Former First Lady Michelle Obama is venturing back to the microphone, this time with her brother Craig Robinson, as they launch their new video podcast, titled "IMO," which stands for "in my opinion." The news has garnered significant attention, especially amid swirling rumors concerning her marriage to former President Barack Obama.
Announced on March 10, 2025, through Higher Ground, the production company founded by the Obamas, the podcast promises to deliver candid conversations and personal advice flowing from the siblings' life experiences. The first two episodes of "IMO," will be available on March 12, 2025. During these episodes, the duo is set to engage with celebrity guests and answer audience questions.
Notable guests lined up for the inaugural episodes include actor and producer Issa Rae, filmmaker Tyler Perry, and actors Seth Rogen and Gabrielle Union-Wade. The podcast aims to discuss various life themes such as marriage, parenting, and social nuances, enhanced by their shared experiences growing up together.
During the podcast, Robinson, who now serves as the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, reflected on the stark contrasts between their upbringing and their present lives. He shared, "The first episode will introduce the podcast…" illustrating the perspective they bring to their audience.
Both Michelle and Craig have expressed their commitment to addressing what matters to their listeners and offering insight based on their personal journeys. This approach marks the podcast as not just another celebrity venture, but rather as one grounded in authentic, lived experiences.
For Michelle, the podcast's launch coincides with increasing speculation surrounding her marriage to Barack Obama. Recently, the former president attended a Los Angeles Clippers game without Michelle, and chatter about their relationship has amplified, especially considering Michelle's multiple absences from significant public events, such as Donald Trump's inauguration and Jimmy Carter's state funeral. Speculators took to social media noting Obama’s solo appearance and their perceived distance, igniting divorce buzz.
To quell these rumors, Michelle took to Instagram on Valentine’s Day, posting a romantic selfie with Barack and captioning it, "If there's one person I can always count on, it's you, Barack Obama. You're my rock. Always have been. Always will be." This evident affection aimed to dispel discontent and reaffirm the strength of their bond.
The first episode of "IMO" is unique not just because of its personal insights but also due to the podcast format, which introduces video alongside audio content—marking Higher Ground’s first foray with video podcasts. With one-third of podcast consumers expressing preference for shows featuring video, the duo has aligned their project with current industry trends.
According to reports from the New York Times, the first two episodes of "IMO" clocked around one hour, focusing heavily on storytelling rather than current events or politics. Robinson shared some background about how they navigated particularly challenging times, including his divorce and Michelle's initial hesitation about Barack's presidential ambitions.
Listeners can also look forward to insights on maintaining adult friendships, which will be discussed with Issa Rae during the second episode, as she joins to offer her perspective on relationships and friendship retention. With both light-hearted banter and serious discussions threaded throughout the podcast, "IMO" promises to cultivate engaging dialogues.
The podcast is not without its commercial partnerships—advertising sponsors include Rivian, Pine-Sol, and Theraflu, with Robinson reading most of the ads. This aspect emphasizes the business side of their venture, complementing the intimate feel of the project.
Having previously launched her own successful podcast series, titled "The Michelle Obama Podcast," which was Spotify’s fourth-most-popular show, Michelle's return to the audio space is much anticipated. Episodes from both this previous podcast and now "IMO" have catered to various audiences, emphasizing the commonalities of human experiences and relationships.
Eventually, the sibling duo will take the stage live at the South by Southwest cultural festival on March 13, 2025, indicating their commitment to engaging with their audience beyond the podcast mic.
With this new endeavor, Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson aim to blend warmth, humor, and tangible life lessons, all the meanwhile addressing complex social situations and personal achievements. This new step could not only engage the audience but also provide her with another platform to navigate and possibly dispel the growing rumors about her marriage to Barack Obama.