Michelle Obama to Launch Video Podcast With Brother Craig Robinson

Michelle Obama will co-host the video podcast IMO, with her brother and basketball executive Craig Robinson. Higher Ground, a production company founded by the Obamas, announced the podcast Monday. IMO, which stands for “in my opinion,” will feature special guests including Issa Rae, Keke Palmer, Seth Rogen, and Tracee Ellis Ross, inviting them to tackle audience questions and hold candid conversations around relationships, religion, parenting, family, and everyday life.

“With everything going on in the world, we’re all looking for answers and people to turn to,” Obama said in a statement. “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.”

In one of the early episodes featuring the Insecure star and creator Rae, they plan to discuss expectations surrounding adult friendships. An episode with Palmer delves into her own sacrifices and success in the spotlight, whereas an episode with Seth and wife Lauren Rogen give viewers a look at caring for aging parents and being part of the “sandwich generation.” Other episode guests include Jay Shetty, Glennon Doyle

and Abby Wambach, Tyler Perry, Elaine Welteroth, Angie Martinez, Dwyane Wade, and Gabrielle Union.

“We grew up talking through life’s big and small questions together,” Robinson said in a statement. “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.”

Higher Ground has previously launched audio podcasts The Wonder of Stevie, a seven-episode series chronicling Stevie Wonder’s career; Your Mama’s Kitchen, which examines how family recipes shape our lives; the pop culture podcast The Big Hit Show; and the Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen-helmed podcast Renegades: Born in the USA.

It’s not Michelle Obama’s first time spearheading a podcast. She hosted Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, which featured guests such as Conan O’Brien and Oprah Winfrey, and The Michelle Obama Podcast, which launched in July 2020. The first two episodes of IMO will arrive Wednesday, with new episodes dropping weekly. The IMO podcasting duo will also record a special episode during a SXSW discussion on Thursday.

“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,” Obama said.