Michelle Obama recently opened up about her family life in a new podcast she co-hosts with her brother, Craig Robinson. The podcast, titled IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, is a fresh project from Higher Ground, the media company founded by the Obamas. The first two episodes, released earlier this month, feature a candid conversation about her upbringing, marriage, and family life.
One of the standout moments from the podcast came when Michelle shared some humorous insights into her marriage with Barack Obama. She explained how she and her brother were raised with a strict sense of punctuality—“on time is late”—a value she had to patiently teach her husband. “He had to adjust to what ‘on time’ was,” Michelle laughed, recalling how Barack would wait until the last minute to prepare for a departure. “When it’s time to leave, at 3:00, he’s still getting up and going to the bathroom!” she joked. Over the years, though, Michelle noted that he had improved, especially after 30 years of marriage.
Reflecting on their daughters, Malia and Sasha, Michelle shared how they learned the importance of punctuality from her. “If they’re doing anything with me, they are early,” she said, emphasizing how their daughters adapted to their mom’s organized approach to life.
The podcast also brought up the lighter side of life in the White House, including the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony. Initially, Malia and Sasha enjoyed the tradition of standing with their father as he pardoned a turkey, but as they grew older, the event became less appealing. “By the last turkey pardoning, they were done,” Michelle recalled with a laugh. “They were like, ‘I’m out. I’m not going.’”
In the same episode, Michelle credited her brother Craig for helping her navigate the early days of Barack’s political career. When Barack first expressed interest in running for president, Michelle wasn’t convinced. “I thought it was crazy,” she admitted. Craig played a pivotal role in helping Barack make his case to Michelle. He humorously recalled his conversation with Barack, advising him to focus on getting their mother, Marian Robinson, on board. “If we can get mom on this, we might have a chance,” Craig said, laughing. His words ultimately helped Michelle see the bigger picture and support her husband’s political ambitions.
Throughout the podcast, Michelle also touched on the dynamics of friendships. When Barack won the presidency in 2008, Craig’s advice to Michelle was clear: “No new friends.” While she joked about it, she explained that maintaining long-lasting friendships was key to keeping a sense of normalcy in her life, even in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
Despite the demands of the presidency, Michelle values deep, meaningful conversations with her friends—something Barack doesn’t quite understand. While she can talk for hours with her close friends, Barack’s social interactions are often shorter and more focused on activities like golf, which he enjoys but rarely dives deep into. “How are the boys?” Michelle teased, mimicking her husband’s typical post-golf response. “He’s good. We didn’t talk about much.”
Michelle and Barack’s relationship, which started in 1989 at a law firm in Chicago and culminated in marriage in 1992, continues to be built on both humor and understanding. With their two daughters, Malia and Sasha, they’ve navigated the highs and lows of public life, all while maintaining a strong, family-centered foundation.