Former First Lady Michelle Obama will talk divorce, friendship, and finding freedom—but she’s steering clear of politics—on a new weekly podcast with her older brother, Craig Robinson.
According to The New York Times, IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson will see Michelle and Craig, who is the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, tackle life’s everyday questions in candid conversations with each other, experts, and high-profile guests like Issa Rae, Keke Palmer, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
The podcast is produced by Higher Ground, the media company Michelle and former President Barack Obama founded in 2018.
“With everything going on in the world, we’re all looking for answers and people to turn to,” Michelle shared as part of their launch announcement. “My brother Craig and I launched the IMO podcast to create a space for people to come as they are, ask honest questions, give their opinions, and have thoughtful conversations about life.”
“There is no single way to deal with the challenges we may be facing — whether it’s family, faith, or our personal relationships — but taking the time to open up and talk about these issues can provide hope,” she added.
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The first two episodes of IMO—an intro episode and a second episode featuring executive producer Issa Rae—will premiere on March 12, with new episodes released weekly.
According to The Times, the premiere episode will see the brother-sister pair delve into Craig’s divorce from his first wife, Janis Robinson, in 2000, their lives growing up in Chicago, and Michelle’s marriage with her husband and his relationship with politics.
The Obamas have been facing a wave of speculation about their marriage in recent months, particularly after Michelle was absent from President Jimmy Carter’s funeral on January 9 and skipped President Donald Trump’s inauguration later that month.
The second episode, featuring writer, actress, and Insecure producer Issa Rae, will centre on a single topic: maintaining adult friendships, based on a listener’s question.
Other guests set to appear on the podcast include Keke Palmer, Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union, Tyler Perry, Tracee Ellis Ross, Glennon Doyle & Abby Wambach, Elaine Welteroth, Angie Martinez, Jay Shetty, Jonathan Haidt, Logan Ury, Brian Chesky, and clinical psychologist Dr. Orna Guralnik, among others.
Michelle, 61, and Craig, 62, will also take the stage at SXSW in Austin, Texas, on Thursday, March 13, at 1 p.m. CT to record a live episode of their new podcast in front of an audience.
“We grew up talking through life’s big and small questions together,” Craig said. “And now, we’re inviting listeners into that conversation, with the hope that it sparks new ideas, new perspectives, and creates the connection we could all use right now.”
IMO is the latest Higher Ground podcast venture for the siblings. Michelle previously hosted The Michelle Obama Podcast and Michelle Obama: The Light series, featuring conversations with Conan O’Brien, Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry.
Craig has also hosted the Ways to Win podcast featuring John Calipari.
IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson will be available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
