Prince Harry’s foray into the world of podcasting has been met with mixed reactions.

While some have praised his efforts to elevate underrepresented voices, others have been less enthusiastic about his choice of guests and topics.

According to a report by Bloomberg’s Soundbite newsletter, Harry had floated several ideas for shows that did not impress producers and may have contributed to the company’s decision to part ways with him and Meghan.

One of Harry’s questionable concepts was to focus on the issue of childhood trauma and interview controversial global figures about their early formative years and how those experiences resulted in the adults they are today.

Some of Harry’s dream guests included former US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

The California-based Duke of Sussex also had an idea for a show centered on fatherhood, while another would tackle major societal issues per episode ranging from climate change to religion.

For the Big Issues podcast, Harry hoped to interview Pope Francis.

This report about Harry’s curious podcast ideas comes a week after news broke that Spotify was ending its deal with Harry and Meghan, effectively cancelling a second season of Meghan’s Archetypes.

The report also provides a backdrop to last week’s surprising outburst by fellow Spotify podcaster Bill Simmons, who took his eponymous show to call Harry and Meghan grifters.

Simmons suggested that he had an absurd Zoom meeting with Harry to help him formulate his podcast ideas.

Back in January 2023, Simmons also said on his podcast that he was embarrassed to be on Spotify with Harry.

He said that the only way the Duke can get attention is to write a book or give interviews dishing about his unhappy life in the British royal family.

“It’s one of those things where it’s like, where’s your talent?”

Simmons said on his podcast.

“Why are we listening to you?

So you were born into a royal family and then you left?

You sell documentaries and podcasts, and nobody cares what you have to say about anything unless you talk about the royal family and you just complain about them.”

After Harry and Meghan signed their deal with Spotify in late 2020, they expressed their appreciation for the potential of audio storytelling.

They promised to produce and host podcasts, and deliver their first full series in 2021.

Initially, Harry and Meghan co-hosted a half-hour Christmas podcast in 2021, but their first full series did not come until late 2022 in August.

It was Meghan’s Archetypes podcast, which consisted of just 12 episodes and was entirely Meghan’s show, leading people to wonder whether her husband’s podcasting career had been put on the back burner.

While Harry’s podcasting career may have hit a snag, he remains committed to his charitable endeavors.

In November 2022, he launched the Invictus Games Foundation, a charity that supports wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.

The charity aims to use sport as a tool for recovery and rehabilitation, helping those who have served their country to regain their physical and mental health.

Despite the criticism, Harry remains undeterred in his efforts to use his platform to effect positive change.

He has been vocal about his struggles with mental health and has used his position to raise awareness about issues such as climate change and social justice.