IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

Your Questions Answered with Michelle and Craig

February 11, 2026

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  • Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson discovered that even growing up in the same household, their memories and experiences can differ significantly, highlighting the subjective nature of shared history. 
  • The hosts strongly advise against entering non-monogamous relationships if one partner was not already inclined toward them, suggesting that changing fundamental relationship details early on is a red flag. 
  • The rising financial burden of modern social expectations, particularly destination weddings and elaborate pre-wedding events, is causing young people to spend significant portions of their early wealth, which the hosts advise against without careful budgeting. 

Segments

Podcast Format Introduction
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(00:00:44)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode of IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson is a special mailbag format featuring listener questions answered only by Michelle and Craig.
  • Summary: This episode of IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson deviates from the usual format to answer listener questions directly. The hosts collected questions that were not substantial enough for a full show. This format is referred to as the “Michelle and Craig portion of IMO with Michelle and Craig.”
Learning About Each Other
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(00:01:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Michelle Obama recently got ten new ear piercings in one sitting, which Craig Robinson noticed after several days.
  • Summary: Craig Robinson learned that Michelle Obama got ten new ear piercings in a single session, inspired by the current trend among younger people. Michelle noted that Craig eventually noticed the new piercings after four days, though Michelle had noticed his new ear piercings earlier during their recording sessions. This segment also revealed that shared upbringing does not guarantee shared memories, as their experiences with their parents differed.
Last Time Crying
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(00:05:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Michelle Obama cried intensely while watching the film ‘Hamnet’ due to its powerful depiction of grief and artistic expression.
  • Summary: Michelle Obama’s last time crying was while watching the film ‘Hamnet,’ directed by Chloe Zhao, which details Shakespeare’s life and the loss of his son. The emotional climax involved the wife realizing the depth of his pain through a scene depicting their son’s loss in the play. Craig Robinson’s last crying episode was triggered by the documentary ‘American Symphony,’ a Higher Ground production about John Batiste and Suleika Jaouad’s love story and music.
Advice on Open Relationships
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(00:10:14)
  • Key Takeaway: If a partner in a previously monogamous relationship suddenly expresses a desire to open it, and the questioner is uncomfortable, the hosts advise against proceeding.
  • Summary: The hosts strongly advise against agreeing to open a relationship if the questioner is uncomfortable, suggesting that such a fundamental change should not be used to keep an unhappy partner. They noted that if the relationship was established as monogamous, a sudden shift sounds ‘fishy.’ They suggested exploring the underlying communication issues first, echoing a potential sentiment from Michelle’s father: ‘Don’t make a communication problem into an intimacy problem.’
Airbnb vs. Hotel Advice
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(00:13:18)
  • Key Takeaway: For youth sports tournaments, staying in an Airbnb offers superior team bonding and parental respite compared to a standard hotel stay.
  • Summary: The questioner regretted staying in a hotel instead of an Airbnb for a summer tournament, missing opportunities to eat and watch film together as a team. An Airbnb would have allowed better control over the 13-year-old boys’ curfew and provided parents a break. Hosting fellow fans during big tournaments is also suggested as a good opportunity.
Combating Financial FOMO
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(00:17:10)
  • Key Takeaway: To combat FOMO driven by friends’ expensive outings, the questioner should initiate ‘broke things’ like potlucks, as true friends will participate regardless of cost.
  • Summary: The advice for combating FOMO when broke is to proactively plan affordable activities and invite friends, rather than waiting to be included in costly events. If friends refuse to participate in ‘broke things,’ it suggests they may not be true friends whose enjoyment centers on being together rather than spending money. Real friends value the company over the expense of the activity.
Surprising Hobbies Revealed
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(00:19:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Michelle Obama is a passionate sports fan, particularly enjoying the psychology and narrative arcs found in sports documentaries.
  • Summary: Michelle Obama surprised Craig Robinson by admitting her deep enjoyment of sports, including analyzing football and basketball games. She is especially drawn to sports documentaries covering an athlete’s rise, fall, and the psychology required to navigate a season. Craig Robinson revealed his long-held interest in Formula One racing, which was highlighted by a memorable trip to the Miami Grand Prix.
Bravo Housewives Franchise
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(00:24:37)
  • Key Takeaway: The Real Housewives of New Jersey is recommended for new viewers due to its high drama, exemplified by Teresa Giudice’s table flip and legal troubles.
  • Summary: The most memorable scene cited was Teresa Giudice’s table flip during a dinner, which involved the phrase ‘prostitution whore.’ The Real Housewives of New Jersey is recommended as the best entry point because the cast members ‘don’t play,’ featuring intense, real-life drama, including Teresa Giudice serving jail time for tax fraud. Viewers should start around the season preceding her incarceration for maximum impact.
Navigating Political Friendships
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(00:39:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Michelle Obama has rarely dropped friends over political differences, but she will sever ties if a friend actively works against her husband, Barack Obama.
  • Summary: Michelle Obama stated that while she generally tries to maintain friendships despite political leanings, she has dropped a handful of friends who were not supportive of her husband during his political career. For the questioner dealing with an ex dating a far-right conservative, the hosts urged attempting mediated communication or counseling if the relationship was otherwise valuable. They noted that political ideologies can change, especially for younger individuals exploring beliefs.
Advice on Early Cohabitation
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(00:38:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Moving in together early in a relationship, especially when one partner has significant financial instability, is strongly discouraged as it creates unnecessary contractual and emotional risk.
  • Summary: The hosts advised against moving in together after only one year, emphasizing that serious steps should be delayed until the relationship has been tested by time, travel, and family interactions. They cautioned against becoming a rescuer for a partner who cannot afford rent, suggesting that financial instability should be investigated before cohabitation. Taking time to know a partner is crucial, and moving in should be ‘way down the line.’
Wedding Expense Burden
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(00:43:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Young people are spending unsustainable amounts on attending friends’ destination weddings, potentially costing $8,000 to $10,000 annually, which could otherwise fund a down payment.
  • Summary: The expectation for weddings has exploded, moving from local events to destination parties (bachelorette parties, weddings) that force friends to spend heavily on travel and lodging. Michelle Obama noted that young people are spending significant wealth on these events instead of saving for major life goals like a home down payment. The advice is for friends to communicate honestly about affordability and for couples planning weddings to consider the financial burden their choices place on their guests.