Meghan Markle facing fresh blow to major project as huge shake-up is on cards

The future of Meghan Markle ’s podcast is up in the air amid reports that her and Harry's lucrative multi-million pound Netflix dealis not being renewed. Earlier this month, it was reported that the streaming platform has decided not to renew the contract it holds with the Sussexes once it runs out in a few months time. They are believed to have signed a five-year deal worth around $100million in September 2020.

And now, Meghan’s podcast, titled Confessions of a Female Founder, could be in jeopardy as the production company behind the project prepares for a major shake-up. The Duchess of Sussex began the series in April with the intention of giving a platform to female entrepreneurs to share their personal stories and experiences of building a business.

The podcast series, which is produced by Lemonada Media rather than Spotify like her previous podcast Archetypes, was billed as a space for honest discussions and practical advice for aspiring founders.

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Despite the success of Meghan’s podcast that highlights female-run businesses, the future of the project is now up in the air. According to Page Six, Lemonada Media is now set to be acquired by Swedish podcast group PodX, sparking uncertainty around the future direction of the company.

The company has built a wide-ranging portfolio, including more than 50 original series and close to 40 partner shows. Alongside Meghan’s podcast, its slate includes Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and The Sarah Silverman Podcast.

PodX has steadily been acquiring several production companies around the world, with the podcasts run by those companies facing uncertain futures after the acquisitions.

While the future of Confessions of a Female Founder is still unsure, the news of Lemonada’s future comes after Meghan admitted she was “spread too thin” while working on her various other projects.

The Duchess of Sussex made the frank admission during a candid chat with Emma Grede on her Aspire podcast. Meghan revealed that her own podcast would not be coming back for a second season any time soon, as she focuses more on her lifestyle brand As Ever.

Meghan acknowledged "that there is so much excitement and desire for another season" of the podcast, but added, "I need to focus on my business. People seem to forget that very rarely do people see everything that’s happening behind the scenes."

The podcast launched at the same time that Meghan's lifestyle brand As Ever announced its first product drop, which Meghan said "was perfect synergy".

She reflected on the busy time in her life as she juggled her multiple businesses, saying: "As I knew I was in this building phase of my business, what an amazing opportunity to pull back the curtain and let people see what's happening at the start, when all the twists and turns are there.

"For me to have the opportunity to talk to so many female founders who've been on that full trajectory—that are on the other side of success, but still at certain chapters in their career and their growth—but to be able to be really candid and vulnerable personally about my learns and stumbles along the way and then to take everyone's advice—and mine included."

Joking with podcast host Emma Grede, Meghan said: "At a certain point, the only thing I want spread thin is my jam."