MARY J. BLIGE on Music, Healing, and Becoming Her Best Self | IMO

This week on IMO, Michelle and Craig sit down with the one and only Mary J. Blige for a deeply personal conversation about music, love, and learning to truly know yourself.

Mary shares the story of how she discovered her voice at just seven years old after growing up watching her mother sing, and reflects on her journey from singing in the living room to becoming the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. She opens up about the realities of the music industry and why educating yourself on your business is so important.

Mary also gets candid about how music became her therapy, the power of self-forgiveness, learning to love herself, and why she’s now focused on becoming the best version of herself—not being chosen by someone else. Plus, she shares what fans can expect from her first-ever Las Vegas residency, talks fashion and acting, reveals some of the artists she’s listening to right now, and looks back on some unforgettable moments, including performing at the White House.

Thank you to our presenting partner, Lilly.

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About IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson

Michelle Obama and her big brother Craig Robinson bring their unique experiences and candid perspectives to a range of personal dilemmas, from the everyday to the existential. Each week, they’re joined by a special guest to tackle audience questions with practical advice, terrific stories, and plenty of laughs. From dating and relationships to parenting and financial planning, IMO sees the iconic First Lady at her most relaxed and honest. This podcast will leave you laughing, reflecting, and feeling more prepared to tackle life’s challenges.

About Michelle Obama

Michelle’s passion for storytelling has set sales records, garnered awards and accolades, and earned her global acclaim. Her memoir, Becoming, spent over 130 weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list, sold more than 17 million copies worldwide, and won a Grammy Award. American Factory, the first film produced by her and her husband Barack Obama’s media company Higher Ground, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2020. Upon its release in 2020, The Michelle Obama Podcast was the most successful original in Spotify history, bringing in more women listeners over 40 than any other podcast. Through the Obama Foundation, she founded the Girls Opportunity Alliance, which supports adolescent girls’ education and empowerment around the world.

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About Craig Robinson

Craig is the Executive Director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and host of the Higher Ground podcast Ways To Win with Hall of Fame coach John Calipari. From 2017-2020, he served as the vice president of Player Development and Minor League Operations for the NBA’s New York Knicks. Previously, he was a Division I head men’s basketball coach at Oregon State and Brown, and spent more than a decade working as a trader in the investment banking industry. Most importantly, he is a husband and father of four.

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About Higher Ground

Higher Ground was founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama in 2018 to tell powerful stories that entertain, inform, and inspire—while elevating new and diverse voices in the entertainment industry. Learn more at

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