If you thought the era of the #GirlBoss had died a quiet death sometime around the late 2010s, think again. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has revived its spirit — albeit with a fresh coat of lifestyle gloss and a heavy dose of affirmation — in her new podcast Confessions of a Female Founder.
It’s less an exposé on the grit behind female-led business empires, and more a velvet-draped showcase of shared admiration between extremely successful women — with Meghan firmly at the centre.
Girlboss 2.0: The Meghan Edition
In each episode, Meghan interviews high-powered female entrepreneurs to explore how they built their fortunes — beginning with Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd. With her newly launched lifestyle brand As Ever — a venture featuring artisanal preserves, delicate teas, and dried flowers à la frittata garnish — Meghan seems to be casting herself not just as interviewer, but as peer.
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But As Ever is not just a product line. As Meghan breathes into the mic, it’s “an extension of my essence.” Her commitment to branding herself as not only a tastemaker but a spiritual guide feels like a well-rehearsed dance between sincerity and strategy.
Flattery in Abundance
While Meghan seeks business advice, what she truly receives — and dishes out — is a hearty dose of flattery. Wolfe Herd gushes that Meghan’s home radiates “love and cosiness and yumminess.” Meghan, in turn, praises Wolfe Herd’s emotional intelligence and resilience.
At one point, Wolfe Herd recounts writing a gratitude letter to herself after Bumble’s stock took a nosedive. “It’s amazing how evolved you are,” Meghan says, her voice dripping with admiration. The moment borders on satire — one billionaire soothing another with talk of inner peace while the rest of us calculate rent.
A Polished but Predictable Format
In fairness, Meghan is better at podcasting than many celebrity dabblers. She keeps the conversations on track and follows up thoughtfully. Wolfe Herd’s account of filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against Tinder, for instance, is one of the rare moments where the show brushes against something raw and real.
Still, Meghan rarely offers vulnerability in return. It’s understandable — she’s lived under a media microscope — but her reticence robs the podcast of the intimacy that makes the medium work. Audiences crave mutual openness in these parasocial relationships, and Confessions of a Female Founder isn’t delivering.
The Meghan Monologue Problem
One major improvement from her 2022 show Archetypes is the reduced narration. Gone are the lecturing interludes; instead, we’re treated to a more natural interview format. But when Meghan does address the listener directly, it can feel overly performative.
“Launching a business, it can be … so overwhelming,” she gasps theatrically in one episode. “Even with the best of teams — hoo!” Her exaggerated cadence and breathy dramatics might feel authentic to American audiences, but to many others, it reads as somewhat insincere.
Safe Spaces for the Super Successful
Ultimately, Confessions of a Female Founder isn’t an entrepreneurial guidebook. Nor is it a hard-hitting exposé. It’s a plush podcasting salon, where ultra-wealthy women convene to praise each other and speak in aphorisms about purpose, balance, and essence.
Meghan appears far more comfortable here than she ever did enduring the formalities and intrusions of royal life. Who could blame her? Still, the podcast’s lack of challenge or real insight into the trenches of business-building leaves it feeling like a missed opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Confessions of a Female Founder might appeal to Meghan’s loyal fanbase or listeners looking for gentle, affirming conversations about business and branding. But if you’re seeking unfiltered entrepreneurial grit or the inside scoop on what it really takes to build an empire, you’ll be left wanting.
There’s no denying Meghan has the podcasting chops, but Confessions would benefit from a little less essence and a lot more honesty.
