In the world of high-profile media projects, the behind-the-scenes dynamics are often as intriguing as the final product. Meghan Markle’s podcast series, Archetypes, was no exception.
While the podcast, which ran for 12 episodes in 2022, garnered attention for its exploration of how societal labels affect women, recent reports have shed light on the darker side of the production.
According to sources, several staff members involved in the project required long-term therapy due to the mental health toll of working with the Duchess of Sussex.
The reports, which describe Meghan as “really, really, really awful” to work with, have raised questions about her leadership style, the pressures of celebrity production, and the emotional impact of high-profile media ventures.
The Dark Side of the Spotlight: Staff Struggles During Archetypes Production
Meghan Markle’s Archetypes podcast series, produced in partnership with Spotify and Archewell Audio, aimed to challenge the stereotypes and labels placed on women throughout history. Featuring interviews with prominent figures such as Serena Williams, Paris Hilton, and Mariah Carey, the podcast quickly became a global hit, topping Spotify’s charts in several countries.
It even won the People’s Choice Award for Best Podcast in 2022. Despite its commercial and critical success, behind the scenes, the production of the series is reportedly linked to significant emotional and psychological strain for some of its staff.
Sources close to the production have described Meghan’s leadership style as demanding and, at times, toxic. One source told Vanity Fair that working with the Duchess was “really, really, really awful.”
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Meghan’s approach to the podcast was likened to playing a game of checkers, where she was constantly aware of where people stood in relation to her, using them to her advantage and discarding them when they no longer served her purpose.
The source further elaborated, stating, “She’s just very aware of where everybody is on her board. And when you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.”
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This dynamic of constant evaluation and shifting power dynamics created an atmosphere of high stress and uncertainty. According to the same source, the toll of working in such an environment was so severe that it led to some staff requiring long-term therapy.
The psychological impact of being part of the Archetypes production is a stark reminder of how high-pressure, celebrity-driven projects can affect the well-being of those involved, particularly when the leadership is seen as overly controlling or unpredictable.
These reports are a far cry from the public image Meghan Markle often projects—one of compassion, activism, and advocating for women’s rights. While her podcast was designed to give voice to women and dissect societal expectations, the very staff working to bring her vision to life were allegedly subjected to an environment that left lasting scars on their mental health.
Spotify and Archewell’s Split: The Fallout from Archetypes’ End
As the Archetypes podcast began to receive praise for its insightful discussions and celebrity interviews, behind the scenes, cracks were forming in the partnership between Archewell Audio and Spotify.
The streaming giant, which had invested in the podcast, reportedly expected more content from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Despite the success of the podcast, the lack of new content led to growing tensions, culminating in the announcement in 2023 that Meghan Markle had officially walked away from the project.
The dissolution of the partnership between Spotify and Archewell Audio, which ended with a mutual agreement to part ways, came with mixed reviews. A joint statement from both parties stated that they were “proud of the series we made together,” but sources close to the situation indicate that Spotify had hoped for more substantial output from the Sussexes.
The company’s initial investment in Archewell Audio was based on the promise of a long-term collaboration, which ultimately fell short due to Meghan’s departure from the podcast.
The decision to end the partnership was a turning point in Meghan Markle’s podcasting career, but it was not without consequences. The move left many wondering what went wrong in the relationship between the Sussexes and Spotify.
The fact that Spotify expected more content suggests that the initial deal was not built on a foundation of mutual understanding or realistic expectations. As the company moved on from the partnership, it raised questions about the long-term viability of celebrity-driven podcasts that are not driven by consistent, high-quality output.
Beyond the production of Archetypes, the partnership’s breakdown also highlighted the challenges of navigating high-profile, celebrity-led projects that depend not only on star power but on organizational coherence, reliable content delivery, and the emotional investment of all involved parties.
Meghan’s Career After Archetypes: New Ventures and New Challenges
After leaving Archetypes behind, Meghan Markle has pursued a number of other ventures, but her post-podcast career has not been without its own challenges. One of the most notable projects following her departure from the podcast was the launch of her American Riviera Orchard brand, which sells strawberry jam.
However, this initiative quickly faced its own hurdles. The official website for American Riviera Orchard has now become a blank page, and the Instagram account associated with the brand is no longer active, raising questions about the sustainability of this venture.
Despite the challenges, Meghan and Harry’s business pursuits continue. One of their more active ventures has been their blog, where they have made headlines for taking a stance against companies like Meta. In one notable post, Meghan and Harry criticized Meta for dropping its fact-checking efforts, reflecting their continued commitment to activism and social change.
However, it’s worth noting that the Sussexes have faced criticism for launching initiatives that, in some cases, have lacked long-term viability or consistent follow-through.
One of the most publicized projects of the couple since their relocation to the United States has been their Netflix series, Polo. The series, which premiered in December 2023, was met with a flurry of negative reviews. Critics were unimpressed with the content, and the show failed to make a significant impact on Netflix’s viewership.
This, coupled with the criticism surrounding Archetypes, seems to suggest that the Sussexes may still be struggling to find the right formula for success in their post-royal lives. Their attempts to break free from the royal family and establish a media empire have faced various obstacles, both from the public and within their own team.
Meghan’s ideas for future projects also raise eyebrows. According to reports, Harry’s suggestion of creating a podcast centered around childhood trauma—where he proposed interviewing controversial figures such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump—was rejected. This rejection highlights the difficulty the couple faces in creating content that resonates with both their audience and the media landscape.
Lessons from Archetypes and the Sussexes’ Post-Royal Journey
The saga surrounding Meghan Markle’s Archetypes podcast is a cautionary tale about the challenges of navigating high-profile media projects and the impact that leadership dynamics can have on those involved.
While the podcast itself was successful in terms of both viewership and accolades, the reports of staff needing therapy and the subsequent breakdown of the partnership with Spotify reveal the darker side of celebrity-driven projects. It is clear that Meghan’s leadership style and the pressures of working on a high-profile podcast took a significant toll on some of the staff.
Moving forward, the Sussexes’ journey in the media world appears to be one fraught with both potential and setbacks. As they continue to explore new business ventures, from jam-selling to producing TV series, it remains to be seen whether they can sustain long-term success outside of their royal titles.
Their experiences with Archetypes offer valuable insights into the complexities of celebrity-led projects, where the intersection of public personas, personal expectations, and the well-being of the team can sometimes lead to unforeseen challenges.
For Meghan and Harry, the key to success in their post-royal endeavors may lie in finding a balance between their passions, the expectations of their audiences, and the mental health of those who help bring their visions to life.
As their journey continues, they may need to reassess their approach to leadership, content creation, and collaboration to ensure they avoid repeating the missteps of their past ventures.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏