Experts claim the duchess’s ‘Confessions of a Female Founder’ podcast failed to connect with audiences
Meghan Markle’s podcast Confessions of a Female Founder concluded its season on Tuesday, sparking speculation among royal watchers about whether it will return for another installment.
As of now, no official announcement has been made regarding a second season. Fox News Digital contacted Archewell—the organization representing the Duchess of Sussex—for comment, but has not received a response.
In the final episode, Meghan drew attention with candid remarks about financial stigma. “I think so many women, especially, are taught not to even talk about money, and there’s a lot of guilt associated with having it,” she said, according to People magazine. “At the same time, there’s a scarcity mindset that’s easy to fall into—this idea of, ‘I’ll never have enough.’”
In the final episode of Confessions of a Female Founder, the Duchess of Sussex sat down with Spanx founder Sara Blakely, who famously became a billionaire after launching the shapewear brand. Their discussion, which touched on money, mindset, and female empowerment, was widely covered — but not without criticism.
Branding expert Doug Eldridge, founder of Achilles PR, told Fox News Digital that Meghan Markle’s personal revelations throughout the season felt calculated rather than candid.
“The personal revelations were inevitable but terribly inauthentic,” Eldridge said. “It’s like humidity — you can’t see it, but you feel it and it’s undeniable. For Meghan, this was a tactic to try and become more relatable to her audience, but you can’t fake authenticity; you either have it or you don’t. This has been an ongoing struggle for her.”
Eldridge also argued that the Duchess’s subtle allusions to the royal family continue to undermine her credibility with key audiences. “Her indirect references continue to hurt her with the target audience,” he added.
Eldridge went further, criticizing what he described as a recurring narrative in Meghan Markle’s public image.
“The perpetual use of the ‘victim card’ has backfired,” he claimed. “Over a long enough timeline, the cracks in the story — coupled with the past allegations of her mistreatment of staff — have turned into gaping fissures.”
According to Eldridge, these ongoing contradictions have weakened the Duchess’s credibility and complicated her efforts to connect with audiences on a personal level.
Eldridge concluded his remarks with a pointed metaphor, suggesting that Meghan Markle’s approach may be doing more harm than good to her brand.
“Not only does this fail to move the ball forward for Meghan, but it’s akin to a series of self-inflicted holding penalties; she started at midfield, but now she’s back on her one-yard line,” he added.
In his view, the Duchess’s ongoing public strategy — marked by personal disclosures and perceived grievances — has stalled her progress and alienated parts of her intended audience.
Meghan Markle’s candid remarks about money in the final episode of Confessions of a Female Founder drew a strong response from listeners — particularly given the couple’s high-profile financial standing.
While discussing societal taboos around wealth, Markle said many women feel guilty talking about money and often fall into a “scarcity mindset.” But critics were quick to point out the disconnect between those comments and her current lifestyle.
As Forbes previously reported, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a five-year, $100 million deal with Netflix in 2020. That same year, the couple purchased a $14.7 million estate in Montecito, an affluent enclave on the California coast.
The financial independence they’ve secured follows their decision to step back from royal duties in 2020. In a 2021 televised interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry revealed that the royal family “literally cut me off financially” after their departure, and that he relied on his inheritance from his late mother, Princess Diana.
The contrast between Meghan’s reflections on financial insecurity and the couple’s actual wealth has fueled ongoing criticism — particularly among those who view their public statements as out of touch.
Reflecting on their move to California, Prince Harry acknowledged its importance, saying, “Without that, we wouldn’t have been able to do this,” in reference to their new ventures. Despite securing deals with Netflix and Spotify following their royal exit, he emphasized to a talk show host, “That was never part of the plan.”
In the final episode of her podcast Confessions, Meghan spoke candidly about the struggles of launching a business. Her lifestyle brand, initially introduced as American Riviera Orchard in March 2024, was rebranded to As Ever in February 2025 amid trademark issues. Partnering with Netflix, she launched the series With Love, Meghan that same March.
“I thought I’d do it all on my own, but I took a big turn,” said the 43-year-old. “I believe in what Netflix’s CPG division is doing. It’s just a different experience. When it’s just you, it’s freeing—but also isolating.”
Meghan also revisited her experience of being pregnant while serving as a working royal. She gave birth to Prince Archie in 2019. Known for her high heels during pregnancy, she recalled a friend’s remark: “You have the most enormous bump, and your tiny ankles are holding on in those stilettos.” Meghan joked, “I don’t know how I didn’t just fall forward. I clung to Harry like, ‘Please don’t let me tip over.’”
Earlier in the podcast, Meghan admitted royal motherhood didn’t align with her expectations. “I always wanted to be a mom. I imagined giving speeches with a baby on my hip,” she said. “But by the time both pregnancies happened, things were far from what I’d envisioned.”
Critics, however, remain skeptical about her authenticity. Branding expert Eric Eldridge noted, “The struggle for Meghan has always been authenticity. You can’t shortcut your way to connection. Without a solid foundation, you have nothing.” He advised, “Drop the act, quit the victim narrative, and just be yourself. The podcast was your chance, but viewers feel like you missed—again.”
Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich echoed that sentiment, telling Fox News Digital the show lacked the signature “Markle Sparkle” to secure a second season. Unlike Archetypes, which boasted celebrity guests, Confessions centers on discussions with female entrepreneurs. “Star power draws listeners,” said Fordwich. “Meghan failed to book big names, and the show came across as shallow and self-involved.”
She added that Meghan didn’t extract valuable insights from her guests and struggled to resonate with audiences. “There’s been a lack of buzz. Her privileged background makes some of her experiences seem hollow.”
Eldridge questioned Meghan’s branding strategy. “If she’s still finding her voice, she doesn’t know her audience. You need both authenticity and audience. Right now, she has neither.”
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noted her Netflix series has more content coming this fall, but the podcast needs a major revamp. “Archetypes performed better than Confessions,” he said. “That show needed Beyoncé and Taylor Swift-level guests. Maybe Meghan just isn’t that compelling.”
The Sussexes parted ways with Spotify in 2023, and Meghan partnered with Lemonada Media in 2024 to launch Confessions.
Still, not everyone is pessimistic. Royal commentator Ian Pelham Turner said, “Meghan’s a survivor. With Harry and the kids, she’ll find her way. She represents something many ethnic communities in Britain long to see in royalty.”
Eldridge wrapped up with a warning: “A podcast is cheaper to produce than a lifestyle show, but without listeners and advertisers, it stalls. Meghan’s future in podcasting depends on whether she can find her audience—or risk being left on the shoulder with her blinkers on.”
