TARAJI P. HENSON Opens Up About Burnout, Boundaries & Healing as a Black Woman | IMO

Actress, businesswoman, and mental health advocate Taraji P. Henson joins to talk about setting boundaries, why Michelle didn't attend the inauguration, post-White House therapy, and the glories of the Real Housewives franchise.

#michelleobama #craigrobinson #tarajiphenson #podcast

[00:00] - What Happened to Me After the White House?
[02:06] - Craig’s Fanboy Moment for Taraji
[03:46] - Welcoming Taraji to the Table
[04:47] - Cookie on Empire: A Cultural Reset
[06:13] - The Spiritual Role of an Actor
[09:05] - The Birth of TPH: Haircare with Purpose
[12:44] - Protecting Our Edges and Ourselves
[14:28] - Burnout, Grinding, and the Cost of Overworking
[20:11] - Why Black Women Carry So Much
[26:32] - Creating the Boris L. Henson Foundation
[32:13] - Listener Question: Burnout & Expectations
[33:05] - The Power of Saying No
[39:23] - Michelle on Therapy and Redefining 'Enough'
[43:41] - Skipping the Inauguration: A Radical Act of Self-Care
[47:15] - Teaching the Next Generation to Say No Sooner
[51:57] - What We’d Tell Our Younger Selves
[53:45] - Taraji’s Playroom and the Power of Joy

Subscribe to IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson on YouTube:    / @michelleobama  

Have a question for the show? Let us know at IMOpod.com

Follow us on social!
Instagram: www.instagram.com/imopodcasts
TikTok:   / imopodcasts  
Facebook:   / imopodcasts  
X: https://x.com/imopodcasts

About IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson

Michelle Obama and her big brother Craig Robinson bring their unique experiences and candid perspectives to a range of personal dilemmas, from the everyday to the existential. Each week, they’re joined by a special guest to tackle audience questions with practical advice, terrific stories, and plenty of laughs. From dating and relationships to parenting and financial planning, IMO sees the iconic First Lady at her most relaxed and honest. This podcast will leave you laughing, reflecting, and feeling more prepared to tackle life’s challenges. Join the conversation and submit your questions at imopod.com!

About Michelle Obama

Michelle’s passion for storytelling has set sales records, garnered awards and accolades, and earned her global acclaim. Her memoir, Becoming, spent over 130 weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list, sold more than 17 million copies worldwide, and won a Grammy Award. American Factory, the first film produced by her and her husband Barack Obama’s media company Higher Ground, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2020. Upon its release in 2020, The Michelle Obama Podcast was the most successful original in Spotify history, bringing in more women listeners over 40 than any other podcast. Through the Obama Foundation, she founded the Girls Opportunity Alliance, which supports adolescent girls' education and empowerment around the world. She is also a Co-Founder and Strategic Partner of PLEZi Nutrition, working behind-the-scenes to guide the company's mission to be a driver of change and a model for how food and beverage brands can support the health of the next generation.

Follow Michelle Obama on Instagram:   / michelleobama  
Follow Michelle Obama on Facebook:   / michelleobama  
Follow Michelle Obama on X: https://x.com/MichelleObama

About Craig Robinson

Craig is the Executive Director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and host of the Higher Ground podcast Ways To Win with Hall of Fame coach John Calipari. From 2017-2020, he served as the vice president of Player Development and Minor League Operations for the NBA’s New York Knicks. Previously, he was a Division I head men’s basketball coach at Oregon State and Brown, and spent more than a decade working as a trader in the investment banking industry. Most importantly, he is a husband and father of four.

Follow Craig Robinson on X: https://x.com/craigmalrob
Follow Craig Robinson on Instagram:   / craigmalrob  

About Higher Ground

Higher Ground was founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama in 2018 to tell powerful stories that entertain, inform, and inspire—while elevating new and diverse voices in the entertainment industry. Learn more at https://highergroundmedia.com/

Follow Higher Ground on Instagram:   / highergroundmedia  
Follow Higher Ground on X: https://x.com/HGMedia