After a much-hyped return to the podcasting world, Meghan Markle’s latest venture, Confessions of a Female Founder, isn’t exactly hitting the ground running.
The Duchess of Sussex, who once soared to the top of the charts with Archetypes, is facing a very different reception this time around.
Despite its empowering premise—chatting with women who’ve launched successful businesses—the podcast has struggled to replicate her earlier podcasting success.
It launched on Tuesday, and as of Friday, it was sitting at number 19 on Spotify’s Top Podcasts chart in the U.S. That’s a far cry from Archetypes, which once held the coveted number one spot back in 2022.
A New Brand, A New Chapter
This podcast isn’t a standalone project either—it follows hot on the heels of Meghan’s new luxury food brand, American Riviera Orchard, and her Netflix cooking series With Love, Meghan.
Clearly, Meghan’s in full entrepreneurial mode these days.
But while the brand rollout has been glossy and high-profile, the podcast’s reception shows not everything is landing as planned.
The Shadow of the Spotify Split
Of course, anything involving Meghan and Harry’s media efforts still comes with the lingering scent of their high-profile exit from Spotify.
In 2023, the couple parted ways with the platform after delivering just one series under their $20 million deal.
While both sides claimed it was a mutual decision, it didn’t take long for Spotify execs to go public with their frustrations.
Most memorably, Spotify’s Head of Podcast Innovation, Bill Simmons, slammed the couple as “f***ing grifters” on his own show, adding fuel to the narrative that Meghan and Harry failed to deliver.
Mixed Reviews for Meghan’s Latest Audio Project
Confessions of a Female Founder was meant to be a celebration of female entrepreneurship—but so far, it’s mostly been a magnet for criticism.
The Times gave it a scathing one-star review, with columnist James Marriott admitting it made him want to bang his head against a wall.
The Irish Times wasn’t any kinder, calling it a “mutual love-in” between a duchess and her wealthy guests, who, apparently, aren’t afraid to lavish praise on Meghan mid-interview.
Royal reporter Natalie Oliveri even joked that being Meghan’s friend and being willing to sing her praises seem like key requirements for getting booked on the show.
More Critiques from the Press
Other outlets haven’t held back either. The Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Standard each gave the show two stars, while the Express and the i Paper hit even harder.
Reviews described the show as “an inane stream of mindless aphorisms” and “stomach-turning,” questioning the depth of its content.
So far, it seems critics are struggling to find substance beneath the show’s glossy finish.
Meghan Reflects on Her Journey
Despite the backlash, Meghan has spoken proudly about the project and her new direction.
Speaking to People magazine recently, she shared that connecting with other female founders has been deeply meaningful.
“What’s been really powerful,” she said, “is sharing our journeys—whether someone’s just starting out, has already IPO’d, or built a major brand, we’ve all gone through those early challenges.”
What’s Next for Meghan in Media?
With the podcast still fresh and her other ventures unfolding, Meghan clearly isn’t slowing down.
Whether the show manages to climb the charts and win over listeners remains to be seen, but it’s clear she’s betting on authenticity, connection, and her personal brand to carry the message.
But one thing’s for sure—when Meghan steps into the spotlight, people are going to talk. Whether it’s praise or critique, she remains one of the most watched (and dissected) public figures in media.