Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson in promotional material for their new podcast, "IMO" Produced by Higher Ground. Credit: Higher Ground Productions
(The Post News)- Since its debut on March 12, 2025, “IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson” has entered the bustling podcast arena, and its initial performance offers an intriguing look at its current standing within the competitive digital audio sphere, particularly when considering its high-profile hosts.
The podcast’s YouTube channel, a primary hub for video content, currently reflects approximately 67,000 subscribers as of early June 2025. This figure represents a base of consistent followers for the video component of the podcast. Viewership for individual episodes has shown considerable variability, ranging from as low as 2,400 views to an impressive 335,200 views for earlier content. More recent detailed examples from late May/early June 2025 include: 6.4K views for a discussion on everyday topics, 146K views for a segment with Steven Bartlett on financial lessons, 11K views for an “Internet Slang Challenge”, and 4K views for a dialogue with Dr. Sharon Malone. The inaugural episode, which marked the podcast’s premiere, initially attracted around 50,000 views.
When placed alongside other prominent podcasts, “IMO’s” current market position becomes clearer. On industry charts, it holds the 34th spot on Spotify and the 19th position on Apple Podcasts. These rankings, while respectable for a new entry, are notably lower than might be anticipated given Michelle Obama’s widespread global recognition and the significant publicity surrounding the podcast’s launch. This lower-than-expected performance is, in part, likely influenced by the substantial negative commentary observed.
Indeed, the comments section of the podcast’s YouTube videos has been notably flooded with negative remarks from trolls. A significant portion of these comments are directly critical of Michelle Obama, including derogatory remarks questioning her gender and referring to her as “big Mike,” and implying the podcast is hosted by “two brothers”. Beyond this targeted trolling, other comments have expressed more direct criticism of the podcast’s content itself, with users describing it as “Forced, scripted, not authentic,” and one listener even suggested the podcast was “only entertaining because of the comments”. This influx of negative and often inflammatory feedback could be contributing to the podcast’s more modest numbers compared to initial expectations given Michelle Obama’s status.
For a broader market perspective, “IMO’s” numbers stand in stark contrast to some of the podcast world’s leaders. “Call Her Daddy” with Alex Cooper commands a subscriber base of 1.2 million, while “The Joe Rogan Experience” boasts an impressive 19.6 million followers. Jay Shetty Podcast demonstrates considerable reach on YouTube with 4.2 million subscribers and has accumulated over 1.1K videos, with individual episodes, like a recent one featuring Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, achieving over 5.1 million views in two months. Jay Shetty himself asserts his podcast is a leading voice in mental health. Similarly, the TED Talks YouTube channel maintains an extensive audience with 26.2 million subscribers and features over 5.1K videos from global thought leaders.
Despite the current numbers and the early challenges posed by negative commentary, industry experts generally maintain a positive outlook on “IMO’s” potential for growth. The consensus suggests that the podcast may still find and cultivate its core audience as it continues to evolve its content. A significant advantage for “IMO” lies in its ability to attract and feature an array of high-profile and engaging guests. The roster of confirmed and featured participants, including Seth Rogen, Dr. Laurie Santos, Jay Shetty, Steven Bartlett, Dr. Sharon Malone, Issa Rae, Keke Palmer, Jonathan Haidt, entrepreneur Brian Chesky, and the notable couple Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, is expected to serve as a powerful magnet for new listeners and retain existing ones.
Furthermore, positive listener feedback, particularly evident in YouTube comments, suggests a receptive segment of its audience. Remarks indicate appreciation for the specific insights brought by guests and praise the authentic conversational dynamic between Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. The reported willingness of listeners to share episodes, notably with “Millennial and Gen Z” audiences, points to a potential for organic, grassroots expansion. This natural spread could play a crucial role in the podcast’s continued growth, allowing it to solidify its presence in the crowded audio landscape despite initial challenges and the formidable competition.
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