Former First Lady Michelle Obama is returning to the podcast space this week, launching a candid new series called IMO-short for "in my opinion"-co-hosted with her brother Craig Robinson. The podcast, produced by Higher Ground, the media company founded by Obama and her husband, former President Barack Obama, will explore personal relationships, marital challenges, friendship dynamics, and other intimate topics, explicitly steering clear of political discussions.
The announcement of the new show was first revealed Monday and described by Michelle Obama as an effort to engage directly with listeners facing everyday life dilemmas, from dating and family matters to financial planning and navigating aging parents. "We're living through some really complicated and confusing times," she said in a social media post on Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, adding that the podcast aims to offer "insights, wisdom, and humor."
In the debut episodes, Michelle Obama openly discusses the complexities of marriage, touching upon recent public speculation about her relationship with Barack Obama, who served as president from 2009 to 2017. The former first couple, who have faced persistent rumors of marital issues-including unfounded speculation linking Barack Obama to actress Jennifer Aniston-are presented candidly in conversations on the show. Aniston recently denied those rumors on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," stating clearly she has only "met him once... I know Michelle more than him."
Michelle Obama emphasizes that the podcast will address personal, not political, questions. In her 2018 memoir Becoming, she notably expressed reluctance about entering politics herself. The decision to focus on lifestyle rather than current affairs underscores her continued separation from formal political roles despite ongoing speculation about her potential candidacy.
Her brother Craig Robinson, the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, joins her as co-host, bringing personal experiences and anecdotes to the discussions. Robinson's own experiences with divorce and remarriage also serve as topics on the podcast. The New York Times notes that the siblings openly discuss Robinson's divorce from his first wife, Janis Robinson, in 2000, and his subsequent marriage to Kelly McCrum Robinson in 2006.
Michelle Obama has described Robinson as one of her key confidants, saying, "Craig is one of the people I turn to whenever I have anything on my mind," emphasizing the strong personal connection underpinning the podcast's conversational format. "He always has the insights, the wisdom, and the humor to get me through anything."
The former first lady previously found success in podcasting with The Michelle Obama Podcast, which in 2020 became Spotify's most successful original podcast, attracting an especially high number of women listeners over 40. This new venture aims to build on that success with high-profile guests, including actor Seth Rogen, media mogul Tyler Perry, and actress Keke Palmer. The podcast's initial guest will be actress and producer Issa Rae, who will share insights into maintaining friendships as an adult.
Episodes of IMO will release weekly across platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. The Obamas' production company, Higher Ground, partnered with Amazon's Audible to produce this latest series. On Thursday, Michelle Obama and Robinson are scheduled to record a live episode at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, reflecting a broader strategy of audience engagement.
Despite Michelle Obama's clear avoidance of politics, her podcast is expected to attract attention across political lines, particularly among Republicans. Former President Donald Trump has shown interest in Michelle Obama's public presence due to her consistently strong polling numbers among Democrats, even assigning her a nickname amid speculation about her political ambitions. Yet, Obama herself has repeatedly and explicitly dismissed interest in running for office.
Emphasizing the casual, approachable nature of the podcast, Michelle Obama candidly acknowledged, "I'm going to be honest. We don't have all the answers. But there will be a lot of opinions. A lot of learning. And plenty of laughs. Because we all need some moments of light right now."
