Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has never been one to shy away from reinvention. From her days as Rachel Zane on Suits to her role as a royal, and now as a multifaceted entrepreneur, she’s charted a path defined by ambition and adaptability. But her latest announcement has sent ripples through her fanbase and the media alike: Meghan is pressing pause on her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, after admitting she’s been “spread too thin” by her whirlwind of projects. This decision, revealed during a candid June 17, 2025, appearance on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, marks a strategic shift as she doubles down on her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. It’s a move that’s both pragmatic and bold, reflecting a woman determined to balance her entrepreneurial dreams with her most cherished role: mother to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. So, why is Meghan stepping back from a podcast that captivated audiences, and what does this mean for her growing empire?

The announcement came as a surprise to many, given the success of Confessions of a Female Founder. Launched in April 2025 with Lemonada Media, the podcast ran for eight episodes plus a bonus, featuring powerhouse female entrepreneurs like Whitney Wolfe Herd, Jamie Kern Lima, and Tina Knowles. Meghan described the project as a “perfect synergy” with her As Ever brand, offering a platform to share candid stories of success and stumbles. The series resonated with listeners, topping charts and sparking conversations about women in business. Yet, despite its momentum, Meghan revealed she’s choosing to halt production—at least for now—to focus her energy elsewhere. “At a certain point, the only thing I want spread thin is my jam,” she quipped to Emma Grede, a nod to her As Ever jams that sold out in minutes during their April debut. The decision underscores a deliberate pivot, one driven by her desire to prioritize quality over quantity in her sprawling portfolio.

To understand this choice, it’s worth exploring the scope of Meghan’s current endeavors. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, she and Prince Harry have built a life in Montecito, California, centered on family and creative control. Their Archewell Foundation continues to support causes like mental health and gender equity, while their production company, Archewell Productions, has delivered projects like the 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan. But 2025 has been a particularly busy year for Meghan. In March, her Netflix series With Love, Meghan premiered, showcasing her passion for cooking, gardening, and hosting. The show, which wrapped its second season edits in June, blends lifestyle content with personal anecdotes, offering viewers a glimpse into her Montecito world. Meanwhile, As Ever, her lifestyle brand, has taken off, with its initial drop of jams, teas, and honey selling out in under an hour. A second “summer drop” on June 20, 2025, included restocked favorites and new surprises, like a rumored honey drizzle that had fans speculating after a tantalizing Instagram post of pancakes topped with raspberries.

This juggling act—podcast, Netflix series, lifestyle brand, and philanthropy—has stretched Meghan’s resources, both personal and professional. At 43, she’s navigating the demands of entrepreneurship while raising two young children: Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4. During her Aspire appearance, she spoke candidly about the value she places on family time, saying she doesn’t want to miss a moment with her kids. This sentiment echoes her earlier comments about grounding Archie and Lilibet with weekend “jobs” like selling garden veggies, a nod to teaching them the worth of hard work. Prince Harry, her partner in both life and business, shares this priority, with the couple emphasizing their children’s privacy while occasionally sharing heartwarming glimpses—like Lilibet’s cameo in a behind-the-scenes As Ever video, stirring strawberry jam with a wooden spoon. For Meghan, pausing the podcast isn’t just about bandwidth; it’s about protecting the moments that matter most.

The As Ever brand, in particular, seems to be the driving force behind her decision. Launched in April 2025, it’s more than a collection of artisanal products—it’s a vision of accessible luxury rooted in Meghan’s love for community and creativity. The brand’s Instagram, revived in January 2025 after a five-year hiatus, has become a hub for fans, with posts teasing new products and sharing glimpses of Meghan’s life. A May episode of Confessions briefly sparked confusion when she hinted at “stepping back” from As Ever, only to clarify days later with a restock announcement. This back-and-forth reflects the brand’s rapid evolution, with reports suggesting potential expansions into hospitality, like hotels or restaurants. The success of As Ever’s first drop—eight products gone in 45 minutes—has fueled Meghan’s focus, as she aims to build a sustainable business that resonates with her audience. Her dream of one day collaborating with Lilibet, inspired by Tina Knowles’ work with Beyoncé on the Cécred haircare line, hints at a long-term vision for the brand as a family legacy.

The Netflix series, too, is a significant commitment. With Love, Meghan has been praised for its authenticity, with Meghan sharing recipes and hosting tips from her Montecito home. The show’s second season, set for later in 2025, required extensive editing work, which she wrapped just before her Aspire appearance. The series aligns with As Ever’s ethos, creating a cohesive narrative across her ventures. But producing a high-profile show while launching a brand and parenting two young children is no small feat. Meghan’s admission of being “spread too thin” reflects a self-awareness that’s rare in the high-stakes world of celebrity entrepreneurship. Rather than risk diluting her efforts, she’s choosing to streamline, a decision that’s both strategic and relatable.

This pivot hasn’t come without scrutiny. Meghan’s public narrative has been a lightning rod since her royal exit, with every move dissected by critics and supporters alike. Her Aspire appearance included a pointed comment about wishing people would “tell the truth” about her, a remark many interpreted as a swipe at the Royal Family. The comment reignited debates about her relationship with the monarchy, though sources suggest the royals view her as largely “irrelevant” to their current focus (,). Social media reactions to the podcast pause were mixed, with some X posts hailing her focus on family and business (), while others labeled it another “failure” (). Yet, Meghan’s ability to drown out the noise— honed through years of public scrutiny—shines through. She’s betting on herself, as she told Grede, prioritizing projects that align with her values over chasing every opportunity.

The podcast’s pause doesn’t mean it’s gone for good. Meghan hinted at a potential return, saying there’s “room for the rest of it” once her other ventures stabilize. Confessions was her second podcast venture, following 2022’s Archetypes on Spotify, which won a People’s Choice Award but wasn’t renewed. Her Lemonada deal, inked in 2024, was a fresh start, and the podcast’s success suggests demand for a second season. For now, though, Meghan’s focus is clear: build As Ever into a household name, deliver a stellar second season of With Love, Meghan, and savor the fleeting years of her children’s childhood. It’s a balancing act that resonates with working parents everywhere, even if her stage is global.

Meghan’s journey from actress to royal to entrepreneur is a testament to her resilience. Her Montecito life, shared with Harry, Archie, and Lilibet, is grounded in purpose—whether she’s stirring jam with her daughter or strategizing brand expansions. The decision to pause Confessions of a Female Founder isn’t a retreat; it’s a recalibration, a chance to channel her energy into projects with lasting impact. As she navigates this chapter, Meghan is redefining what it means to build an empire—not just for herself, but for the family and community she holds dear. Fans are buzzing, and for good reason: this is Meghan Markle at her most focused, forging a path that’s uniquely her own.