Meghan Markle and Prince Harry once said they ‘absolutely adore and love’ Texan self-help author Brené Brown – so much so, that the Duchess of Sussex included her in the September 2019 issue of British Vogue that she guest-edited. The professor, who’s penned five New York Times bestselling books and can count A-list stars such as Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow among her fans, also featured on the couple’s first Archewell Audio podcast for Spotify. And the links between Meghan and the popular author don’t end there; the Duchess on Saturday spoke at a bookstore co-owned by literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who’s worked alongside Brené.

Meghan was speaking at Oprah Winfrey’s book club session at Godmothers bookstore in Summerland, located just miles from where she lives in Montecito. The TV presenter is a close friend of Brené, with the pair having appeared on Oprah’s network together. But not only do Meghan and Brené run in similar circles, it’s clear the self-help guru to the stars has become somewhat of an inspiration for Harry’s wife, who appears to be adopting some of the language and phrases used by the author. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry once said they ‘absolutely adore and love’ Texan self-help author Brené Brown (pictured)

For instance, during her tour of Colombia with the Duke of Sussex, last month, the Duchess spoke about the lessons she’s learned in life at the Afro-Descendant Women and Power: Voices of Equity summit. With her husband in the audience, Meghan told the panel about how she’s in her ‘chapter of joy’ and linked that to gratitude. It’s an idea that Brené has often discussed, with the author revealing to Oprah’s website previously: ‘Joyous people are grateful people.’ The American professor added: ‘We simply cannot know joy without embracing vulnerability – and the way to do that is to focus on gratitude, not fear.’

A. Materialism vs. Mindfulness
B. Finding Joy in the Simple Things
C.

These are the things that bring me joy, and I find joy in the simple things.’

This statement reflects a shift in perspective from a purely materialistic view of happiness to a more holistic and spiritual approach. It emphasizes the importance of cultivating joy through mindful practices and appreciating the beauty and simplicity of everyday life. This shift in perspective is evident in the way she describes her sources of joy.

You can’t just be grateful for the good things and ignore the bad things. You have to be able to look at the whole picture and be grateful for all of it. This is a key principle of gratitude. Gratitude is not just about being happy, it’s about appreciating the good things in your life, but also about acknowledging and accepting the challenges and difficulties that you face.

‘The parts that were opportunities of growth and may have felt very difficult as well as the parts that feel inspiring, joyful and full.’ She once again mentioned her ‘chapter of joy’ in her closing statement, telling the audience: ‘You may have noticed, my husband and I were talking about it this morning, I just really relaxed on this trip – that’s probably because it’s Colombia and you all know how to have fun. ‘There is something so liberating about being able to be yourself and be comfortable in your skin and be surrounded in a space that is excited to see you exactly the way that you are.

‘I think that is part of the chapter for me, of joy, that will hopefully continue to inspire and allow me to keep doing the work that we love to do, which is to just be of service and to see other people live their lives through that same joyful spirit.’ Another topic both Brené and the Duchess seem to agree on is setting boundaries. During an episode of her Archetypes podcast, Meghan spoke of her frustration at ‘cowering and tiptoeing into a room’ during work situations due to the fear she could be perceived negatively. ‘I’m particular, I think a high tide raises all ships, we’re all going to succeed so let’s make sure it’s really great because it’s a shared success for everybody,’ she said.

I find myself doing that. I’m not sure if it’s a learned behavior or something else. It’s a very specific and very embarrassing thing. The author’s experience with this behavior is a reflection of a deeper, more complex issue. It’s not just about the physical act of speaking, but about the underlying anxieties and insecurities that fuel it.

And the links between Meghan and the popular author (pictured right) don’t end there; the Duchess on Saturday spoke at a bookstore co-owned by literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh (pictured centre), who’s worked alongside Brené The mother-of-two has previously been branded ‘Duchess Difficult’ following claims about her ‘dictatorial’ behaviour and 5am emails – which allegedly prompted her aide Samantha Cohen to quit. Other ‘broken’ royal staff told of being reduced to tears by bullying and temper tantrums. Meghan has always strenuously denied any claims of bullying. Brené has similarly shared how setting a boundary is not a negative behaviour, explaining on Oprah.com: ‘Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.

We are worthy simply because we exist. We are worthy because we are unique and valuable individuals. We are worthy because we have the potential to grow and learn and contribute to the world. We are worthy simply by being ourselves. We don’t need to earn our worthiness.

Meanwhile, Meghan joined the WME stable last year as part of what experts claimed was a major relaunch following negative publicity due to Harry’s memoir and attacks on the royals in their Netflix documentary. Her agent Ari Emanuel is a key player in the fashion industry and his wife Sarah Staudinger is the founder and designer of the luxury Staud brand, which Meghan loves. Mr Emanuel is the chief of the talent agency WME, which represents the Sussexes’ friends Oprah and Tyler Perry, and is said to be ‘the best in the business’ when it comes to ‘corporate deals and making money’.

Meghan’s British Vogue cover included 15 ‘trailblazers’, such as activists, artists, and fashion stars, and the issue became the publication’s fastest selling edition in history Elsewhere, another similarity between Meghan and Brené is that both of their podcasts are now with other production companies, rather than Spotify. Brené’s last episode for her exclusive contract with Spotify aired in 2023 and now her podcasts Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead have found a new home at the Vox Media Podcast Network. Meanwhile, Spotify and the Sussexes’s audio production company Archewell Audio released a joint statement in 2023 saying they had ‘mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together’.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been vocal about her desire to use her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and support. This move signifies a significant shift in her focus from her previous work with the Royal Family. The deal with Lemonada Media is a strategic move for both parties.

Embrace the discomfort, the awkwardness, the fear, and the uncertainty. Embrace the things that make you feel uncomfortable. Because it is in those moments that you discover your true strength and resilience.’

This quote, along with the overall message of her website, emphasizes the importance of embracing vulnerability in order to cultivate courage and resilience. The author’s website is a platform for sharing personal experiences and insights on navigating life’s challenges.

We’ve seen their work. We’ve read their books. We’ve listened to their podcasts. We’ve seen their documentaries. We’ve seen their impact on the world.’

This statement highlights the speaker’s deep respect and admiration for Brené Brown and Tristan Harris.

This marked a significant shift in the couple’s public image, moving away from the traditional, celebrity-focused narrative and towards a more inclusive, diverse, and socially conscious approach. The podcast, “Archetypes,” hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, explored themes of societal expectations, gender roles, and the impact of media on individuals. The podcast’s success was attributed to its candid and relatable approach, which resonated with a wide audience.

This transformation was a journey of self-discovery and healing, fueled by a deep desire to break free from the chains of addiction. She embarked on a path of self-reflection and introspection, seeking to understand the root causes of her struggles. Through this process, she uncovered a history of trauma and emotional neglect, which played a significant role in her addictive behaviors.