In the debut episode of her new podcast IMO, former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the swirling rumors about her marriage to former President Barack Obama, setting the record straight in a candid and heartfelt conversation with her brother, Craig Robinson. The podcast, which premiered on a Wednesday, immediately drew attention due to its trailer teasing personal insights into Michelle’s life, particularly as gossip headlines speculated about a possible divorce.

Speaking openly, Michelle expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of her older brother, saying, “I couldn’t have gotten through eight years in the White House without my big brother,” referring to her years serving as First Lady from 2009 to 2017. Reflecting on her marriage, she acknowledged the unpredictability of life in the political spotlight, stating, “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…” The podcast, co-hosted with Craig—who currently serves as the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches—is designed to offer advice and discussion on the real-life challenges that many people face. Michelle shared that they would answer questions from listeners on topics like the complexities of marriage, parenting, friendship, and even dating. Michelle also revealed that she was never particularly fond of politics and admitted it was Craig who played a pivotal role in encouraging her to support Barack’s presidential aspirations. As the podcast unfolds, the duo plans to share personal stories, including Craig’s own experiences with divorce and remarriage to his current wife, Kelly McCrum Robinson. They won’t shy away from addressing the much-discussed rumors surrounding the Obamas’ marriage, which have been circulating for months.

The rumors reached such a level of absurdity that some media outlets claimed Barack Obama was romantically involved with Friends actress Jennifer Aniston. Jennifer herself shut down those claims during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, clarifying that she had only met the former president once and had no personal relationship with him. Future episodes of IMO will feature celebrity guests, both familiar and new. Some names, like filmmaker Tyler Perry, previously appeared on Michelle’s earlier podcast, The Michelle Obama Podcast. New voices like actors Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer will also join the conversation, bringing diverse perspectives to the issues being discussed. In addition to launching her new podcast, Michelle recently appeared on Work in Progress, hosted by actress Sophia Bush. There, she opened up about what life has been like since her daughters, Malia and Sasha, moved out.

“Life is whatever I want, Sophia. It’s whatever I want,” she said, describing the freedom of her new “empty nester” phase as empowering. For the first time, Michelle shared, all her choices are centered around her own happiness. The discussion then shifted to the broader challenges women face in society, particularly when they choose to prioritize themselves. Michelle pointed out that women often grapple with the fear of disappointing others, to the extent that people misinterpret their actions. “That’s the thing that we as women, I think, struggle with—disappointing people,” she explained. “So much so that this year, people couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself. They had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.” This speculation was fueled in part by Michelle’s absence from certain high-profile events, such as Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration, leading some to draw inaccurate conclusions about the state of her marriage. Through her podcast and recent public appearances, Michelle Obama is reclaiming her narrative and using her platform to shed light on the emotional and social pressures that women, particularly women in the public eye, often endure. Her candid reflections emphasize the importance of self-care, honesty, and resisting the urge to conform to others’ expectations. By sharing her experiences so openly, she continues to inspire others to live authentically, unapologetically, and on their own terms.