Score: 4

Miranda Sawyer • The Guardian • Mar 22, 2025

"...neither Obama nor Robinson seem to have any unusual takes, it’s hard to work out why. Michelle...is an immensely impressive person, but her “go high” positivity is reduced to platitudes here. There was the odd insightful moment...Plus, whatever happened to having fun?"

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Score: 3.5

Fiona Sturges • Financial Times • Mar 16, 2025

"No doubt, during her time in the White House, she had to master the art of being warm and engaged while not saying anything that could be construed as controversial. But here she sounds like an influencer dispensing wellness and self-love mantras while Rae coos: “That’s so real.”...this series seems to go out of its way not to mention current events. According to the blurb from Higher Ground, IMO finds Obama “at her most relaxed and honest”. On this evidence, dreary and in denial would seem a more accurate assessment."

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Score: 2

James Marriot • The Times UK • Mar 12, 2025

"Look, I love Michelle Obama. Frankly, who doesn’t love Michelle Obama? We can all agree that she’s charming, charismatic and a representative of a political family infinitely more attractive than the gang of crooks presently occupying the White House. But my admiration for the Obamas’ political virtues, great as it is, does not extend to a desire to hear about Michelle Obama’s childhood cleaning rituals. Sadly, cleaning rituals loom unwarrantedly large in the first episode of her new podcast, co-hosted with Robinson. It’s not all bad. The glimpses of Barack and the Obama home life are fairly engaging."

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Score: 2

James Marriot • The Times UK • Mar 12, 2025

"Look, I love Michelle Obama. Frankly, who doesn’t love Michelle Obama? We can all agree that she’s charming, charismatic and a representative of a political family infinitely more attractive than the gang of crooks presently occupying the White House. But my admiration for the Obamas’ political virtues, great as it is, does not extend to a desire to hear about Michelle Obama’s childhood cleaning rituals. Sadly, cleaning rituals loom unwarrantedly large in the first episode of her new podcast, co-hosted with Robinson. The podcast is certainly marked by a very American tendency to mutual self-congratulation. Obama and her brother spend much of their (very generous) airtime telling each other what a marvellous relationship they have. It’s not all bad. The glimpses of Barack and the Obama home life are fairly engaging. …"

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Score: 2

Chris Bennion • Telegraph UK • Mar 12, 2025

"...the finished product, based on the opening two episodes, is every bit as vague, waffly, empty and indistinct as the above marketing bumph suggests. IMO is stuffed to the gills with cliché, truism and trite cant.IMO is stuffed to the gills with cliché, truism and trite cant. The opening episode, in fact, isn’t too terrible. Obama and Robinson are intelligent, eloquent and impressive...It is episode two, however, on which we must judge IMO, as it reflects the podcast’s format."

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Score: 3

Nicholas Quah • Vulture • Mar 12, 2025

"If you’re wondering what type of advice is on offer, think of the most banal version of the premise possible. Hearing Obama and her celebrity guests tell a stranger how to manage challenging adult relationships when most people want to hear her take on, say, how to manage intrusive thoughts while flying in the age of an FAA decimated by Elon Musk. The show does not appear to touch on politics or current events, based on the two preview episodes mentioned in a New York Times report, which is both a predictable brand move and an aggravating decision. It makes you wonder if any of these mainstream Democratic figures are not still living in a fantasy world."

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