Meghan Markle’s return to podcast after $20 million 'Spotify disaster'

The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has announced her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, in partnership with Lemonada Media, via Instagram. “I’m so excited to share something I’ve been working on: Confessions of a Female Founder, my new podcast with @lemonadamedia!” Markle wrote. “I’ve been having honest conversations with incredible women who’ve turned their dreams into reality and transformed small ideas into hugely successful businesses. They’re sharing their tips, tricks (and stumbles), and letting me pick their brains as I build my own business, As Ever.”

This new project follows Markle’s February 2024 deal with Lemonada Media after Spotify chose not to renew its $20 million contract for a second season of Archetypes. Lemonada will also re-release Archetypes, which explored the stereotypes that hold women back, across all platforms.
Archetypes, which debuted in August 2022, featured 12 episodes and included guests such as Serena Williams, Mariah Carey, Mindy Kaling, and Paris Hilton. However, the series faced controversy when Podnews reported that some interviews were allegedly conducted by Markle’s staff, with her voice added in later.
Additionally, a January Vanity Fair expose revealed allegations of bullying from some of Markle’s former Spotify colleagues. One individual described the experience of working with Markle as “really, really, really awful” and “very painful,” with another source likening her behavior to that of a “Mean Girls” teenager.
Beyond her new podcast, Markle recently debuted an eight-part Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, showcasing her cooking and gardening skills at her Montecito home. However, the show has been met with poor reviews and garnered lower viewership than her 2022 series, Harry & Meghan.
Reports suggest that Markle is also preparing to launch her lifestyle brand, As Ever, which sells products such as her signature Raspberry jam.