Listen up, corporate North America! A crisis is the win-or-lose moment for every business, where one misstep can undo decades of goodwill. Where one wrong statement can end relationships and revenue.
The Crisis Beat Podcast is an exploration of the dynamic world of corporate crisis communications. Join us as we explore the corporate wins and losses in this arena, and dig deep into the best practices, tools, tactics, and tricks that business leaders need to know.
Join hosts Dr. Mark Crowther and Mr. Brady Wood as they dive into recent news making events, discussing what's done well and what's done terribly bad as corporate leaders in crisis face the world.
Dr. Mark Crowther is Chair of Medicine at McMaster University. Mr. Brady Wood is a consultant, business owner, and public relations professional. Together they work ...The Crisis Beat!
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Listen up, corporate North America! A crisis is the win-or-lose moment for every business, where one misstep can undo decades of goodwill. Where one wrong statement can end relationships and revenue.
The Crisis Beat Podcast is an exploration of the dynamic world of corporate crisis communications. Join us as we explore the corporate wins and losses in this arena, and dig deep into the best practices, tools, tactics, and tricks that business leaders need to know.
Join hosts Dr. Mark Crowther and Mr. Brady Wood as they dive into recent news making events, discussing what's done well and what's done terribly bad as corporate leaders in crisis face the world.
Dr. Mark Crowther is Chair of Medicine at McMaster University. Mr. Brady Wood is a consultant, business owner, and public relations professional. Together they work ...The Crisis Beat!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 31: Trust and Grievance
Crisis Beat Podcast – March 23, 2025
Hosts: Brady Wood & Dr. Mark Crowther
In this episode, PR strategist Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther, Chair of Medicine at McMaster University, unpack the headline findings from the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer—a report that reveals a deepening global “crisis of grievance.”
Main Event: The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer – A Global Crisis of Grievance
Now in its 25th year, Edelman’s annual trust survey captures growing public disillusionment with governments, businesses, media, and NGOs. The 2025 edition shines a light on rising resentment and mistrust worldwide, calling for leadership that’s more transparent, accountable, and socially attuned.
News & Updates – Here’s What’s New in the News:
• Pyramid Secrets? A controversial new study claims SAR radar has identified a vast underground complex beneath the Pyramids of Giza.
• Meghan Markle: With Love, Meghan gets renewed by Netflix, despite mixed critical reviews.
• Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: Blake Lively moves to dismiss Baldoni’s $400M defamation suit, calling it retaliatory. The case escalates, now drawing attention after a pointed joke from Ryan Reynolds at the SNL 50th Anniversary.
Tune in as Brady and Mark connect the dots between global trust dynamics, high-profile lawsuits, and mysterious underground discoveries. Catch the full episode—wherever you get your podcasts.
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Episode 30: Hospital Crisis Communications
Crisis Beat Podcast – February 9, 2025
Hosts: Brady Wood & Dr. Mark Crowther
In this episode, Brady Wood—PR professional and former hospital leader—and Dr. Mark Crowther, Chair of Medicine at McMaster, take listeners inside the high-stakes world of hospital crisis communications. Drawing from Brady’s firsthand experiences, they break down how hospitals manage public relations during emergencies, navigate sensitive messaging, and maintain public trust under pressure.
They also discussed multiple news story’s, such as the drama with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, Megan Markle, plane malfunction at Pearson Airport, and much more.
Tune in for a compelling look at hospital PR strategies, crisis response, and real-world lessons from the front lines.
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Episode 29: LA Wildfires Crisis – Crisis Beat Podcast – January 26, 2025
Hosts: Brady Wood (PR Pro and Business Owner) & Dr. Mark Crowther (Chair of Medicine, McMaster)
News & Updates
Here’s what’s new in the news!
Main Event: Case Study – LA Wildfires Crisis
The Wildfires Erupt: On January 7, 2025, the Palisades Fire broke out, followed by the Eaton Fire. Los Angeles residents faced immense danger as these fires spread quickly.
Key Events:
Crisis Communications Insights:
Leadership Responses
Key Takeaways
Catch the full episode for a deep dive into the LA wildfire crisis, the PR challenges faced by officials, and the lessons learned from this unfolding disaster!
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Episode 28: 2024 in Review-
Crisis Beat Podcast – January 6, 2025
Hosts: Brady Wood (PR Pro and Business Owner) & Dr. Mark Crowther (Chair of Medicine, McMaster)
Here’s some of the topic we discussed throughout the 2024 Review!
Catch the full episode for a deeper dive into the 2024 review and the crisis management strategies!
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Episode 27: Jaguar’s Rebrand Crisis – Crisis Beat Podcast – December 15, 2024
Hosts: Brady Wood (PR Pro and Business Owner) & Dr. Mark Crowther (Chair of Medicine, McMaster)
News & Updates
Here’s what’s new in the news!
Main Event: Case Study - Jaguar’s Rebrand Crisis
Jaguar’s controversial rebrand and the PR challenges it faces:
Timeline of Events
Crisis Communications Insights
Leadership Responses
Key Takeaways
Catch the full episode for a deeper dive into Jaguar’s rebrand, the crisis management strategies involved, and the lessons that can be learned from the pushback they’ve faced!
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Episode 26: Boeing Nowhere Fast- Crisis Beat Podcast – November 17, 2024
Hosts: Brady Wood (PR Pro and Business Owner) & Dr. Mark Crowther (Chair of Medicine, McMaster)
News & Updates
Here’s what’s new
This episode opens with a quick update on ongoing stories:
Main Event: Case Study - Boeing’s Crisis Management
A deep dive into Boeing's ongoing struggles, from safety and production issues to leadership changes:
Timeline of Crises:
Impact on Boeing:
Key Takeaways:
Catch the full episode for more insights into Boeing’s struggles, leadership transitions, and lessons in crisis management!
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Episode 25: The Crisis Beat Podcast – October 20, 2024
Hosts Brady Wood (business owner and PR pro) and Dr. Mark Crowther (Chair of Medicine at McMaster) are back to tackle the hot topic of cybersecurity and privacy. This episode dives into recent cyberattacks and the lessons we can learn from them.
News & Updates
Here’s what’s buzzing:
•Trump Assassination Attempt – An update on this shocking news.
•NASA Starliner – What’s the latest with this space project?
•Boeing’s Financial Woes – A rough patch for the aerospace giant.
•William Osler Hospital Incident – Apology issued after a Sikh man’s beard was shaved without consent.
•Pierre Poilievre & CTV – Another political moment worth noting.
Main Event: Cyberattack Case Studies
It’s been a wild month in the world of cybersecurity with some jaw-dropping breaches:
•Snowflake Breach
•Hacked by UNC5537; customer data, including Ticketmaster and Santander, exposed.
•CEO Frank Slootman is working with Mandiant to clean up the mess.
•Ticketmaster Breach
•A massive 560 million records leaked (linked to Snowflake).
•CEO Michael Rapino stepped up with credit monitoring for affected customers.
•AT&T Data Breach
•73 million customers’ details stolen.
•CEO John Stankey offered identity theft protection and reassured customers.
•CDK Global Ransomware Attack
•Thousands of car dealerships impacted.
•CEO Brian Krzanich focused on client communication and getting systems back online.
•Ascension Health System Ransomware Attack
•Emergency care disrupted at hospitals.
•CEO Joseph Impicciche prioritized patient safety while coordinating the response.
Leadership Lessons from the Breaches
Who handled these crises best? The hosts break it down:
•Snowflake: Frank Slootman went all-in on transparency.
•Ticketmaster: Michael Rapino led with quick action and customer care.
•AT&T: John Stankey stayed open and communicative.
•CDK Global: Brian Krzanich kept clients informed.
•Ascension Health: Joseph Impicciche focused on protecting patients.
Standout Star: Michael Rapino of Ticketmaster. His proactive crisis management and genuine focus on customers earned him top marks.
Key Takeaways
•Prevention is ideal, but how you respond to a breach can make or break your reputation.
•Strong communication and putting people first (customers, clients, patients) are what set leaders apart during a crisis.
Catch the full episode for all the details and insights!
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In this Episode, Brady and Mark we review the book All The Worst Humans by Phil Elwood, in which he tells the raunchy tales of his incredible journey doing PR for some very unsavoury characters.
Other updates in this Episode include:
Other topics:
Words of the day: Meh, Determinism
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Mr Beast is a huge influencer with a multi-million person audience and a multi-hundred million dollar revenue stream. Some of his teammates have allegedly behaved very poorly. What should he do to preserve his reputation and the upward swing of his YouTube channel?
Also
And
Join us for another exciting episode and don’t forget to subscribe!
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Welcome to Crisis Beat, Episode 22, Hosts Brady Wood, a business owner and PR professional, and Dr. Mark Crowther, Chair of Medicine at McMaster University, are back together after Mark’s recent adventures.
Main Topic: The Secret Service in the Spotlight
The episode delves into the ongoing controversy surrounding the U.S. Secret Service, particularly focusing on the Senate hearings involving Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
Key Events:
Breaking News Briefs:
Takeaways:
The episode wraps up with reflections on the importance of clear communication and accountability in crisis situations, and the need for robust response strategies in both internal and external crises.
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In the latest episode of Crisis Beat, hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther dive into a fascinating thought experiment that explores the idea of rebranding the Tyrannosaurus Rex’s public image. The episode begins with the hosts introducing themselves and giving shout-outs to their loyal listeners, setting a casual and engaging tone. They then quickly move through some breaking news stories, touching on topics like Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles, Elon Musk’s latest scientific feud, and the challenges facing Boeing’s new CEO. These updates serve as a warm-up to the main event, which is both unexpected and intriguing: how to reshape the public narrative of one of history’s most famous dinosaurs.
The heart of the episode is a creative exploration of how the T. Rex, typically seen as the ultimate predator, could be portrayed in a new light. Brady and Mark discuss how the T. Rex's image could be softened by focusing on its potential parental behaviors and ecological significance, moving away from its fearsome reputation. They propose a multifaceted strategy that includes educational campaigns, media partnerships, and interactive experiences to highlight these lesser-known aspects of the T. Rex. The idea is to shift public perception from seeing the T. Rex solely as a ruthless carnivore to appreciating its complex role in the prehistoric ecosystem.
To add depth to their discussion, the hosts also touch on Marshall Ganz’s framework for public narrative, explaining how storytelling can be used to inspire change. They break down the components of Ganz’s approach—Story of Self, Story of Us, and Story of Now—and discuss how these elements could be employed in rebranding efforts not just for the T. Rex, but for any entity facing a crisis in public perception. By the end of the episode, listeners are left with a fresh perspective on how narratives are constructed and the power they hold in shaping public opinion.
Crisis Beat closes with Brady and Mark reflecting on the broader implications of their thought experiment, suggesting that the lessons learned from reimagining the T. Rex’s image could be applied to real-world public relations challenges. Their conversation is a reminder of the importance of narrative in defining how we understand the world around us, whether it’s the story of a prehistoric predator or a modern-day corporation.
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Welcome to the latest compelling episode of Crisis Beat! Join hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther as they delve into the most recent and intriguing stories in crisis communications and public relations.
Drake: A Global Superstar Under Fire
Airlines Under Fire
Corporate Apologies and Controversies
Political Communications
Breaking News Briefs
Tune in now for an episode packed with drama, expert analysis, and the practical tools you need to navigate the complex world of crisis communications. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the latest high-stakes situations in business and public life.
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Welcome to the latest grrrrrreat episode of Crisis Beat! Join hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther as they tackle the most recent and riveting stories in crisis communications and public relations.
Airlines Under Fire
Hospital Crisis
Royal Family Insights
Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg Showdown
Tune in now for an episode packed with drama, expert analysis, and the practical tools you need to navigate the complex world of crisis communications. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the latest high-stakes situations in business and public life.
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Welcome to the latest electrifying episode of Crisis Beat! This week, hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther dive deep into two of the most compelling stories in the world of public relations and business.
Dr. Andrew Huberman: The Neuroscientist Under Fire
Canoo: The EV Company’s Turbulent Ride
Air Canada: Discover why Air Canada has mysteriously disappeared from the headlines, possibly heeding advice from previous episodes.
Southwest Airlines: Get the latest on Southwest's emergency landing in Denver after an engine part fell off a Boeing 737, and what it means for airline safety.
Tesla: Understand the implications of Tesla eliminating its PR department and how CEO Elon Musk's social media communications are shaping the company's public image.
Tune in now for an episode packed with drama, insights, and the tools you need to navigate your own crisis communications! Don't miss out on this chance to learn from the high-stakes world of public relations.
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Hey Now!
In this Episode of The Crisis Beat, Brady and Mark again explore who can defy communications gravity.
Kate Middleton's seeming disappearance caused a great deal of upset and speculation metastasizing into conspiracy theory, briefly dominating the news and social media sphere cycles. Tempest in a teapot? Kate recently cleared up all the fuss quite effectively by releasing a 'cover all' video explaining the circumstances of her cancer diagnosis, and what comes next. We parse the issues and review what led to a communications mess, and what went extremely well in this recent clean-up effort. We also review analysis of the issue by other PR experts like Drs. Terry Flynn and Alexandre Sévigny, as well as Molly McPherson.
In other Royal Family news, The Netflix product 'Scoop' starring Gillian Anderson about Prince Andrew's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein will also look at how 'The Firm' (mis)handles a previous crisis. We also discuss the HBO show Succession.
Other things we touch on this week:
The finding that Amazon's AI store checkout was actually manned by humans in India reviewing the camera feeds.
An update on the recent story Instagram enables exploitation of child influencers, attracting pedophiles.
An incident where a woman lost her Planet Fitness membership for filming a trans woman getting dressed in the changeroom.
More updates on the Airlines - United and Alaskan airlines have differing reputation results handling safety issues; Boeing quality issues continue.
We also discuss Quebec Hospital where woman gave birth outside because security wouldn't open a locked door, and Brady's similar experience running communications on an incident at a hospital where a woman fell in the lobby and the staff from Emergency said something to the effect of 'you'll need to call an ambulance.'
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Episode 16 - Get the Lead Out
Heavy metal episode: Stanley Mugs and Baby Food contain concerning contamination
We thought we were well past lead poisoning in the North American food supply, but there are still holes in our quality controls. Baby food and Stanley mugs are the culprits. In this episode we explore what offending organizations could do to recover trust.
Other news and topics covered:
And...the Word of the Day was Renumerative versus Remunerative...
Tune in next time for Episode 17 where we pick up where we left off re: how Kate Middleton disappearing from public life created a communications catastrophe.
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Meta - the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp - led by Mark Zuckerberg, is in the news for the wrong reasons, specifically the alleged exploitation of children.
Mark Zuckerberg recently presented at a US Senate hearing and was forced into an awkward apology by leaders of the the committee, following testimony on harms caused by social media. A New York Times Article also highlighted exploitation faced by children influencers on Instagram: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/us/instagram-child-influencers.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
This episode, Mark and Brady dissect these moments as well as related media coverage and issues.
Other News this week:
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Crisis Beat Podcast Episode 14: "Year In Review - Career Killing Flubs"
Date: January 7, 2023
Hosts: Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther
Main Topic:
Celebrity Downfalls - Case Studies in Apologetics:
Our main topic revolves around a detailed discussion inspired by a New York Post article highlighting celebrities whose careers took significant hits in 2023.
Harvard President's Resignation:
The episode takes a turn to academia with the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay. This segment delves into the complexities of her departure, initiated by a plagiarism scandal and exacerbated by her handling of sensitive campus issues. Gay's resignation prompts a broader discussion on the interplay between legal counsel and leadership decisions in times of crisis.
Read this highly recommended Forbes article.
A Contrast in Leadership - Columbia's President:
In juxtaposition to Harvard's leadership crisis, we discuss how Columbia University's president adeptly managed a potential crisis.
The Epstein Controversy:
While not the focus of our episode due to time constraints, the ongoing revelations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and his connections to high-profile individuals continue to cast a long shadow, emphasizing the enduring impact of his case on public perception and trust.
Safety in the Skies - Aircraft Incidents:
The episode also touches on notable safety concerns in the aviation industry, including a critical incident involving a Boeing 737-900.
Other Dimensions:
Mark and Brady also continue their digressions about the English language.
WORD OF THE DAY: effluvium https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effluvium
RUNNER UP: detritus
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In this Episode, Mark and Brady explore the recent events concerning University Presidents appearing before Congress and failing to say clearly that calling for the genocide of Jewish people would be harassment on campus.
A few weeks ago, Presidents of esteemed universities Harvard, Penn State, and MIT appeared before a committee of US Congress to answer to lawmakers about a rise in antisemitic events on campuses. When asked directly whether calls for the genocide of the Jewish people constituted a violation of the code of conduct or constituted harassment, all 3 Presidents failed to say unequivocally that this was a violation of their schools' rules.
* Since we recorded this Episode, Claudine Gay of Harvard has resigned her post, something we will pick up in the next Episode.
In this Episode explore some of the fallout of these events, as well as other topics including:
- Telsa recalls, compared to other recalls by Ford and Toyota
- President Zelensky of Ukraine and his handling of their country's communications
- 'Leave the World Behind,' a dystopic near-future film on Netflix produced by the Obamas
- Open AI's recent communications since restoring Sam Altman to the CEO role
Brought to you by words of the day 'equivocate' and 'invigilate'...
Some links:
Tesla recalls nearly 2M vehicles https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/13/tech/tesla-recall-autopilot/index.html
Elon Musk says DEI initiatives must die https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/12/15/elon-musk-says-dei-must-die-and-criticizes-diversity-schemes-as-discrimination/?sh=113d74464e71
OPENAI - Sam Altman returned to CEO, Board Implications
https://gizmodo.com/openai-s-new-board-members-are-now-the-boss-of-sam-altm-1851109038
University Presidents Under Fire https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/12/25/university-presidents-under-fire
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/20/us/harvard-claudine-gay-plagiarism.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/opinion/harvard-claudine-gay.html?partner=slack&smid=sl-share
https://nypost.com/2023/12/21/news/billionaire-len-blavatnik-yanks-donations-to-harvard/
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Hey now, Happy Holidays, dear listeners!
Here's a quick summary of Episode 12:
In this episode, Mark and Brady explore the recent crisis involving Elon Musk, a well-known figure due to his leadership in companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and others. The backdrop of this crisis is the global tension following the events of October 7 between Hamas and Israel.
Inciting Incident: The controversy began with Musk's response on his social media platform, X.com, to a post discussing antisemitism in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Musk agreed with a comment that echoed the 'great replacement' theory, a concept linked to white supremacist ideology.
Advertiser Reaction and Consequences: Musk's comments led to a significant advertiser withdrawal from X.com, including major companies like Warner Bros. Discovery and Apple. This exodus poses a severe financial and reputational risk to the platform.
Musk's Response to Backlash: Musk reacted confrontationally, threatening legal action against critics and deviating from typical crisis management strategies, which usually involve conciliatory measures.
Public and Industry Response: The response from the public and industry has been largely critical. Calls for Musk's resignation and disappointment from investors signify a shift in perception of Musk's personal brand.
Recent Developments: Musk's comments at The Times's DealBook Summit further escalated the situation. His dismissive response to advertisers' concerns exacerbated the crisis, leading to increased reputational risks for X.com. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's decision to leave the platform and label it a 'Global Sewer' highlights the growing backlash.
Discussion Points covered by Mark and Brady:
Key Takeaways:
This episode not only dissects the ongoing crisis around Musk but also provides broader insights into effective crisis communication strategies, emphasizing the interplay between personal conduct, public perception, and corporate responsibility.
Also discussed: Sam Altman/OpenAI Board and Leadership Updates, Kate Middleton and King Charles being revealed as 'the Royal Racists' mentioned in Prince Harry's memoir, and new missteps by airlines.
With word of the day 'Melofluous,' and runner-up 'Bollard.'
Don't forget to subscribe!
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