Things aren’t looking great for the Obama family right now.
Michelle Obama’s latest media project is getting attention—but not for dominating the charts. Her new podcast, launched in March alongside her brother Craig Robinson, is currently ranking just 34th on Spotify’s top podcast list, despite heavy promotion and celebrity guests.
Michelle Obama’s Podcast Slips Behind Joe Rogan and Other Top Performers
On Apple Podcasts, IMO (short for “In My Opinion”) ranks 21st, still trailing far behind chart-topping shows like:
- The Joe Rogan Experience – a long-time favorite among independent thinkers and free speech advocates
- The Mel Robbins Podcast – known for motivational content
- Amy Poehler’s Good Hang – targeting more casual entertainment audiences
Despite the media buzz, IMO has yet to crack the top 10 on either platform.
How Are the Numbers Really Looking?
The Obamas launched IMO on March 12 with two initial episodes. Here’s how those have performed as of this week:
- Episode 1: 335,200 views (YouTube)
- Episode 2 (with Issa Rae): 194,258 views
- Episode 3 (with Seth & Lauren Rogen): 250,773 views
- Other guests include Keke Palmer, former monk Jay Shetty, and Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos
Even with high-profile names, the numbers remain modest—especially compared to shows that resonate with more traditional American values and less political fanfare.
Revealing Stories, But Nothing Groundbreaking
In the first episode, Michelle joked about Barack Obama’s poor time management during their early years of marriage:
“When it’s 3:00 and it’s time to go, Barack is just getting up to use the bathroom,” she told Craig. “I was like, dude—3:00 means we’re out the door!”
She also revealed she originally opposed Barack’s presidential run, saying:
“We’d already done enough crazy stuff. But you, Craig, convinced me to back him.”
Is the Obamas’ Podcast Fading Into the Background?
Despite the support of liberal media networks and a big-name rollout, IMO has yet to make a serious dent in the podcasting world. It currently ranks 4th in Spotify’s Education category—but faces steep competition from podcasts that thrive on authenticity, free speech, and real conversations.
Meanwhile, conservative-leaning personalities like Joe Rogan continue to dominate the charts, attracting millions of listeners without the backing of Hollywood or political machines.
Bottom Line? The Obamas’ podcast may have the glitz and connections—but it’s missing the connection with everyday Americans who crave real talk over rehearsed narratives.