Pop Apologists – Episode 305: Meghan Markle’s Duchess Demands + Jessi From SLOMW Spills Marriage Secrets
Podcast: Pop Apologists
Hosts: Lauren & Chandler
Date: November 21, 2025
Episode: 305
Episode Overview
Lauren and Chandler, the sister duo behind Pop Apologists, dive into this “Global Elites” episode, made public due to Spotify technical issues. This week is packed with tabloid drama and pop culture breakdowns: Meghan Markle’s interesting etiquette requirements, Queen Camilla’s royal faux pas, the curious case of a nurse with 15 children (and some signature fraud), marriage scandals from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and a passionate Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHSLC) recap. The tone remains sharp, funny, and candid – as always.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Zach Bryan’s Sobriety & Music Drama
[06:11–12:03]
- Zach Bryan revealed he is two months sober after a major mental health crisis, crediting a motorcycle trip for helping him realize he needed change.
- The sisters discuss his Instagram post and reflect on the culture of celebrities sharing sobriety journeys.
- Lauren: "I can't wait for the album that's going to come out post... rehab is a great place to write some music." (10:31)
- Chandler is skeptical about the public confession format: "If you get caught as an abuser of some kind, it's always like, oh, I went to rehab, so I'm good now." (12:23)
2. Queen Camilla’s Etiquette Gaffe
[13:22–18:14]
- Queen Camilla asked Ruth Jones (from the UK sitcom "Gavin & Stacey") if she'd lost "masses of weight," leading to an awkward exchange.
- Ruth credits her hypnotist for weight loss instead of Ozempic, sparking playful skepticism from Lauren and Chandler.
- Chandler: “Don’t you think that’s what someone says when they don’t want to admit they’re shooting up?” (16:05)
- The hosts consider which royal would be the most fun at a palace dinner (Lauren: Camilla, because “she's just kind of no bullshit”).
- Explores how Camilla’s deep roots in aristocracy may make her more at ease than Kate or Meghan.
3. Meghan Markle’s “Duchess Demands” & Image Management
[19:10–28:36]
- Dissecting a Page Six feature about Meghan Markle’s Thanksgiving and, even more, her Harper’s Bazaar cover story:
- The article describes Meghan being announced as “Duchess of Sussex” upon entering a friend's brownstone—even when she’s only meeting the journalist.
- Chandler: "To announce Megan to the one other person at the home. I mean, that's insane." (23:53)
- Another weird moment: at an event with schoolgirls, Megan is introduced by title, which prompts the sisters to compare her to Luann de Lesseps from Real Housewives insisting on being called “Countess.”
- Lauren: "I just straight up do not even like her anymore. ... Nothing really makes me like her more." (28:19)
- Chandler offers rare praise based on personal stories of Meghan's niceness in stores, but both agree her public persona is "obsessed with this pomp and circumstance." (28:10)
4. Extraordinary Story: The Nurse with 15 Children
[29:03–39:13]
- Mary Beth Lewis, a 62-year-old nurse, gave birth to her 13th child and, after medical warnings, paid a surrogate for two more—by forging her husband’s signature.
- She and her husband Bob now fight for custody of those twins (still in foster care after CPS intervention).
- The sisters discuss the ethics and legality, relating it to their own surrogacy research and how unregulated that world can be.
- Chandler: “This woman is dealing with, like, a mental illness, and it’s just absolutely crazy.” (37:56)
5. Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW): Marriage Secrets Revealed
[39:22–43:14]
- Jessi Draper confesses on "Viall Files" that her husband Jordan tried to blackmail her over messages with her affair partner Marciano, even having TikTok exposés drafted against her.
- Chandler: “This relationship ... is not one that is worth trying to salvage.” (41:02)
- Lauren senses a separation is imminent, referencing their house being listed for sale.
- Discusses broader systemic issues—in particular, women sticking with subpar (or emotionally abusive) husbands in Mormon and other communities.
6. Megan King’s Custody Battle
[43:22–46:36]
- Megan King (formerly Edmonds) lost temporary custody of her children to ex Jim Edmonds (post a CPS call triggered by a seemingly innocuous incident).
- Lauren expresses skepticism about the narrative, suggesting it’s a damaging headline with scant substance.
- Chandler recalls from The Real Housewives of OC that Megan seemed the more present, caring parent.
7. Bill Belichick at Adult Cheerleading
[46:46–49:26]
- NFL coach Bill Belichick supports his new girlfriend, Jordan Hudson, at a national cheerleading championship.
- Hosts are both bewildered that adult cheer competitions exist and crack jokes about their own embarrassing cheer/dance stories.
- Chandler: “If you're gonna be a gold digger, you might as well ... get some investment properties, ladies.” (49:30)
8. RHSLC Recap: The Church Scene & More
[49:54–59:30]
- Andy Cohen claims latest Real Housewives of Salt Lake City scene is one of his "top 10 of all time"—the sisters reluctantly agree the church scene is wild but not truly iconic.
- Mary Cosby “blesses” Lisa to have "a sound mind," which both find to be the ultimate backhanded shade from the pulpit.
- Lauren: "[Mary] is actually one of the rudest women on the show." (52:14)
- Extended rundown of the cast’s romantic drama:
- Bronwyn and Todd’s marital awkwardness (including cringe “open marriage” talk).
- Brittany and Jared’s on-camera, middle-school-style romantic fight.
- Lisa and John Barlow’s emotional disconnect—with Lisa expressing sadness that John no longer hugs her.
- Lauren: “...unlike Bronwyn/Todd or Brittany/Jared, not exactly greatest love stories, but I feel there was real love there and partnership” (58:51)
- Both hosts admit they are "sitting enthusiasts" and would not survive an energetic church service.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Meghan Markle’s Duchess demands:
- Chandler: “To announce Megan to the one other person at the home. I mean, that's insane.” [23:53]
- Lauren: “I just straight up do not even like her anymore. ... None of the stories make me like her more. They all make me like her less.” [28:19]
- On Queen Camilla’s gaffe:
- Chandler (British accent): “Haven’t you lost masses of weight?” [14:29]
- Lauren: “I think I'd want to sit next to Camilla ... she's just kind of no bullshit.” [17:07]
- On the surrogacy saga:
- Chandler: “Honestly, this woman is dealing with, like, a mental illness, and it's just absolutely crazy.” [37:56]
- On SLOMW's Jessi and Jordan:
- Chandler: “This relationship ... is not one that is worth trying to salvage.” [41:02]
- Lauren: “I'm not seeing a lot of mutual respect here.” [41:13]
- On Mary Cosby blessing Lisa at church:
- Lauren: “[Mary] is actually one of the rudest women on the show.” [52:14]
- On supporting your girlfriend’s adult hobbies:
- Lauren: “I want to be charitable with my opinion here ... that's got to be a little bit of an annoying way to spend your Saturday.” [47:18]
- Self-deprecating confession:
- Chandler: “We're sitting enthusiasts. We love a seat. Love a bench.” [53:48]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Airline Snack Chat & Travel Banter: [02:40–05:37]
- Zach Bryan Sobriety & Country Music Scandal: [06:11–12:03]
- Queen Camilla’s Etiquette Goof: [13:22–18:14]
- Meghan Markle’s Duchess Demands: [19:10–28:36]
- 15-Child Nurse & Signature Forgery Surrogacy Saga: [29:03–39:13]
- SLOMW’s Jessi Marriage Secrets: [39:22–43:14]
- Megan King Custody Loss: [43:22–46:36]
- Bill Belichick’s Cheerleader Girlfriend: [46:46–49:26]
- RHSLC Recap: [49:54–59:30]
Closing Thoughts
A dense, chatty, and juicy “Global Elites” episode, with Lauren and Chandler’s signature blend of insider knowledge, irreverence, and genuine pop culture obsession. Whether dissecting royal protocols or the latest Bravo drama, the sisters maintain a fast pace and cutting humor, offering both amusement and insight for even the most plugged-in celebrity gossip fans.