Actress, businesswoman, and mental health advocate Taraji P. Henson joins to talk about setting boundaries, why Michelle didn’t attend the inauguration, post-White House therapy, and the glories of the Real Housewives franchise.
#michelleobama #craigrobinson #tarajiphenson #podcast
[00:00] – What Happened to Me After the White House?
[02:06] – Craig’s Fanboy Moment for Taraji
[03:46] – Welcoming Taraji to the Table
[04:47] – Cookie on Empire: A Cultural Reset
[06:13] – The Spiritual Role of an Actor
[09:05] – The Birth of TPH: Haircare with Purpose
[12:44] – Protecting Our Edges and Ourselves
[14:28] – Burnout, Grinding, and the Cost of Overworking
[20:11] – Why Black Women Carry So Much
[26:32] – Creating the Boris L. Henson Foundation
[32:13] – Listener Question: Burnout & Expectations
[33:05] – The Power of Saying No
[39:23] – Michelle on Therapy and Redefining ‘Enough’
[43:41] – Skipping the Inauguration: A Radical Act of Self-Care
[47:15] – Teaching the Next Generation to Say No Sooner
[51:57] – What We’d Tell Our Younger Selves
[53:45] – Taraji’s Playroom and the Power of Joy
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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. Join the conversation and submit your questions at imopod.com!
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. She is also a Co-Founder and Strategic Partner of PLEZi Nutrition, working behind-the-scenes to guide the company’s mission to be a driver of change and a model for how food and beverage brands can support the health of the next generation.
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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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You guys make me really love being black showing the beauty of our culture. I love this.
Such a powerful, insightful, honest conversation that can inspire and invigorate many of us. Thanks to all involved with this great show.
👍🏾
The terror squad is riding with son 😎
Love both of these ladies
❤❤❤ Thank you!!! ❤❤❤
❤❤❤
Respectfully Mrs Obama you did do the right thing not attending We have to learn how to teach people to treat us That man has spoken so ill not only of you and your family but of all people of color you had no obligation to be there Respect
Taraji's salon = Continuing Ed
Love love love Taraji
Me encanta mucho Taraji
I love this podcast. Mrs. Obama is so smart that I didn’t think I could take her seriously not doing very smart things. She’s so down to earth & I see her as a full woman now; not just smart. 👍🏾
I know how to help as a man, speak for yourself Craig. The first step to that is paying attention to our women and really listing. Sometimes you'll see something said vs hearing something said.
Ms. Taraji, so right about saying NO!! Love you all on this podcast❤❤
I have ALWAYS loved everything about Taraji. My baby brother attended Howard University and once I learned that Howard was Taraji’s alma mater, I was more thrilled! She is not pretentious whatsoever and I always admired her real life demeanor as well as her acting performances. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Talking to my elder family members about certain issues in my life have been very therapeutic. I still have elder family members that I can trust for honest advice and a different perspective in approaching certain situations and issues.
Craig, you started saying, "For the Brothers out there". You were cut off by the ladies. What were you about to say?
Michelle is a sistah — i mean, i always knew that but, sheeeit, i shoulda invited her to the family BBQ! you funny too!
LOVE IT… the Fist Lady, but sooooo much more! ❤
and i've always always loved Taraji! that's what brought me here (this time)…
SO MANY GEMS IN THIS EPISODE!
It’s about being able to communicate amongst others that need to talk
It can b refreshing but we learn to be quiet
I wish more men were like Craig. The way he took the back seat, let them lead, and asked questions that fueled the women’s conversation… And he’s a sports coach. #humility
The idea that she ever thought she wasn’t talented enough just makes me want to cry. My GOD I love this lady!!! ❤❤❤
First Lady Michelle Obama, here I am 🌹💜🦋
Here I am!!!! 50 + 🎤💜🦋
@Pine Soil, is soooooo AMAZING!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🎤💜🦋
Rest, playyyyyy, say no. The world expects too much
Love taraji she is so grounded and authentic❤
Love Taraji so much!
Dang, I feel the same way. I needed to hear this.
Love the brilliance of Taraji P Henson's acting.
Michelle Obama's achievements are exceptional. However her honesty about using therapy to navigate feelings is inspirational ❤
Powerful: "Do something", "Throw in a laundry", and ask "How can I help?". So important to be helpful to others and to yourself as well. But above all I say check yourself from time to time. I love IMO!
Thank you Michelle & Craig for this interview.
I remember an interview Michelle gave abt your childhood.
Saying your beloved & sadly gone Mum gave you an alarm clock at abt 5 yrs old.
Felt the love & respect for sure.
Taraji is a fantastic actor she has a huge range. Love her emotional depth.
Time for her Oscar, EMMY etc.
Good afternoon, Michelle, my name is Kathi Butler from Rochester, NY, and I'm watching this today 6/9/2026. I can only speak for myself, and I want you to know that I appreciate you, I am extremely proud to have had The Obama Family in the White House for 8 years. I miss having Barack as President of The United States of America. He did a wonderful job, and you were a beautiful and gracious First Lady, someone we can all admire. You are a beautiful family. You are enough just the way you are. I love to watch you and Craig do these IMO Podcasts. You make everyone feel at ease and it turns into wonderful conversation, I wish I could be with you 😊
You guys hype Airbnb so often that I wonder are they one of your sponsors?
I stopped watching the news on a regular basis in 2009 after my mom passed away. I couldn't handle the sadness of what I was watching and hearing
Queen Michelle. thank you. Taraji for shouting out her royal presence.. lol!
Another awesome show, thank you
PineSol -only need 1/2 capful per bucket
Whew! Imma stop commenting -yall ‘gon be tired of me stating my abilities to relate to every topic in this interview!
I felt all of who Cookie was & “Staw” could’ve been me -if I hadn’t embraced such ‘unmerited Favor [Grace]; and wasn’t so darned stubborn, as well as delusional about life in my early season. ❤
I have 7 daughters. I want Moscato
Taraji is shorter than I thought.
Ok, it's time to Have Momma Dee On!❤
Who is going to tell Mrs Obama we were happy she didn’t show up at the inauguration.
I took away nothing positive about Taraji after this interview, it just reinforced the money hungry actor who couldn't settle for getting paid millions. Oh boo-hoo, poor little millionaire Taraji. Get bent!
Wow, what a soothing, relaxing podcast. Ms. Henson is one of my favorite actors
The first lady of ALL TIMES hands down.
It's also why should we have to ask/why do you keep questioning me. I simply do it. Just keep ur distance, I already handled it.
I just recently found this podcast, better yet, God and my ancestors guided us together. While I was working a 12 hour night shift. In a word, AMAZING. In another word, INSPIRATIONAL. I started with Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams, President Barack Obama and now Taraji P. I love them all. I love our forever First Lady Michelle and her brother. Both so well spoken and educated. The guests are so down to earth and show the other side of celebrities. I look forward to more episodes. Thank you for creating a safe space for all. ❤
It's deeply disappointing when someone that you look up to and admire a great deal, turns out to not be the person you thought they were. I kind of wish I really had never watched this podcast. In my heart I just truly hope that President Obama is the same person in his private life as he presented to us as a nation. I'm just gonna hold that one in my heart. They say you should never meet your heroes😢
Ms Obama could have just said I cannot an event for a president who has been cruel to the American people.