Michelle Obama’s new podcast with her brother Craig Robinson is struggling to find an audience. Despite a high-profile launch and major media backing, the show has failed to break into the top 10 on major streaming platforms. The underwhelming performance is a blow to the once-powerful Obama media brand.
Obama’s Podcast Flounders Despite Celebrity Backing
Michelle Obama’s new podcast “IMO [In My Opinion]” is struggling to gain traction since its March debut, currently ranking a disappointing 34th on Spotify’s charts. The former First Lady’s show is even being outperformed by lesser-known competitors like “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” while falling far behind industry titans such as “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
The podcast, produced by the Obamas’ media company Higher Ground, features Michelle and her brother Craig Robinson discussing current events and interviewing celebrity guests. Despite securing interviews with notable figures like Issa Rae, Seth Rogen, and Jay Shetty, the show has failed to capture the audience numbers that would justify its highly publicized launch.
Michelle Obama’s new podcast, IMO, with her brother Craig Robinson, shares personal stories and reflections on life, marriage, and growth. #Writeups24 #MichelleObama #IMO #CraigRobinson #Podcast #Marriage #LifeLessons #NewPodcast #CelebrityGuests #PodcastDebut #NewRelease pic.twitter.com/9OIgSzmGBV
— Writeups 24 (@24Writeups) March 12, 2025
Dismal Numbers Reveal Audience Rejection
The digital metrics paint a bleak picture for the former First Lady’s latest venture, with her YouTube channel accumulating just 67,000 subscribers. This figure pales in comparison to podcast giants like “Call Her Daddy” and “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which boast millions of subscribers and consistently dominate the charts that Michelle’s show struggles to climb.
The first episode of “IMO” garnered approximately 50,000 views, indicating an underwhelming reception from potential listeners. This lackluster performance suggests that despite her continued prominence in Democrat circles, Michelle Obama’s appeal as a media personality may be significantly more limited than her political handlers anticipated.
Former US First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a new podcast “The IMO Podcast” with her brother Craig Robinson instantly sparking controversy for it’s resemblance to the original “IMO podcast” from the UK created by 3 friends from Uganda 🇺🇬 & Nigeria 🇳🇬 #michelleobama pic.twitter.com/rYjozGJ8O2
— Forever Ugandan 🇺🇬 (@foreverugandann) March 12, 2025
Personal Troubles Shadow Professional Struggles
The podcast’s poor performance coincides with ongoing speculation about tensions in the Obama marriage, with Barack frequently appearing solo at public events. Michelle herself has hinted at marital challenges during her time in the White House, stating in her podcast: “Being married to the president of the United States [is a] thing that that none of us kind of banked on.”
“Beyond that, look, I was in a deep deficit with my wife, so I have been trying to dig myself out of that hole by doing occasionally fun things,” Barack Obama admitted in a recent interview, further fueling speculation about their relationship.
🔥BREAKING: The best proof to date, that Michelle Obama is a man, comes from a promo video that she & her brother Craig Robinson made for their new podcast.
Does Craig sound feminine & seem mid-transition looking, with lipstick?
If you shave Michelle’s head, she could be Craig. pic.twitter.com/Dyy9Rzc2uj
— ᴊᴀᴄᴋ ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ (@AmericazOutlaw) March 16, 2025
The podcast’s failure comes as Democrats desperately search for their answer to Joe Rogan – someone who can effectively reach younger voters through alternative media channels. With ratings continuing to disappoint, it appears Michelle Obama will not be filling that crucial role for the left, despite the considerable resources invested in promoting her as a media personality.