Meghan Keeps It Real — and Keeps Changing the World — on Jamie Kern Lima’s New Podcast (UPDATE 4/30)

**SCROLL FOR UPDATES 4/30

If you thought Meghan couldn’t possibly get any more relatable, think again! The Duchess of Sussex recently joined her good friend Jamie Kern Lima on the brand-new Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast — and in true Meghan fashion, she showed up fresh-faced, wearing a cozy sweatshirt stitched with her children’s names, shearling lined sneakers on her feet, and not a trace of pretense in sight.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what grace, grit, and the “Meghan Effect” look like in 2025.

In a clip shared ahead of the episode’s release, Meghan was visibly emotional (and yes, even a bit teary-eyed), laughing about how great it was to skip the makeup.

“This is why it’s nice not to have makeup on,” she joked.

Throughout the conversation, Meghan opened up about moving past the exhausting “prove it” game — the pressure to prove you’re good enough, smart enough, or even lovable enough. Instead, she’s embracing self-worth, joy, and a deep sense of peace.

“We spend so much of our lives trying to prove something,” she said in the episode released Monday. “To prove that you’re enough. You have to prove that you’re pretty enough. You have to prove that you’re smart enough. You have to prove that you’re a good wife, or a good friend, and I was like, ‘I’m just so done with the prove it game.’ And if you can’t see it, I can’t, I don’t need to prove to you why. That’s your loss.”

As Jamie put it (through her own tears), getting out of the prove-it game “feels like joy, tastes like freedom.” Amen to that!

A little background on Jamie —

It’s no surprise that Meghan chose Jamie for such a personal and heartfelt interview. Jamie Kern Lima’s own story is one of determination, heart, and good old-fashioned perseverance. Before founding IT Cosmetics, Jamie worked as a waitress at Denny’s and later as a TV news anchor — all while battling rosacea and struggling to find makeup that worked for real, sensitive skin. When the beauty industry told her “no thanks,” Jamie built her own brand anyway — partnering with plastic surgeons and dermatologists to create IT Cosmetics, a company focused on confidence-boosting, problem-solving products. Starting from her living room, Jamie grew the brand into a beauty empire, eventually selling it to L’Oréal for $1.2 billion, becoming the first female CEO in L’Oréal’s history. Her journey — built on authenticity, grit, and a refusal to take no for an answer — continues to inspire women everywhere. In other words: the perfect partner for Meghan’s first podcast guest appearance.

The “Meghan Effect” —

Of course, no Meghan appearance would be complete without a little wardrobe magic. The Duchess touched on how she intentionally uses her fashion choices to uplift small businesses and causes she believes in.

Remember her Outland Denim jeans? Back during the royal tour of Australia, Meghan’s simple choice to wear a £140 pair of black skinny jeans from Outland sparked a 640% sales boom.

Below, the Outland Denim ‘Harriett” high-rise jeans in black (no longer available). Meghan in Dubbo, Australia, October 17, 2018 and in the Redwoods Treewalk Rotorua, New Zealand, October 31, 2018—wearing the Outland Denim ‘Harriett’ jeans.

More than just a style statement, Outland Denim’s mission is life-changing: they provide employment and vital life skills to women rescued from human trafficking and forced labor in Cambodia. Thanks to Meghan’s support, 46 more seamstresses were able to secure stable jobs — and, more importantly, hope for the future.

And speaking of stylish statements, during her visit to Vancouver earlier this year, Meghan was spotted wearing the Valencia Key “Joy” bracelet, a reminder that fashion can — and should — sparkle with meaning. Founded by designer and dream-chaser Valencia Key, the brand is rooted in resilience, empowerment, and joy — everything Meghan embodies.

Naturally, no conversation about Meghan is complete without mentioning her biggest fan: Prince Harry.

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Recently, Harry has spoken out about how deeply proud he is of Meghan — not just for the public work she does, but for the woman she is behind the scenes. Meghan, ever candid, shared that Harry “loves her so much.”

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It’s a reminder that at the core of all the headlines, projects, and appearances is something timeless: a love story built on mutual respect, admiration, and — let’s be honest — a lot of playful ribbing about who can wrangle the kids into bed faster.

The podcast also hinted that Meghan has more projects on the horizon — possibly another book (perhaps a lifestyle book?!). Whatever the future holds, one thing’s certain: she’ll be walking into it with a spirit determined to make the world just a little bit kinder.

Below, Meghan with her book, The Bench, in 2021 and the Together: Our Community Cookbook, September 2018.

During the conversation, Meghan also confirmed once again that she no longer uses “Markle” and instead goes by “Meghan Sussex” — a nod to both her personal growth and her pride in the life she and Harry are building together.

Listen to The Jamie Kern Lima Show episode with Meghan wherever you get your podcasts from (Apple/Spodify) or watch it on YouTube here.

More on Jamie Kern Lima here.

Incidentally, Jamie will also be Meghan’s guest on tomorrow’s third episode of Confessions of a Female Founder so be sure to tune in!

Now our look at What Meghan Wore for the interview.

Meghan had on her Club Chainstitch sweatshirt, $73 (currently unavailable, sign up to be notified)—with Archie and Lili embroidered at the collar.

Meghan was first spotted wearing the sweatshirt in an Instagram post about how she managed to help a young 15-year-old girl who lost her home in the wildfires in California get a  replacement for a precious Billie Eilish t-shirt which was destroyed in the aftermath.

Meghan mentioned in her interview that she bought the sweatshirt on the brand’s Etsy site. The Club Chainstitch Etsy shop is currently on break while they catch up on orders.

Her pants are the Gap ‘CashSoft’ Shaker-Stitch Sweater Pants, $80 now $31 (limited sizes available). They are a cotton and nylon blend.

UPDATE 4/30: Her sneakers are the Freda Salvador ‘Eda’ D’Orsay Sneaker with shearling, $350—Per Freda Salvador – the sneakers will be restocked in October 2025. She first wore these in a behind the scenes video for her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.

We saw her wear the white calfskin version of the sneakers back in February while meeting with volunteers of the LA wildfires.

Freda Salvador ‘Eda’ D’orsay white calf sneakers, $295 *Use code WHATMEGHANWORE10 for 10% off your order. Also available on ShopBop – currently on sale, $206.

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In addition to her staple Cartier ‘Love’ bracelet and Diana’s Cartier Tank watch, Meghan was once again wearing Diana’s diamond tennis bracelet (Diana wearing the bracelet, below, right).

Someone asked me about the rocking chairs that Meghan and Jamie were sitting in for the interview. I believe they are from Milia — Mbrace Dedon Rocking Chair in sea salt, $4124 each. Similar on Wayfair here.

Jamie’s sneakers are the Miu Miu Glitter Glitter Accents Sneakers, retail $700 (past season and no longer available).

The two women went makeup-free for today’s interview — just as they are during their real-life get-togethers. (Authenticity at its finest!) I can personally vouch, however, that IT Cosmetics makes an absolutely fantastic CC cream — I’ve been using it for a few years now, and it delivers the perfect radiant, “no makeup” makeup glow every time!

iT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40, $47. Also available at Sephora.

Jamie’s book Worthy (2024) is available here, $15, and her book Believe It (2021) is available here, $14.

We have a bonus edition to today’s post. Yesterday Meghan shared the sweetest post on her Instagram featuring Archie and Lilibet in their rose garden.

In the post, Meghan is wearing her Polo Ralph Lauren cable-knit cashmere sweater, $498.

Meghan confirmed that her trousers are the Anine Bing ‘Carrie’ pant in linen blend, $200.

Meghan also owns the style in black wool—worn in Vancouver/Whistler, Canada, February 2024—as well as the black and white wool version (worn during the Invictus Games 2025) and white linen version worn for a visit to Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara in October 2024.

Her gardening gloves are the Celtic Farm, Women’s Floral Gardening and Project Gloves – her pattern is no longer available however “The Caroline” pattern is, $23.

Have you entered to win my giveaway? It ends tonight at midnight eastern time. Winner will be announced tomorrow. Details in my last post here or visit my Instagram post here.