Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Michelle Obama’s Podcast ‘IMO’ Struggles to Gain Traction Despite Initial Hype
Michelle Obama’s new podcast, IMO [In My Opinion] with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, has encountered challenges in meeting initial expectations following its highly anticipated launch in early March. This media endeavor, featuring the former First Lady and her brother, Craig Robinson, offering advice, discussing contemporary issues, and interviewing notable guests, is facing scrutiny due to its performance in podcast charts.
Podcast Rankings Fall Short of Projections
Recent data indicates that IMO is currently ranked as the 34th most popular show on Spotify, according to the platform’s official charts. This placement suggests that the podcast is underperforming relative to its initial buzz and the star power associated with Michelle Obama. The subdued podcast ratings have surfaced amidst ongoing rumors surrounding the Obamas’ personal life, particularly after the former president’s solo appearances at both President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Comparison with Other Popular Podcasts
While IMO‘s chart position has declined, other podcasts have witnessed gains in popularity. Shows such as The Ezra Klein Show from The New York Times and The Determined Society with Shawn French have been climbing the charts, highlighting the competitive landscape of the podcasting world.
On Apple Podcasts, IMO fares slightly better, holding the 19th position. However, it still trails behind several other prominent podcasts, including:
- The Mel Robbins Podcast
- Good Hang with Amy Poehler
- Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce
- The Joe Rogan Experience
Notably, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, which debuted on February 10th—just a month prior to IMO—has already achieved higher rankings, currently holding the second position on Apple Podcasts and third on Spotify. Poehler’s show has also released fewer episodes than Obama’s podcast, yet it consistently outperforms IMO in listenership charts.
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Podcast Launch and Content Overview
IMO premiered with two episodes released on its launch day. The inaugural episode, titled “You Should Start a Podcast with Your Sibling,” was followed by a second episode featuring executive producer and actress Issa Rae, titled “Some Friendships Need to Go.”
Subsequent episodes have included conversations with a diverse range of guests, such as:
- Seth Rogen and his wife Lauren
- Psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos
- Keke Palmer
- Podcaster Jay Shetty
Production and YouTube Presence
IMO is produced by Higher Ground, the media production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. Higher Ground is also responsible for producing Michelle Obama’s previous podcast, The Light Podcast, and critically acclaimed films like Leave the World Behind and Rustin.
YouTube Subscriber Comparison
While IMO is available in video format on YouTube, Michelle Obama’s YouTube channel currently has 67,000 subscribers. This figure is considerably smaller compared to other popular podcasts on the platform:
- Call Her Daddy (Alex Cooper): 1.2 million subscribers
- The Joe Rogan Experience: 19.6 million subscribers
- The Jay Shetty Podcast: 3.91 million subscribers
The initial episode of IMO garnered approximately 50,000 views upon release, indicating a relatively modest start for the much-anticipated podcast.
Political Context and Podcast Trends
The podcast’s underwhelming performance arrives as Democrats are exploring strategies to cultivate a prominent voice in the podcasting sphere, often referred to as finding a ‘Joe Rogan of the left.’ Podcasts have been identified as a significant media format, particularly in engaging younger demographics, as demonstrated during previous presidential elections.
Recent studies indicate that conservative podcasts and commentators maintain a dominant presence within alternative media. Joe Rogan leads among right-leaning figures with a substantial following, while left-leaning online shows generally attract smaller audiences. Gavin Newsom, for example, launched his podcast “This is Gavin Newsom” around the same time as IMO. While also not charting spectacularly, this highlights the broader difficulty in achieving top podcast rankings, even for well-known figures.