Podcast Summary

Podcast: IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

Episode: Love the Process with Cynthia Erivo
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Higher Ground
Guests: Cynthia Erivo (Grammy, Emmy, Tony award-winner, author, and actor)

Episode Overview

This episode commemorates the first week in the IMO team’s new studio, featuring a heartfelt and deeply insightful conversation between Michelle Obama (Misha), Craig Robinson, and their special guest, Cynthia Erivo. The discussion covers Cynthia's new book Simply More, her creative process, perseverance in the face of adversity, transitioning between artistic disciplines, and embracing authenticity. Cynthia shares personal stories spanning her childhood, her landmark roles in "The Color Purple" and "Wicked," and the lived realities of her journey as an acclaimed performer. The episode closes with advice to a listener (Courtney in Portland) on sustaining creativity amidst a busy life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcoming Cynthia & Celebrating the New IMO Studio

• Warm and playful banter kicks off the episode with Misha and Craig reflecting on the show's growth and their gratitude for their audience. (01:13)
• The new studio is described as “professional” and “home” for the IMO team.

2. Why Cynthia Wrote ‘Simply More’

• Cynthia’s latest book is Simply More: A book for anyone who has been told they're too much (releasing November 19, 2025).
• Purpose behind the book:
  • Cynthia wanted it to be “not necessarily a how-to, but how I did.”
  • “I realized I had learned a lot up until this point…if I could find a place to just explain and share my thoughts and feelings and lessons, that might be really helpful.” (06:02)
  • The book is structured with questions and poetry at each chapter’s end, designed to be reflective and “a gift” people can pass on. (07:40)

3. On Creativity, Discipline, and Practice

• Cynthia likens creative practice to athletic training, emphasizing daily commitment and consistent effort.
• “You do it often, you continue to do it…and I think that's what…takes training to get to the point that you want to get to.” (09:26)
• Notable moment:
  • Cynthia describes keeping her voice sharp with daily scales and humming, underlining that any craft improves only with continual dedication. (10:31)
• The group reflects on family support and the difference it makes to get positive feedback, especially as a creative child.

4. Childhood and Upbringing

• Cynthia shares about growing up in Stockwell, South London, in a close-knit maisonette community where she never felt “too much.” (13:05)
• Her mother’s unwavering support was foundational:
  • At 18 months, her mom predicted she’d be a “singer or doctor”—noting her daughter hummed while eating. (15:29)
• First messages of being “too much”: Cynthia encountered this mostly at school, not at home, which instilled early confidence and a refusal to conform. (16:52)

5. Facing Early Setbacks and Finding Her Path

• Despite being regarded as “too loud” or “bossy” at school, Cynthia didn’t shy away from her nature: “I was so stubborn that I didn't want to fit.” (16:52)
• Early performance experiences—singing "Silent Night" at age five and acting in plays at 11—confirmed her talents and fueled her passion. These moments of recognition helped Cynthia realize “this is what I’m meant to do.” (23:28-25:11)
• Even in teenage years, a timely nudge from her mother helped her reclaim her spark during moments of doubt. (26:27)

6. Authenticity & The Trap of Comparison

• Cynthia discusses the uniqueness of everyone’s journey:
  • “No one can be Michael Jordan or Lionel Messi because they already exist… I want you to be the very best version of you.” (27:05; also mirroring her opening quote at 00:00)
• She frames her creative growth as an endless series of mountain peaks:
  • “You think you've hit the top, but it's like, oh, there's another mountain, there's another one.” (28:05)

7. Loving the Process, Not Just the Product

• Cynthia finds real satisfaction in the learning and rehearsal phase—not just outcomes or praise.
  • “I really have found joy and enjoyment in the learning process. The doing is like the extra cherry on top.” (30:07)
• The group acknowledges that lasting fulfillment comes from embracing every step, including setbacks.

8. Path to Professional Acting: Overcoming Barriers

• Cynthia explains her route to drama school was indirect; she learned about professional training only after asking for more chances at her local theatre. (33:40)
• A crucial mentor convinced her to audition for RADA; initially, she doubted she’d get in, but the challenge spurred her forward. (34:15-34:29)
• RADA Experience:
  • Cynthia faced immediate inequities: being denied paid work opportunities that white peers received, and then being punished academically for supporting herself. (36:36)
  • This triggered a turning point: "I would never allow my voice to be given to someone else to be used that way.” (39:11)
  • Craig contextualizes this as the “twice as good” lesson often forced upon people of color. (40:02)

9. Embodying Characters: The Cost and Reward

• The Color Purple:
  • Cynthia performed as Celie for 14 months (480+ shows), describing how the cumulative negativity in Celie’s story impacted her own psyche:
    • “After 200... I hear the word ugly and that, it's me. The line between myself and the character is so thin that it's almost non-existent.” (43:16)
  • She discusses the difficulty of separating oneself from a role and returning to one’s own identity.
• Wicked:
  • Cynthia details the physical demands of playing Elphaba, from the harness to the chafing and burns—emphasizing the immense, often invisible, effort behind iconic performances. (47:21)
  • Her connection to Elphaba felt destined: “I knew I was supposed to be doing it…as clear as day.” (48:21; 49:31)
  • On getting the part: “I think I just cried and said, thank you so much… it changed my life, truly.” (51:38)

10. What Makes ‘Wicked’ Resonant

• The widespread appeal of "Wicked" comes from its deep-rooted humanity and relatability:
  • “Each of these characters has a humanness…[Elphaba’s] vulnerability is so openly on show…that connects to this otherness that she feels." (53:54; 54:31)
  • New movie adaptations bring “expansion,” exploring more of Elphaba’s journey and relationships. (56:31)

11. Authenticity and Self-Acceptance

• Cynthia speaks eloquently on embracing quirks and non-negotiables—her nails, her shaved head—as continual, unapologetic expressions of self.
  • “When you meet me on a red carpet or you meet me in the street, they're not two different people… I've gotten to a place where I like to just exist as me.” (63:04)
• Craig adds: “Isn’t it easier to be able to show up as yourself every single place?” (63:06)

12. Listener Question: Sustaining a Creative Life

• Courtney from Portland asks: How can I carve out creative time with a busy life?
  • Cynthia’s advice:
    • Rethink your schedule and reclaim time for yourself—say “no” to others when you need to say “yes” to you (64:26).
    • “If you look back and you go, I didn’t make time for myself…you’ll regret it. But if you spend the time now on the things you love, you’ll actually be better for the people around you.” (65:26)
  • Craig emphasizes the benefits of unstructured time and creative boredom, which is essential as modern life is saturated with distractions. (66:46)
  • The collective advice: Be “counterintuitive”; be selfish for the sake of your art. (68:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cynthia Erivo on individuality

  “No one can be Michael Jordan or Lionel Messi because they already exist… I don’t want you to be like me. I want you to be the very best version of you.” (27:05)

• On learning and creative growth:

  “If you think of it like a mountain, but it’s constantly growing…you think you’ve hit the top, but there’s another mountain.” (28:05: Cynthia Erivo)

• On separating self from character:

  “After 200 performances… the line between myself and the character is so thin that it’s almost non-existent.” (43:16: Cynthia Erivo)

• On self-acceptance:

  “I’ve gotten to a place where I like to just exist as me… they’re not two different people.” (63:04: Cynthia Erivo)

• On creative persistence:

  “I really have found joy and enjoyment in the learning process—the doing is like the extra cherry on top.” (30:07: Cynthia Erivo)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Studio Banter: 00:25–02:17
• Introducing Cynthia Erivo: 03:40–05:33
• Discussing ‘Simply More’: 05:45–08:13
• On creativity as practice: 09:23–11:05
• Childhood & Family: 13:01–15:45
• First obstacles (‘too much’ messaging): 15:45–17:05
• Finding her calling in music & acting: 23:06–31:21
• Route to Drama School / RADA: 31:40–34:29
• RADA: Inequality & Microaggressions: 36:02–40:28
• On inhabiting roles (Celie, Elphaba): 42:50–47:21
• ‘Wicked’ roles & resonance: 53:08–55:43
• Authenticity & appearance: 59:17–63:04
• Listener Question: Making space for creativity: 63:31–68:47

Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, heartfelt, vulnerable, and often humorous—authentic to the personalities at the table. Cynthia is warm and direct, Michelle (Misha) and Craig are supportive, curious, and open about their own journeys. The episode balances deep exploration of creative fulfillment and practical life advice with playful sibling banter.

Takeaways

• True fulfillment in art (and life) comes from loving the process, not the end result.
• The path to authenticity involves trial, error, and standing firm against outside expectations.
• Adversity, especially systemic inequities, can become a forge for clarity and self-advocacy.
• Creative practice requires daily discipline, self-kindness, and courage to claim time for yourself.
• Sharing your story, as Cynthia does in Simply More, can offer strength and inspiration to others traversing their own mountains.

Suggested Listening Segments

• On “too much” and childhood confidence: 15:45–16:52
• Creative discipline and daily habits: 09:23–10:43
• RADA experiences & handling inequity: 36:02–40:28
• On embodying and shedding character roles: 43:16–47:21
• Advice for balancing creativity with daily life: 63:31–68:47