The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett Former First Lady (Michelle Obama): This Is A Scam! People Were Running From Us Because We Were Black! I Was Bitter About The Racism I Received!
May 1, 2025
01:28:06
Michelle Obama served as the First Lady of the United States, entering the White House alongside Barack Obama. In this candid conversation, she joins Steven with her brother Craig Robinson, a former college basketball coach turned executive, to open up about everything from Trump’s inauguration to marriage challenges, grief, and rediscovering her purpose.
Widely regarded as one of today’s most influential voices on leadership, identity, and social progress, Michelle offers a rare, intimate look at her personal journey.
Together, they discuss:
How their parents instilled empathy, discipline, and resilience growing up amid racial tension.
Michelle’s journey through elite schools and corporate law, driven by a need to tick society’s boxes.
The evolution of Michelle and Barack’s relationship, from colleagues to lifelong partners.
Fertility struggles, parenting tips, and what it really takes to sustain a long-term marriage.
Navigating life in the White House, grief, personal boundaries, and rediscovering her true calling.
00:00 Intro
02:11 Michelle and Craig's Childhood
04:48 Values Learned from Their Parents
08:45 Michelle Skipping Second Grade
12:16 The Role of Race in Their Childhood
15:19 What "White Flight" Means
17:01 Coping with Racism
20:55 Overcoming Being Underestimated
26:33 Michelle's Search for Identity
30:20 Meeting Barack
31:59 Introducing Barack to the Family
33:48 Why Michelle Initially Rejected Barack
37:28 Michelle's Career Change: Pursuing Joy
40:52 Relationship with Barack
44:56 Going to Counseling with Barack
49:34 Pregnancy Struggles
56:27 Hardest Moments in Their Marriage
57:31 Barack Obama Runs for Public Office
01:03:28 What I Should Have Said to Barack
01:07:11 Being the First Black First Lady and Facing Scrutiny
01:14:09 Reflections on a Sad Time
01:15:17 Remembering Your Mother
01:16:53 The Death of Your Mother
01:18:36 Processing the Grief
01:20:41 Not Attending Trump’s Inauguration
Listen to Michelle & Craig's new podcast IMO:
https://bit.ly/3YnxIUg
Follow Michelle:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3Ymxs7W
Twitter - https://bit.ly/4cYXiVC
Follow Craig:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/4lThkVB
Twitter - https://bit.ly/4lTGJ1f
You can purchase Michelle’s book, ‘Overcoming: A Workbook', here: https://amzn.to/4jTqcsi (UK) / https://amzn.to/3SbbelM (US)
100 CEOs: Ready to think like a CEO? Gain access to the 100 CEOs newsletter here: https://bit.ly/100-ceos-megaphone
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The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition):
https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb
Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt
Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb
Sponsors:
Airalo - https://try.airalo.com/TheDiaryOfACEO with code DOAC3Vivobarefoot - https://vivobarefoot.com/DOAC with code DIARY20 for 20% off
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theexperienceplus.substack.com
Widely regarded as one of today’s most influential voices on leadership, identity, and social progress, Michelle offers a rare, intimate look at her personal journey.
Together, they discuss:
How their parents instilled empathy, discipline, and resilience growing up amid racial tension.
Michelle’s journey through elite schools and corporate law, driven by a need to tick society’s boxes.
The evolution of Michelle and Barack’s relationship, from colleagues to lifelong partners.
Fertility struggles, parenting tips, and what it really takes to sustain a long-term marriage.
Navigating life in the White House, grief, personal boundaries, and rediscovering her true calling.
00:00 Intro
02:11 Michelle and Craig's Childhood
04:48 Values Learned from Their Parents
08:45 Michelle Skipping Second Grade
12:16 The Role of Race in Their Childhood
15:19 What "White Flight" Means
17:01 Coping with Racism
20:55 Overcoming Being Underestimated
26:33 Michelle's Search for Identity
30:20 Meeting Barack
31:59 Introducing Barack to the Family
33:48 Why Michelle Initially Rejected Barack
37:28 Michelle's Career Change: Pursuing Joy
40:52 Relationship with Barack
44:56 Going to Counseling with Barack
49:34 Pregnancy Struggles
56:27 Hardest Moments in Their Marriage
57:31 Barack Obama Runs for Public Office
01:03:28 What I Should Have Said to Barack
01:07:11 Being the First Black First Lady and Facing Scrutiny
01:14:09 Reflections on a Sad Time
01:15:17 Remembering Your Mother
01:16:53 The Death of Your Mother
01:18:36 Processing the Grief
01:20:41 Not Attending Trump’s Inauguration
Listen to Michelle & Craig's new podcast IMO:
https://bit.ly/3YnxIUg
Follow Michelle:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3Ymxs7W
Twitter - https://bit.ly/4cYXiVC
Follow Craig:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/4lThkVB
Twitter - https://bit.ly/4lTGJ1f
You can purchase Michelle’s book, ‘Overcoming: A Workbook', here: https://amzn.to/4jTqcsi (UK) / https://amzn.to/3SbbelM (US)
100 CEOs: Ready to think like a CEO? Gain access to the 100 CEOs newsletter here: https://bit.ly/100-ceos-megaphone
The 1% Diary is back - limited time only:
https://bit.ly/1-Diary-Megaphone-ad-r…
The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition):
https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb
Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt
Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb
Sponsors:
Airalo - https://try.airalo.com/TheDiaryOfACEO with code DOAC3Vivobarefoot - https://vivobarefoot.com/DOAC with code DIARY20 for 20% off
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theexperienceplus.substack.com