Michelle Obama’s recent podcast venture has not yet reached the anticipated success since its launch a few weeks ago. Titled “IMO [In My Opinion] with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson,” the podcast, co-hosted with her brother, is currently positioned at number 34 on Spotify and 19th on Apple Podcasts. This is despite a high-profile launch in early March.
The show features the siblings discussing a variety of topics, offering advice, and interviewing notable guests. It debuted with two episodes, including “You Should Start a Podcast with Your Sibling,” followed by “Some Friendships Need to Go,” featuring actress Issa Rae.
The first episode attracted approximately 50,000 views initially, according to media reports. However, the second episode’s viewership dropped to about 14,000. By April 7, 2025, the viewership had increased to 335,200 views for the first episode and 194,258 for the second.
Obama’s YouTube channel currently has 67,000 subscribers, which is significantly less than other popular podcasts. For comparison, Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” has 1.2 million subscribers, “The Joe Rogan Experience” has 19.6 million, and the “Jay Shetty Podcast” has 3.91 million.
Other new podcasts have surpassed “IMO” in performance. “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” which began on February 10, a month earlier, ranks higher on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify despite having released fewer episodes than Obama’s show.
Additionally, “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” “Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce,” and “The Joe Rogan Experience” all rank higher than the Obama-Robinson podcast on these platforms.
Higher Ground produces this podcast, the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. The company has previously produced films like “Leave the World Behind” and “Rustin,” as well as Michelle’s earlier podcast, “The Light Podcast,” which concluded last February.
Some industry analysts highlight that Obama’s podcast is still in its nascent stages. A Newsweek analysis notes that even though the viewership numbers are lower compared to Joe Rogan’s, Obama’s show has demonstrated stronger engagement relative to its subscriber base, with her first episode reaching more than double her YouTube subscriber count.
Obama has previously achieved podcasting success. Her prior project, “The Michelle Obama Podcast,” was reported as Spotify’s most successful original series during its release period.
This performance comes amid broader challenges for progressive voices in the podcasting arena. A Media Matters study indicates that conservative podcasts are prevalent in the alternative media landscape, while left-leaning shows face challenges in gaining audience share.
“The Joe Rogan Experience” leads with 39.9 million followers, followed by other conservative figures like Charlie Kirk, Ben Shapiro, and Jordan Peterson, each with over 18 million followers. The top left-leaning show, hosted by Trevor Noah, has 21.2 million followers, with “The Young Turks” and “The Breakfast Club” having around 12 million each.
Democratic strategists are reportedly seeking a podcasting figure to rival Joe Rogan. Podcasts played a role in President Donald Trump’s appeal to younger voters during his 2024 campaign. Other Democrats have also ventured into podcasting, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” which launched in late February.
Ongoing rumors about Michelle and Barack Obama’s marriage are added to the scrutiny. During an appearance at Hamilton College in New York, Barack discussed relationship challenges, mentioning efforts to improve their bond through shared enjoyable activities.
In the podcast’s first episode, Michelle referenced challenges during their time in the White House, stating, “Being married to the president of the United States [is a] thing that that none of us kind of banked on.” She added, “We knew Barack was smart and ambitious, but, you know…”
The couple has attempted to address these rumors. On Valentine’s Day, Barack posted a photo on Instagram with the caption: “Thirty-two years together and you still take my breath away. Happy Valentine’s Day, Michelle Obama!”
Despite current challenges, industry experts believe “IMO” may find its audience as it evolves. Upcoming episodes will feature conversations with Seth Rogen and his wife Lauren, psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos, actress Keke Palmer, and podcaster Jay Shetty.
