The recent controversy surrounding Meghan’s new podcast “Confessions of a Female Founder” raises an interesting question about originality in podcast naming. Critics have pointed out similarities to existing shows like “Confessions of a CEO” and “Confessions of a Founder.” But how unique do podcast names really need to be, and how common are naming patterns in the podcasting world? The second article is much more interesting. There are two articles on this topic (there are many), and I have picked two.

One: https://okmagazine.com/p/meghan-markle-ridiculed-launching-confessions-female-founder-podcast/

First, the implication that Prince William would have any authority or right to interfere with Meghan’s professional endeavors is unfounded. Meghan is no longer a working royal, lives in a different country, and has every right to pursue her own business ventures independently. The suggestion that her brother-in-law should somehow control or stop her career reflects an inappropriate power dynamic that has no basis in reality.

Second, as you correctly point out, the criticism mischaracterizes Meghan’s business acumen and influence. She has demonstrated significant commercial impact through:

1. The “Meghan Effect” – where products she wears or endorses frequently sell out, including the brands mentioned like Valencia Key and Chain Crossstitch
2. Her previous lifestyle blog “The Tig” which was successful before her royal life
3. Her production company with Netflix that has created multiple shows
4. Her previous business ventures and partnerships
5. Suits

The dismissive comment about “not selling a jar of jam” ignores her track record of commercial influence and business experience. It’s a reductive statement that fails to acknowledge her actual history in business and entrepreneurship before and after her time as a working royal.

This type of criticism often reveals more about the biases of the critics than about Meghan herself. The suggestion that she needs to be “put in her place” by a male royal family member particularly stands out as problematic, especially given her status as an independent businesswoman who has stepped away from royal duties.

Two:

https://www.gbnews.com/royal/meghan-markle-new-podcast-copy-latest-royal-news

The Crowded Podcast Landscape

As of 2025, there are over 5 million podcasts with more than 70 million episodes available globally. With numbers this vast, name overlap is not just common—it’s practically inevitable. Let’s examine why similar naming conventions occur so frequently:

Common Naming Formats in Podcasting

1. The “[Topic] with [Host]” Format
   • “Leadership with Simon Sinek”
   • “Marketing with Neil Patel”
   • “Wellness with Deepak Chopra”
2. The “Confessions of…” Format
   • “Confessions of a CEO”
   • “Confessions of a Marketer”
   • “Confessions of a Mother”
   • “Confessions of a Therapist”
   • “Confessions of a Developer”
3. The “The [Profession] Podcast” Format
   • “The Teacher Podcast”
   • “The Doctor Podcast”
   • “The Entrepreneur Podcast”
4. The “How to…” Format
   • “How to Start a Business”
   • “How to Be Successful”
   • “How to Improve Your Health”

Why This Happens: SEO and Discoverability

Podcast creators often use formulaic naming conventions for very practical reasons:

1. Searchability: Including key terms that potential listeners might search for increases the chances of discovery
2. Clear Signaling: The name immediately communicates what the podcast is about
3. Industry Recognition: Using established patterns helps listeners categorize the content quickly

Legal Considerations

From a legal perspective, podcast titles generally receive thin copyright protection, if any. Titles, names, and short phrases are typically not protected by copyright law. This is why you can find multiple books, songs, and podcasts with identical or very similar titles.

Trademark law might offer some protection if a podcast title has become distinctively associated with a specific brand or product, but even then, the protection is limited to the specific industry and potential consumer confusion.

Examples of Similar Podcast Names

To put the Meghan Markle controversy in context, here are examples of well-known podcasts with similar or identical names:

• Multiple podcasts called “True Crime Daily”
• Several different shows titled “The History Podcast”
• At least five different podcasts called “Marketing Matters”
• Multiple “The Mindset Podcast” shows by different creators
• Several “Tech Talk” podcasts by different companies

The Confessions Format

The “Confessions of…” format is particularly popular because it suggests intimate, behind-the-scenes content. A quick search of podcast directories reveals:

• “Confessions of a Workaholic”
• “Confessions of a Therapist”
• “Confessions of a Dad”
• “Confessions of a Mom”
• “Confessions of a Teacher”
• “Confessions of a Surgeon”
• “Confessions of a CFO”
• “Confessions of a Business Owner”
• “Confessions of a Founder” (multiple versions)
• “Confessions of a CEO” (multiple versions)

Conclusion

While originality is always valuable, the podcast industry operates with a high degree of naming overlap due to the sheer volume of content and the practical benefits of using recognizable formats. The controversy over Meghan Markle’s podcast name reflects a common industry practice rather than an exceptional case.

What ultimately differentiates podcasts isn’t necessarily their names but rather their content, production quality, host expertise, and audience engagement. As the podcasting space continues to expand, we’ll likely see even more naming similarities emerge as creators focus on communicating their content’s value proposition through familiar naming conventions.

I am surprised more people didn’t take issue with ‘female’ and it is clear that OK is the mouthpiece for the BRF. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton has failed at any rebrand efforts. However, being a mom of three kids with so much scrutiny is more than enough. She does not need to do more.