Michelle Obama | Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hey everyone, welcome to another episode. of Good Hang. I am Amy Polar and I'm. very excited to introduce our guest. today. It is Michelle Obama. Wow, we. talk about some really cool stuff today. We talk about HGTV and how much we love. it. We talk about the time that I. drooled in front of her. We talk about. bedtime. We talk about allergies, which. is what I currently have right now, which is why I'm sounding so sexy and. sophisticated. But um before we start. this episode, we do what we always do, which is we ask someone that knows our. guest really well or is a fan of our.

guest or is familiar with our guests. work to give me a question to ask them. And who better to ask about Michelle. than her older brother Craig. So Craig. Robinson is joining us, the co-host of. their new podcast, IMO, in my opinion. So let's welcome Craig Robinson to the. studio. This episode is presented by the Toyota. Grand Highlander. Life is going to throw. grand challenges your way, and the. Toyota Grand Highlander is ready for. them. You can choose from three.

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life-changing adventures, it's up for. every grand challenge. Learn more at. toyota.com/grandhighlander. Toyota, let's go places. [Music]. Everyone, I'm very, very excited to have. Craig here, who um is Mrs. Obama, Michelle Obama's brother. Do you call. her Mrs. Obama? See, this is what I mean. You just. quickly make me laugh. I only call her.

Mrs. Obama when I'm mad at her. Yeah, exactly. When you're Or yes, when you're. when there's a formal request. And and. and I don't call her that. I call her I. don't even call her Michelle. I call her. Meech. That's right. I heard that. Meech. So, it's been that way for since. she was a kid. Yeah. Yeah. And you guys. are close in age. We're 20 months. apart. And And let me I wanted to back. up and say, you know, every time we have. somebody on our show, they're trying to.

figure out what to call her. And it's. really entertaining to watch people. either say Mrs. Obama or the first lady. or uh Yeah. or and and she wants them to. she wants them to call her Michelle. Okay, good. I got But if anybody but if. anybody asked me, I always say call her. Mrs. Mrs. Obama. It's funny though. You know what what it. what that brings up for me is in in an. interesting way is and kind of what you. guys do in your podcast, which I love so. much, is there's like the public version.

of everyone. Everyone has a front-facing. version of themselves and then they have. the family version of themselves. And. like doesn't matter how what changes in. your life. Yeah. You're the family. version pretty much your whole life. Yes. And you're the oldest. I am the. oldest. Shout out to the oldest. I'm the. oldest, too. And the oldest hardest job. It's tough. No bless. You know, I know. my mom had favorites and I was the one. Okay. So, you were your mom. Yeah. The.

brother. The boy is I was the one. I was. the one. And Meech. always jokes about the fact that my mom. lived in the White House. She went on. all of these wonderful trips, state. dinners, and all that. And all she. wanted to know is when's Craig coming? It pisses her off and love it. So, as. the eldest child, we know the. responsibility we have. Absolutely. I. have a younger brother. Okay. And he's. three years younger. And you you guys. have the same situation I have, which is. just like boy, girl, you know? So you.

grew up together but apart like you know. you had you were this you were like. together all the time but you probably. had different friends different interest. like you didn't have to share a lot. Well did you we actually shared a lot. Oh okay. Not we shared toys. We shared a. bedroom. Okay. We shared a bedroom from. the time I can remember until I got to. high school and my parents were like, "All right, we got to get this big dude. his own bedroom.".

But we used to have beds that that the. heads were headto head and it was a. little table in between. And then when. we got a little older, my grandfather. built in the same room a panled tea so. we had separate bedrooms. Yeah. But the. it didn't go all the way to the ceiling. so we could hear each other. And then we. had a playroom in the front for the two. of us. And we would spend hours at night. just talking and laughing. Is it tough. being so tall?

Because I feel like you have to be nicer. than maybe you want to be sometimes. Sometimes. Sometimes you do, but it is. great being tall except in a couple of. situations like airplanes and buying. clothes off the rack. Yeah. It's really. hard. Yeah. Um, but for the most part it. is, it's so good. It's so good. And you. know, you know what people do to you. when you're tall? They assume you are in. charge and are smart. Yeah. They're.

like, "Come on." They're like, "Finally, a a real leader is here." Yes. Yes. Unfortunately, we can make mistakes in. Yeah. in society. You know what I'm. talking about? What do you What do you. mean? I don't I trust every tall person in. government. But it it No, it's really fun. But I do, you know, every now and then I'd like a. cute pair of shoes instead of a size 15. But um you know what 15? 15. 15. It's.

embarrassing, but I'm used to it. I'm. used to it. But if you notice, yeah, when we sit together, you are taller. than I am because my torso is very. short. It's all legs. It's all legs. That's why the plane is an. That's a nightmare. And and you know. some guy I mean if I could afford like. one of those fancy sports cars I. wouldn't be able to fit in it. You. should have like a business card that. says I'm all legs baby. People be like wow I've never heard that.

and it's the funniest thing I've heard. That's great. I'm all legs. Well he's. all legs you know. So you know those. kind of people. All legs baby. I've got. what I would give to be all legs. If I. was all legs, it would just be legs up. to my neck and then a head and that's. it. Okay. So, we have this we're doing. we do this thing here where we kind of. talk to somebody before we talk to our. guest about any questions that you think. I would be, you know, the right person.

to ask um today. Anything big or small. that you think um I should ask your. sister? Yes. Yeah. So, I I was thinking. about this because I watched your show. and I was absolutely thrilled to to be. here. So, I was thinking about what. would be a good question for you to ask. her because see my sister is when she. gets asked a question, you ask her. what's the one thing she gives you six. things. I was like, we didn't ask for. six things. Give us one thing. So, maybe.

if you do it, she might obey. Okay. I. would say ask her what is the one. thing that she would share with the rest. of the. world that our parents gave. her? So, let me rephrase it. What is the. one thing that our parents gave you, Michelle, that you would like to share. with the rest of the world? One thing.

And if she starts to do two things, I. go, you can say, "See, your brother was. right." You said you were gonna give You. said you were gonna. give 15 things. You can make up whatever. number feels good at the time. I can't. wait. Did you ever coach Michelle on any. team? No, ma'am. Are you kidding? She. can't be coach. She's uncachable. She's. not coachable. No, I'm just kidding. I. You only time I coached her is when we. were playing together. Yeah. Does she. you know sometimes as the oldest.

sometimes I have a younger brother so. and and no he doesn't always want to. hear my ideas isn't it isn't that and I. have good ideas you not only do you have. good ideas but he probably thinks he has. good ideas but he wants you to listen to. his ideas and he'll listen to my idea if. it comes out of someone else's mouth. sounds like we have the same sibling but. if it's if it's not said by me he'll. heal but sometimes He doesn't want me to. like tell him anything. Oh, listen. It.

was It was perfect yesterday. I was glad. we were we were on set. Yeah. Yeah. And. there were four people left around and. we were talking about something and I. said something to my sister and as soon. as I said she gave me a look and then uh. 3 minutes later she said the exact same. thing. Fortunately, our four camera. people over there were cracking up. because I was like, I just said that. What is going on? She said it again. Yeah, it's a little that little sister. thing. But she will tell you that it was.

hard growing up being a little sister. because she used to be Craig Robinson's. little sister and now I'm Michelle. Obama's big brother and it is way easier. being Michelle Obama's big brother. Way easier. Yeah. Yeah. It's nice to. have a big brother. I always wanted an. older sibling. Didn't you? Didn't you. Don't you wish you had an older sibling. to take care of you, Craig? All legs. baby. All legs Craig. All Legs Baby is. here to be your older sibling if you. need one. Oh my god. I am here. I am.

here for it. You can always reach out. to. And also, don't you wish the last. thing I'll I'll finish up with is you're. you're a two kid family. I am too. Don't. you wish there was one more sibling so. you could talk about the other sibling, too. Just one more. Just occasionally. you could call and go, "That's funny. I've never thought about that, but that. is a great idea." I'm sure my younger. brother wants that. Just one more. person. Well, Meech always wanted She.

wanted like the Brady Bunch family. Yeah, I was happy with the way our setup. was, but that was cuz I was the oldest. and the favorite. So, we don't we're not. about But that's a great That is a great. take. I hadn't thought about that. Just. one more. But then what about what. happens when it's twoonone and you can. get a dud. The third one can be a dud. We know that, you know, you're playing. with fire. Like, you guys did really. well. Two successful and interesting, smart, curious people. The third one. could have been.

You never know, but we'll see. We'll. ask. We'll see. Um, okay. I am so. appreciate you coming here. Thank you so. much. And congrats on your podcast in my. opinion, which we're going to talk about. today. And, um, I think we got. everything we need, right? Are we going. to do our our switcheroo? This episode is brought to you by Uber. Eats. Summer is almost here and you can. now get almost anything you need for. your sunny days delivered with Uber. Eats. What do I mean by almost? Well, you can't get a summer blockbuster.

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enjoy responsibly. Product availability. varies by region. See app for details. Okay, I want to start with allergies. because. and I feel some people she's emotional. It's like no, I have allergies. Start. with allergies, too, because I have. allergies, too. Bad out here in Los. Angeles. Yeah, I got off the plane and. Did you take anything for it? I take. allergy medicine every day. Does it trip. you out? Like, does it make you feel No, it doesn't. But I find that when I get.

off of it, um, you know, you have to. build back up. So, I just stay on it. We. travel so much. We're everywhere all the. time. So, you never know. It's spring. somewhere. Something's blooming. Have. you ever done a netty pot? I have done. that, but I don't do it. I I've done it, but it doesn't make a huge difference. I. mean, I I like Nasinex, you know. I like. the nose spray. If I do that every day, I don't know if there's a limit to how. much you're supposed to do it, but I. keep it going. I'm sure it's on the.

bottle somewhere, but but I should look. at that bottle. I haven't looked at that. bottle in years. It's funny that we talk. about allergies cuz I lost my voice a. couple days ago and I had a real it was. like a living stress dream that I would. not have my voice for this podcast and. now you and I are both doing podcasts. That's crazy. First of all, thank you. for being here. Thank you for having me, Michelle Obama. And also, I haven't seen. you in a second. Incredible. Thank you. I know that that's not as important, but. you look incredible. Thank you. It's.

called peace of mind. You look hot. A. sorry. So, let's say that again. Okay. I. know it's early in the day, but um but. yeah, we're both doing jobs now where we. have to talk a lot. Lots of talking. How's it going? I you know um as my mom. passed last year, but she would say this. is exactly what you should be doing. because I talk a lot. We talk in our. family. Yeah. I've noticed that the.

Obama family, everybody talks. Malia, Sasha, we all have many opinions. Yes. And we share them openly. So why not. have a podcast where I'm sharing my. opinion? Well, when we saw each other, I. mean, I have such I have many many. memories of course of getting to do. luckily getting to do a bunch of things. with you and one of the most fun things. when you came into parks and recreation. So cool. I was just my my assistant. who's young, she's a baby. We were just. saying I was saying in the car ride over.

I said I haven't seen I don't think. we've seen seen each other since Parks. and Wreck. And she was like you were on. Parks and Wreck. I was like yeah I'm. kind of a big. deal. I mean okay do you have a memory. of that day? I'm sure you didn't cuz you. were probably in the middle of your. workday. But I have a very strong memory. about something. was a blur because the. thing is is like I'm not an actress and. I'm running lines and trying to figure. out I mean you can't be a good actress. on top of everything else but I'm I was.

nervous. I was like you know I want to I. want to get it right but I want to be. myself in a natural way. So it was very. much a blur. What do you remember? Okay. Well I do remember one the very first. take. Uhhuh. So yeah we were busy. We. were like hitting a bunch of places that. day. You were perfect. You got your. line. You hit your mark, you said your. line, and my character Leslie Nope is. supposed to be overwhelmed by seeing you. and I, Amy Polar, was also very jazzed. and I went to say my line and I.

drooled. Do you not remember? I'm so. glad you don't remember. I full on. drooled. And did I did I say something. about you? Did I notice you drool? Total. pro. You just were like you just looked. like, okay, maybe this is a choice. And then director yelled cut. Mike Sher, whoever, Morgan Sack, whoever was. director, yelled cut. And I was like, did I just drool? And you're like, you. did. You did. That happened. That. happened. I don't I didn't I don't know.

if I saw it, but Yeah. And I was real. drool. What? What happened? Why the. drool? My um I have very active saliv. salivary glands. Do you really? I do. Okay. There. When I go to the dentist, real active, Michelle, just talking and. drool comes out of your mouth. Now that. those are some active glands, active. glands under control right now. And so, yeah, when I go to the dentist, they're always like, "Whoa, easy." Yeah.

They have the extra large suction tube. for you. They've got an Amy tube. You're. joking. But they do. Do they really? They have to put in two tubes. This is. this is this is some tea right here. Totally breaking a heavy drooler and. needs special dental supplies. I don't like the dentist. I've talked. about this. Well, not if you have drool. issues. So, I remember doing that to you. just to make you feel better. Well, you. did. You did. I figured, well, she's.

drooling, so I can't be any worse. What. could I do wrong? As long as I just stand up straight, you'll be good. I do not remember the. draw. Oh my god. Why? But I'm going to. think about that. I'm sorry. I want you. to always associate that with me now. But but it was such a fun that was such. a fun time because u not only was I. getting to do the job that I loved, but. it was a time when it felt like. everybody wanted to stop by and be part.

of the show that was about public. service. And it was a different time. where there was this ability or. lightness, I think, in many ways, to. just put a bunch of different people. together in a room and they don't agree. and they still find a way to work. together. Oh, do you remember those. times? You remember that? I don't That's. a long time ago. But um I was thinking. about that because there is a um there. there's a there's a you you just said.

you're not an actor but you are. constantly speaking and performing and. with the podcast it's a completely. different way of performing. It's almost. like unraveling. That's right. Getting. like almost unlearning. What are you. unlearning about all this stuff that. you're trying to kind of like jettison. and let go of that you you know stuff. you had to learn or put on that now. you're unlearning? That's a good. question. Um you know not trying to get things so.

perfect. Um you know as first lady the. the eight years even beyond um the the. the stakes were so high. Yeah. Right. Um, and you know, Barack and I, our team, we. felt like we didn't have room to get. anything wrong. And in this setting, you. know, I can be loose. Um, I can stutter.

I can um misspeak sometimes, even though. I'm sure that will make news. Um, but I. just feel like there's room to breathe. And maybe some of that is my age. Maybe some of that is that now that I'm. in my 60s, what more do I have to prove? How how much more do I have to do? And. let's just let's just live. Let's just. talk. I think women should stop. improving themselves. I think we and I think we're like, you. know, like when you're in a race and. you're really really far ahead and you.

just want to just pause for a second to. let people catch up. It's like enough. enough of the improving and that's it's. too much, you know, and and fellas, you. know, why don't you try it? Just we're. just we'll just take a break. We're. going to walk a little slower, catch on. up, and let's keep running. But it's so. real. I mean, all we I mean, we do this. to ourselves all the time. We're just. like, I got to get more efficient more, more, more, more. And I think sometimes. like we should try less, less is more. Yeah, we should try. But we, you know,

you don't feel your confidence as a. woman. At least I didn't until now. I. mean, and and I say that out loud. because I know that there are young. women in their 30s and 40s trying to get. that perfection thing right. We always. feel like we're not doing enough. We're. always harboring guilt. Yeah. Um, and. it's not until now that we can look back. on this lifetime of accomplishments and. say, "Look, maybe maybe I did know a.

thing or two." Um, maybe I can slow. down. Maybe I can take a break. Um, but. I think be we're harder on ourselves. um than anyone can be. And I agree, I'm. having those conversations with myself. every day. It's like, slow down. It's. okay. You don't have to get this right. you can make some mistakes maybe. Um, and and you've got some wisdom to share. finally. You know, I feel confident in. the wisdom that I have to share. That's.

awesome. I mean, I wouldn't Do you would. do you agree? I would I wouldn't go back. in time. I would not. No. You know, 20s. and 30s are really hard. Would you trade. that stomach? I would trade the stomach. and the collagen and a little bit of the. ability to stay up late. Like I can't. believe how I stayed up so late. You. know, I never did. But you I never I was. always sleepy, you know. I I just want. the Are you sleepy? Are you Are you. sleepy energy? Do you love bedtime? I.

love bedtime. Tell me about your bedtime. routine. What time do you like to go to. bed? And how do you like to go? It's. embarrassing. And I, you know, I go to. bed as soon as I can. Me, too. I'm. thinking about bed right now. It's 10:30. in the morning. I like Barack and always. I agree. Yeah, I can't wait. Well, Barack and I, we usually have dinner at. around 6:30. Perfect. And he's a night. owl. Oh. So, if we if we have guests, I'm good. If I'm with people, I'm up. I'm awake. I can do this stuff. But.

after we've had our catchup conversation. and we've had our together time and all. of that, I'm looking at the clock and. he's looking at me. He's like, "Really? It's 8:00." I was like, I just. incredible. I'm just so ready, you know? So, I'm like I I like it's not you, it's. me. It's time. It's time for bed. And I. get so giddy. I wash my face. I get into. the cool sheets because the room has to. be cold. Yeah. What temp are we talking?

68. Incredible. Yes. Can't be higher. than degrees, you know. And then he's. freezing. I was like, just put on some. socks. Do you have a do you have a what. kind of do you like a tempropedic. mattress or and what kind of pillow. situation are you I like um I I'm not. sure the brand of the mattress. Uh I. should know but I don't. We need to know. that for your podcast. You need to get. yourself a free mattress. I'm mention. it. You can get a free mattress.

I didn't even think of that. Right. Right. Just say it once. Your house will. be filled with mattresses. Okay. I'm. going to find. out. I'm going to find out. Thanks for. the tip. Yeah, you got it. Okay, so. you're in bed com sheets. You know what. do you have on the bedside table? Uh we. got it's a it's a lamp. It's uh my phone. chargers. Um my glasses, my reading. glasses. Uh water. Um are you still. read? Are you a book reader? Are you I. cannot read because I love sleep so.

much. I realize if I want to read I have. to be sitting up. Okay. It doesn't put. reading puts me to sleep. was like, "Yes, it does." Like one sentence I'm. like, "And. the so it's, you know, it it's then I. don't remember where I am. I don't do. the I don't listen to podcasts because I. don't hear it. I'm asleep. I my head. hits the pillow and I'm out." Any sleep. aid like any like even like a a ginger. tea, a melaton? I don't need an aid. I. need I just need to put my head on the.

pillow. Do you wear socks to bed? Nope. Mm- Do not like socks. Do you like. pajamas or sometimes night gown. situation? Depends on how hot I am and. we're at that stage, you know. Some. sometimes I get in the bed and I'm. freezing and other times it's like, "Oh. my god, take my skin off." It's like. the the change in temperature is wild. for any woman any time, but especially. it's a battle with a partner, right?

because he's always cold and I'm like, "Do not touch." And sometimes I wake up. hot and I'll wake him up. Did you touch. the thermostat? Do you touch the. thermostat, didn't you? He's like, "I. didn't. I swear to God." He now knows. He's afraid of the thermostat. I said, "I don't care what you do. Do not touch. anything in this room after I touch." Do. you wear an eye shade or ear plugs? Fantastic. Also, I want to know what's. going on. Are you a light sleeper or. um No. Mhm. Do you talk in your sleep or.

snore? No. Let's just say that. Incredible. I don't know. You're a. really good sleeper. I don't Side. sleeper, back sleeper. Side sleeper. Okay. Got it. And now I'm at the age. where I'll wake up and my shoulder sore. Don't get me started. I had frozen. shoulder a couple years ago. Oh, you had. the frozen shoulder. And guess what? Nobody knows what causes it. And there's. nothing you can do about it. You know, like every ailment for women in their. 50s, they're like old. They're like, "Yeah, I guess it just hurts." And it's. like, "How long is it going to hurt?". And they're like, "I guess forever,

maybe." Do you do yoga? I do yoga. It. did unfreeze. It goes through like a. period, you know. But are you a um I'm. doing this. Can you do push-ups? Yeah, I. I I do. How many push-ups do you uh. Well, now I do I do them on my knees. I. I don't This is another thing. It's like. I don't need to, you know, do regular. push-ups. I have nothing to prove. But I. can do push-ups on my knees. I can do a. lot of those. But you can do regular. push-ups, too. I can, but it's hard. I. think my arm length I don't go all the.

way down. In fact, you know who pointed. that out was Ellen because my first term. she ch she challenged me to a push-up. competition. I'm the first lady, you. know, and she heard that I worked out. and she was like, "You count." So, I'm. on her show doing push-ups and I did. more push-ups than her, but she still. says, "I didn't go down all the way.". But anatomically, I don't think I really. can. My arms are very long. Yeah. And.

she's a much smaller person than me. I. was just talking to Craig about this. that smaller people I mean, we like. them. Some some of the small people are. our best. friends. It's so cute. I don't know. I. don't trust What do you mean? Pocket. people. We love them. Just right up. under our arm. They just they fit right. there. Condescending a little bit. It's. just a little pocket. Just right here. Right up under my arm. It's like, look.

at you down there. Little friend. Little. friend. So, what did you and Craig talk. about with height? Well, basically like this idea. It is. true. In fact, I heard you talking to. Kylie Kelsey about it. Two tall women. It was like It is true. And I was. talking to Quinta recently about being. smaller. She's a She's a little tiny. Ding ding ding. We're tiny. And yeah, Dink. You make noise when you move. We. do not make noise. Okay. We don't We.

don't live in the woods. I think I. thought I heard squeaking. Nope. We. don't squeak like squirrels. Okay. We. don't gather nuts. We don't wear funny. hats and do dances in the woods. We're. regular people. Um but but um being a. tall woman is different than being a. tall man. Well, were your parents tall? They were not. They were not. My mom was. maybe tall for her age, for that a for. that generation. Maybe she was 56, 5'5. Yeah, that's not My father was 5'9, 510.

No way. Where's the height coming from? I think it's nutrition. That's what we told them, you know, and. because there's a whole generation of. cousins of ours, with a few exceptions, we're all tall and our parents are kind. of average. And then our generation of. kids are a little taller. Um, and uh, our, you know, who knows. what we all drink, you know, like. everything had milk in But my my mom.

smoked during her, you know, that was. when you didn't know about smoking, seat. belts, drinking. She did all of that. And we always said, you know what? We. could have been somebody had you taken. care of yourself a little bit better. What I like about you and what I feel. like is your family is like teasing is. your love language. Oh, for sure. Same. For sure. Can you explain how important. it is to be able to tease people that. you love? Oh my god. This is funny. because both Barack and Craig will say. that I don't let them tease me. See, we.

have a deal, Barack and I, in our. marriage, and it started very early. It's like, I can tease you, but you. cannot tease me. You know, so when he. does, I was like, "Oh, oh, oh, oh, wait. a minute. What's going on here?" And she. he's like, "I'm teasing you, right?" I. was like, "None of that." Cuz he likes. to tease. Oh my god. Yeah. But when um. me, Malia, and Sasha are all of us are. together, he doesn't stand a chance. We.

mercilessly go after him. So yes, teasing is our love language. And I tell. him that I said, "When I tease you, it's. like me, you know, it's like a love. tap." It is. But but it's kind of true. It's like the more you know someone, the. more safe you feel around them, the more. you can poke. And manners are for people. we don't really know. Yeah, that's. right. And it's just like like I for me. in my family when people are being nice. it's like what's wrong? Yeah. Because. what did I do? What did I do? What do. you want? Well, it started with our. parents. They're both silly. My mother. went through a period of time where she.

would just scare us. Um that was just with pranks, just. scaring, right? She she would just pop. out of places and we're little, you. know? I mean, it was just a period. I. don't know what she was doing, but it. got progressively a little more. demented. Um Craig will tell the story. that, you. know, he was maybe 10, 12. Um he's. taking a shower. We have one bathroom.

My mother goes in while he's taking a. shower and lays on the floor like she's. dead. She just lays out. Amazing. And he turns. off the shower and opens up. And you. just hear the. Ah. And I come in and she's cracking up. and he's wet with a towel. He's like. weepy. Mom, that's not funny. She's just. like, "That was pretty funny.". And then one night, and we were little.

when she did this, we had this voodoo. mask. It was a Halloween mask. I mean, it was neon. It had hair and teeth. I. don't know. It was the middle of the. night. It We had long gone to bed. And. she just walked to each of our rooms and. she said with the mask on and said, "Michelle, no. Michelle, no." And woke me up. And I. was like, and then she's like, "Shh, I'm. going to your brother's room.".

I'm like, "Lady, yeah, what are you. doing all day?" She's trying to keep it. interesting. You know, that was our. household. All right. So, we, you know, we got it honest. Marion is coming with. the pranks. Marion, um, can I say. something about what I've read about. your family, which is, and why, if I. may, like I, you know, I didn't have the. pleasure to meet your mom, but she. seemed like such a loving mom. Yeah. Yeah. And you're a very loving mom. And.

I come from a very loving mom. And I. talk about it a lot that like a. blessing. It is. Not everybody gets a. loving mom. And a loving mom is like. this warm. place to keep coming back to that it. almost is like if you have a loving mom. you're 90% ahead of the game and it's. tough when you don't and you have to. find your love other places which you do. and you can be certainly be a loving mom. if you don't have one. But it feels like. your mom was so loving. Yeah. And what.

what did she teach you about being a mom. like when I know you're she just passed. Yeah. What? And she was she was really. with you during a lot of mothering in. the White House. Like what did you learn. from her about being a mom? Great. question. I love talking about my mom. I. love talking about my parents. And I was. so glad to have told some of her story. in my second book, The Light, before she. passed, so that I could give her her. flowers when she could see it, you know. Um, but my mom loved kids and she I.

think at the core of her being was this. understanding that every kid was. special. I mean, she loved us for sure, but she loved all kids that she came in. contact with. Um, we didn't have a lot. of money. Um, but my parents made the. choice that my mom would stay home with. us. Um, and she didn't use that time. frivolously. I mean, she wasn't just. looking after us. She would come up to. school and help kids that were.

struggling. Um, teach kids that, you. know, be the the room mom before they. were there were room moms because she. just believed in the power and. intelligence that little people, as she. called them, brought into the world and. she just wanted to feed into that and we. got a lot of that. But that, you know, why I'm such an advocate for for kids is. it comes from my mom because she fully. believes that we underestimate kids and.

that we, you know, we we don't come here. uh that we as adults are the ones that. mess them up, that all kids are born. into this world really special. And so I. felt that, right? And I think that's one. of the reasons that that's where. confidence began for me is sitting at my. kitchen table, me and my brother, uh, with a mom who really really loved our. voices. She liked to hear our thoughts. She thought we were funny. We made her.

laugh. We felt special in her presence. And sadly, we needed that because as. kids, black kids, poor black kids, there. would be a lot of people who would try. to dim the light that she was pouring. into us. So, we had an abundance of it, which allowed us to steal ourselves for. what was to come. probably prepared me. in ways I couldn't have imagined for th. those White House years, that time in.

the spotlight because I was still um. fortified with the light she had given. me all my life. So I could handle a lot. of the negativity. I could handle the. stress and the pressure. So I agree with. you and you know I I think we were. blessed. Yeah. Uh and to whom much is. given and much is expected. Mhm. So just. I just try to pass it on. And part of. IMO is like it's a way to share a lot of.

that wisdom that she taught us to pass. it on. You know, the girls listen and. they're like, "Man, you know, you're. telling everybody things you tell us. every day." And I'm like, "Yeah, now you. you hear it, right?" She's like, they're. they're both like, "Wow, mom, you're. kind of making sense." I was like, "I've. been telling you this for 23 26 years. I. always say this with my kids too. Like. your kids one day are like you know uh. you know the guy you like uh what my.

kids say the other day that made me. laugh. He's like um uh you met Tim. Robinson. I was like. yes. They're like you know him mom. I'm. like yeah I've met him. They're like. they looked at me like whoa impressive. Yeah. Yeah. I do that Amy too. You know, every now and then I make a good point. to them and I was like, "Do you know who. I am? I'm Michelle Obama.". People That's right. People line up for.

my advice. And you you're walking away. like I'm stupid. It's like I Yeah. I've. written. books. I've given speeches. The whole world has listened to me. And. I can't get you to just do what I told. you to do yesterday. No. So, no, it. happens to the best of us. They keep us. humble. I'm going to take a lip balm break for a. second before. Oh, lip balm break. And.

I'm going to take a tissue tissue break. Oh, yeah. It's very important. Do you. need something for the saliva? [Laughter]. I'm just gonna spit into a cup. Are you. ready for this? It's a Spatoon, you know. I haven't seen. one of those in a. while. Have you seen the fake um the. fake food we have here? You know what? It's amazing how I did see that and I. just turned around, you know, but yeah,

it takes a minute. I mean, this I just. want to because it's a special day. I. brought decision here. Why the food? Because it's a special day. I brought. two new fake foods and thanks for. asking. Those are new. Uh, this is a a a. roll that opens up and you can put coins. inside. Oh, or I do. Oh. Oh, we got to. We should buy All right, my team. We. should find food and send it to Amy. Oh, this is a candle. That's a kissy. It's. food. That's a thing. It's a thing that. is shaped like food. And Michelle, we're. definitely not going to cut this out.

This is important. Um, the reason why I. pick these things, they're all It's very. willy-nilly, but it's about texture. M. It's. about uh hand feel. And now that one is. a candle. Yeah. But squeeze this. I. brought this for you. You are a strange. creature. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. No, it's a thing. It's a squishy thing. Squishy, but it's. a cheeseburger. Now, you come across. these things in life and you're like, I. got to have this hamburger thing. I have.

a I have a guy who sources No, I'm just. kidding. I have a gentleman who goes. across the world and he sources these. for me. travels. Yes. Right now, you're. not collecting like artifacts or you're. you're looking for food that are things. like what is this? What is this? Oh, it's a tiny whipped cream. It is. But. what it does it do something? No. Oh, okay. I guess it gives joy. It brings. joy. Okay. I didn't know if they all had. secondary us. Well, one of them here, I'll show you this. And this is a. crochet. I think Cheeit the company Chee.

It sent Maybe they'll send me more. I. bet they will. This is like you should. get a little mattress like your. mattress. You know what you should do is you and. Craig should just have a mattress behind. you the whole time. Never mention it and. be like I guess and then but Cheeit sent. me free Cheezits cuz I talked about this. but this is a box of Cheeit and there's. a Cheeit inside. It's a little fake. Cheezit. Fake Cheezit. Wow. Strange. Very strange. Very strange. I'll take that. Well, I'm glad you.

pointed that out because when I went for. the tissue, I was like, "It's food. Wow." And then I just let it go. Yeah. It's okay. I'll make sure you see it. So, Craig as Craig, we asked Craig what. to ask you, and it's kind of in in in um. in uh the area of what we're talking. about, which is he said, "What is the. one thing that our. parents, you know, gave us?" Like what. is the one thing that you think about. when you think about what our. parents, you know, passed on to us that.

you. Oh, I I I think. um always show up in the world in a in a. way that would make them proud, you. know. Um be the the the person in the. world that they were to you, right? That's two things. Oh, okay. I thought. that was just a a variation on a theme. said you would give more than one thing. Oh, he did. He say that. That's because. he was mad because we did something. yesterday and he only gave one answer.

and I gave two and he felt jipped. See, I mean I But he's right. I mean, you. know it. Yes. So what? I have many ideas. in my head. I told you I like to talk. Sorry. There is no such thing as a one. thing. There's nobody Nobody really. means that. Not only does nobody mean. it, but you do. You're really good at. this and I believe this. I don't ever. think you have to answer the question. that was asked. That's Did I answer the. question though? I did answer the. question when I wasn't trying to not. answer the question, but I understand. Yeah. Well, we learned that in all of.

the White House. I mean, so many times. in interview. I'll ask you something. I. always say that to young women. Don't. you do not have to answer the question. And just keep talking because you know. before you know it, time's up. But like even just in your everyday when. someone's like, you know, if someone. goes like, you know, do you come, you. know, do you come here often? You don't. have to answer that and you go, "Where's. my spatoon?". That's always a good distraction for. you, Amy. When you mention your spatoon,

if you want to get out of a date, that'll really throw him. Tell me about. it. Tell me about it. Um, what are you. Okay, so where your podcast is is is a. place where you're connecting. Um it. sounds like you're listening to um. listening to a bunch of podcasts too and. stuff like that, but what is something. that you're listening to, watching, reading, going to when you really want. to kind of. disconnect, check out and just have fun, which is most of the time these days. I.

know. And I It's tough to stay in. It's. tough to stay in. So what are you doing. when you want to zoom out? my uh version. of golf to Barack because he's got golf. on all the time. That's like his back. He says it's my background noise. So, my. version of that is HGTV. I love HGTV. Let's talk about it. House Hunters. Incredible. There's something so. soothing about the arc of that. Yeah. You know, Yeah. You look for a house. There's There's We just like looking at.

people's houses. You're at the bottom of. House Mountain. You're like, I could be. It could be any house. And but don't you. do you prefer when the budget is a. lowbudget house or a high budget house. because sometimes I feel away, you know, especially House Hunters International. Okay. I'm obsessed with House Hunters. International. First of all, every place. looks so I'm like, "Wow, you can get. that for that money?" Like, I'm always. blown away by what you I think about. that, too. Like, wow, move to Morocco, I guess. Cuz like,

but you're like, "They're never going to. get anything with that budget." And then. you see like a nice they get something. with a budget. And don't you like the. way people have such high expectations. with a low budget? Like these aren't. marble. It's like but you want to pay. $100 a month, you know? I want a month. Why would you give and then the real. estate agent is in especially in the. foreign countries are incredulous. It's. like, oh, you want a yard for a large. dog, you know? I I love it though. Do.

you like when people get what they want. or do you like when you watch them have. to slowly come to the realization that. they've overreached? Oh, yeah. I love. that. That's what I love. Yeah. So, they. go in too low, they want too many. things, and you're like, that's not. going to happen for you. You know, you're going to be living above that. bar. And then, do you like any HGTV makeover. stuff? Oh, love all the makeover stuff. I love um uh Rock the Block, you know.

What's that? I don't know that one. Oh, you don't know? No. Well, this is when. they get all the designers from all the. other shows and they come on to one. block of newly built houses from scratch. and they compete for rooms to see each. week like they'll do the living room and. the kitchen, right? So, the designers go. in, they have a week or whatever to redo. that area, and then they're judged by. other designers, and then they win, and. they collect points until they finish. the whole house.

It's It's an amazing concept. That seems. like the highest budget in the world. That's what I'm thinking. It's like I. think that the whole time it's like, how. do you do that? Rock the block. How are. you affording? I mean, they are. literally renovating. They they they. start with a frame and they, you know, do the kitchen bed, master bedroom, the. master bathroom, the yard. Wow. The. exterior and the the exterior facade. Dang. I I know. We get I'm really going. in. I love I love a re a Renault. I love.

those kind of shows. I love the Why do. you think we like it? I don't I like. that. Why do you like it? Just a. completion like it's there's an end. where something is done. And I like the. before and after. I like the Wow, that. those those floors look much better. You're an empty neester. No, my boys are. 14 and 16. So, we're just at that the. freshman and sophomore. Okay. Just at. that age where we're thinking about.

college, but they're still teen boys. And I'll tell you something, no one's. more tired than a teen boy. They're. exhausted and they're hungry. It seems. they eat like three dinners a day. I was. just saying to someone, having teen boys. is like living with. bears. Because when you wake up the next. morning, there's just crumbs everywhere. and your cabinets are open and. everything's out and the floor and. there's like a ch big chunk out of a. cheese and you're like, "What happened?". And they woke up in the middle of the.

night and they ate again. That's a good one. They're like bears. Yeah, that's that's I mean that's scary. Are you scared in your home? You know, they're like nice bears. They're nice bears like little. Well, I. had girls and girls are, you know, they're, as I'm learning, I was kind of. lucky. They're they're clean and Yeah. Girls are we're coming back around a. head and shoulders above. Yeah. They. they they make sentences. They have.

thoughts and ideas and you can. rationalize with them, you know. I I had. it easy. I I realized I did. food bill was a lot lower. I don't know. how you do it. I mean, if you if you. don't know the average weekly intake. Yeah. You know, cuz it shifts with boys. I mean, they have a growth spurt and. they can drink a gallon of milk in a. day. I mean, how do you live like that? Yeah. I know. I literally I have a lot. of moms, you know, like who are, you.

know, the cost of living is so high, especially here in California, a lot of. places, and they're like, "My kids are. truly eating more than ever as teens.". And it's like, "What are we going to do. about it?" Do you cook? I love to cook. I know you don't cook. I do not. But, you know, I didn't start cooking until. my 40s. I It's never too late, Michelle. I c I cooked before. Oh, and then you. stopped. Well, I became first lady. And. then you can't cook. They don't let you. cook. Well, I I didn't. I was busy. But. you can't go down and make an But you.

can go down and make an egg. There's a. kitchen. Yes. But I'm like, they're. chefs and you do that better than me. I. mean, I'm I'm not, you know, I don't. want to put you out of a job. You can. make the eggs, right? If you were. cooking an egg, they'd be standing next. to you and it would be stressful. Exactly. That's right. Unless you told. them to leave, they wouldn't be. comfortable with that, right? You know, I'm sure there are first ladies, first. families that cooked in the White House. I'm just sort of like, ah, I'm okay not. cooking. I've done it. And now, are you. cooking now? No.

No. It's not on my agenda at all. It's. not among the things that I want to do. in this stage in in life. And what are. you doing now that you couldn't do. before that you get to do now? Uh, or. that you could you had to pause doing, I. should say. I want to try to do normal. things. Yeah, of course. You know, going. for a walk. Um, by yourself. Uh, never. never isish. But if they if they're. further behind, it's like I can still. see you.

I want to be I want to feel like I'm by. myself a little further. They're reading. a newspaper upside down. That's right. And. uh I'm I'm driving a little bit more. Excellent. So that and by myself in the. car by myself. Excellent. which is such. like I realized for the first time I was. driving with Malia. We were in Martha's. Vineyard and I'm driving, she turns on. the radio and starts playing some of our. favorite songs and we're singing at the.

top of our lungs. I realized I'd never. had that experience with her. I'd never. had that experience with her as a a as a. from teenagers on because they learned. to drive, but I didn't teach them how to. drive. I couldn't drive with them. I. mean, just sort of the basic kind of. bonding moments, you know, we didn't. have time alone in a car, just with me. and my daughter playing the music that. we wanted at the volume that we wanted.

That's why I like the vineyard. I like I. like the islands where we live because. they're small places and people, you. know, they get used to you. They don't. care, right? At certain times of the. year, I can walk into town and just go. shopping. Yeah, I mean I just go into a. store and try on clothes on my own. Go. to the register. Sometimes I forget how. to use my credit card. Well, now you. don't have to. Now you just use Apple. Pay. Just What's that? No, I'm just. kidding. You know Apple Pay, right? I.

do, but I don't use it. You don't use. it? No, cuz I Do you have a regular. phone? Can you have a regular phone? I. do, but I'm trying to not do stuff on my. phone. Well, that's a little boomer, Michelle. I know, but you know, here I. don't want to be tracked. I don't want I. don't want this is a boomer attitude. Tell me more about it so that I don't. We're done. We're all cooked. We're. tracked. It's happening. There's no like. way to not be where all everyone knows. everything. What does this mean? So you. can I mean, and this is, you know, I'm. not that far behind you. So this is the.

blind leading the blind. But you don't. even need a credit card anymore. You. just go beep beep beep. I don't know. And it's like you're not even spending. money. It's just like beep. It just. goes. See, but that's a problem for me, you know? I want to know. I don't want I. don't want it to be like it's just like, you know, and then what if they get your. phone information and somebody else can. take your information and go beep, you. know, and all you before you know it, you own their identity stolen 15 times. in their lifetime. I mean, you know, there's no matter worries about that.

Nobody worries. We're all very worried. Yeah. It's a disaster. Like we're we're. in real trouble. Yeah. We're really in. that picture. I'm trying to hold on. You. know, when all things fall apart, when. the system just crashes. I know. I'm. still going to have cash. I do love. cash. Do you? I love cash. I have old. cash. I have cash that's been in my. wallet untouched probably for a decade. My kids make fun of me. Don't take it. out. My dad always taught me that. He's.

always like, "Always have cash on you.". I got Maybe I shouldn't have said that. to the We'll cut it out. We'll cut cash. No, Michelle does not have cash. carry. cash. But but I guess I'm good because I. also have this security guy with gun, you know, and I still think like that. It's like, where's my wallet? Did where. are my keys? Your wallet is in your. phone. I don't need it. I know. Okay. So, but my but continuing with what. we're talking about, you know, I think. it doesn't matter what kind of life you.

live. I think any person can have the. feeling like their life is kind of a. dream. Like our lives are a dream. Things happen to us we don't imagine. could have happened to us, good and bad. And sometimes we just feel like how did. I get here? Where am I going? All that. stuff. What do your friendships, specifically. your female friends friendships do to. keep you from like keep your feet on the. ground basically cuz your life has been. a dream. Oh, it's been crazy. Yeah. Um.

what what have they done? It's what. haven't they done? I mean, just, you know, they're the they're I. love to go to my friends homes just to. be normal, to help with the dishes, to. sit down in the yard, to, you know, to. talk about something else other than. whatever is in the news. Um, my friends. are the people who know everything about. me. Um, and they they they only know me.

as Michelle. Um it so it's it's. everything. Uh and my family, my. brother, um doing this podcast with him, the first time we've worked together on. something. I mean just you know seeing. his face and having him on the other. side of the table somebody who can uh. humanize me to others and to myself um. in this sort of position we've been in.

that that is uh more powerful and. meaningful probably for me than for a. lot of people um so it's it's it's. it's the air I breathe my friendships. that's why I try to really uh be mindful. about maintaining them and pouring into. them and making sure there's reciproc. reciprocity that they you know and that. they feel seen by me in all of this. Right. Yeah. I I think what you're doing.

I I just speak for myself that you know. the word authenticity is kind of thrown. around a lot but I do think especially. young people they're really looking for. some version of yourself and myself and. theirelves that like feels real because. the world is so crazy. We are in this. simulation that just a lot of people. want to get out of. And I think that is. what's cool about young people is they.

keep um reminding us like be real like. we want you. We want realness cuz. everything feels so strange. Yeah. We. want the the the ble blemishes and the. bumps and you know and you know they. want that but the message that we. deliver to them is that you don't you. you can't get that solely on your phone. and that's I think that's the piece that. we can teach them is like yeah push us.

to be real but you know I want to push. young people to have real experiences. Yeah. you know, with real people face to. face because that authenticity that they. see in us comes from that old way of. living. You know, where you, you know, you meet a person in a bar and have a. conversation, that you talk to people in. the grocery store line, that you are. looking up from your phone and seeing. the world, that you're learning about.

people not through their uh, you know, Tik Tok page, but from a conversation. And you've lost me. Well, tell me where. what what was the thing is the Tik Tok. page. You like the Tik Tok page. information? I love the Tik Tok page. Okay. So, it's both and are both have. the Tik Tok page cuz you do get some. real dirt. You get a perspective or what. do you get from the Tik Tok page? Do we. have an hour? I don't know. Community. jokes, laughs. No, but I hear what.

you're saying. Yeah. You got to balance. with real. You got to rebalance real. people, real things. It it feels like. we're shifting to uh less of that. Yeah. And I also think laughter. I think like. you got to laugh. Absolutely. You got to. laugh it and and you got to laugh with. your friends. You have like laugh at. yourself. And what makes you laugh? I'm. I'm not fanirling, but you know, a lot. of re re-watching a lot of parks and. wreck, you know. I mean, that's the kind. of humor that I like. community, uh,

Modern Family, Old Seinfelds, you know, I mean, that tends to be I still find. myself laughing out loud with the. episodes that I've seen over and over. again. Just clever, clever dialogue, smart plots, you know, just out of the, you know, good characters. That's what I. love. And you probably watch me and. you're like, "Good job keeping that. drool inside your eye." I Well, now that. I know it's an issue, I'll watch you a.

little differently. Yeah. It's like, whoa, look at her keeping her keeping. her saliva inside. Good. Good. Way to. go. That's my girl. That's my training. It's my training. That's where my training comes in. Well, thank you so much for doing this. It's been such a pleasure. It's been the. best. Yeah, thank you. Really, really. great. Congrats on your podcast. You as. well and on all your food choices. Thank. you so much. These are all my food.

choices. We're going to get something. like this and a mattress. You are going. to get a mattress. You're going to get. all the mattresses you want. Wow, that was an amazing episode. So. exciting to have her here. And you know, we talked about so many good things, but. we we talked a lot about sibling. relationships and that is what her. podcast, you know, a lot of it is about. And um I have a younger brother, Greg. Um I should have asked Craig if he is. ever called Greg because I know my. brother Greg is often called Craig. But.

um I guess I just wanted to take this. polar plunge moment to um speak directly. to my brother Greg and say, "Don't go in. my room and don't touch my stuff. It's. my stuff. Get out of my room. Mom and. dad said I'm in charge and I'm so sick. of it. You have to go to. bed. I love you, Greg. Um, you're the. best sibling ever. Uh, I don't want. another sibling um to talk about you.

with. I was just saying that to. Michelle, to be a good host, but um uh. but seriously, it's so great to be your. big sister. And um you know, as the. eldest daughter, um we know uh our work. is never done. And so, um, we'll just. forge ahead. Uh, and, um, I love you, baby bro. I got you back. Sorry, this. has gone off the rails. Um, okay. Thank. you for listening. Thank you for.

listening to this episode. Sorry about. my voice. And we'll we'll be back soon. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show. are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman, and me, Amy Polar. The show is produced. by The Ringer and Paperkite. For The. Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Cat. Spelain, Kaia McMullen, and Alia. Xanerys. For Paperkite, production by. Sam Green, Joel Levelvel, and Jenna. Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy. Miles.