Former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson are launching a new podcast, IMO — which stands for “in my opinion,” — with video episodes that will be available to everyone on Wednesday. The show’s first two episodes focus on personal life topics: divorce, renewed freedom, friendships and growing up in Chicago.
The New York Times reviewed the debut episodes and says the siblings mostly steer clear of politics and current events. Instead, they talk about life lessons, family memories and how they lived together in a small city apartment as kids. The Times reports the hosts “mainly gave advice based on their life experiences.”
Craig Robinson, who runs the National Association of Basketball Coaches and has a background coaching college basketball, discusses his divorce from his first wife, Janis Robinson, in 2000 and his remarriage in 2006 to Kelly McCrum Robinson. Michelle addresses parts of her marriage to former President Barack Obama, but she has said before she “never wanted to be involved in politics.”
The show also covers smaller, everyday freedoms Michelle says she’s reclaimed — like driving again after years of limits tied to Secret Service protection. That everyday angle is threaded through conversations that mix memories, practical talk and humor.
Higher Ground, the Obama family’s media company, makes the show with Audible. The Times says future episodes will bring celebrity guests, some of whom appeared on Michelle’s earlier podcast, The Michelle Obama Podcast. Director Tyler Perry is among the returning names; new guests include Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer and Issa Rae, who joins the second episode to discuss keeping friendships as an adult.
The new podcast arrives amid renewed public focus on the Obamas’ personal life. Recent appearances — like former President Barack Obama sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Clippers game without Michelle — have fed speculation about the couple, though the two shared affectionate posts on Valentine’s Day. Rumors about the couple have circulated for months, including past claims linking Obama to actress Jennifer Aniston; Aniston denied any romance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, saying that she has only “met him once.” She also said, “I know Michelle more than him,” when addressing the rumors.
The podcast is positioned as a relaxed conversation between siblings, trading stories and life advice rather than political debate.