This week, the Duchess of Sussex’s Archetypes podcast focuses on “Good Wife/Bad Wife, Good Mom/Bad Mom.” Meghan’s guests this week are Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Pamela Adlon and Sam Jay. I mean… Sophie is the first lady of Canada, and Meghan is giddy about describing how she and Sophie have been friends for years, and how Sophie came to visit her in Montecito with the Trudeau kids? It’s pretty amazing. I’ll admit that from what I’ve listened to thus far, this episode wasn’t my particular jam, just because I didn’t relate to it. I get the conversation at an intellectual level – mothers feel mom guilt, wives feel guilt about not being perfect partners, marriages are messy, no mom is perfect, give yourself a break, stop trying to be perfect. Like, this is a well-trod topic, the hook is that it’s the Duchess of Sussex having the conversation.
One of the early headlines from the episode is that Meghan and Pamela Adlon talk about how Adlon passed the British citizenship test so now she’s a British citizen. Meghan describes how she also had to study for the citizenship test and she found it really hard. Adlon jokes that the Brits probably made the test harder specifically for Meghan.
Meghan also talks about her kids a little bit – Lili is walking! Meghan says she prides herself on making breakfast for Harry and the kids every morning, and she talks about the “whirlwind” mornings of trying to get everyone (including the dogs) fed and ready for the day. There’s also a larger conversation about how “domestic labor” has been devalued forever, as if organizing a household and raising children isn’t “real work.” Meghan talks about paid parental leave, a topic for which she’s been advocating for a few years.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Archetypes/Spotify.
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- North America Rights Only – Rome, Italy – 05/29/17 – Prime Minster Justin Trudeau Meets Pope Francis at The Vatican -PICTURED: Sophie Gregoire Trudeau -PHOTO by: INSTARimages.com Editorial Rights Managed Image – Please contact www.INSTARimages.com for licensing fee and rights: North America Inquiries: email sales@instarimages.com or call 212.414.0207 – UK Inquiries: email ben@instarimages.com or call + 7715 698 715 – Australia Inquiries: email sarah@instarimages.com.au Êor call +02 9660 0500 Ð for any other Country, please email sales@instarimages.com. ÊImage or video may not be published in any way that is or might be deemed defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene / Please consult our sales department for any clarification or question you may have – http://www.INSTARimages.com reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image or video. If you are in violation of our intellectual property you may be liable for actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image or video, and where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or statutory damage. Featuring: Sophie Gregoire Trudeau Where: Rome, Italy, Italy When: 29 May 2017 Credit: INSTARimages.com **North America Rights Only**
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- USA Rights Only – Ottawa, Canada – 7/1/2017 -The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall during their visit at Reconciliation, the Peacekeeping Monument, near the ByWard Market in Ottawa, during day three of their visit to Canada. -PICTURED: Justin Trudeau, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau with kids, Prince Charles, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall -PHOTO by: PA Images/INSTARimages.com -Instar_British_Royals_Canada_0730660731.JPG Editorial Rights Managed Image – Please contact www.INSTARimages.com for licensing fee and rights: North America Inquiries: email sales@instarimages.com or call 212.414.0207 – UK Inquiries: email ben@instarimages.com or call + 7715 698 715 – Australia Inquiries: email sarah@instarimages.com.au Êor call +02 9660 0500 Ð for any other Country, please email sales@instarimages.com. ÊImage or video may not be published in any way that is or might be deemed defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene / Please consult our sales department for any clarification or question you may have – http://www.INSTARimages.com reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image or video. If you are in violation of our intellectual property you may be liable for actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image or video, and where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or statutory damage. Featuring: Justin Trudeau, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau with kids, Prince Charles, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall Where: Ottawa, Canada, Canada When: 01 Jul 2017 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com **USA Rights Only**
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- State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey, London. Featuring: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Trudeau Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 19 Sep 2022 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
It took me scrolling down and back up again to realize Sophie has her youngest (?) in her lap in the header photo! And the older child holding the feet, that’s so sweet. I just love to see people being good to their children.
And the way Justin is looking at his kids 😍
Oh that photo caught my eye too, I couldn’t stop looking at it. It’s just so beautiful and it perfectly captures what it’s like having a toddler.
Good lord, a conspiracy theorist. All of this is a complete lie. Don’t you have any moderators on this site? It’s bad enough we get this nonsense on Twitter.
The older child is holding the little one’s feet to stop him kicking. Trust me. 😂
Can you imagine if Prince Louis had done that at the Jubbly?
She also sings. https://youtu.be/HbMXYgYxRaY
The fact that the First Lady of Canada was chilling in Montecito with her kids and NO ONE knows about it should remind us AGAIN about any information from royal reporters/insiders who “know” how Harry or Meghan feel about anything..….They just make sht up when they are bored to stir drama for clicks and engagement.
Back to listening to the podcast.
Canada doesn’t have a First Lady, that’s not an official role here. Sophie is simply the spouse of our PM. When Meghan lived in TO there were many pics of her hanging out with the Trudeaus – Jessica Mulroney is the link there, she was Sophie’s stylist and her husband is the son of a former Prime Minister – the important political families in Canada like the Mulroneys and Trudeaus are all friendly with each other.
It’s not really an official role in the US either. It’s just what the President’s wife is called. There aren’t expectations like it is an office but most first ladies do take on causes.
The First Lady in the US has an official office and staff in the White House – the East Wing, Canada does not.
Sophie must have at least one aide because she was being criticized in 2016 for wanting “more” staff.
Sophie goes by Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau. For a long time she didn’t add her husband’s last name as it’s not common in Quebec to do that. She took some heat from the rest of Canada for it so she added the Trudeau name.
She’s involved in a lot of philanthropic work that fits into Meghan’s wheelhouse — teenage self-esteem, women and girls’ rights and freedoms, eating disorders and mental health. She’s also involved with the “Because I Am A Girl” arm of Plan Canada so I fully understand why she would need more staff than previous wives of PMs.
No, not an official role but a figure of speech. We know what Kaiser meant.
I understand you’re just informing us that ‘First Lady’ is not how Canadians would refer to Mrs Trudeau. At the same time, I feel like just calling her Justin Trudeau’s wife or whatever sort of relates back to the podcast and how we view moms and wives. There should be a way to refer to women in her position that acknowledges her as her own person, instead of just her relationship to her spouse.
yes – she is a well-known journalist and TV personality, but that’s not how she’s been identified here in the first place, calling her either the “first lady” or his wife still places her identity in relation to him.
They describe her as the First Lady of Canada in the podcast description, so this seems like a weird hill to die on.
Canadian here:
the spouse of the prime minister has no title at all — and is called, for all intents and purposes, the “spouse of the prime minister of Canada.”
Not only does the First Lady not exist in our country, but neither do any associated responsibilities.
It’s not a weird hill to die on, it’s just people pointing out something to those who might not know it.
Yeah it’s weird when one person makes several comments correcting something that isn’t that big a deal to begin with since the podcast itself described her as the First Lady of Canada, even if it’s not official, it helps to identify her for Americans who may not recognize her name.
It’s just a really weird thing to hear as a Canadian. We can’t help remarking on it. Even as a Canadian, I can name and picture the spouse of every US president who held office during my lifetime and several more. Can’t say the same about the spouses of Canadian PMs. Sophie Gregoire had a public profile before her marriage and before her husband became PM. I don’t mean I knew her work, but she is accustomed to being public facing and chooses it. That’s the only reason I know her name and face. Most spouses of Canadian politicians live completely private lives.
It’s a silly hill to die on, and not a good look, but carry on.
Also Canadian and the title doesn’t bug me in the slightest.
Americans have to refer everything back to their frame of reference.
Thanks originallala I think this hill is an important part of this discussion. We literally have Parliamalent Hill as opposed to a White House and there will be several nuanced conversations around roles and titles that are relevant to this conversation, because the role is different in every country. How Sophie is viewed here in Canada is very different then how FLOTUS is. I would venture to say she has quite a bit more privacy, and is able to be a mother, unhindered by political roles. Another important part of the Canadian aspect of this conversation is that they are both Quebecois, and the more progressive values that the province of Quebec have around motherhood, are much more supported than in the more conservative prairie provinces (originallala) would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Also, I don’t think Sophie and Justin are together. It’s way past Will and Kate.
@Alita27 I have heard rumors that Justin and Sophie have been living separately, but I have not found any confirmation of this and I often think it is wishful thinking on the PC’s in Canada.
@Alita — show us the proof. Rumours on sleazy tabloid websites nobody reads are hardly proof. As @Andrea27 says, it’s just wishful thinking/conspiracy theorizing from the hard right PC’s here in Canada.
There is no official role for the Canadian PM’s wife, but Sophie is known to have replaced her husband in an official capacity when required. She caught COVID-19 in 2019 after attending the Commonwealth celebrations in England as a representative of the country. She is also involved in many charitable and cultural organizations. And of course, supervise the organisation of any official receptions. I believe she is also involved with her mother in law about mental health issues.
The spouse of the Canadian PM is in the same position as the spouse of the UK PM. They don’t have an official role or expectations although they usually have an aide or two because they end up working on charitable organizations. Sophie Gregoire had a high profile in Quebec prior to marrying Trudeau and she continued working in media in the province until he started running as MP. In the podcast she says her legal name is Sophie Gregoire but she added Trudeau because English canada was going to judge Justin if she didn’t. (She didn’t openly say that last part but that’s what it was)
Older Canadians will recall the shit fits when Maureen McTeer, Joe Clark’s wife did not change her name when he was PM. That was in 1979 but the sexism remained by the time Justin was running for liberal leader.
That’s interesting. Hillary Rodham Clinton also changed her last name years after getting married because calling herself Hillary Rodham was thought to be hurting Bill’s political career…
As someone raised in the prairies but who has now lived in Quebec for half of my life (and got married in Quebec), what adds an element to the whole legal name conversation is that it’s actually not even legal to take your spouse’s name in marriage here. When I got married at the court house, we had to read vows that included a statement affirming that we would keep our own family names. Even if you request a name change through the government, they will ask for justification and “marriage” is not considered legitimate grounds. So even if Sophie had wanted to take Justin’s name, she would not be allowed to do so by the Quebec government.
It goes both to the complete lack of understanding of Quebec society in the rest of the country and to the (in my view) completely paternalistic white “feminism” that is common in Quebec. There are so many things here that feel like “how dare your husband/religion/etc dictate what you can do/wear/be as a woman! That’s the government’s job!” I mean, I probably wouldn’t have ever changed my maiden name anyways, but having the option taken away from me doesn’t make any more sense than the alternative.
It’s so frustrating! “It’s not clear which man owns you, so please amend your name accordingly so we know if he’s worth voting for.” I hate that the world is still like that.
RIGHT lmao I had to do a double take on that one.
Official or unofficial, there is no First Lady of Canada. It’s not said here. That is purely an Americanization of Canada
Omg I can’t wait to listen to this. I’m sure I’m just going to be nodding along and agreeing the whole time.
I can’t wait, either! I’m sure the saltines will use this episode as one big slam against KKKHate, but Meghan is fully justified and **qualified** to speak on this topic as she’s constantly on the receiving end of slurs about how she’s a bad wife/bad mother.
I think it’s a good topic for the podcast because there have always been constant Kate vs Meghan comparisons as a wife and mother and because it is a specifically female thing. You don’t see articles or comments worrying about how good a husband or father men are being.
The thing is Meghan is still not considered a mother when compared to Kate. According to the press, Harry and Meghan leaving has made Kate’s job as a mother harder as if the Sussexes don’t have even children of their own who are even younger than Kate’s.
And those Kate-stan led attackers always pretend W&K don’t have an army of nannies (at least three), night nannies with each newborn, cooks, housekeepers, cleaners, etc. Neither Kate nor William is a ‘stay at home parent’ doing the heavy lifting as they like to pretend. And all those staff are paid by the taxpayers, not out of money W&K have earned themselves.
It always bothered me how Meghan and Harry were criticized for not producing enough Netflix and Spotify content in the first year after Lilibet was born, whereas Kate and Will are excused for not working because they have “young kids” (who are older than the Sussex kids). It is yet another blatant double-standard.
Heck, I read another DM headline recently about how upsetting it is that Will and Kate have to step up their workload because “Kate wants to spend more time with her children”.
Kate = mom, Meghan = not a mom
I think to them, “Meghan = Not a Mom” because she doesn’t constantly shove the kids in our face. Each picture released is more rare than a blue moon, and she’s not constantly talking about how Archie loves archetypes or Lili loves veterans or whatever random thing Keen claims her children loves that’s directly (but also inappropriately) related to her present event. Khate shoves that mom image in everyone’s face because that’s her shield, her life raft, and her lifelong meal ticket. That woman wishes she was Hilaria Baldwin and is going to be broody well into her seventies.
Not just harder. But harderer!
Whelp I guess they do have friends. I am still laughing at people thinking that they don’t have any friends and Harry is locked in the house. Good grief.
I’ve enjoyed every episode so far and I’m sure I will enjoy this one too.
I have to say that Meghan´s narration style is getting better and better. Her vocie has that ” hey, girl, come sit by my side” quality that must drive some brits crazy. I honestely can see why so many thought she was fake. They did not get her at all. There are some people who just happen to have to gift of friendship and are earnest. I think Meghan is one of these people and I will never fault her for finding a way to earn her living by doing what she obviously has a talent for.
@Moderately you are so right. They can’t imagine being friendly and earnest.
Sometimes I think I want Meghan to sound more crisp and businesslike on the podcast, then I realize, this woman must unapologetically be herself at all costs. This feels to me like it’s the essential journey for her, even from before meeting Harry. Which is probably why she had to go through the Salt Passage.
Totally agree @Nic and @ModeratelyWealthy
Doria’s quick appearance on this episode was sweet. I’m glad the tiny narcissist in me prevented me from worrying about being a good/bad wife.
I started this but have to go to bed cos it’s late for this old bird. But what I heard, I loved! Mostly that she’s giving the finger once again to the bm about what they don’t know. Re Kaiser’s point. I think like this, look, nothing is unique that Meghan’s talking about. Nothing. She’s talking about stereotypes so clearly it’s not unique. But it’s a podcast discussing things that matter, and matter TO HER.. we clearly don’t have to love them, they’re fireside chats. I’ve loved every one including the first half of this and not a parent. But excited for the rest.
I can’t wait for the meltdown from that island about the citizenship joke. Hearing Doria’s voice for the first time was also sweet. There has been so much speculation about whether Doria would be on the podcast because Meghan is so protective of her mom and the derangers attack anyone associated with her. I think the cameo by Doria was perfect. This is a favorite episode for me because I can relate as a wife and mother. The pressure to be good in both roles is real. I thought things would get easier as my children grew older but even at 19 and 17 I still feel pressure because they still need support.
You are not alone in that Louise. My kids are the same age and they both need support, especially my youngest. Right now he hates me breathing, so it’s tough. We used to go to the movies and walks and so much stuff and now he blames me for everything. I cry myself to sleep most of the time. I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do the best. My mother is a narcissist so she was a terrible role model, and she could care less about me, always telling me what a burden I was to her. I put so much effort raising the kids and being a business owner, and my husband had seizures for over twelve years, and I still feel like I am drowning in the guilt of life. I just wanted to write back to say I relate to you. Stay strong, by just being a supporting role, you are doing the best you can.
@Buzzkell so sorry you have all that on your plate. Re your son just hold on, if he’s anything like mine it will get better. They tend to start getting it after high school. Just keep being supportive like you said, and he’ll come around.
My mother is a raging narcissist too and in my experience narcissists either produce narcissists, or children who are dedicated to being supportive partners and parents. Obviously you are the latter, my very best to you.
💕 🖖 this hits for me too
Ooof—what a load. Stay strong.
It gets better! Hang in there! You’ve got a lot to deal with so be kind to yourself and realize that absolutely none of us are perfect or have perfect lives. You’re being the best mom you can be and it’s not your fault his teenage years are ghastly! It’s quite common!
When she said, “Oh sugar, my mom’s facetiming me”, not sure why but that just tickled me. 🙂
Sophie Trudeau sounds like a hoot, and very down to earth. I’m sure there is some very miniscule line that the BM will overanalyze for the next week, but I’m ignoring that nonsense this week.
This podcast hit me in me in the gut. I was new to being a spouse and a mother in an environment that was so competitive . I got so intent on doing things right that I didn’t tune in to my needs. I had a job to do right and at night I’d lull myself to sleep checking off the boxes of completed task. It wasn’t a relaxed and joyful period. You miss savoring the special moments and with time you hopefully recalibrate. The podcast gave me another opportunity to reflect on outside judgmental expectations and how women can bond to build each other up.
@Cheche you just nailed the purpose Meghan’s Podcast. Happy this episode was meaningful to you. As a mom, I too struggled with day to day routines just to get everything right and missed some of the little moments. Sounds like you are a great mom.
Really am appreciative of the celebitches supporting each other in these comments. 💕
Aww I hope you’re in a better place now.
I think that’s where becoming a grandparent really was like a do-over for me. All the things I wished I had done (or should have done) I had the chance to do with the grandkids.
Hang in there everyone, teens eventually become human again! I used to tell my teenage daughter that I didn’t know who she was, but she better go away and bring my daughter back lol.
Absolutely loved this episode, probably my favorite in the series so far. I listened first thing this morning and I know I will be listening again this evening. My son and his wife are expecting their first child any day now and we have had some truly deep wonderful conversations about parenthood, motherhood and fatherhood.. he is going to be such a great father it brings tears to my eyes. Motherhood never ends and we should all lift each other up, and bring the fathers along because they will help change the stereotypes. My greatest achievement will always be being a “Mom”.
And your daughter in law is going to be a great mother.
Of course, but she’s specifically referring to the feeling of watching HER child have his own child.
@becks1 thank you.. I truly thought that was implied, I seem to get a lot of negative feed back for innocent comments I try to ignore it but sometimes it hurts. My relationship and conversations with my son have changed since he found out he was going to be a father. We have always been close but it is now on a much deeper level that I have been very privileged to see. I survived an extremely abusive 36 year relationship/Marriage with his father. Sadly my son knew and had to deal with a father that was only around for accolades and public appearance. He is in his mid thirties and I personally have never seen a man so absolutely in love with his wife and their baby. I love my daughter in law, and know she will also be a wonderful mother but it is my son who calls me three times a week to tell share his feelings. Thank you again @becks1
Since I’m neither a wife or a mother, I zoned out halfway through. But Sophie seems like a hoot!
I did not know that Meghan took the British citizenship test. However, I can totally believe that they would have made it harder for her.
She didn’t say she took the test, just that she studied for it.
Meghan talking about Doria and how she looked after Meghan when she was a child blows up that narrative that Doria abandoned Meghan and only Toxic Tom raised her. Cue the meltdown that she is “ignoring” Bad Dad again. Whatever.
It should but instead they’re going to produce the same three pictures as “proof” that the white Markles were an attentive loving close family when Meghan was a kid and “Doria was not around.”
I also kind of checked out of following this one. Not a wife or partner, not a mother and have absolutely no interest in being either of those things, so I couldn’t relate to the discussion. I do enjoy the occasions when Meghan hilariously humblebrags about how glamorous and well connected her life was before she met Harry, like detailing how she became friends with Sophie Trudeau at a fashion awards show they attended 8 years ago. I have to imagine that is a totally intentional subtweet to the tabloid narrative of her being this unknown d list golddigger. They just can’t accept she only even met Harry because they were already mingling in the same elite social circles.
I just placed a hold on Dr. Shefali Tsabary’s book from our local library. Amazing how Meghan’s podcast is expanding my mind.
Back in the pre-internet days, the librarians used to say that they always knew someone was reading Dorothy Dunnett by the research they were doing. Heh.
We Canadians are a subtly passive aggressive lot. Don’t splain the non-roles of 🇨🇦 🍁political spouses to us…it could get slightly mildly unpleasant or the tiniest bit awkward 🤣
Subtly? I’d say it’s one of our defining traits!
Sweet photo of them all dressed up for Canada Day.
To get real, @Margot, yes absolutely. Passive aggressiveness is THE defining Canadian trait.
Pointing out how we are different than Americans is the Canadian national past time.
I’m also with those who tuned out a bit – my choices have been pretty much the opposite of the subject of this podcast. I did relate to the part where Pamela talked about navigating the world with what is considered a masculine mindset. Still, I think Meghan is doing a great job.
Not a wife or a mother (hope to be a wife one day), but will definitely be listening to the podcast as a Canadian- American (born in America, moved to Canada 10 years ago).
So many people saying they checked out of this episode because they’re not wives or mothers, and, fair, but like, everyone has a mom? Maybe listening might give you a new or nuanced perspective of her experiences growing up; maybe it will shed new light on the people in your life who are wives or mothers.
Did you also not listen to the Dragon Lady episode if you’re not Asian? Or the Angry Black Woman episode if you’re not black? Isn’t the whole point about this to shed light on the myriad ways we wrongly judge other people, not just ourselves?
It’s just interesting to me how easily people dismiss motherhood or being a spouse as “doesn’t apply to me” so therefore can be skipped over. IDK, seems like something to be unpacked.
Yeah, I’m neither by choice, but I do find it interesting how many people could find value in hearing about other experiences that they could not directly relate to versus this episode. I think Meghan touches on it herself when she discusses how we devalue the importance of parenting. And I’ll be completely honest there is some feeling of being better than, that some people don’t want to admit to in certain cases because they know deep down, they are ascribing to preconceived notions. I noted that about myself and the “bimbo” designation in the Paris Hilton episode.
At my age and with the fortunately good relationship I have with my mother, I already have plenty of “nuances” about my mother’s perspective on her life. And having friends who are married with children, I hear plenty about their perspective, too. Plus, with all of society geared toward issues of marriage, motherhood and children, I hear those perspectives every. single. day. So, excuse me very much if I express one small personal peep about how one particular podcast didn’t resonate with me.
Not necessarily. As a non-mom with infertility, these topics are painful to listen to. While mothers deserve more respect and more childcare options, it’s perfectly OK to distance yourself from a topic. There is an archetype of the childless/childfree woman as well and we often have to justify our existence, too.
I’m listening to it, but I don’t personally expect to relate to much of the podcast in general since I’m a single white lady with no kids. That’s fine, I can hear other things in life.
Well, no. Topics like the blonde bimbo trope with Paris Hilton or as you mentioned, Margaret Cho have cultural connotations. I don’t have anyone like Paris in my life, I cannot discuss these things and I learned quite a bit listening to Paris. I do have a mother who I’m close with and now many girlfriends who are mothers. We talk about it at length even though I’m not a mother or wife and have no interest in becoming one. But for my own mother and my friends it is obviously a massive part of their lives so of course we discuss it. But that’s exactly why I don’t need strangers to talk at me about it. Women whose lives couldn’t be more different from mine. I didn’t learn anything new here, I have heard these things in more depth and detail for years. That doesn’t mean I dismiss the topic, jeeze.
Just wondering who is going to cry outrage and what offended interviews we are going to receive over this episode.?
Very interesting, I was aware they knew each other, but not that it was a close friendship. I am struck by the parallels between Justin and Harry’s upbringing, and the experience of Meghan and Sophie as career women marrying high profile men. While not on the same international level as the BRF, Pierre and Margaret Trudeau’s marriage was much like that of Charles and Diana – teenage bride, much older man, intense media scrutiny, accusations of affairs, mental health concerns, etc – all played out in the media and in front of their children. For the non-Canadians or those too young to remember, a quick Google of Margaret Trudeau would illustrate my point.
Maggie Trudeau was way more scandalous. She was wild in her youth. She partied with Mick Jagger and had ragers while married to the PM. She used the PMs luggage to smuggle drugs around. She had an affair with Jack Nicholson WHILE PIERRE WAS PM (that she wrote about herself!). I love it.
She is also an incredibly kind, well-spoken and passionate advocate for people.
Anyone remember the photo of Prince Philip looking down at her decolletage?
@Jedi — Margaret Trudeau was diagnosed with bipolar disorder that came on during her marriage to Pierre. Nobody knew what she was going through and just dragged her for all her antics. When she’d go into her manic phase all hell would break loose, then she’d fall into her depressive phase and go to bed to weep for 3 months. They tried all sorts of drug treatments on her, most had really bad side effects, and psychiatry wasn’t much help either. Treatments were hit or miss in those days. I’ve met her and she’s one of the most charming, warm people I’ve ever met. She speaks very eloquently and openly of her mental health struggles, the death of her youngest son Michel and how it brought on a whole host of new struggles to get through. She accurately describes being bipolar as “forever 14 years old”. Fortunately she’s in a good place now, on a medication plan that controls the roller-coaster ups and downs, and praises Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a godsend.
Jaded, thank you for such a thoughtful comment. Margaret Trudeau is still demonized in the conservative press. Her talks on mental health are informative, compassionate and very personal. She is a lovely lady who has lived a difficult, fascinating life.
Madame Trudeau had her first bout of bipolar while away attending university in the US.
She subsequently returned home to BC.
One thing that’s been bugging me about Meghan’s podcast…….wouldnt it be more accurate for it to be called Stereotypes? As opposed to Archetypes?
Aren’t most of the ‘types’ that she has discussed Stereotypes, not Archetypes?
I mean, it’s Meghan’s podcast, she can call it whatever she wants. I just think Stereotypes would be more accurate, although Archetypes, sounds nicer
I feel like someone asks this every week, and I guess I don’t see why the accuracy in the title as some may see it, really matters versus the actual content. Also, people have noted how archetypes also work given that it covers the overarching “idea” of this “type” of woman. This is something I have noticed since Meghan has begun giving more interviews and doing the podcast in the past few months, simple things like turns of phrase, and figures of speech that for any other person context clues would be fine are overexamined even by supporters. I know I don’t police my own language that much, and I have to wonder why we are doing this to her.
The meaning of archetype is “an original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies”. A stereotype is a “widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing”. A subtle difference for sure but archetype seems to be more appropriate for Meghan’s purpose.
Archetypes also has to with tropes in literature and art which influence societal views. Meghan has experts that talk about the origins of these tropes. I guess that keeps flying over some folks heads but this thing called the internet can be really helpful for finding out information. /s
“Strictly dickly.”
Yup, that was in there!
Thanks Kaiser as always for the link. As a mom and wife , I say hell yes, I can so relate to this episode.
I loved this episode, especially the talk with Pamela Adlon. As a non-mom, I also liked that they touched on how women often nurture others in the community. For me, not having kids means I have time & energy to devote to being an aunt or even a friend to the kids in my life, which I love doing. I think it not only helps parents, but it’s a great resource for kids to have non-parent adults in their lives.
Having non- parent adult in a child’s life is a gift that keeps on giving. I had a great aunt who was like an “Auntie Mame” and we thought of her as our personal fairy godmother. When I was older I tried to emulate her fun and caring spirit. Now my little girl tries to do that with others. That’s one way to keep the best part of someone long after they are gone.
I promise to not comment about the content, because I truly believe that Meghan should use her voice as she wish.
I loved all that I have heard except the one I am yet to listen, but Marian Carry was it…..
I am impatient to listen to this particular episode.
Lili is 16 months old now, why does Meghan say her daughter is a year and a “couple” of months old..
She’s 16months now, but I think most of The podcasts were recorded some time ago.
Her hubby is so hot. That is all.
I loved this, and I’m not a wife or mother. I adore Meghan, and I love how she’s just happily living her great life in the sour faces of the haters. A lot of what she says could be taken as pointed rebukes to them, and I Am Here For It!
Been a busy day but finally listened to the podcast. While the focus of a lot of the news was on Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and how they hung out during the summer, the main conversation was with Pamela Adler, who was so direct and just refreshing to hear, didn’t mince words. Her advice on marriage and divorce was not the typical stuff we hear but her quote about live was so on point. I also liked that Meghan also had a lesbian guest who gave a queer perspective on being a wife and how she worked on her relationship. She had 3 women on, but while the topic were wives and mothers, one of the women is divorced, one has her own wife and no kids yet, and another is both while being a public figure. It was good to hear all three of their perspectives. I liked how both Adler and Gregoire summed up themselves with 3 words. Was a good podcast, lots more to be discussed, eg oarentsk leave, undervalue of work in the home etc.
Ugh, parental leave. I like how Meghan mentioned how she’s always wanted to be a wife and mother, because she is so denigrated on being both, as though it’s secondary for her, while it’s so important to her. Liked how Adler mentioned that we loved being called mom/mommy until that’s all we hear and get sick of it, then miss it once they’re grown. Sam Jay was the comedian with a wife and like how she shared her and her wife had therapy because a lot of us assume same sex couple may have it easier, but not necessarily true. Also when discussing her morning routine, Meghan mentioned that Lilibet is the early riser, like mom. Was such a good listen.