IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

For many Black women, caring about their hair isn’t a choice – it’s a cultural inheritance, a political statement and a lifelong journey. Julee Wilson, Beauty Editor-at-Large of Cosmopolitan, joins the show to lead a candid discussion between Michelle Obama, her hairstylist Yene Damtew and Blackish actress Marsai Martin about their personal hair journeys, and how Michelle’s hair evolution both mirrored and inspired their own. To read Julee Wilson's work, visit: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a69183226/black-hair-shows/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the first episode of The Look, Project Runway host and Editor-in-Chief of Elle Nina Garcia guides a conversation between Michelle Obama and African-American Literature professor Farah Jasmine Griffin. They dive into the making of Michelle Obama as style icon: what she wore growing up in the South Side of Chicago, how she evolved her self-presentation in college, and how she stepped into her public image on the national stage as the first Black First Lady. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Actor, comedian, and long-running SNL cast member Kenan Thompson sits down with Michelle and Craig to answer a listener’s question about parenting a daughter who wants to be famous. Kenan shares his own experience as a child actor, how he helps foster a sense of community on SNL, and how he shows up as a father to his two young daughters. Plus, Kenan’s kids make a special guest appearance! Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On today’s episode, Girlfriends and Forever creator Mara Brock Akil joins Michelle and Craig to talk about her incredible career, and how her children have inspired her current projects. The group discusses navigating the teen and early adult years, giving their teenagers more freedom, and figuring out how to build and improve on your personal foundation. Plus, Mara spills on the possibility of a Girlfriends movie! Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey IMO listeners! We want to share an episode of a new podcast from Higher Ground and Audible that we think you will love. In Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, Jad Abumrad—creator of Radiolab, More Perfect, and Dolly Parton's America—tells the story of one of the great political awakenings in music: how a classically trained 'colonial boy' traveled to America, in search of Africa, only to return to Nigeria and transform his sound into a battering ram against the state—creating a new musical language of resistance called Afrobeat. In a world that’s on fire, what is the role of art? What can music actually…do? Can a song save a life? Change a law? Topple a president? Get you killed? Listen here and subscribe to Fela Kuti: Fear No Man wherever you get your podcasts! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on IMO, Craig and Michelle are joined by basketball legends and fellow podcasters Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. The two discuss their careers on the court, how they have evolved both personally and professionally since retiring from basketball, and the steps they are taking to embrace the type of healthy masculinity they want for their own sons. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, IMO welcomes our first returning guest: Dr. Sharon! Her new show, The Second Opinion, is available to listen to now. Dr. Sharon discusses her childhood growing up in Mobile, Alabama; her close friendship with Michelle; and why women’s healthcare is so personal to her. Plus, she goes deep on what every woman should know about menopause. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. And for more information on the The Second Opinion, go to: https://www.drsharonmalone.com/second-opinion See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Orna Guralnik, famed psychoanalyst and star of Showtime’s Couples Therapy, joins Michelle and Craig to answer a listener’s question about disconnection and boredom in her marriage. Craig explains why he hid the problems in his first marriage from his family, Michelle discusses a pet peeve that drives her nuts, and Dr. Orna explains how to be truly present with another person in any long-term relationship. Plus, IMO gets its first furry guest! Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On today’s episode, actresses, activists and fellow podcasters Erika Alexander and Kim Coles join the show! They go deep on their childhoods, share what it was like behind the scenes of Living Single, and discuss how Hollywood has (and hasn’t) changed in recent years. Plus, Erika shares a surprising revelation she had with a psychic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week’s episode of IMO, Michelle and Craig sit down with fellow Chicagoan and former WNBA star Candace Parker. They discuss why self-exploration is crucial in our careers, the challenges they’ve had in bringing up children in extraordinary circumstances, and Candace’s love story with her wife. Plus, a listener asks for help in finding a new career path. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Natasha Rothwell joins the podcast for a live taping at Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. She discusses her Emmy-nominated role in The White Lotus, finding her comedic path while living in Tokyo, and how being “neurospicy” has shaped her approach to life. Plus, Michelle and Craig play matchmaker! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this very special episode of IMO, legendary filmmaker Spike Lee joins the podcast to discuss his new film Highest 2 Lowest. He shares how his childhood shaped his art, behind-the-scenes stories of Do the Right Thing and BlacKkKlansman, and his favoriteNew York sports stories. Plus, Michelle and Craig discover a very small world (and highly influential) connection with Spike. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former basketball player Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union join the podcast to answer a listener question about supporting their sibling’s child through a hard time. The group discusses how to build healthy communication strategies with siblings in adulthood, how to offer meaningful help while respecting boundaries, and what a spouse can do to support their partner's family during hard times. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week’s episode, college basketball coach and former player Dawn Staley joins the show to answer a listener question about leadership. She shares her own journey through the fledgling WNBA, her childhood growing up in North Philly, and what helped her to learn how to lead. Plus, Dawn shares her surprising true crime obsession. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dating coach and behavioral expert Logan Ury joins the podcast to discuss all things dating and love. She shares her go-to strategies for a first date, why you shouldn’t care so much about whether there’s a “spark,” and how to find an authentic connection in a dating world mediated by technology and phones. Plus, Michelle shares how she and Barack first fell in love. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Longtime friends, podcasters and performers Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers join the show! They discuss the Las Culturistas Culture Awards, how they’ve navigated their friendship through the ups and downs of their careers, and the fights that have made them grow closer to each other. Plus, Michelle shares the surprising new Bravo show she’s been watching. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at ⁠imopod.com⁠. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grammy-winning artist Victoria Monét joins Michelle and Craig to help a listener who’s falling out of love with her dream job. Victoria talks about the twists and turns it took to set up her own career and how she refused to give up motherhood along the way. She and Craig connect over the embarrassment that can come with telling others about your ambitious goals and how to separate your work identity with your purpose. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former President of the United States Barack Obama sits down with Michelle and Craig to answer a listener’s question about raising emotionally intelligent young men. President Obama shares how being raised by a single mother impacted his definition of manhood and how a formative experience in Indonesia taught him about self-sufficiency. Michelle and Craig reflect on the example of masculinity their own father set, and the group shares why community is key to raising boys in today’s day and age. Plus, he shares why he’s optimistic about the next generation. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary actress and comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus joins the podcast to discuss the importance of building community in adulthood. Michelle talks about how she’s approaching life in her 60s, the surprising strategy she used to maintain her friendships while in the White House, and Julia shares the women who inspire her most. Plus, the group answers a listener's question about finding adult friends at every stage in life. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Social psychologist and best-selling author Jonathan Haidt (“The Anxious Generation”) sits down with Michelle and Craig to talk about the damage that smartphones and social media are doing to our kids. Jon lays out the four ways you can tackle the problems kids are having with their phones, create a play-based childhood, and resist giving kids access to social media before they’re ready. Plus, this week’s listener asks how to deal with screen addiction. Have a question you want answered? Write to us at imopod.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.