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

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Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
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• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 not to impact our professional reputation? What should we do when we find ourselves grieving in public? In this episode, Molly explores some ways to handle grief in a way that is respectful both to ourselves and to others.

Mentioned on the podcast:

• Jimmy Kimmel on Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas 
• Funeral Blues - Four Weddings and a Funeral 

Listen + Subscribe on  Apple Podcasts

© Molly McPherson 2022 

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Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 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 → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 public relations strategies. Chad is also a seasoned veteran within the communications  industry, with over 15 years of experience in public relations.  Tune in to hear how you can start writing your first opinion piece with expert Chad McLeod.

Key Points From This Episode: 

•    Brief background about Chad’s professional background and his communications firm. 

•    The moment that Chad realized the power of opinion pieces. 

•    Chad explains what an opinion piece actually is and the standard length. 

•    The power and benefits of using an opinion piece to offer perspective. 

•    What the modern perspective is on opinion pieces and using it unique for Public Relations. 

•    Chad explains some of the basics of using opinion pieces for public relations. 

•    How Chad decides on a topic about an opinion piece for clients. 

•    When Chad has had to decide against using an opinion piece after it has been written. 

•    Advice that Chad has for people who want to write an opinion piece for the first time. 

•    The optimum length of an opinion piece to ensure you get published. 

•    Examples of alternative platforms to publish opinion pieces. 

•    The difference between an opinion piece and a letter to the editor. 

•    Outline of the basic steps to start writing an opinion piece. 

•    What is the suitable place for publishing an opinion piece, according to Chad. 

•    Ways in which an opinion piece differs from other publications. 

•    An insider tip to increase the chance of publishing an opinion piece. 

•    A takeaway message that Chad has for listeners regarding the reputation of your organization. 

Tweetables: 

“Begin with the end in mind. What is it that when you have written your piece you want readers to understand, know, and walk away with.” — @chadmcleod [0:15:51] 

“It always helps if it is a current topi

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 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 → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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’ll hear expert advice on how to deal with a blip by presenting the positive motivation that led to it, putting it in context, and preparing good references, while also not avoiding it or refusing to talk about it. You’ll also hear one final tip about a social media pitfall to avoid. One mistake doesn’t have to destroy your entire career, so tune in today to find out how to overcome it! 

Key Points From This Episode: 

• An intro to today’s topic: How to explain a blip in your career that affects your reputation.
• The blog post by Doug Lester on this topic and why Molly feels the need to discuss it.
• Step one: Recall the positive motivation that led to your blip.
• How this reinforces the positive aspects you have as a leader, employee, or candidate.
• Step two: Don’t try to avoid talking about the blip.
• Step three: Put your blip into context. 
• Why you need to put the context into your strengths.
• Why you should think of the negative perception of your reputation as an exhale.
• Step four: Make sure you have good references who know about the blip.
• Tips on how to prepare your references to talk on your behalf.
• How to get more help overcoming a career blip.
• A final tip about a social media pitfall to avoid in the event of a blip.

 
Tweetables:


“You want to remind people how you got there and, more important, why you got there. It speaks to the core of your personal brand, which is another way of saying your personal mission statement.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:06:48]



“Owning the blip is where all the power lies.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:09:03]



“What often happens when people come out of a crisis is they root for you. They want to see what you can do.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:13:15]

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 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 → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 Co-founder, Bill Gates, and the big PR push he has embarked on to clean up his reputation following his very public divorce, the allegations of extramarital affairs that led to that divorce, and his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. We focus specifically on an interview that Gates did with Savannah Guthrie for the Today Show, examining his responses to the questions he didn’t want to answer, analyzing some of the verbal and non-verbal communication cues that give away how he truly felt, and outlining what we can learn from them. 

Key Points From This Episode: 

•    Bill Gates’ PR push to clean up his reputation. 

•    Gates’ laudatory introduction on the Today Show and what we can read into it. 

•    Insight into Gates’ promotional tour; who, where, what, and when. 

•    How Gates’ body language betrays the message he tries to impart through his answers. 

•    Examining how he deflects when asked questions he doesn’t want to answer. 

•    The little tells that give away how you truly feel at the moment of a question. 

•    Some non-verbal communication cues that illustrate Gates’ discomfort. 

•    The importance of owning your mistake, explaining it, and making a promise. 

•    Why we believe Bill Gates did a sound job in the end, particularly when it comes to timing. 

•    Today’s Indestructible PR tip: if you have to respond to a question you don’t want to answer, answer the question always! 

Tweetables: 

“The message is clear, the message is good, however, the body language does not match what he’s saying.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:10:33] 

“You can be media trained within an inch of your life and those little tells will always give away how you truly feel at the moment of the question.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:13:25] 

“If you are not going to promise something of your behavior or promise something o

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 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 → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

 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 surprisingly important question and have a quick look at the example of Tinx and her recent episode and response. As usual, you can expect an actionable procedure to follow, as well as some helpful tips on how to avoid a difficult situation. Tune in to hear it all! 

Key Points From This Episode: 

•    Some examples of high profile individuals facing backlash over old tweets. 

•    The online influencers who inspired this episode! 

•    Unpacking the situation involving Tinx and her behavior online.  

•    Examples of some of the troublesome content that Tinx posted.  

•    A walk-through of how Tinx took accountability, owned it, and contextualized her actions. 

•    Where Tinx's statement fell short: the final step of making a promise. 

•    What these examples teach us about our own social media use and activity.   

•    Helpful resources for cleaning up old tweets and potential problems.  

•    Today's indestructible tip: the step-by-step process to follow if something offensive comes to light. 

Tweetables: 

“Whether it’s tweeting something without fully thinking it through or posting a photo that later makes us cringe, we’ve all fallen victims to the hazards of not being careful online.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:00:52] 

“There’s always the risk that your old tweets could resurface and create a PR crisis for you. It has happened to a number of people in the public space.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:01:31] 

“When someone takes note of something and they take note on a viral platform then, watch out. When one’s reputation is on the line, one needs to respond.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:09:28] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Molly McPherson 

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 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 → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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, how you should engage with them, and Molly’s Indestructible Tip for dealing with dissent! 

Key Points From This Episode: 

•    Learn about the primary reason that customers dissent. 

•    How to identify and respond to the underlying cause of the dissent. 

•    The role of social media and technology in the rise of customer dissent. 

•    How social media allows customers to make complaints and air grievances. 

•    The profile of the typical activist targeting businesses. 

•    Why the key driver of activism is a desire for control. 

•    Molly’s indestructible tip for engaging with activists: don’t take it personally. 

Tweetables: 

“What you need to do is identify and respond to the underlying cause of the dissent. What is the root cause?” — @MollyMcPherson [0:01:57] 

“The activist that I am talking about. These are the customers. The consumers, the members, the people. If you run a business or own the business, these are the people that you deal with.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:04:53] 

“They want to be in control of what you do. They may want you out of your job, they may want your board of directors out of their seats, but what we know they want is to be in control.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:08:09] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Molly McPherson
Molly McPherson on Twitter
'NBA vs. Activists' - Molly McPherson on TikTok

Listen + Subscribe on

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 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 → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 hear another one of Molly’s indestructible PR tips, this time for Twitter! 

Key Points From This Episode: 

•    How an incorrect tweet can irreparably harm a reputation. 

•    The tweet that has ESPN’s Adam Schefter under scrutiny. 

•    The function of Twitter’s auto-block feature. 

•    The archival digging people tend to do following a controversial tweet. 

•    How Schefter dealt with the backlash. 

•    How to navigate the aftermath of an insensitive tweet and repair a soiled reputation. 

•    The importance of an apology. 

•    Molly’s indestructible PR tip for Twitter. 

Tweetables: 

“An incorrect tweet, whether posted on behalf of a company or on your own account can irreparably harm a reputation.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:01:36] 

“What often happens when someone’s in the hot bright light of a mistake of their own doing, people not only get angry but they also start to dig.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:05:38] 

“Nothing on Twitter has to stay on Twitter.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:09:37] 

“When in doubt, delete or keep it in draft for a bit, see if the story changes, wait for the mood to shift. If it still feels safe, if you have thought it out, then go ahead and tweet it. However, if you have any doubt, don’t. You’ll never regret a tweet you never sent.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:11:07] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Molly McPherson
Molly McPherson on Twitter

Listen + Subscribe on Stitcher or

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 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 → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 on the monitor at your feet. We talk about wardrobe faux pas, and how to choose an outfit that will make you feel comfortable while you look the part.

Key Points: 

•    A snippet from Molly’s introduction at a recent conference she spoke at. 

•    How she felt while the host was setting the stage for her to speak. 

•    What we will discuss during today’s conversation: public speaking tips nobody tells you about. 

•    Tip number one: listen to the tech people’s advice, but don’t let them run your presentation. 

•    Why she recommends having a backup deck with you in case of last minute changes. 

•    Tip number two: have a rehearsal run-through. 

•    Tip number three: don’t have bullets or anything you have to read on the monitor. 

•    Why it’s a great idea to have a buffer slide. 

•    Tip number four: don’t make your wardrobe a part of your talk. 

•    Tip number five: dress for the temperature. 

•    This week’s indestructible tip: have a person in the crowd who is going to manage your reputation. 

Tweetables: 

“You should have a backup deck with you. Sometimes in the transfer they could lose fonts, perhaps video, didn't make its way onto the deck, and you're going to have to make those last minute adjustments.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:06:10] 

“Wear a wardrobe or pick a wardrobe that has flexibility to it, that you feel comfortable in it and you won't have any malfunctions.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:19:50] 

“For every talk, it helps to have a person. What I mean by that is a person who's going to help manage your reputation.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:20:42] 

“What we want when you are speaking is someone who feels indestructible.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:22:20] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 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 → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 questions that arise, especially through the lens of PR, is around the short- and long-term effects that this will have on both of the actors' careers. 

Tuning into this episode, you can expect a brief look at what actually happened, why it might have happened in the way that it did, what this will mean for those involved, and some thoughts on the best ways that the PR teams can help their clients respond. 

Key Points From This Episode: 

•    A quick replay and recap of the event in question on Oscar night. 

•    The different strengths of TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram for posting content. 

•    Some of the responses and comments online to Will Smith's actions. 

•    A clip of Will Smith's acceptance speech after winning the Best Actor Oscar. 

•    Thoughts on the effects of the incident on Chris Rock's career and reputation. 

•    What this means for Will Smith going forward for the rest of award season, and his career. 

•    Putting the event in the context of the last two years and the Black Lives Matter movement.  

•    The PR teams that will be helping both actors with their responses.  

•    A theory on Will Smith's mindset going into the award show and how this played out.  

•    Final thoughts on the aftermath of Oscar night for the two actors. 

•    Today's Indestructible PR Tip: the dangers of out-of-control emotions, and the importance of accountability. 

Tweetables: 

“There's certainly a lot of commentary about the Oscars. But what happened with Will Smith and Chris Rock, it doesn't even matter who won.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:08:23] 

“TikTok gives me the personal perspective. What are people saying? It's my water cooler social media network.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:06:02] 

“If you ever want to follow a crisis in real-time, I always tell people to go to Twitter.” —

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 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 → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

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.

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
  
  

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson