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee. If you’ve ever dealt with critics, trolls, or just plain mean people online, this one’s for you. Bonus: Want to learn how to respond to any crisis with confidence? Join Molly’s free live training: The First Hour: How to Respond to Any Crisis Before It Spirals You’ll discover: * The 3 critical steps every communicator must take in the first hour of a crisis. * The biggest mistakes that tank trust (and how to avoid them). * How to draft a holding statement in minutes instead of hours. Spots are limited—grab yours now HERE [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/workshop-registration-the-first-hour?hsCtaAttrib=197187453080].  Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts. Follow Molly on Substack [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/newsletter] Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. [https://www.addevent.com/calendar/VX903119] Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/speaking]. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. [https://muckrack.com/?utm_source=mollymcpherson] Follow & Connect with Molly: * https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson [https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson] * https://mollymc... [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/]

In this episode, Molly sits down with Jim Rocco and Thom Weidlich, co-authors of Sports Crisis Communications: Cases and Controversies [https://amzn.to/48S8piY], to explore how the worlds of sports and crisis PR collide. From Tiger Woods’ redemption arc to Aaron Rodgers’ vaccine controversy and Brett Favre’s legal troubles, this candid conversation dissects how athletes, teams, and brands handle scandal when the spotlight turns harsh. The trio also dives into how social media, fan loyalty, and corporate interests shape the playbook for managing reputation in modern sports. Whether it’s Tom Brady’s conflict of interest, the NFL’s uneasy dance with gambling, or the Dodgers’ Pride Night flip-flop, this episode pulls back the curtain on how power, money, and morality intersect on and off the field. In this episode: * Tiger Woods’ image makeover: from scandal to super-dad * How Aaron Rodgers’ “immunized” comment tested State Farm’s crisis strategy * Brett Favre, welfare funds, and the price of silence in litigation PR * The NFL’s resilience (and denial) through scandal after scandal * When betting meets ball: why gambling is the next big PR minefield * The Dodgers’ Pride Night controversy and the danger of corporate flip-flopping * What brands can learn from Dick’s Sporting Goods’ values-based stand * Why vulnerability (and a good apology) can save an athlete’s reputation * Tom Brady’s latest “conflict of interest” and the ethics of sports media * Advice for rising athletes and a few words of wisdom for Bill Belichick Key takeaway: Reputation is built long before the crisis hits. Whether you’re a star athlete or a CEO, your credibility bank determines how hard you fall, and how fast you recover. The media tool I use to track stories, monitor coverage, and help clients get their message in the right hands. Click here to learn more.  [https://muckrack.com/utm_source=mollymcpherson] Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts. Follow Molly on Substack [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/newsletter] Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. [https://www.addevent.com/calendar/VX903119] Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/speaking]. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. [https://muckrack.com/?utm_source=mollymcpherson] Follow & Connect with Molly: * https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson [https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson] * https://mollymc... [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/]

This episode of The PR Breakdown examines a viral crime case out of Albany, New York, that drew national attention when a suspect confessed on camera to killing and burying his parents. Guest Greg Floyd, veteran journalist and anchor, recounts how the investigation evolved from a financial-crimes lead into a homicide revelation, and reflects on the ethics, accountability, and human weight behind the interview. In this episode: * How the case surfaced and escalated from a backyard dig to a double homicide * The email that led to an on-camera interview and an unexpected confession * Techniques for guiding high-stakes interviews without sensationalism Watch/Read: * Watch the Molly McPherson and Greg Floyd conversation on YouTube [https://youtu.be/kIyyv2M-0ck].  * Interviews and coverage on CBS 6 Albany’s YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/CBS6Albany] and website [https://cbs6albany.com/] * Full video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMz0EMPdTiY&t=28s]: Man confesses to killing his parents during news interview, arrested in front of station * Full video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RoevymWLyg]: Lorenz Kraus speaks from jail after confession to parents' murder Live & Archive: * Substack Live: Friday, Oct 3 at 12:45pm ET — Greg Floyd joins [https://open.substack.com/live-stream/64350?utm_source=live-stream-scheduled-upsell] for an extended Q&A. * Substack members will have access to the archived live conversation [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] after the event. Content note: This episode discusses homicide and may be distressing for some listeners. The media tool I use to track stories, monitor coverage, and help clients get their message in the right hands. Click here to learn more.  [https://muckrack.com/utm_source=mollymcpherson] Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts. Follow Molly on Substack [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/] Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/newsletter] Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. [https://www.addevent.com/calendar/VX903119] Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting [https://www.mollymcpherson.com/speaking]. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. [https://muckrack.com/?utm_source=mollymcpherson] Follow & Connect with Molly: * https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson [https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson] * https://mollymc... [https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/]