Michelle Obama Scolds Barack on Podcast & Reveals Who Convinced Her to Let Him Run for President

Former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, have launched a new podcast titled IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson (short for “In My Opinion”) under Higher Ground, the media company founded by Michelle and former President Barack Obama. The first two episodes premiered on Wednesday, featuring an introduction and an interview with actress Issa Rae.

During the introductory episode, Michelle Obama, 61, shared a lighthearted story about Barack Obama’s tendency to run late. “Well, Barack, he had to adjust to what ‘on time’ was,” she said. Robinson chimed in, joking that the former president was on “island time,” referencing his childhood in Hawaii. Michelle humorously recalled how Barack would delay their departures by suddenly deciding to search for his glasses or make a last-minute bathroom stop. However, she acknowledged that he has improved over their 30 years of marriage.

Michelle also emphasized the importance of punctuality in her household, stating that her daughters, Malia and Sasha, have learned to be early when attending events with her. “If they’re doing anything with me, they are early, so they’ve learned how to snap to it,” she said.

Michelle’s new podcast isn’t her first venture into the world of audio storytelling. Her Michelle Obama Podcast, which debuted in 2020, became the most successful original podcast in Spotify history, attracting a significant audience, particularly women over 40.

Craig Robinson, who also hosts the Ways to Win podcast on Higher Ground, is a longtime source of support for his sister. In the first episode, Michelle revealed that she leaned on him throughout Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and their years in the White House. “Without my big brother, I couldn’t have survived eight years in the White House,” she admitted. She also shared that Robinson played a key role in persuading her to support Barack’s presidential bid. “You persuaded me to back his campaign,” she said, adding that Barack himself recognized the importance of earning Craig’s approval before moving forward.

Michelle announced the podcast’s launch via Instagram, telling her 56.8 million followers why she felt this was the right time. “A lot is happening in the world at the moment. We’re living through some complicated and confusing times, and on top of that, folks are trying to juggle family life, work dynamics, relationships, aging parents, and more,” she wrote.

She also expressed gratitude for having her brother by her side. “Craig is one of the people I turn to whenever I have anything on my mind. He always gives me humor, wisdom, and insights to get through any situation,” she said. The podcast will feature discussions on various topics, with input from guests, experts, and close friends.

“I will tell the truth. We don’t know everything. But we’re going to have a lot of perspectives, a lot of learning, and, most importantly, a lot of laughter,” Michelle added. “Because we all need some moments of light right now.”

New episodes of IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson will be released weekly on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms.