Respect Your Kids’ Choices with Damon and Marlon Wayans

Summary

Podcast Summary: IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Episode: Respect Your Kids’ Choices with Damon and Marlon Wayans
Release Date: April 30, 2025

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Introduction

In this heartfelt and engaging episode of IMO, hosts Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson are joined by the talented brothers Damon Wayans and Marlon Wayans. The conversation delves deep into family dynamics, upbringing, and effective parenting strategies, offering listeners a blend of humor, wisdom, and personal anecdotes.

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Family Background and Upbringing

Damon Wayans opens the discussion by sharing a touching story about his father, highlighting the pride his dad took in their family's achievements. “I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. We used to laugh at him because he would wear a suit with a baseball hat... he was proud of us” (00:00).

Marlon Wayans and Damon discuss their experiences growing up in a large family, emphasizing the strong bonds and humor that kept them connected. They reminisce about the challenges and joys of sharing spaces, the influence of their mother, and the unique roles each sibling played in maintaining familial harmony.

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Influences of Parents

The Wayans brothers reflect on the impact their parents had on their lives. Damon shares the profound influence of his aunt, who exemplified unconditional love. “Being born with a club foot, it's like God gave me somebody that was powerful to have, somebody that loves you unconditionally” (10:10).

Michelle Obama echoes similar sentiments about her parents, emphasizing the values of respect and love instilled in her. She recounts her father's unwavering commitment to the family, stating, “He showed up every day... he made sure that he never left us” (39:37).

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Trauma and Its Effects

Damon Wayans bravely discusses his fear of his father and how it shaped his behavior. “I feared him... you couldn't take any direction from him” (39:16). This fear, however, also instilled a sense of responsibility and respect within him.

Michelle Obama shares her own struggles, highlighting the challenges of her mother's mental health and her father's temporary departure. “I respected my father. I love that man” (39:44). These experiences fostered resilience and a deep appreciation for family support.

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Parenting Philosophies

The conversation transitions into parenting strategies, with Michelle Obama and the Wayans brothers offering insights on fostering harmonious relationships among children.

Michelle Obama emphasizes the importance of respecting children's choices and providing unconditional love. “Stop loving your child because of their choice and their life. That's a poor reflection on you” (56:29).

Damon Wayans advocates for allowing children to learn from their own mistakes, promoting independence and trust. “Let them figure it out and you're there setting the example of what it ultimately should be” (65:26).

Marlon Wayans adds that parents cannot be too busy or tired to engage with their children, stressing the significance of active participation in their upbringing. “You can't be too busy to parent. You can't be too tired to parent” (63:44).

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Handling Sibling Competition and Cooperation

A pivotal moment in the episode addresses a listener's question about managing sibling competition among children. Gina from Orange County seeks advice on raising her kids to support each other rather than compete.

Michelle Obama shares personal strategies, such as "buddying up" siblings and encouraging collaboration over rivalry. She recalls, “We had to always play together... my mother made sure that we all played together” (37:33).

Craig Robinson emphasizes setting foundational tones of respect and gratitude, suggesting that children rarely fight over substantial issues when they are raised with appreciation for what they have. “We grew up grateful... there wasn't any money, a lot of love, good values, humor, a lot of laughter” (43:28).

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Acceptance and Support for Transgender Children

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on acceptance and unconditional support for transgender children. Michelle Obama shares her journey of acceptance, highlighting the transformation from denial to complete acceptance within a week. “[...] it takes me straight and I could lose fans. I lost people that are small-minded” (56:19).

She emphasizes the importance of respecting children’s identities, stating, “Respect their wishes. And I know that the same child is in there. They're brilliant, right? And that's all I really care about” (59:28).

Damon Wayans and Craig Robinson further support this stance, underlining the necessity of love and respect regardless of personal understanding or societal pressures.

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Advice to Listener Gina

Responding directly to Gina's question about fostering non-competitive relationships among her children, the guests offer practical advice:

• Michelle Obama suggests creating joint activities that require cooperation, such as tea parties or collaborative projects, to strengthen sibling bonds.

• Damon Wayans recommends showing unconditional love and allowing children to make their own choices, thereby fostering trust and mutual respect.

• Craig Robinson highlights the importance of setting a respectful tone in the household and teaching gratitude, which reduces the likelihood of trivial conflicts.

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Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Michelle Obama and the Wayans brothers reiterate the importance of family, respect, and unconditional love in parenting. They encourage parents to be present, set strong examples, and trust their children to learn and grow through their own experiences.

Michelle Obama concludes with a heartfelt message: “I am a father. That's my baby. You know, I fight with them to the end, period” (60:30).

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Notable Quotes

• Damon Wayans on honoring his father: “I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. We used to laugh at him because he would wear a suit with a baseball hat... he was proud of us” (00:00).

• Michelle Obama on unconditional love: “Stop loving your child because of their choice and their life. That's a poor reflection on you” (56:29).

• Damon Wayans on letting children learn from mistakes: “Let them figure it out and you're there setting the example of what it ultimately should be” (65:26).

• Michelle Obama on respecting children's identities: “Respect their wishes. And I know that the same child is in there. They're brilliant, right? And that's all I really care about” (59:28).

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Conclusion

This episode of IMO offers a rich tapestry of experiences and wisdom from Michelle Obama, Craig Robinson, and the Wayans brothers. Through their candid conversations, listeners gain valuable insights into fostering strong family bonds, effective parenting, and embracing unconditional love and respect. Whether navigating sibling relationships or supporting children through personal journeys, the shared stories provide both inspiration and practical guidance for tackling life's challenges.

Transcript

[Damon Wayans]

I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. When he. I used to laugh at him. We used to laugh at him. Cause he would wear a suit with a baseball hat. Like a moment hat. Right. He had all the hats from our shows and he would, like, wear them because he was proud of us. And so that's why I wear this in honor of my dad. And I wear my mother's underwear because. No.

[Marlon Wayans]

You had me there. Into that.

[Craig Robinson]

Got me. This episode is brought to you by Pinel and Chase Home Lending.

[Damon Wayans]

Hello.

[Craig Robinson]

Hey, smoothie smooth.

[Marlon Wayans]

How you doing?

[Craig Robinson]

I just want to touch this.

[Marlon Wayans]

You like that?

[Craig Robinson]

It's like, ooh, is that butter? Is that pleather?

[Marlon Wayans]

No, it's leather.

[Craig Robinson]

Did Kelly pick that out?

[Marlon Wayans]

Kelly did pick this up.

[Craig Robinson]

It goes with my nails. She always finds a way to make it work.

[Marlon Wayans]

I know, I know.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. So what's happening? What's happening?

[Marlon Wayans]

Not much. Not much. We're back out here in la. I'm staying at an Airbnb, as you know. I like to do that now.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. Yeah. You're a regular.

[Marlon Wayans]

I am, I am. I'm really enjoying this one. This is another guest favorite.

[Craig Robinson]

What's a guest favorite?

[Marlon Wayans]

A guest favorite is a house or property that the people who visit mark it as a guest favorite. They favorite it after they. When they do their survey.

[Craig Robinson]

It's rated.

[Marlon Wayans]

It's rated.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay. It's rated at guest favorites.

[Marlon Wayans]

I get it.

[Craig Robinson]

So it's their rating. So it's high on the list.

[Marlon Wayans]

It's high on the list. And I only stay in guest favorites no matter where I go. But the best part about it, there are two things that I like about this One. Laundry. I can do my laundry. So I can.

[Craig Robinson]

Cause you gotta wash your socks.

[Marlon Wayans]

I gotta wash out my good lucky socks. And. And then the kitchen. Kitchen. I can, you know, I can do my workout in the morning and fix myself breakfast. Don't have to go anywhere.

[Craig Robinson]

You're not making yourself breakfast.

[Marlon Wayans]

I am making breakfast.

[Craig Robinson]

What did you have for breakfast today?

[Marlon Wayans]

Where's Paris? Paris saw my breakfast. I had.

[Damon Wayans]

Fruit.

[Craig Robinson]

That's not making anything.

[Marlon Wayans]

Eggs.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, okay. Okay.

[Marlon Wayans]

Bacon.

[Craig Robinson]

You made bacon.

[Marlon Wayans]

Well, I made bacon Sunday. I did. Why would I make bacon?

[Craig Robinson]

What do you mean you made bacon Sunday? What do you mean, what?

[Marlon Wayans]

I made bacon on Sunday for the whole week. That's what I do.

[Craig Robinson]

You carry old bacon around.

[Marlon Wayans]

I don't. It's in the refrigerator. I'm at an Airbnb. It's in the refrigerator, but it's pre cooked.

[Craig Robinson]

What are you talking about?

[Marlon Wayans]

I Cooked it. It's bacon.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Marlon Wayans]

Like you get from the store.

[Craig Robinson]

I'm just confused.

[Marlon Wayans]

She can't. You know why she can't. You can't believe it is because you don't have to cook any bacon anymore.

[Craig Robinson]

No, I don't. And I'm not. And I'm not ashamed. Bacon.

[Marlon Wayans]

How do you cook? How do you have bacon? What do you carry?

[Michelle Obama]

Bacon.

[Craig Robinson]

Well, you said bacon around you. I cooked bacon on Sunday. But anyway, I cooked it on Sunday. All right, so.

[Marlon Wayans]

So I had bacon everything. Bagel, toasted, two soft boiled eggs.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Marlon Wayans]

And fruit.

[Craig Robinson]

All right.

[Marlon Wayans]

And I would have had a banana, but we were running a little bit late this morning.

[Craig Robinson]

And you just couldn't squeeze the banana in.

[Marlon Wayans]

Squeeze it in. So I just brought it with me.

[Craig Robinson]

Well, that' I'm glad. I'm glad you had a balanced breakfast. And you're ready to go.

[Marlon Wayans]

I'm ready to go. I'm ready to go.

[Craig Robinson]

Thank you Airbnb for giving my brother a guest favorite with a kitchen.

[Marlon Wayans]

Well, I'm so excited today because we have two some favorites of ours that we are getting to meet for the first time.

[Craig Robinson]

I can't believe that in all these years we haven't met any of the Wayans. There's so many of them. I would have thought at some point you just run into somebody on the street. Run into somebody in the motorcade.

[Marlon Wayans]

Exactly.

[Craig Robinson]

It's like, was that a Weighins that.

[Marlon Wayans]

Got hit by the motorcycles?

[Craig Robinson]

I think that was one of the Weighans.

[Marlon Wayans]

Cause there's so many of them.

[Craig Robinson]

There's so many of them.

[Marlon Wayans]

But you know, given all the White House parties you've had, I'm surprised that they didn't just show up at one or two of them.

[Craig Robinson]

Well, that would be hard to do, you know.

[Marlon Wayans]

Yeah. Cause they're west coast guys.

[Craig Robinson]

You gotta make up for that.

[Marlon Wayans]

Yeah. Well, let me do my intros here. So we have Damon and Marlon Wayans joining us, folks. I'm so excited to talk to him and I'm almost giggling already.

[Craig Robinson]

I know.

[Marlon Wayans]

I haven't even heard heard him say anything yet. But Damon Wayans Sr. Because there is a Damon Wayans Jr.

[Craig Robinson]

Yes, we all know that is a.

[Marlon Wayans]

Legendary comedian, actor, writer and producer with decades in the entertainment industry. Decades. That makes him sound as old as I am.

[Craig Robinson]

I know, I know.

[Marlon Wayans]

He rose to fame on In Living Color, which was one of our favorite shows. We used to watch that and crack up. And he later starred and co created my wife and kids. Now our kids love that show.

[Craig Robinson]

You know, Malia and so they are back up on that like it just happened, you know, like they discovered the son.

[Marlon Wayans]

I know, I know. And you can watch him now on Papa's House, airing on cbs. And along with Damon is his younger brother, Marlon Ways, two of them. Actor, comedian, writer, producer, and director. He's currently on the road for his Wild child tour.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Marlon Wayans]

Which will culminate in his fifth standup special. After 20 years, Marlon is reuniting with his brothers Kenan and Sean Wayans to write and produce a scary movie reboot, which is set for release June 12, 2026. So I have so much more to say, but why don't we bring them out so we can say it to them? Come on out, guys. So good to see you there, and everybody is appreciated.

[Damon Wayans]

Thank you for having us.

[Marlon Wayans]

Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

Thank you.

[Marlon Wayans]

Thank you.

[Damon Wayans]

Welcome to imo I am O, where.

[Craig Robinson]

I get to work with my brother, which is also why welcome to my house, kind of really. There we go. Any advice as I embark on an endeavor with a.

[Damon Wayans]

Just enjoy the ride.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

And the says the older sibling.

[Craig Robinson]

You know what I'm saying?

[Damon Wayans]

Well, you know, somebody gotta put you a check, and that's my job. But, you know, it's a privilege to work with family, you know, and especially when you get along. You know what I mean? You guys, chemistry is palpable. You know, you could just tell that y'all love each other and then what's the problem?

[Michelle Obama]

And you spend so much time at work that sometimes, you know, life can pass you by. So if you're working with family, you're actually living and doing your work at the same time. So it's actually. You're doing a two for one, and it's really a blessing to do what you love with who you love.

[Damon Wayans]

True dad.

[Marlon Wayans]

Oh, wow.

[Craig Robinson]

And that comes across. I mean, it.

[Damon Wayans]

Bam.

[Craig Robinson]

It really does. And all these true.

[Damon Wayans]

Dad.

[Craig Robinson]

There's some wisdom right there. Wisdom right there. You had a little special sauce, but it's.

[Marlon Wayans]

But you were surprised from it coming from the young fella, though, right?

[Craig Robinson]

Hey.

[Michelle Obama]

Like, really?

[Craig Robinson]

Hey.

[Michelle Obama]

Oh, he the older brother.

[Marlon Wayans]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. No.

[Marlon Wayans]

Although. You didn't know that, did she?

[Damon Wayans]

No.

[Michelle Obama]

Because here's the thing. It's different when you're a little brother. A little sister really is. They're always going to be the big sister. Yes. Because women have this thing where they just. You got to respect and put. They put you in their place.

[Craig Robinson]

There you go.

[Marlon Wayans]

Preach, brother.

[Craig Robinson]

Prego.

[Marlon Wayans]

You know who the bully in the family is?

[Craig Robinson]

I am not.

[Michelle Obama]

They both look like over here I was like, she ain't gonna be pinching me underneath this table. No. But I think also allow yourself the space to be individuals and just. We're all different. I always tell my brothers, they, you gotta do this this way. No, you gotta do it. And I'm just like, no, I don't wanna do it that way. I wanna do it the dumb ways.

[Damon Wayans]

To do it the dumb way.

[Michelle Obama]

But that's the way. Dumb way.

[Damon Wayans]

He said, I just keep failing. Figure it out.

[Michelle Obama]

Yeah, that's so stupid.

[Damon Wayans]

Why don't you listen and have success?

[Michelle Obama]

Because that would be your success. I gotta find my success.

[Craig Robinson]

There you go. There you go. See, that's spoken like a little brother.

[Damon Wayans]

Sibling.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. You know, it's like, you can't show us the way. We gotta run into the wall on our own. Well, you talk about. Let's talk about your sisters.

[Michelle Obama]

Yes.

[Craig Robinson]

Right. Because everybody knows the brothers. But tell me about. Well, we know Kim. I mean, I think that's the only sister I have seen out in the world. But you got a bunch of them. Cause there's a lot of y'all.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah, we have five sisters. They're all so talented. So, like, they're hilarious.

[Craig Robinson]

Really?

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah. You hang around and all they do is crack jokes of Iron Devon, you know, and they're funny, but, you know.

[Michelle Obama]

To do what you've done to us in some ways. Cause they could just say they can't get canceled.

[Damon Wayans]

So they just unfiltered.

[Craig Robinson]

So they. They're telling.

[Michelle Obama]

They just say it.

[Craig Robinson]

They're not in the business.

[Damon Wayans]

No.

[Craig Robinson]

Right. They're just funny.

[Damon Wayans]

People in the world handle the rejection.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

That comes with, you know, you know, like going on stage. The thing about doing stand up is you're not funny until you're funny. And it takes. You gotta go a thousand hours to figure out what's not funny.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

And you gotta. You gotta want fame, you know, like, that's a 24 hour job. I don't get the clock out. I think being a mother is hard enough, and especially a lot of times being a single mother. So, you know, the fact that they were young and they raised their kids and, you know, we as uncles, assisted. But, you know, I'm proud of my sisters for, you know, being great mothers and really loving their children and they're in the industry.

[Craig Robinson]

You guys had a lot of strong women. You had your mother, you had your sisters. How do you think that's made you better people, better men?

[Damon Wayans]

I had an aunt, she just passed in February and she wasn't My favorite. You know, you're not supposed to have favorites, but she told all my brothers and sisters, damon's my favorite.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

And, like, was not ashamed of it to say it. And, you know, being born with a club foot, it's like, God gave me somebody that was powerful to have, somebody that loves you unconditionally. And I would get in trouble in school and with the law, and my aunt never said nothing to me. And I recently asked her, I said, aunt Mary, why you never, like, check me? Cause I seen you check your own kids. She said, well, it's your mama's job to beat you. My job is to love you.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

And I think it's so powerful to have that person in your life. And that's who she's. It helps.

[Michelle Obama]

Well, now that I know that you was her favorite, I want to take back that sewing machine I bought out.

[Craig Robinson]

Don't worry, Marlon. My mother's favorite.

[Marlon Wayans]

It's rough being the favorite. It's rough.

[Michelle Obama]

It's rough. But my mama lied to all of us. She was like, you my favorite. You my favorite. Kenan, you my favorite. We were all her favorites. And we all felt at some point we were all her baby. But I know I was her favorite. I was born on my mama's birthday. So we had a special bond. We would fight, me and my mom. We'd argue with each other, but that sometime, you know, we fight, but we always make up.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah. He never had a birthday. Like, it was always about my mother.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

And so when she finally died, then he had a birthday, and it was the saddest birthday.

[Craig Robinson]

I mean, you know, dang.

[Michelle Obama]

A lonely.

[Craig Robinson]

Couple like, you got what you wanted. You wanted a birthday. Here you go. Here you go.

[Marlon Wayans]

Well, tell us more about your upbringing, because having so many siblings be so talented is. I mean, it's just the two of us. So we. We. This is who all who we could play with.

[Damon Wayans]

The two of us. The greatest things that we have is each other. And, like, I don't have a lot of friends. Marlon has a lot of friends. Kim has a lot of friends.

[Craig Robinson]

What's the matter with you, Damon?

[Marlon Wayans]

I don't see what I mean.

[Michelle Obama]

He call me crazy.

[Marlon Wayans]

It's like, what it really trying to.

[Damon Wayans]

Be and ridiculed and, you know, so friends have kind of turned on me. So I have his friends.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

They're my friends. And, you know, I'm friends with them because they're vetted. You know what I mean? And as long as he love them, I love them. When he stop Loving. I don't have to feel nothing.

[Craig Robinson]

It's like we done with her. Let me go home and get my coffee.

[Michelle Obama]

But I think we all get along. My mother made sure that we all played together, you know, made sure that when we argue, she. I'd go kiss in the mouth. When we argue, my mother go. Go kiss him in the mouth. And Sean's breath was weird. So I. I decided to just get along with him no matter what.

[Marlon Wayans]

You know, Kelly did that with our kids.

[Craig Robinson]

My wife made your youngest two our youngest.

[Marlon Wayans]

You're never talking about that story.

[Craig Robinson]

You're in the fight.

[Marlon Wayans]

But that's. Cause they don't ever fight because they don't want to kiss each other on the mouth.

[Michelle Obama]

I saw the funniest thing online. There was two kids that was fighting, and their mother made the two boys hug. And they sang. They had to sing the Wayans Brothers theme song. It's like, we're brothers, we're happy and we're singing, and we're colored. I thought that was so cute.

[Craig Robinson]

That's so cute. They're sweet. They're so sweet.

[Marlon Wayans]

Did you guys have fist fights?

[Michelle Obama]

Not with each other, no. I mean, my brother would cave my chest in, but that wasn't a fight.

[Craig Robinson]

Just one punch that went to the. I used to do that in his back, you know, because just one of these, you could hear the echo in his back.

[Marlon Wayans]

It's like, you know.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah, yeah, we couldn't fist fight because then you had to fight my father and. Yeah, he didn't. My father just didn't. He was like a guy who would, you know, send a message to all of you. And you don't want to be the example.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

You know, you don't. So, yeah, we didn't.

[Michelle Obama]

We didn't fight each other, but we jump people. My mother always said, you know, four fists beat two any day. If you get in a fight, that means you getting in a fight. Nobody fight alone. So we got in a fight. You know, I remember you would be kicking people.

[Craig Robinson]

That reminds me of a time. I don't know if you knew this. Cause we, you know, close in age, went to the grammar school around the corner, and, you know, this is how close we were. You know, Craig was always a popular kid because he was a sports kid, did all the stuff. But at Bryn Mawr, I was coming out of school the end of the day, and for some reason, people came up and said, you brother's in a fight. Your brother's in a fight. They're geeking his ass. They're beating his ass. And I was always that tough girl. But the thought like the image of you being beat up, I broke down, you know, because I was just envisioning you getting hit by some guys. And I don't know if I told you that, but I was like hysterical. And then you found out on the playground that I was hysterical. And you came over and you said it was just a joke, nothing really happened. But I always thought I would be able to just thug up. But just the thought of him being hurt, I was surprised at myself. Even though as a little girl I was like, get it together, get it together. But I couldn't.

[Marlon Wayans]

I remember that. I remember that. And it was one of those things where your friends are like joking around. So everybody was the victim at some point where all of us kind of jumped them, but we weren't. They're not real punches. And she was so upset. And I do remember that. And then I became upset because you were upset. This episode of IMO is sponsored by Chase Home Lending. Committed to supporting you all the way home with smart digital home buying tools and resources. Chase Home Lending is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve their dream of home ownership. They offer expert guidance throughout the home buying journey, helping customers navigate the process with confidence. This brings me back to a time when we grew up living upstairs from my aunt in a two family home that she owned and we rented and it was a wonderful time. But being a renter, we had to be extremely careful of what we did. For example, we had to be quiet at a certain time, we couldn't play on the front lawn, my sister couldn't have a dog and we didn't realize the importance of being a homeowner until we got late in life. We always would talk to our dad about why we don't own a home and he talked about being house poor. Little did we know that homeownership was a great way to build equity. My sister and I ended up buying our own homes later in life and we used that to help pay for our kids college. And that is a way where home ownership can lead to future success. Chase Home Lending offers personalized support, expert knowledge and access to valuable resources helping home buyers navigate the complexities of getting a mortgage. Their guidance ensures buyers find a financial fit and make informed decisions. Visit chase.com start to see how Chase can support your homeownership journey. Member FDIC Equal Housing Opportunity.

[Michelle Obama]

You know what's funny is we didn't, I didn't go get my brothers when I got. I would get my sisters.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

My sisters was vicious. Devon. Yeah, Devon. One time this kid, Baldy Joe was beating me up. And he was like a 16 year old kid. And my sister had cornrows. She was about 250 pounds. She said, come here. And she grabbed him by his arms like this. And she said, marlon, punch him in the face. I was like, devoni gonna beat me. She said, if you don't punch him, I'm gonna punch you. I was like, bow. And you know, my sisters always, always have my back in that.

[Damon Wayans]

I didn't get my brother. Cause I saw Kenan get beat up, like, badly, like. So Kenan used to walk around in kung fu slippers like he watched.

[Craig Robinson]

He was just a target.

[Damon Wayans]

Jim Killian, man. And he loved. He had noon. He would have like, he. And he was really good. He would kick the ceiling. And then one day he got into a fight with this dude, Bobby Boyd, in the. In the building, in the lobby of the building. And Keenan, you know, everybody's like, oh, snap.

[Marlon Wayans]

Because he was going to do the karate.

[Michelle Obama]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

And then Kenan went to take off his shirt.

[Marlon Wayans]

Oh, man.

[Damon Wayans]

And the dude snatched him with his shadow. Oh, man, that was. Pummeled him. And like, Keenan was on the floor.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, no.

[Damon Wayans]

And there was like blood sleep seeping through his shirt. And I'm like, get up, Keenan. Use your nose.

[Michelle Obama]

You can do it.

[Damon Wayans]

You can do it.

[Craig Robinson]

Untangle your arms from your shirt. Oh, no.

[Marlon Wayans]

This guy you looked up.

[Michelle Obama]

If you do, make sure you take his shirt off.

[Craig Robinson]

It's like, oh, man. That Bruce Lee didn't warn him about that. Don't lock yourself up in your shirt. You know.

[Marlon Wayans]

Oh, man, Bruce Lee didn't wear pullovers.

[Craig Robinson]

When I think of you guys, you know, when I hear about your background, all of y'all living in two rooms, you know, it reminds me of how we grew up. I mean, it was just the two of us. That's the only reason. You know, there wasn't that we felt like we had more space, but we grew up sharing a room until he went to high school. And then our parents turned the back porch into a bedroom so he could have his own room. Cause they thought, well, you know, this grown negro needs to have his own room. But, you know, our childhood was like yours. No money, a lot of love, good values, humor, a lot of laughter.

[Damon Wayans]

Government cheese.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. You know, never government cheese. Because my father had a good city job, right? And I think that was the only reason. And there were two of us. Probably, if there had been 10 of US government cheese would have been involved, you know, but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the values our parents instilled. And, you know, we just lost our mother last year, you know, and it's like, you know, you never stop grieving that. I mean, I still. Still can't even talk about her or my dad without, you know, losing it, which is a tough thing to do when you're speaking in front of a thousand people. And it's like, I know, but there are just a lot of phrases and words that go through my mind every day that they instilled. And I'm just wondering, you must have some of those.

[Michelle Obama]

I live my parents. Yeah, I live them with my everyday effort. I try to honor my parents when it comes to loving my siblings, as they're all so different. And it's a lot, but I make sure because I know my mother would want that, I know my father would want that. And so I try to honor them with my actions. I try to honor them as a good father, as a good uncle, with my nephews and my nieces, and it's always an open door and to honor them with love and to be an example, you know, that's why I don't go to parties and things like I used to, you know, because I know I have grown kids. My grown kids are looking at me to be an example. So. And then I have to. I'm the linchpin between our generation and their generation. So as the baby, I'm the oldest of these, this next generation, so I have to instill all that. My parents governed us and instill that into them. And I think one of the greatest thing my father ever did was besides the fear of him, he gave us the fear of God, and I think that helped us a lot. Yeah, we covered it.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah. I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. I used to laugh at him. We used to laugh at him because he would wear a suit with a baseball hat. Like a moment. He had all the hats from our shows, and he would wear them because he was proud of us. And so that's why I wear this in honor of my dad. And I wear my mother's underwear because. No, I'm kidding.

[Marlon Wayans]

You had me there. I just fell right into that.

[Craig Robinson]

Garments.

[Marlon Wayans]

So when you guys first started out, did you have real jobs or did you. Because your older brothers were already in the business, you went straight there. I'm sure you had to have a job.

[Michelle Obama]

I've been working since I was 7 years old.

[Craig Robinson]

So that makes me wonder where, you know, a lot of black families would be like, entertainment, you know. You know, you gotta go get a job. What was it about your parents that they were so encouraging?

[Michelle Obama]

It wasn't my parents.

[Craig Robinson]

They weren't encouraging. Okay, okay, let's clarify.

[Michelle Obama]

They were black parents.

[Craig Robinson]

Like, what you mean entertainment?

[Michelle Obama]

You ain't never been entertaining, and I known you my whole life. Kenan was like, I'm going to pursue my dreams. I'm not gonna pursue your dreams. I'm gonna pursue my dream. And that took a lot of courage. And I remember when he did it, and I remember the impact it had on me as a kid. And it's funny as a man. Kenan still wants me to now do his dream. And I'm like, no, I wanna do my dream like you did your dream. But that was very powerful and impactful for our family.

[Craig Robinson]

Was Kenan kind of as the eldest, as really kind of father, like, because of the age difference or.

[Damon Wayans]

It was that, and he just had it together. Kenan had vision, Right. I had an older brother, Dwayne, who was paranoid schizophrenic. So you couldn't take any direction from him. Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

It's like, I'm gonna be trying to.

[Michelle Obama]

Teach me to drive. Turn the wheel.

[Damon Wayans]

Turn the wheel.

[Michelle Obama]

We on the freeway. I'm eight.

[Marlon Wayans]

Wait.

[Michelle Obama]

First of all, you were eight? Eight years old, no seat belts. We had to stand up in the car.

[Damon Wayans]

If you turn, you slide over like this.

[Michelle Obama]

Crazy. Turn the wheel, turn the wheel. And I just thought, what happened?

[Craig Robinson]

Say. Say so that brother was out, right? It's like, so we know not to follow his dad. Don't follow Dwayne.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah. Keenan was always like, you know, he. He was an A student. You know, he was. It's interesting how life will take you on this journey. Bruce Lee said, stay liquid. So you always end up where you're supposed to be.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

And so with Kenan, he told me he went to Tuskegee, and he went there to learn that the improvisation club was two miles away from where we lived.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, wow. Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

Cause he used to, like, stand. They had a totem pole. And he would stand out there and tell jokes, like, every day. And someone came up to him and said, man, you funny. You should do stand up comedy, like, right down the block from where we grew up. That's what he says he learned from college. Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

It's like, Bruce means not liquid, but not to take your shirt off if it's a pull in the middle of the fight.

[Craig Robinson]

He's like, they're different kind of liquid.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah, I. And for me, my journey. I started out wanting to be a singer.

[Craig Robinson]

Can you sing?

[Damon Wayans]

No. When I was young. When I was young. No, when I was young.

[Craig Robinson]

It's like an obvious.

[Michelle Obama]

Gerbil in a. In a driver's disposal. I hate the way you sing.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh my God.

[Damon Wayans]

Now I can't. Because my, my. When I went through puberty, I told my mother, I said, ma, could I take some lessons? She said, boy, I can't even feed you.

[Craig Robinson]

You don't get no lessons.

[Damon Wayans]

You don't get no lessons. Find something else to do.

[Craig Robinson]

That's what she told me.

[Damon Wayans]

Find something else. And So I started DJing. And that was my dream. I wanted to be a dj.

[Craig Robinson]

Craig was a dj. College.

[Damon Wayans]

I had turntables and so do I.

[Marlon Wayans]

The mixer.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah, and with stems and all the stuff you can do now.

[Craig Robinson]

His DJ name was Craigie. Craig.

[Michelle Obama]

Craig. Craig.

[Damon Wayans]

And so I went to. We used to throw parties up. And when I was. I moved out of my house up my parents house at 16. I lived with my cousin up in Marble Hill, the projects. And we used to throw parties and all the girls be out there. It was like. It was fun. And then when Keenan moved to California, he gave me his apartment in Washington Heights. And I was like, okay, cool. So I told my cousin, I'm moving. And he's like, all right, well, you gotta do what you gotta do. And I had all this equipment. I had like speakers the size of washing machines.

[Craig Robinson]

Cause that's how big speakers were back in the day.

[Damon Wayans]

I made them myself, like downtown bought tweeters and the subwoofers and all that. And my cousin, I came back to get my stuff and it was all gone.

[Marlon Wayans]

Oh no.

[Damon Wayans]

And I was like, yo, Reedy, you need to give me my stuff back. He was actually £250 at 14 years old. So I knew he could beat me, you know, but I, you know, because I was like 125 pounds. And so I just had to take that on the chin and find something else to do. I told his mother, he took my stuff. She said, you ain't expect to live here for free. I was like, you were in on it.

[Michelle Obama]

What?

[Damon Wayans]

He took all my stuff and he brought it up to a barbershop. I taught him how to cut hair, took it to this barbershop. And I was just like, what am I gonna do? And then I found standup. So it's interesting how. Where the journey will take you. I Wouldn't have done standup if I was gonna be. If I was really committed to being the dj.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. Where's your cousin now?

[Damon Wayans]

He died.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, okay. Well, we won't talk about him then.

[Michelle Obama]

No, just. Cause he stole his equipment. He didn't cry at the funeral. They made sure they put him in a real little casket.

[Marlon Wayans]

I'll show him.

[Craig Robinson]

Well, dad, speaking of family.

[Damon Wayans]

We had.

[Michelle Obama]

To tuck him in the gasket.

[Damon Wayans]

It was a circle.

[Craig Robinson]

It was like, here you go, pay back. Pay back. Well, you know, with such a big family, because it's not just your brothers and sisters, but extended family. I mean, I talk to a lot of black folks, you know, make it big. And it's just the pressure to take care of everybody can be overwhelming. And have you guys been in that position because of your fame, because of your. Where folks are like, yo, yo, I.

[Michelle Obama]

Just refuse all the time?

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

I think of it like this. I think the more I give, the more God provides.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

He's never let me down. So it doesn't matter what people want. No matter what I have to do, I just give. And God has taken care of me every day. I'm not. My kids is healthy. My kids are eating, they're thriving. I can't ask them. I'm healthy if I can do anything. If I could need to fly home to go do something. And not just money. I try to be present. I try to show up. And that's my assignment from God and my parents to love my siblings and my family like my mother and my father would want me to. That's just what I do.

[Craig Robinson]

That's beautiful.

[Marlon Wayans]

Well, we've got a listener who's a mom who is trying. She's got younger kids and trying to raise her kids to not be so competitive with each other and be more collegial with each other and get along.

[Michelle Obama]

Make them kiss in the mouth.

[Craig Robinson]

There you go.

[Michelle Obama]

That's one.

[Damon Wayans]

I think competition is good. You know, if it's a healthy competition, like we compete, like comedically. Right. So the joke is thrown on the table, and then we all, you know, give our different takes on it. But whoever threw it on the table, that's their joke.

[Michelle Obama]

And I think in the spirit of the competition, it's. I just want to. Like when I do a scene with Damon, the only thing I'm thinking is I don't want to be funnier than Damon.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

I want to make my brother laugh. I want to break him and break his son. Because then I know what I'm doing is funny. If he stutters or he. He's holding back a laugh, I know I'm doing something right and that's going to inspire him to go. Okay, next take. I got something for you.

[Damon Wayans]

You know, Marlon is a scene stealer. Don't be lying. He's in it for himself. But Marlon does want to make us laugh. Does.

[Marlon Wayans]

Does Marlon do the best impressions of everybody in the family?

[Michelle Obama]

No. Sean.

[Damon Wayans]

Sean.

[Michelle Obama]

Sean's magical. Sean is the J. Pharrell of the Wayans family. That man's impressions. He does my father so good. You would think my father. He does my father better than my father did. Sean. Brilliant. Shawn Bryant.

[Damon Wayans]

He is.

[Marlon Wayans]

Well, let's hear the question. And it's from Gina in Orange. We are so thrilled that Pine Sol is a partner of imo. Pine Sol has been connected to our family forever. To this day, whenever my sister and I catch the scent of Pine Sol, we automatically feel better about life. The smell of Pine Sol has always taken us back to our childhood home. It is amazing how smells can transport you to a place or a moment in time. Another smell that takes me back is cherry blossoms, which always remind me of visiting Michelle in D.C. that's why I'm excited for Pine Sol's newest scent, Cherry Blossom. The cleaning power you know and love from Pine Sol is available in a new scent this spring, Cherry Blossom, which is light and fresh and leaves a lasting floral scent while eliminating tough dirt, grease and grime. You can use Pine Sol Cherry Blossom Multi Surface Cleaner to help deodorize and clean hard non porous surfaces including floors, sinks, counters, stoves, bathtubs, shower stalls, tile and more. Visit pinesol.com to find where to shop Pine Sol Multi Surface Cleaner in the new fresh Cherry Blossom scent. This episode of IMO is brought to you by Cologuard, a non invasive colon cancer screening test. The Cologuard test is a one of a kind way to feel more in control of your colon cancer screening through a prescription based test with none of the prep that's required of a colonoscopy. When I was a coach, my players had a team of people helping them with their physical well being. They had so many tools to make sure every member of the team was on top of their health and wellness. But what I want our listeners to know is that even if you eat well and have a healthy lifestyle, that does not mean you are low risk for colon cancer. The Cologuard test is the only FDA approved non invasive option that looks for both altered DNA and blood in your stool which can indicate the presence of abnormal cells. The good news is that when caught at the early stages, colon cancer is survivable in 90% of people. So screening and early detection are crucial. With zero downtime, no special preparation, and a screening test that's delivered right to your door, we shouldn't let our health take a backseat. So if you're 45 or older and at average risk, ask your healthcare provider about screening for colon cancer with the cologuard test. You can also request a cologuard prescription [e-mail] podcast. The Cologuard test is intended to screen adults 45 and older at average risk for colorectal cancer. Do not use a cologuard test if you have had adenomas, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high risk patients. Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45 to 49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. False positives and false negatives can occur. Cologuard is available by prescription only.

[Gina]

Hi Musha and Craig, My name is Gina and my question is what was it that your parents said or did that helped you grow to love and support one another throughout the years as siblings? As a full time working mom of four kids ages 9, 7, 5 and 5, one of the most difficult challenges of parenting has been trying to raise my kids to support each other. There seems to be a lot of competition between them, especially between my twin boys. As one of five siblings myself, growing up in a challenging immigrant environment, we just knew not to fight over any frivolous things. There was and still is a lot of love between myself and my siblings. Yet seeing my kids who are so fortunate and privileged, bicker and fight over the simplest things has been baffling. Any words of wisdom for this Mama? Thank you for creating this platform. Gina from Orange County I think my.

[Michelle Obama]

Parents taught us to respect their elders. So my respect as the baby, all my siblings, my sisters, I don't care how much money they got, I still gotta listen to em and you know I respect them. Damon Keenan, my big brother Dwayne the older sibling sets the example for the younger sibling. My older brother Dwayne was a great big brother to Kenan and Damon. He was very protective to Kenan when he wasn't hitting you in the head with a wiffle ball bat.

[Craig Robinson]

See, Damon was like Damon's like, don't quite remember it that way.

[Michelle Obama]

Damon's on prejudice, but Dwayne taught, you know, he was very protective of Kenan, and he was kind of like the offensive line to a great quarterback. You know, sometimes it's just that extra block and he just gave him that space. And Kenan respected Dwayne and Damon respected Kenan. I respect all of my siblings, so I think somebody has to set the example. And then you have to. And you have to teach them respect and honor and love and that we're all doing this together.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

It's funny, it was like, even now, this is how my family is. Like, I'm 65 years old and Keenan, go, go get me a soda. And I gotta go get it.

[Craig Robinson]

And you do.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah, I gotta go get it.

[Craig Robinson]

And it's just like, that doesn't work that way.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

Family.

[Michelle Obama]

She's like, go get me a.

[Damon Wayans]

So, yeah, if. If keen. If Marlon walks in the room and. No, if I walk in a room and there's no seats.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

Marlon gets up.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

Sean and Keena will sit and Mar. Get up. You sit here. And my son will have to.

[Michelle Obama]

That's why I love the fact that they have children.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

Cuz I just use that. I. I go my theater sometime and Lil. Damon's there and Mikey's there. And as soon as I walk in the room, the youngest one gets up and lets me sit down. Without question. I love that.

[Marlon Wayans]

Did your parents instill that or did you all do that? Sort of just a code.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah, it's just a code.

[Marlon Wayans]

Informally.

[Michelle Obama]

Quiet code. We didn't teach them that. They just watch how we do with each other. And it's just a quiet code. Some things you don't have to teach.

[Craig Robinson]

It's just what you see. But it starts, I mean, the way you talk about your father. I mean, there was, you know, there was sometimes a level of fear. Cause you didn't know what he was gonna do. But what was always there was a level of respect, you know, and so whether you felt like that was happening just as your code, it started because that's how you thought of your father.

[Michelle Obama]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

And I'm sure that had a little bit to do with how your parents interacted. But I also know that as siblings, sometimes we read the parental relationship differently or the situation. I'm wondering if you guys have different takes on.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah. I was scared to death of my father. Scared, like he would pants. My father. Like my father would be talking. He'd just snatch his pants off.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Damon Wayans]

And for me that was like a suicide.

[Craig Robinson]

That's why you so crazy.

[Damon Wayans]

Yes, you a pantsing. My father and my father. Hey, Jack, come on. Hey.

[Marlon Wayans]

Hey.

[Michelle Obama]

Those were my friends.

[Craig Robinson]

Please.

[Michelle Obama]

My mother, my father. They were their parents.

[Damon Wayans]

I was scared.

[Michelle Obama]

I came along. My dad, they had money. My brothers had got them houses.

[Craig Robinson]

They were tired. By the time you came around.

[Michelle Obama]

Who you gonna pull that way? Belt was all soggy, man. If you don't sit your ass down. Let's talk about this, all right? I'll come home at 1:30 instead of 2. But, you know, beyond the fear of my father, I respected my father. And it was the man that he was that he showed up every day. That man made sure that he never left us. Never left us. And there was a time when him and my mother was breaking up. And all the kids was out the house except me and Sean. And my dad moved to Harlem. And my mother at that time, she had her little schizophrenia going on. So she was cursing him out, calling him all kinds of names. My father left, and then he came back like a month later because he was like, I'm not done yet. My two boys need me. I didn't come this far to abandon. Cause me and Sean started acting bad. And he was like, no, no, I'm not. I'm gonna finish this assignment from God. And he showed up and he. And that example for me, I didn't fear my father. I just respect my father. And I love that man.

[Damon Wayans]

I feared him. Like, we. I used to go and we used to, like, rob houses for stereo, for music equipment, DJ stuff.

[Craig Robinson]

So that's just pbac. This is what I'm saying. That's karma.

[Michelle Obama]

Okay. Okay.

[Craig Robinson]

Now, it all. See, we all caught that. It's like.

[Damon Wayans]

No, but the stuff my cousin took was stuff that I bought.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, oh.

[Damon Wayans]

Unlike the stuff they bought. But listen, I would go with my.

[Marlon Wayans]

Friend, but he's like, that's not the point. That's not the point.

[Craig Robinson]

We digress. We digress.

[Damon Wayans]

I couldn't bring it home.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

So my dad was like the security guy at Best Buy. You need a receipt? Where'd you get it from?

[Michelle Obama]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

And how'd you. Where'd you make the money? You couldn't. You couldn't just bring stolen anything.

[Michelle Obama]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

Into the house.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

I had a friend, Seymour. His mother would be shouting out requests. Seymour.

[Michelle Obama]

Play by Molly I'm like, what?

[Damon Wayans]

On that stolen stuff?

[Marlon Wayans]

Get it out of my house.

[Damon Wayans]

If you don't put on my Molly. But it was just a different kind of upbringing, you know? And that fear kept me out of a lot of trouble. Stuff that I would think about doing, I wouldn't do. Because I thought about my dad if I got arrested, you know what? Keep me here, Officer.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

You know, I don't want my father picking me up. I wouldn't even tell him my name. I'm serious. I was arrested today. Just let me go. Because I wouldn't tell my name.

[Marlon Wayans]

Ingenious fear.

[Damon Wayans]

Yes.

[Craig Robinson]

But when I think about, you know, what our parents did or didn't do, and maybe it's a little bit different because we're brother, sister, because that same gender dynamic may make it a little bit hard, but I know we got along for some of the same reasons. It was the, you know, it was. We didn't want to. Our parents worked hard enough without us fighting and causing havoc. We knew our parents were working as hard as they could. We knew that they were giving us as much as they could. But I guess we grew up grateful. And perhaps sometimes in this generation where kids have, I think, too much, you know, parents are giving kids a lot of stuff and they're not giving them some guidance. That what we had was a lot of gratitude for the little bit that we did have. So it was sort of like, well, what was there left for us to be fighting about? I don't know about you, but my parents never asked me once whether I was happy.

[Damon Wayans]

Nope, never.

[Craig Robinson]

That was never even a question.

[Damon Wayans]

My mother said, get out of here with that stupid look on your face.

[Marlon Wayans]

That's exactly.

[Craig Robinson]

And I think we, you know, to the questioner, I think, you know, how do you get your kids to get along? I think. I think parents have to sort of look at the foundation they're setting. Cause kids don't just out of the blue fight all the time. You know, that's not in their nature. So the question has to be, what tone are you setting in the house?

[Michelle Obama]

Well, it's funny. My parents, they argued like cats and dogs. And I guess we was like, we don't wanna be like that.

[Craig Robinson]

Right, right. But I'm not talking about arguing or not. It's. Are you establishing the foundations of respect? Like, do they respect you or do they think you one of they little friends? Right. Because what I do with Malia and Sasha, you know, I didn't mediate in between them, you know, because I was like, I love you both. And if I don't know who was wrong, you know, don't ask me to get in it. But what I would say is that If I have to get in it, everybody's in trouble, you know, that's all I can do because I don't want to play favorites. I'm not sure who's telling the truth. And so if I'm involved, I don't care what happened. Everybody play is shut down, doors closed, computers off, it's over. And it was interesting that, you know, they wouldn't want me involved as a result. So they'd wind up, you'd hear them in the White House, cuz their doors faced each other. There was a hall door into their rooms and their two bedrooms faced each other. And I'd say, you know, go, I don't care what you do, but figure it out. So you'd hear this, that quiet fighting, like Sasha, if you don't. And I'll tell you. And I wait, no one's gonna hear slam and a slam. But eventually they'd figure it out because they wanted to keep playing.

[Damon Wayans]

The other thing we had to do was dinner time altogether.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh yeah, we did that. We did that.

[Damon Wayans]

I know that if we had a phone, if we had dinner.

[Michelle Obama]

Well, even when you had dinner.

[Damon Wayans]

When we.

[Craig Robinson]

Did you have dinner?

[Damon Wayans]

No, even we didn't have dinner. We had to get sit around so he could tell us there ain't no food, but. And then we'd have a discussion about it. But, you know, dinner was something that you, you didn't have an option. There was no, can I go?

[Craig Robinson]

That was the same way.

[Damon Wayans]

And I was down in your seat and eat. And then we had to clean up. Like I would have to wash dishes or I would have to, you know, take out the garbage to clean. You know, each one had an assignment.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

So those kind of things. You realize we can't watch TV until we all do this until the kitchen is clean. Right. So it's simple things like that that teach your kids to work together.

[Michelle Obama]

And also my mother buddied us up, right. So it's always like, Sean, everywhere I went, that's your baby. He had to take his baby with him.

[Craig Robinson]

What's the age difference?

[Michelle Obama]

Me and Shawn, a year and a half.

[Damon Wayans]

And me and Kenan were like, that.

[Michelle Obama]

Year and a half, that's your baby and you? Just me and Sean, we dream together. Like we used to watch TV together. We used to watch Abbott and Costello. We watched Honeymooners. Cause in our little minds at 4 and 5 years old, we was gonna create our own TV show.

[Craig Robinson]

Really? You knew that early?

[Michelle Obama]

Yeah. Cause I seen them on TV and I was just like, wait, we can actually do this.

[Craig Robinson]

That's right.

[Michelle Obama]

So from the young age, like 7, 8 years old, me and Shawn, we was like, we're gonna write our own show. So we just studied and we had this buddy thing. We always did. And my mother made us go. We were frickin frack. If Shawn was there, it was. My father used to call us Maul and Sean. Mal and Sean.

[Craig Robinson]

Mal and Sean.

[Michelle Obama]

We had to go to go get their coffee. We have to go to the grocery store together. They buddied us up. And so that makes you take care of your younger sibling and makes you be responsible as an older sibling.

[Damon Wayans]

And it's weird how that is in the next generation.

[Marlon Wayans]

I was just gonna ask that. How you doing with your own dude?

[Damon Wayans]

Lauren, Anaya, you know, you got Anaya and Berlin that paired up. You got Kaden and Maverick. You know, they all. Each one has their or their buddy.

[Michelle Obama]

Cousin, like my son and Sean's daughter Aaliyah. They're 23 years old. They at my house writing together, they're directing together, they're shooting music videos together. And then Layla, who Shawn's other daughter, is a DJ and a singer and a producer. And so the three of them all work together and they never really argue. They have so much fun. You would think they were siblings. We have a very tight knit family. Very.

[Marlon Wayans]

What are some of the strategies that you guys, other than buddying up, that you learned from your parents, that you're using on your own children? Cause I think Gina would be able to hopefully take something away from that.

[Damon Wayans]

Well, the interesting thing is I go, you know, and some things I should have done just like my parents. But I was so, like, traumatized growing up that, like, I, like, with my kids, my sons, I didn't like spanking them. I hated when I had these spankings.

[Michelle Obama]

Like, it hurt me. I hit my kids one time.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, I was like, I cried like.

[Michelle Obama]

A baby because I was like, I. I can't do that to them.

[Craig Robinson]

It made me think about. I felt. I felt silly for the first. And I took a couple of spankings for me to be like, yeah, you know What?

[Michelle Obama]

After the 50 something, I was like.

[Craig Robinson]

You know, But I felt like, you know, this is a little kid and the fact that I can't think of any better way to get my point across than to smack somebody on the butt. I felt embarrassed in the same.

[Damon Wayans]

Boys are different, though. Like, boys are actively seeking destruction. That's like.

[Marlon Wayans]

They are. I thought you were gonna say discipline.

[Damon Wayans]

They just do the stupidest thing. They jump off the roof. My son would jump off the roof into the pool.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, watch this, dad.

[Damon Wayans]

What?

[Craig Robinson]

It's like.

[Damon Wayans]

And he's in the pool and you just go, do you know how many different ways you could hurt yourself? But that was their thing. Riding the bike down the hill backwards. It's like, what are you guys doing? But that's just something in, I think, boys DNA that just makes them just a little aggressive and stupid, you know, Whereas my daughters, I talk to them, you know, I frustrate them, you know, because like with my daughters, I realize, you know, a certain age they don't want to hear what you gotta say.

[Craig Robinson]

And it comes pretty early. So.

[Damon Wayans]

Yeah, and so what I do is go, well, you're right where you want to be, baby. And when you get tired of being there, you'll change.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, that doesn't help me right now.

[Damon Wayans]

But I know that I can't tell you. You don't want to hear what I have to say about your boyfriend. Your boyfriend, you know, you don't want to.

[Michelle Obama]

I'm not going to allow you to deflect. I'm just going, I'm on your team. I'm not going to be the obstacle in your way that you're. I don't want to be the fighter. I'm here to support you, love you, whatever you want to do, it's your life. I'll pick up the pieces afterwards.

[Damon Wayans]

Because you realize if you, you know, if you try to, you know, let's stay with the boyfriend. Say something about someone's boyfriend, then you're attacking their ability to pick someone for themselves. So they defend them, they hold on and they fight. But if you just step back, then they're gonna see that. They see what I see and they'll see it quicker. Oh, this dude ain't nothing.

[Craig Robinson]

Well, I talk about that as like you. You guys are handing your children their lives and you're doing it early so that they can learn from their own mistakes. And I think nowadays a lot of parents are trying to live their kids lives for them so that they don't make any mistakes and don't feel any sense of failure, which keeps them from learning. I tend to agree with that in my parenting principles too. It's like, you know what? I raised y'all to have some sense, to have some judgment, and at some point, you've gotta practice that, which means that I've gotta let go. So even in the White House, you know my motto. Before these kids went to college, I gave them more rope because I was like here have more freedom.

[Damon Wayans]

That's cause you had the Secret Service watching.

[Craig Robinson]

Well, that was also. That was also true. You know, Barack will say his real reason for wanting to be president second term was that having teenage girls running around with men with guns. But yeah, he would say that all the time. He's like, okay, I think I can do this another four years. Cause look at them, they're growing up, but knowing that they wouldn't live with that kind of security for their entire lives. It was like, one day you will be out there. And I think that the reverse happens now is that everybody's trying to hold on right to their kids. But one day they're gonna get out there. And the only thing that is for certain for kids getting out in the world is they're gonna get hit with some failure. That's the only thing that's guaranteed. So we've gotta start preparing them early for that. Letting them practice making their own decisions and choosing the knucklehead boyfriend and holding your tongue and, you know, and showing them that you trust them so that when they do fail, they'll come back.

[Marlon Wayans]

This episode of IMO is brought to you by Theraflu. Hey, it's Craig Robinson here. And let me tell you, being sick is no joke. But you know what's even tougher? Feeling like you can't take the time to rest and recover because you've got bills to pay or a job to keep. You know, being a coach, even though I was afforded paid sick time, it was the type of job that you really try and muscle through for your team. And I have done that. It made me realize though, that it is tough for folks who don't have the benefit of paid sick time. It's not only tough on the individual and their families, it's also tough on your co workers. Maybe you, like so many Americans, have felt that stress too, Wondering what your boss will think or if your paycheck will take a hit. That's why I'm proud to talk about what Theraflu is doing with their Right to Rest and Recover campaign. For the past four years, they've been championing the right to rest to paid six time for everyone. I love that Theraflu is making this a priority. Learn more or help someone apply for the [e-mail] right to recover. This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Apple Card is a no fee credit card that gives you daily cash back every day. That's 3% back at Apple and 2% back on every purchase made With Apple Card using Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card in the Wallet app on your iPhone today, subject to credit approval. Variable APRs for Apple Card range from 18.24% to 28.49%, based on creditworthiness rates as of January 1, 2025. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City branch terms and [e-mail].

[Michelle Obama]

It'S funny. I hold my tongue, but I say what I'm going to say. I have to give my honest opinion. But what I'm not going to do is give you, like, a real emotion that's tethered to that. I'm just going to say what I got to say as an adult, and then whatever you choose to do, that's on you. But I had to tell you what, you asked my opinion. I'm going to give it to you straight now. After that, I love you.

[Damon Wayans]

Well, if you ask my opinion, I'm going to tell you. But if you don't, Keenan always say, I'm worthy inquiry. If you don't, you gotta let life talk.

[Marlon Wayans]

Yeah, you all the way. You all impersonate your brothers.

[Damon Wayans]

We're all doing an impression of Sean, an impression of Keaton.

[Craig Robinson]

Well, speaking of parenting, I wanted to talk, Marlon, a bit about, you know, just so proud of how you are being a role model for dealing with a child that's transgender.

[Michelle Obama]

Absolutely.

[Craig Robinson]

And that's, you know, that warms my heart, particularly as a black man, you know. Would you care to share that journey of.

[Michelle Obama]

Well, I learned, like. And their transition really taught me what real unconditional love was. When they went through the transition, I actually went through the transition. I went from denial to complete acceptance. And it took me a week to get there. And what I've learned as a parent is for you to stop loving your child because of their choice and their life. That's a poor reflection on you. You know what I mean? When there's people that go, I'm not gonna associate with you because you do that, or, this is against God, and this. It's like, listen, I am not here to judge. I am not God. Only God can judge. And I. You know, and if that's a mistake and we get to heaven and God, don't let my child in, I'm gonna shave a beard and sneak him in through the back. But I'm going to love my baby, and I'm never gonna. I'm a father, and I'm always gonna defend them. I'm always gonna protect them, always gonna respect them. And there's nothing anybody could ever tell me. I could lose fans. Good. I lost people that are small minded, small hearted and self loathing. So goodbye. And I gained for every one I lose.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

I gain 150 more.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

You know, so for me as the uncle, you know, it's I love you, period. Right. But somebody got to write a rule book and how I need to treat you because I don't know, hey buddy, can I put you in a headlock? Can I treat you like my other nephews? I don't know, you know, and I don't want you to ever feel that I'm judging you.

[Craig Robinson]

That's right. Because you just don't know. I used to say it's like going to your grandmother and expecting them to learn a new language overnight. You know, it's like they've been speaking this language, using pronouns in this way for their entire life. And to get it wrong, it's a mutual patience with the process.

[Michelle Obama]

And they've been very patient with me and their mother because, you know, when they changed their name, I'm like, I called you amai for 23 years. What you mean Kai? Kai, I know you as Amai. What do you mean them? I know you as her. And it was a process. And at the end of the day it's respect. That's what they want and that's their wishes. So respect their wishes. And I know that the same child is in there. They're brilliant, right? And that's all I really care about, is they're kind hearted, they're, they're really funny, have a great sense of humor and extremely intelligent. And you know, those are the things I'm proud of. Are you a good person? I don't care about your sexualities and you know, all these other things, your gender or associations. I care that you are a good hearted person, that you take care of your siblings, your mother, you're respectful. They have been wonderful their whole lives. I never had any problem with them at all.

[Craig Robinson]

So, you know, and I like to be putting that out there for the world. I mean, because, you know, we just, especially in our community, you know, we've sacrificed a lot over this issue. And it's all about realizing that we gotta love people, how they come to us, period. Not just our kids, but all kids. And the notion that, you know, we would put people in unfair advantages, put their lives at risk over some nonsense.

[Michelle Obama]

Because those are bad people. End of the day, when you are being divisive like that, you are a bad person. Your core is Bad. No matter what you do, you're not gonna make your way in heaven. My job is to be here to give laughter and to give love and everything that gotta be my intention and will always be. And like I said, I'm a father. That's my baby. You know, I fight with them to the end, period.

[Marlon Wayans]

I love that you guys should. I mean, that's just absolutely wonderful. And your parents did such a great job with you. I sound like an old man.

[Craig Robinson]

I know, right?

[Marlon Wayans]

I'm at the.

[Craig Robinson]

This is how people talk to us.

[Marlon Wayans]

It's like, you know, it's just. And it's just you love to hear when people tell you unsolicited things about your kids, you know? I know I do. When people come up and say, you know, your son was doing such and such, and he's just such a wonderful kid. And I think for Gina, she's just gotta have the confidence to raise them now. Don't be friends with them now. Raise them now, and they'll be great human beings that you can be friends with when they're in their 30s.

[Craig Robinson]

You know, our parents were not our friends. They were people who loved us and taught us respect and boundaries and hard work. And I'm not saying this for us, but I'm saying this for people listening. Cause I think we get this wrong about what our kids need and want. And our kids need and want guidance, respect, love, discipline, you know, none of that. We all got disciplined, you know, but none of that stopped us from loving our parents and revering them, you know? So I want people out there, five.

[Michelle Obama]

Minutes after the ass woman's. I'll be like.

[Craig Robinson]

I'm just. That's right. There was always that. I have cursed out my mother underneath my breath on several occasions, you know, but you never did it to their face, ever. You know, this notion that I hate my mom. It's like, you better say that in your head, in your room. You don't say that out loud. You know, parents are too afraid to set those kind of boundaries. And I think that's also part of the challenge that we're facing in this generation. We're replacing love and respect with stuff. And I just. You know, I just. I wanna be a proponent for reinstating some of the stuff that we had, some of the good old wisdom that our parents had in raising kids. So we have room in the parenting proposition to be a little more like, get up, you know, get yourself together, you know, to criticize them, to give them strong guidance, to give them our opinions, to Direct them and engage with them. And engage with them.

[Michelle Obama]

I'm a two year old.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Michelle Obama]

And she's such a gift. And when I have her on Mondays or we go to dinner or I cook for her, it's just me and her daddy and Axl. And we do every. I make sure. And she'll say, dad, come play with me. And so I go to a room and we'll have a tea party. And you know, those things, I think creating those memories for me, that's the most. She brings out the kid in me. And I think parents need to take more time when you have time to spend with them in that way and that, you know, play with them.

[Marlon Wayans]

Yeah. That's a great place to start with sort of parting advice for Gina. Right. You can't be too busy to parent. You can't be too tired to parent.

[Craig Robinson]

Never.

[Marlon Wayans]

You know, you can't be too.

[Craig Robinson]

You can't outsource it to a phone.

[Michelle Obama]

Or to a nanny. Those are your kids. My mama didn't have no nanny. My mother took care. She was just. My mother had black elbows. Light skinned woman, black elbows. Why? Because we had a black windowsill in the projects, and my mother used to sit on that windowsill and watch us play in the middle. All of our kids. Damon, get down from there. Sean, don't hit him with that back. My mother sat there on that windowsill watching us to the point to where her elbows was black. My mama watched her children. Don't be having other people watch your kids. Keep your eyes on your kids. That is your responsibility. You know?

[Craig Robinson]

I know.

[Marlon Wayans]

Really?

[Craig Robinson]

It's like, did I do enough?

[Michelle Obama]

Did I do enough?

[Marlon Wayans]

But no. Damian, any parting advice for Gina?

[Damon Wayans]

I think you just have to love them and accept everything.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Damon Wayans]

And expect nothing. Because you can't put all your hopes and dreams in them.

[Craig Robinson]

Ooh. Amen.

[Damon Wayans]

You have to let them. You know, what is life if you don't learn lessons, you know? And they. They will figure it out.

[Michelle Obama]

It's four of them and then somebody.

[Damon Wayans]

But right now, they're probably figuring out who's the alpha.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. That's right.

[Damon Wayans]

Right. Some of it is like trying to figure out what's their natural order. You have to just trust that they're gonna figure it out and you're there setting the example of what it ultimately should be.

[Michelle Obama]

And I find that your kids are raising you in this way. They're trying to teach you something about yourself. They're asking you to be more patient. They're asking you to find different ways to communicate the kids are really teaching you. Like, my child taught me unconditional love. I used to always say, unconditional love. And then it was like, okay, you really want to practice that? Well, do it.

[Craig Robinson]

Here you go.

[Michelle Obama]

And that made me go, oh, this is what I was asking of people.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. Yeah, okay. I do. Yeah, I like that. Because it's like, what are your kids telling you in their disputes, in their. Are they asking for attention? Are they just looking to grow? You know, it may not be a problem at all that your kids are figuring out how to get along with each other. You know, an argument is not always a bad thing. You know, a little scuffle may not be a bad thing. It depends on what's at the foundation of it.

[Damon Wayans]

You know, sometimes it's you. My mother would go, yeah, where you get that foul mouth from?

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, it's like showing you yourself. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, you guys are, you know, pretty amazing, but thank you.

[Damon Wayans]

Apples don't from amazing to no.

[Craig Robinson]

Amazingness don't fall far from the tree. I wish I knew your parents. I did. I wish I could look your parents in the eye and tell them, wow, you know, what wisdom. You know, that's what IMO is about. It's like, we now have wisdom. We're now at the age where we are them, and we have learned a lot from them. And part of that obligation is to share it with folks who maybe didn't have that absolutely right. Because there are a lot of people trying to figure out, can I be a good parent if I don't have money, if I'm not this or that, you know, and we are all living proof that there's a way to do it, you know, and there's a philosophy to follow, and people are looking for help out there and that, you know, you're willing to bring your wisdom to this table. You know, I'm just grateful.

[Michelle Obama]

Well, thank you for having us.

[Damon Wayans]

Thank you for having us.

[Michelle Obama]

Been a great, great time. Y'all are good people.

[Damon Wayans]

Privilege.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, yeah, agreed.

[Marlon Wayans]

But the question is, can we be good entertainers in this podcast?

[Damon Wayans]

I think you guys are doing an amazing job.

[Michelle Obama]

Absolutely.

[Damon Wayans]

Yes.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, he's just looking for a compliment.

[Marlon Wayans]

No, I paid him. I paid him early. No, I appreciate you guys being here. It's great to meet you.

[Michelle Obama]

Thanks for having me.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, yeah. Good stuff.

[Marlon Wayans]

Good stuff.