Michelle Obama's Podcast Struggles After High-Profile Launch

Michelle Obama's new podcast, 'IMO (In My Opinion),' launched with her brother Craig Robinson, is facing significant challenges in attracting and retaining an audience just one month after its debut. The first episode garnered 335,000 views on YouTube, but subsequent episodes have seen a steep decline, with the latest episode achieving only 62,000 views. In audio rankings, the podcast is currently 34th on Spotify and 19th on Apple Podcasts, which, while respectable, falls short of expectations given Obama's prominence. Critics note that the podcast's performance comes at a time when the Democratic Party is struggling to connect with audiences, as highlighted by a CNN poll showing a low favorability rating. Despite the setbacks, Obama had aimed for the podcast to serve as a platform for honest conversations about life, family, and personal challenges. The venture's lack of traction has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of celebrity-driven media in a crowded podcast market.