Podcast Summary: “Success” Looks Different for Every Family

Podcast Title: IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Episode: “Success” Looks Different for Every Family with Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host/Authors: Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Guests: Glennon Doyle (Author of Untamed) and Abby Wambach (Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist)

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, the hosts welcome Glennon Doyle, renowned author of Untamed, and Abby Wambach, celebrated Olympic soccer champion and activist. The discussion centers around a listener's question about balancing family stability with career opportunities amidst financial constraints and geographic choices.

Listener's Dilemma: Shira's Question

Shira, a 43-year-old mother, grapples with whether to stay in rural Maine or move back to New York City. She highlights challenges such as:

• Isolation: Lack of a strong support network in Maine.
• Career Opportunities: Limited prospects for her handbag business and her husband’s film editing career outside NYC.
• Financial Strain: High cost of living in NYC versus more affordable rural areas.
• Childcare Concerns: Difficulty finding affordable and reliable childcare outside major cities.

Quote:

Michelle Obama [07:15]: "It's a great question because I know there are a lot of people who are grappling with this."

Defining Success for the Family

The conversation delves into what success means for different families, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The guests share personal experiences and offer advice on:

• Flexibility and Resilience: Understanding that success evolves as children grow and circumstances change.
• Community Building: The importance of creating a support network, whether through friends, extended family, or community groups.
• Prioritizing Quality of Life: Balancing career ambitions with family well-being to avoid being "house poor" and ensuring financial stability.

Quote:

Abby Wambach [57:57]: "What does success mean for this little family? Like, not feeling scarcity, having a cushion, then you start to make different decisions."

Parenting Amidst Change

Michelle and Barack Obama share their experiences with parenting during significant life changes, such as moving for the presidency. Key insights include:

• Children’s Resilience: Kids often adapt better than parents expect.
  Barack Obama [19:24]: "They turned out okay, because kids are way more resilient, I think, than we give them credit for."

• Avoiding Guilt-Based Parenting: Making decisions without imposing parental guilt ensures healthier relationships.
  Barack Obama [32:11]: "Don't parent out of guilt. It’s not moving them. It’s not that they can’t see their grandmother... Kids respond to their situations based on how you act."

• Encouraging Independence: Allowing children to experience minor failures builds their competence and confidence.
  Barack Obama [63:28]: "They need to know you can bump your head and you can figure it out."

Quote:

Glennon Doyle [09:04]: "When we have the conversations around families, children...nice to feel as though that there is some sort of structure in place in our lives, but there just isn't."

Building and Maintaining Community

The importance of intentional community-building is a recurring theme. Michelle Obama emphasizes:

• Intentional Connections: Actively reaching out to other parents and neighbors to foster a supportive network.
  Michelle Obama [44:37]: "From that, each phase of my life...I built this community of moms and other friends and people that I could call."

• Leveraging Community for Support: Whether in Chicago, the White House, or elsewhere, having a reliable community provides stability for both parents and children.

Quote:

Michelle Obama [44:30]: "You always have to be prepared to pivot and not be afraid to pivot."

Practical Takeaways for Shira

The guests offer actionable advice for Shira and others in similar situations:

1. Define Personal Success:
   Glennon Doyle [67:59]: "Write it down, figure out what is at the bottom line, what the cost is gonna be..."

2. Prioritize Family Needs:
   Barack Obama [68:44]: "Don't be afraid to be guided by what the adults need."

3. Build a Support Network:
   Abby Wambach [59:49]: "I want there to be an interdependence...We are each other's community."

4. Balance Career and Family:
   Michelle Obama [50:34]: "They have a natural group to have an affinity with, and there's nothing better."

Quote:

Abby Wambach [49:11]: "What is success? Really talking to each other about, what does a successful family look like?"

Conclusion: Embracing Fluidity and Love

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation that success and stability are personal and fluid concepts. Emphasizing love, intentionality, and adaptability ensures that families can navigate changes without compromising their well-being.

Final Quote:

Michelle Obama [72:33]: "So I really appreciate that on Shira's behalf, thank you for that."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michelle Obama [07:15]: "It's a great question because I know there are a lot of people who are grappling with this."
• Abby Wambach [57:57]: "What does success mean for this little family? Like, not feeling scarcity, having a cushion, then you start to make different decisions."
• Barack Obama [19:24]: "They turned out okay, because kids are way more resilient, I think, than we give them credit for."
• Glennon Doyle [09:04]: "When we have the conversations around families, children...nice to feel as though that there is some sort of structure in place in our lives, but there just isn't."
• Abby Wambach [59:49]: "I want there to be an interdependence...We are each other's community."
• Michelle Obama [72:33]: "So I really appreciate that on Shira's behalf, thank you for that."

This episode of IMO provides invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of defining success within the family unit, balancing career aspirations with personal well-being, and the enduring importance of community support. Whether you're facing geographic relocations or seeking to redefine what success means for your family, the collective wisdom of Michelle Obama, Craig Robinson, Glennon Doyle, and Abby Wambach offers guidance grounded in love, resilience, and intentional living.