Meghan Markle’s Podcast Struggles: A Missed Opportunity for Depth and Impact

Meghan Markle’s foray into podcasting, particularly with her series Archetypes and subsequent ventures, has sparked significant discussion about her ability to deliver meaningful content. Marketed as a platform to explore substantive topics like entrepreneurship and female empowerment, her podcast has instead drawn criticism for its lack of depth, vague platitudes, and failure to engage with its subject matter in a compelling way. This article delves into the critiques of Meghan’s podcasting efforts, examines the broader context of her public persona, and explores how she could pivot to create more impactful content.

The Promise of Archetypes and Its Shortcomings

When Meghan launched Archetypes under her Spotify deal, the podcast was billed as a behind-the-scenes look at building businesses and navigating life as a female entrepreneur. The episode titled “The Evolution of the Entrepreneur,” featuring guests like Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of Bumble, was intended to offer insights into the entrepreneurial journey. However, listeners found it lacking in substance. Critics noted that the episode failed to deliver actionable business advice, instead veering into vague, romanticized notions of entrepreneurship, such as “bottling your essence” and selling it—an idea that echoed the controversial marketing of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop products.

The critique is not just about the content but also Meghan’s approach to hosting. She has been described as overly cautious, avoiding pressing follow-up questions that could have added depth to the conversations. This softball approach is attributed to her reluctance to challenge her guests, many of whom are reportedly her friends. For instance, despite being an investor in Bumble, Meghan did not address the company’s plummeting share price or probe Wolfe Herd on the implications of such a financial setback. This omission was particularly glaring, as it could have provided a real-world perspective on the challenges of running a business.

The podcast’s failure to engage with its subject matter in a meaningful way is compounded by Meghan’s tendency toward what critics call “word salad”—a string of buzzwords and platitudes that sound profound but lack substance. Phrases like “there’s strength in being yourself” or references to “mindfulness training for toddlers” have been mocked for their disconnect from practical realities. This has led to a broader perception that Meghan lacks the intellectual rigor or curiosity needed to helm a podcast that genuinely educates or inspires.

A Pattern of Missed Opportunities

Meghan’s podcasting struggles reflect a broader pattern in her post-royal career. After stepping away from the British royal family in what was dubbed “Megxit,” she and Prince Harry sought to carve out a new identity as media moguls and philanthropists. Their Spotify deal was a high-profile opportunity to establish themselves as thought leaders, but the collapse of that partnership in 2023 underscored their challenges in delivering compelling content. Critics argue that Meghan’s current output—described as “boring but safe”—is a reaction to the toxic fallout from their earlier, more controversial royal exposés.

This shift to safer territory has not served Meghan well. Her podcast lacks the daring or originality needed to stand out in a crowded market. Business podcasts like How I Built This or The Tim Ferriss Show succeed because they dive deep into the mechanics of entrepreneurship, offering listeners tangible lessons and insights. In contrast, Archetypes feels like a missed opportunity to explore the complexities of being a female founder, a topic that could resonate with a wide audience if handled with nuance.

Meghan’s background as an actress, rather than a businesswoman or academic, has been cited as a limiting factor. While she has invested in companies like Bumble, her lack of formal training in business or related fields makes it difficult for her to engage with these topics on a granular level. Critics argue that she could compensate for this by hiring a skilled producer or co-host to guide the podcast’s direction, but doing so would require her to acknowledge her limitations—a step she has not yet taken.

The Royal Context: A Double-Edged Sword

Meghan’s time as a working royal offers a useful point of comparison. Members of the royal family, such as Princess Anne, are known for their meticulous preparation and deep engagement with the causes they champion. As a royal, Meghan was expected to represent issues with a level of gravitas and understanding that she has not replicated in her media ventures. Her decision to step away from the royal family was framed as a bid for independence, but it also removed the structure and expectations that might have pushed her to develop a more rigorous approach to public engagement.

Ironically, leaving the royal family could have been Meghan’s chance to redefine herself as a bold, independent voice. Instead, her podcasting efforts have been criticized as vacuous, leaning heavily on her celebrity status rather than offering substantive contributions. This has led to speculation that Meghan is more comfortable monetizing her personal lifestyle—think jam sales or curated crudités boards—than tackling complex issues that require intellectual heft.

A Path Forward: Embracing Controversy and Depth

To turn her podcasting career around, Meghan needs to embrace a more daring approach. One suggestion is for her to engage with people who challenge her views, including those with differing political or ideological perspectives. This would not only make her content more dynamic but also force her to deepen her understanding of the subjects she tackles. For example, sitting across from a conservative commentator or a business leader with a contrasting philosophy could spark the kind of lively debate that draws listeners.

Another avenue for growth is to focus on issues where Meghan could make a tangible impact. Trevor Phillips, in a piece for The Times, argued that Meghan could have been a powerful advocate for addressing colorism and skin bleaching in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. These are pressing global issues that align with her personal experiences and public persona. By lending her platform to such causes, she could move beyond the “empty” content she’s been criticized for and create something meaningful.

Meghan’s fear of controversy is understandable, given the intense scrutiny she has faced since Megxit. However, avoiding risk has led to content that feels complacent and uninspired. To succeed, she must find the “hunger” to push herself out of her comfort zone, as one critic put it. This might mean hiring a team to help her craft sharper, more researched content or leaning into topics that invite healthy debate rather than safe platitudes.

A Necessary Step Toward Growth

Meghan Markle’s podcasting journey is not yet a success, but it could be a stepping stone to something greater. The critiques of Archetypes—its lack of substance, overly cautious hosting, and failure to deliver on its promises—highlight the challenges she faces in transitioning from actress and royal to media mogul. Yet, these shortcomings also point to opportunities for growth. By embracing controversy, deepening her engagement with her subjects, and focusing on issues that matter, Meghan has the potential to create content that resonates with a broader audience.

For now, her podcast remains a symbol of untapped potential. Whether she can summon the motivation to “aim higher,” as critics urge, remains to be seen. But in a media landscape that rewards authenticity and boldness, Meghan’s next steps could determine whether she remains a polarizing figure or emerges as a truly impactful voice.