Wiser Than Me™ Episode Summary: "Presenting: Julia on IMO with Michelle Obama with Craig Robinson"

Release Date: July 16, 2025
Podcast: Wiser Than Me™
Host/Author: Lemonada Media
Guests: Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson

Overview

In this engaging episode of Wiser Than Me™, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is joined by former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson on the show IMO. The trio delves into the profound themes of friendship, loneliness, and community building among older adults. Together, they explore personal anecdotes, share wisdom garnered from life experiences, and provide actionable strategies to navigate the complexities of maintaining meaningful relationships in later life.

Main Discussions

1. Friendship and Loneliness in Later Life

The conversation kicks off with a heartfelt question from a listener, Andrea, concerning her 68-year-old mother, Sharon. After moving from Texas to North Carolina following her father's retirement, Sharon finds herself isolated, having left behind a vast social network built over decades. Andrea expresses concern over Sharon's feelings of loneliness and her newfound resistance to making new friends due to past friendship losses.

Michelle Obama (20:56): "This is a woman who wrote that, right? She's obviously a very devoted daughter. So to begin with, it brings up the idea of getting older and starting to parent your own parents."

Craig Robinson (21:08): "People can be lonely inside of very healthy relationships, you know, if you don't share the same hobbies in common, if you have different temperaments, even different life patterns."

2. Building and Maintaining Community

Michelle and Craig emphasize the importance of intentionality in building new friendships and communities. They discuss how relocation can disrupt established social structures, making it imperative to actively seek out new connections.

Michelle Obama (22:10): "If the focus is... getting involved in community where you are, you will find your people."

Craig Robinson (24:16): "You're stuck. And, you know, it's part of friendship is taking that risk of loss. And it doesn't change because we're older."

They advocate for embracing new experiences and engaging in community activities as pathways to forming meaningful relationships.

Michelle Obama (22:57): "Taking action can open up doors."

Craig Robinson (26:19): "People are really good folks. Even when you're in a high-powered position, most people are open to the new."

3. Personal Stories and Insights

Michelle shares personal anecdotes about losing close friends and how those experiences have shaped her perspective on life and relationships. Craig echoes similar sentiments, recounting the sudden loss of a college friend and the profound impact it had on his career choices and personal growth.

Michelle Obama (46:07): "I've lost friends. I've had a couple friends die. That has been devastating because it was just truly unfair of the universe."

Craig Robinson (47:03): "That loss woke me up at a time in life... what am I doing with my life?"

These stories highlight the inevitability of change and loss in relationships, underscoring the importance of cherishing and investing in the friendships that endure.

Key Insights and Strategies

1. Intentional Community Building:
   Actively participating in community events, classes, or groups can foster new friendships. Michelle advises focusing on shared activities rather than the sole aim of making friends.

   Michelle Obama (22:10): "If the focus is... getting involved in community where you are, you will find your people."

2. Embracing New Experiences:
   Engaging in new hobbies or adventures with friends can strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.

   Craig Robinson (39:56): "Joining crafts, taking up hobbies with your friends... set up a cook, or you learn how to knit, or you take up tennis."

3. Overcoming Fear of Loss:
   Addressing fears related to potential friendship loss is crucial. Michelle and Craig suggest that understanding and accepting the natural ebb and flow of relationships can alleviate anxiety about forming new connections.

   Craig Robinson (24:19): "It's a part of friendship is taking that risk of loss."

4. Leveraging Shared Responsibilities:
   Involving partners in the quest to build new friendships can make the process more manageable and less daunting.

   Michelle Obama (50:03): "Start by talking to her dad... it's not her burden alone."

5. Maintaining Existing Friendships:
   Regularly scheduled reunions or shared activities can help preserve long-standing friendships despite geographical or lifestyle changes.

   Michelle Obama (39:10): "We try to have a reunion once a year somewhere."

Concluding Thoughts

The episode underscores the essential role of community and intentionality in fostering meaningful relationships as we age. Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson provide compassionate advice rooted in personal experience, encouraging listeners to embrace their freedom in later life to build and sustain connections that enrich their lives. Julia Louis-Dreyfus masterfully steers the conversation, ensuring that the wisdom shared is both relatable and actionable for her audience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michelle Obama (20:56):
  "This is a woman who wrote that, right? She's obviously a very devoted daughter. So to begin with, it brings up the idea of getting older and starting to parent your own parents."

• Craig Robinson (21:08):
  "People can be lonely inside of very healthy relationships, you know, if you don't share the same hobbies in common..."

• Michelle Obama (22:10):
  "If the focus is... getting involved in community where you are, you will find your people."

• Craig Robinson (24:16):
  "You're stuck. And, you know, it's part of friendship is taking that risk of loss."

• Michelle Obama (46:07):
  "I've lost friends. I've had a couple friends die. That has been devastating because it was just truly unfair of the universe."

• Craig Robinson (47:03):
  "That loss woke me up at a time in life... what am I doing with my life?"

• Michelle Obama (50:03):
  "Start by talking to her dad... it's not her burden alone."

• Craig Robinson (39:56):
  "Joining crafts, taking up hobbies with your friends... set up a cook, or you learn how to knit, or you take up tennis."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone grappling with the challenges of maintaining friendships and building new communities in their later years. Through candid discussions and heartfelt stories, Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson offer both comfort and practical advice, embodying the very essence of the wisdom that Wiser Than Me™ aims to share.