ISSA RAE — How to Manage and Grow Changing Friendships | IMO

Issa Rae is an acclaimed actor, producer, writer, and restaurateur—but she’s also a student of modern adult friendships. She joins Michelle and Craig to answer a question from a listener who is struggling with the unexpected end of a long-term friendship. Issa asks why male friendships are so weird and shares lessons from a friendship falling out. Michelle offers lessons on how to maintain connections throughout life, and Craig takes a stand for the fellas – who, Issa and Michelle claim, have no idea how to use emojis to express actual emotion.

[00:00:00] - Crisis vs. Non-Crisis Moments
[00:03:01] - How Many Childhood Friends Remain?
[00:05:01] - Maintaining Friendships Over Time
[00:07:23] - The Difference in Male vs. Female Friendships
[00:09:01] - Issa Rae Joins the Conversation
[00:10:44] - Issa’s Unexpected Career Path
[00:12:26] - Friendship Breakups: Personal Stories
[00:14:06] - Listener Letter: When a Friendship Ends Unexpectedly
[00:17:53] - Why Women’s Friendships Are More Complex
[00:20:00] - The Hidden Struggles of Hardworking Parents
[00:20:46] - Fighting for the Right to Rest and Recover
[00:26:06] - The Unspoken Expectations in Friendships
[00:27:29] - When Friends Don't Show Up for You
[00:31:07] - The ‘Chair of Angst’: A Unique Support System
[00:34:10] - When to Reevaluate a Friendship
[00:35:12] - Are You a High-Maintenance Friend?
[00:36:42] - Struggles of a Low-Maintenance Friend
[00:38:26] - Why Friends Assume You're ‘Too Busy’
[00:46:59] - The Slow Ghost: Drifting vs. Confronting Friends
[00:48:32] - The Evolution of Friendships Over Time
[00:50:09] - Male Friendships: Surface-Level Until Crisis Hits
[00:51:10] - The 48-Hour Friendship Check-In for Women
[00:56:00] - Crisis Response: Women vs. Men
[00:57:50] - The Struggle with Expressing Emotions & Emojis
[00:58:56] - Setting Boundaries in Unbalanced Friendships

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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 Obama is one of the most admired women in the world, known for her grounded wisdom, empathy, grace, and commitment to family. She brings cultural impact and an ability to shape the national conversation like almost no one else in America. But when she's facing an issue, there is one person that she has always gone to first…her big brother Craig.

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About Craig Robinson

Craig Robinson is a renowned basketball coach—having worked for the Knicks, Bucks, and Oregon State—who serves as the Executive Director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He’s worked at ESPN and co-hosts the Higher Ground original Ways to Win podcast with Hall of Fame coach John Calipari.

But most importantly he is a husband, a father of four and—as his sister always jokes—his mother’s favorite.

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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/

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