Meghan Markle is back in the spotlight — and this time, she’s trading royal titles and red carpets for tech buzzwords and tales of entrepreneurial struggle. In the debut episode of her freshly rebranded podcast *Confessions of a Female Founder*, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about her health scare with postpartum preeclampsia, her latest business endeavor, and how she balances motherhood with Zoom calls.
The 43-year-old former actress-turned-professional influencer sat down with long-time friend and Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd for a curated, perfectly polished 50-minute episode, carefully crafted for maximum relatability. Markle detailed a “rare and scary” bout of postpartum preeclampsia, which she says hit during her pregnancy — all while she was juggling royal duties.
“We both had very similar experiences,” she told Wolfe Herd. “It’s so rare and so scary.”
Scary indeed — but one can’t help but notice the calculated vulnerability. This is, after all, the same woman who stood in designer heels two days after giving birth for a globally televised photo op, only to later complain about it on various media platforms.
As always, Markle uses her platform to position herself as both a victim and a heroine — a narrative the public has seen before, whether it’s Netflix documentaries, Oprah interviews, or now, podcasts. While discussing the preeclampsia scare, Markle lamented how she was still expected to “show up for people” while dealing with a life-threatening condition. Wolfe Herd added, “I mean life or death, truly.”
But just like that, the episode pivoted — from medical trauma to motherhood and brand building. Markle promoted her lifestyle startup “As Ever,” which she manages between preschool drop-offs, office Zooms, and what she calls “never missing the moments.” Her 3-year-old daughter Lilibet, we’re told, naps often and occasionally sits on Markle’s lap during meetings. It’s a picture-perfect portrait of the modern multitasking mom — conveniently aligned with her brand’s messaging.
“I don’t want to miss pickup if I don’t have to,” Markle said. “I don’t want to miss drop-off.”
Of course, this latest podcast venture comes after her previous $20 million Spotify deal fizzled out — reportedly dropped after a single underwhelming season of *Archetypes*. Now, backed by Lemonada Media, she’s giving podcasting another go, with eight upcoming episodes chronicling her and other women’s entrepreneurial journeys.
Markle’s reintroduction to podcasting comes complete with Girl Scout throwback photos on social media, where she quips, “All these years later and I’m still selling cookies!”
What remains to be seen is whether the public is still buying what she’s selling.
Meanwhile, as Meghan relaunches her image stateside, Prince Harry quietly returned to London to fight — not for family reconciliation or royal duties — but to regain taxpayer-funded security. While the couple continues to brand themselves as independent “founders,” they’re still chasing the perks of the palace they so publicly abandoned.
For many Americans — especially those who value authenticity, personal responsibility, and a good dose of humility — this latest Markle rebrand feels like more of the same. Glossy narratives, corporate slogans, and curated vulnerability designed to build a brand, not connect with everyday people.
Let’s hope the next seven episodes bring more substance and fewer soundbites.
