logo
episode-header-image
May 14
26m 27s

What No One Tells New Grads About Crisis...

www.mollymcpherson.com
About this episode

Last week, my daughter graduated from Loyola University Chicago. After years of watching her build a life—on the field, on the sidelines, in the center of the action—she’s stepping into the real world. And like so many graduates right now, she’s walking in with drive, uncertainty, and a digital footprint that started long before her first job offer.

This episode is a message to her—and to every graduate who needs a little direction that’s not sugarcoated. It’s a life list. The same one I’ve given my own kids (sometimes more than once). The same one I use with clients in crisis.

In this episode:

  • The top three questions students (and parents) ask me after every keynote
  • Why your degree matters less than how well you can read a room
  • The habits and mindsets that actually keep reputations intact
  • What to say in your first “I don’t know what to do” moment at work
  • And the one thing every Gen Z grad needs to hear—especially those shaped by the pandemic years

This is not motivational filler. It’s a real list for the real world. Send it to your grad. Save it for your kid. Or come back to it when your own clarity runs low.

Read the entire list here on my PR Breakdown Substack: What No One Tells New Grads About Crisis Communication (And Life)

 

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. 

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.

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.


Follow & Connect with Molly:

Up next
Aug 20
How Taylor Swift Turned New Heights Into a Smart PR Play
Taylor Swift didn’t just pop onto her boyfriend’s New Heights podcast for fun. She executed a masterclass in brand strategy. With over 16 million views and endless headlines, her first-ever appearance alongside Travis and Jason Kelce wasn’t casual. It was calculated.In this episo ... Show More
27m 5s
Aug 13
South Park's Savage Trump Administration Takedown
This week’s PR Breakdown isn’t about a corporate crisis or a press release gone wrong. It’s about satire — and the way it forces a reaction.In the latest season of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker have turned their aim on the Trump administration, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, ... Show More
14m 15s
Aug 6
The Strategic Timing of Justin Timberlake's Lyme Disease Revelation
Justin Timberlake ended his tour and dropped a bombshell on Instagram—he’s been battling Lyme disease. The post was emotional, reflective, and full of gratitude. But was it also a PR move?In this episode of The PR Breakdown, examining the timing, language, and strategy behind Tim ... Show More
15m 48s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 14
How stablecoins quietly beat bitcoin at its own game
The stablecoin era is here. Have you invested? In this episode of Stocks in Translation, BloxCross Global Head of Markets & Strategy Keith Bliss joins host Jared Blikre and Senior Reporter Allie Canal to discuss Web3, the state of crypto, and why stablecoins are here to stay. Bli ... Show More
24m 26s
May 2022
Brand experiences turning a complex message into a compelling story
Ex-pat American Dax Callner, strategy director at creative agency Smyle and president of the Experiential Marketing Measurement Coalition, returns to the EIN podcast 18 months after his last appearance. In this episode, which has more answers than questions, Dax’s primary focus i ... Show More
36m 39s
Oct 2024
Police warning ahead of planned protests
Welcome to the 9News podcast. A snapshot of the latest stories from the 9News team including:  ** Police warning ahead of protests  ** Tensions flare in the Middle East  ** And the fight over where to hold the N-R-L grand final  The biggest news stories in less than 10 minutes de ... Show More
5m 49s
Sep 2023
59: Deadly Obsession: When Jealousy & Desperation Turn Fatal
Welcome back to this week’s episode of SERIALously! In today's episode, we take a step back from the headlines and look deeper into the lives of Ryan Poston and Shayna Hubers. It's easy to get lost in the sensationalism of crime stories, but at the heart of this one is a promisin ... Show More
1h 13m
Apr 2025
Global Stock Markets Crash: What Next?
In today’s episode, we cover the global stock market turmoil, South Korea’s snap election, Israel’s push into Gaza, and Marine Le Pen’s vow to fight her conviction.Watch TLDR’s latest videos here:https://youtu.be/HHWoKQQMzYc?si=l7V-Q07VbeHxEmD9 TLDR’s Daily Briefing is a roundup ... Show More
7m 32s
Sep 2024
Wall Street Battles Banker Burnout & Is OpenAI Really Worth $150B?
Episode 409: Neal and Toby discuss Bank of America's and JPMorgan’s latest efforts to curb young bankers’ hours after increased scrutiny of Wall Street’s history of burnout. Then, Boeing’s new CEO Kelly Ortberg is begging its union to accept a deal to avoid a potentially catastro ... Show More
30m 1s
Jul 19
How Did Diddy Get Away With His Crime, Legal Experts Weigh In
Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories tha ... Show More
14m 4s
May 13
Crisis Management and Resolving Contentious Conversations
Learn from a retired SWAT negotiator how to handle workplace crises and difficult conversations as an HR professional. Scott Tillema, keynote speaker and corporate trainer at The Negotiations Collective, goes over the four principles of crisis negotiation with host Monique Akanbi ... Show More
33m 46s
Feb 2025
Becoming Crisis Ready: Mental Health with Dr. Bill Howatt
In this episode of the HRchat show, we talk about what it means to become crisis ready in the workplace, a must for HR professionals and leaders alike. Join us as we sit down with Dr. Bill Howatt, an expert in workplace mental health and capacity building, alongside HR media figu ... Show More
35m 6s
Jul 27
Grooming Gang Survivor Tells Her Story
Grooming gang survivor Jade tells you her story alongside former detective turned whistleblower Maggie Oliver. The Maggie Oliver Foundation - https://www.themaggieoliverfoundation.com/ Join our exclusive TRIGGERnometry community on Substack! https://triggernometry.substack.com/ O ... Show More
1h 23m