In a recent episode of her new podcast titled IMO, former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed persistent divorce rumors and opened up about her personal life in a candid conversation with her brother, Craig Robinson. As reported by The New York Times, Michelle used the premiere of the podcast to clear the air regarding her relationship with former President Barack Obama, which has been the subject of widespread media speculation.

The podcast trailer teased insights into her marriage, stirring even more interest as tabloid headlines questioned the status of the Obamas’ union. Michelle wasted no time setting the record straight. Reflecting on her eight years in the White House, she emphasized how important her brother’s support had been during that period. “I couldn’t have gotten through eight years in the White House without my big brother,” she said, alluding to the intense pressures of being the First Lady from 2009 to 2017. Speaking about her marriage to Barack, she noted, “Being married to the president of the United States is a thing that none of us kind of banked on. We knew Barack was smart and ambitious, but, you know…” she said, trailing off in acknowledgment of how unpredictable life had become. Michelle and Craig’s podcast aims to provide relatable advice and conversations around the challenges everyday people face, such as parenting, friendships, and dating.

According to Michelle, the show will involve answering real questions from listeners, tackling complex topics like marital struggles and family dynamics with openness and humor. Craig Robinson, who serves as the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, will also share personal experiences, including his own divorce from his first wife and his current marriage to Kelly McCrum Robinson. Together, the siblings offer both perspective and personality, making their new show feel grounded and accessible. The rumors of Barack and Michelle’s alleged separation had grown so rampant that they crossed over into Hollywood gossip territory.

Some outlets even claimed that Barack Obama was romantically involved with Friends star Jennifer Aniston. These claims were debunked when Aniston appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, stating she had only met the former president once and laughed off the dating rumor. The podcast will eventually include guest appearances from notable celebrities. Many are expected to be familiar faces from Michelle Obama’s earlier project, The Michelle Obama Podcast, such as director Tyler Perry. Others, including Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer, will be joining as fresh voices, contributing to what promises to be a diverse and dynamic lineup of guests. Alongside promoting her new podcast, Michelle Obama recently appeared on Work in Progress, a podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush. During that conversation, Michelle talked about life after her daughters, Malia and Sasha, have moved out of the house. She described the experience of becoming an empty nester as liberating, saying, “Life is whatever I want, Sophia.

It’s whatever I want.” She expressed that this is the first time in her life where all of her decisions are made solely for herself, free from the responsibilities of raising children or supporting a husband’s political career. The discussion took a thoughtful turn as Michelle reflected on how women often struggle with prioritizing themselves without feeling guilt or facing external judgment. “That’s the thing that we as women, I think… we struggle with disappointing people,” she said. She explained that the recent divorce rumors likely stemmed from this very dynamic—people struggling to accept that a woman, especially one in the public eye, might simply make decisions for her own well-being. Her absence from high-profile events like Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration fueled those rumors, prompting people to assume the worst rather than consider that she might simply be making personal choices. Michelle Obama used the platform to reclaim her narrative, showing that being in the public eye doesn’t mean surrendering your autonomy. Her message was clear: taking care of yourself, setting boundaries, and choosing your own path isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Through her podcast and public appearances, she continues to inspire people by embracing transparency and encouraging others to live authentically, no matter what others may assume.