The Jamie Kern Lima Show - Michelle Obama Reveals All! (Pt 3) How to Feel Hope in Your Life & Future Right Now, Barack’s Insights, Her Next Steps and Plan & More!

Episode Date: November 25, 2025

She’s one of the most requested guests of all time, and I am so excited that for the FIRST TIME EVER, First Lady Michelle Obama is here with you and me, in person on the Jamie Kern Lima Show! And I ...have to say, it’s one of the most inspiring conversations we’ve ever had on the show! She’s truly revealing all, and shares stories, insights and life-changing lessons she’s never shared before! Get ready to cry (she does in this episode too!), to laugh and gain soul-filling inspiration! And when I say we talk about all the things, we truly talk about all the things! Including the questions you submitted…I asked them, and she answered! All of them! From questions on regrets, to reconsidering running for President, to the state of our country, to body image and beauty standards (and double standards!). From learning to hear your intuition and trusting yourself, to the words her husband, President Barack Obama shares with her when she needs to restore hope, to how to Ignite Your Inner Light & Celebrate Who You Are with Confidence! In her new book The Look, Michelle reveals for the first time ever how she and her team transformed the scrutiny of her public image into a celebration of self-expression, inclusion, and impact. She also has a brand new IMO podcast series, IMO: The Look as well! You can find both here: https://michelleobamabooks.com/ And be sure to tune into her award-winning podcast, IMO, wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts! I am so happy you’re here and thank you for being part of the JKL Show podcast family. The intention of this show is to be a force for good and a force for love. I have guests on that might vote differently, love differently or pray differently from you and me because I believe: To heal humanity through love, we must first understand the humans who make it up! I am SO happy you are here…no matter how you vote, you love or you pray, you belong here! Full Video Available on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JamieKernLimaOfficial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Are You Ready to believe in YOU?🙌⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ jamiekernlima.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👈 Sign up for my FREE Inspirational Newsletter here and you’ll ALSO get special prompt questions to help you grow in your self-worth-building that pair with each episode!🩷  Make sure to click the “Follow” button for the show on your favorite podcast app, so you’ll be the first to get each episode!  Get your copy of ⁠The Look⁠ Watch or listen to Michelle’s inspiring new ⁠IMO:The Look⁠ special podcast series Subscribe to Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson’s ⁠IMO Podcast⁠ Episode Reflection Questions for YOU: Jamie writes prompt questions each episode to spark revelations in your self-worth journey and help you apply the tools and lessons from each episode into your real life right now. Please make sure you’re signed up for Jamie’s free inspirational newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠ jamiekernlima.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👈 Get my new book WORTHY plus FREE Bonus gifts including a 95+ page Worthy Workbook and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠WorthyBook.com⁠⁠⁠⁠  For more resources related to today’s episode, click here ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jamiekernlima.com/show/⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the podcast episode page. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome to The Jamie Kern Lima Show  8:20 On Leadership: “Bring Others Up, Move Out Of The Way” 11:10 On Being “Cool” You Asked, Michelle Obama Answers 13:15 On The East Wing Being Demolished 15:45 If You Need Hope, Watch This! It’s such an honor to share this podcast together with you. And please note: I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Click⁠⁠⁠⁠ Here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to Subscribe to the YouTube Channel Follow me here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ —  Sign up for my inspirational newsletter for YOU at:⁠⁠⁠⁠ jamiekernlima.com⁠⁠⁠⁠  —  Looking for my books on Amazon? Here they are!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠WORTHY⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Believe IT

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 Coming up in this incredible part three episode with Michelle Obama, how, especially as someone who's been this huge overachiever your whole life, how have you gotten to the place where you're not tied to the significance of that? I believe that our jobs as leaders is to come in, do our part, bring others up, move out of the way. Let them cook, as the kids say. This stage of my life is purposefully and mindfully planning my step aside. I've never heard you share things like this before. I have never had this in-depth conversation. There are so many questions you want to know, and Michelle is revealing all in this episode. Do you have a favorite prayer?
Starting point is 00:00:53 Barack still says his prayers too at night. Sometimes I hear him at night. How did you learn to be so cool? Will you ever change your mind ever, ever in the future about running? What did it feel like for you and your body when you saw the East Wing? East Wing being demolished. You know, it was, I think in my body I felt that's the part of it that hurts. For the person who needs to feel some hope in their life right now,
Starting point is 00:01:28 What do you say? I will say what my husband has said and he helps me. In her new book, The Look, Michelle reveals for the first time ever how she and her team transformed the scrutiny of her public image into a celebration of self-expression, inclusion, and impact. The Look will ignite your confidence and inspire you to embrace your own authenticity, beauty, style, and to trust your own voice. I was right.
Starting point is 00:02:01 I was absolutely right. I didn't even know it. Oh, my. With my goodness. Jamie. What you just gave? Like, thank you. I don't know.
Starting point is 00:02:11 You pulled it out of me. How did you get to be? Such a light. Where did that come from? What planet could you get that off down from? I don't want to cry my makeup off. You just want me to cry mine off. I mean, it's like,
Starting point is 00:02:27 Oh, Jamie. Welcome to the Jamie Kern-Lean Show. I am so happy you're here. I'm so excited for this conversation we're having together today with First Lady Michelle Obama. The intention of the show is to be a force for good and a force for love. I have guests on that might vote differently, love differently, or pray differently from you and me, because I believe to heal humanity through love, we must first understand the humans who make it up. I am so happy you are here, and no matter how you vote or you love or you pray,
Starting point is 00:03:03 you belong here. And whether today you're listening for yourself or because someone shared this episode with you, welcome to the JKL Show podcast family. I'd be so grateful if you could take two seconds and hit the subscribe button on the app you're listening or watching on. That way, you'll be the very first to get every inspirational episode. Plus, you can get weekly inspiration right into your inbox from me for free. Just join my newsletter at jamiekernlima.com. Thank you so much for sharing this with every single person who you know who might need some inspiration today or perhaps a boost in hope and self-belief
Starting point is 00:03:41 because we are all in this life together. Welcome to the Jamie Kernelima show. Oprah, how have you defied the odds? Her show is unlike any I've ever done. A revelation. When you listen, it feels like a hug, but your brain and your spirit and your heart is like, wow. Melinda French Gates. When I look into Jamie's eyes, I feel like I am on some other cosmic level with her.
Starting point is 00:04:11 I could see the light around her. She's infused with light. Imagine overcoming self-doubt, learning to believe in yourself and trust yourself and know you are enough. Welcome to the Jamie. Kurn Lema show. Jamie Kern Lema is her name. Everybody needs Jamie Kron Lema in their life. Jamie Kern Lema.
Starting point is 00:04:35 Jamie, you're so inspiring. Jamie Kern Lema. What for you would you say is your greatest life lesson? Oh, gosh, Jamie, you're killing me. You are going so deep. I have never had this in-depth conversation about faith. And I really am grateful to be in this moment with you. But my greatest life lesson, do unto others.
Starting point is 00:05:08 You know, we are each other's brothers and sisters keepers. And we do have space to do that, you know. Yeah. I really do believe that, that that, you know, what you put out, you get back. I do believe that, you know. And by no means perfect, you know, talk to my staff. They're like, oh, my God, what does she want us to do now? And, you know, but it is hard for me not to scoop up everybody in my orbit, you know,
Starting point is 00:05:50 and just parent them. Sasha said this the other day. We were at dinner and she says, oh, mom loves to parent a thing. Whether it's our dog sunny or there's like, well, this is what I would do. I just do have that sense of like if I can help you, if I can mentor you, if I, like, this is what I know.
Starting point is 00:06:16 And what I've experienced, the more I give, the more I get back. It's just, I don't do it because of that, but that's what I've seen. Yeah. Come to be. And so that means we have to be very careful about our words and our attitudes and how we show up. That's the going high piece, right? The going high piece is, can I go low?
Starting point is 00:06:41 Yeah, of course I can. In my mind, behind the scenes, it's there. It's not that you don't have the feeling, right? You can be disappointed and angry. But what you put out when you have a platform and other people are listening, my God, I think that I have a complete responsibility to be that light. And it comes back multiple times. So, yeah, be the light. be like that's the that's the greatest lesson I've learned you know one of the things I think is so
Starting point is 00:07:24 powerful is that idea like if you need something give it you know like there's so many people that don't feel seen or they feel invisible and it's just like there's moments you know you walk to a coffee shop if you're able to or you know what walk down the street and if you actually see someone else like if you really see somebody like you'll see this moment in their eye where they realize they're seen and it's like in that moment they see you back. And it's like there's, there's so much we can do in that vein. That's such a beautiful lesson. I want to say something's really rare because you talk about, your mom talks about how you, you know, if you colored outside the lines as a little girl, you'd throw that page away.
Starting point is 00:08:06 And, you know, to your point earlier, you've done so many things in such a, and yet you've talked a lot recently where, you know, because there's a lot of people that call you their forever first lady, and you've said a couple of times recently, like, y'all, that was nine years ago. That was eight years ago. Now, Michelle, most people, they are tied to something that the world calls significant, right? Whether it's like they won the thing in high school and that's their thing that they will forever, how, especially as someone who's been this amazing overachiever, huge overachiever your
Starting point is 00:08:43 whole life. How have you gotten to the place where you're not tied to the significance of that? Yeah. It's, it's work. But it goes to the mentoring piece, right? I believe that our jobs as leaders is to come in, do our part, bring others up. Yes. Move out of the way. Let them cook, as the kids say, you know. And it's hard to let the young people cook if you're there in the kitchen. Direct in and nope, don't use that recipe. And, you know. So this part of my, this stage of my life is purposefully and mindfully planning my step aside,
Starting point is 00:09:42 not my exit, but it's like, you've got to step up, whatever that is. And so it's the opposite of holding on to the thing. It's letting go. And I think that that's another lesson that I've learned from my mother. She was constantly letting us go, constantly showing her confidence in us by giving us, by giving us our competence by saying you can do this you don't need me and how many parents are willing to say that's not your win's not my win that's your win yeah it is also your loss and I will be there with you but this is yours to own so how I'm thinking about it is that
Starting point is 00:10:35 I'm trying to give back too yeah and I can't give if I'm holding a on to it. The position, the thing, the title, the feeling. Yeah. Yeah. You know. There's a quote by John Maxwell that says great leaders don't climb ladders. They build ladders, right? To help all these other people rise. Yeah. That is true leadership. I mean, it's like, oh, Jamie. You are by far one of the most requested guests on the show. And a lot, oh yeah, and a lot of people have submitted questions. So I'm just going to do rapid fire. All right. How did you learn to be so cool. I think I was born with it. No. How did I learn? That's so, that's so, so cute. I think it's a culmination. This is the beauty of this interesting life, you know. I grew up as a working class
Starting point is 00:11:26 kid on the south side. So many influences, so much, you know, that's the beauty of our diversity, right? It's like just so many different experiences that I draw from music, culture, people, language, travel. I think the more, the more of it, it creates that cool, right? Because you're constantly, I'm constantly borrowing from other people's cool. Do you have a favorite prayer? Oh, gosh. No, it's the, it's, it's the nightly prayer. The prayers, you know, it's the end of the day. Barack still says his prayers too at night. But he does it in a, a really private, private way, which I think is really sweet, you know, sometimes I hear him at night. But it's that the end of the day prayer when I've kind of settled in right before I go to
Starting point is 00:12:28 sleep, you know, and it's not a specific prayer, but it's a prayer of thought and being, you know, starting with the ones that I love and care about. It's almost the superstition of ending the night in your spirit. Yes, yes. Will you ever change your mind ever, ever in the future about running? No. Never ever. Never ever.
Starting point is 00:12:52 Guilty Pleasure TV show. Oh, any real housewife. I watch them all. It's a sociological study. Yeah, yeah. I'd DVR them and my husband's like that again. Oh, yeah, I watch them. That's what, Barack is the same way.
Starting point is 00:13:08 That's why I say, well, you watch. Golf. Yeah, yeah. What did it feel like for you and your body when you saw the East Wing, East Wing being demolished? You know, it was, it's not, it's not about me. It's about us and our traditions and what they stand for. I think in my body I felt confusion because I'm like, well, who are we? What do we value and who decides that? that's the thing that's going through my head a lot lately who are we what what are the rules because I'm confused yeah by what the what are our norms and our mores not the laws but how do we live together that's the part of it that hurts it's not the house it's not the
Starting point is 00:14:07 It's who, I'm just, you know, just trying to understand the assignment. And so I think I felt a loss for us as a nation. But personally, you know, that was not our, that's not our house. That's the people's house. You've entertained so many yes, gone to so many parties. How do you know what to say at a social event? and none of us learn this. Oh, my gosh.
Starting point is 00:14:40 I'm looking for that light, that connection, you know. I try to focus on the person right in front of me. That's the easiest thing. Tell me about you. What's going on in your life? I mean, that's why I love my podcast because I'm just doing it's like, Jamie, I would, so we would be off. And I just, I can focus in on one conversation.
Starting point is 00:15:07 until somebody pulls me away. That's, I love the seatmate conversation because I'm like, okay, let's figure you out. So it's one person at a time and it's just, it's a real curiosity. So that gets me through any dinner and me at a dinner party. We just don't go. Yeah. And we went to a friend's big birthday party and it was the other day and it was a, it was pretty good. But I don't have trouble connecting with people.
Starting point is 00:15:39 I enjoy it, deeply enjoy it. For the person who needs to feel some hope in their life right now, what do you say? I will say what my husband has said, and he helps me. It's still in the course of human history, if we had to pick a time to be alive, it would be now. We have grown and we continue to grow as a nation. We just can't lose sight of that growth. We do have to understand our history and what we've been through, what we've decided we don't want to be any longer and why.
Starting point is 00:16:28 Just so that we don't keep making the same mistakes. we've learned a lot about who we want to be. You know, we're more open people. We are more inclusive, more caring, and I think we feel better about ourselves for it. We just, but progress is never a straight, clean, clear line. And that's okay. So I would just remind us all that we,
Starting point is 00:17:03 are still growing. And in this country, we're young. We're a baby country. You know, it's like we're like a teenager. We're like a 13-year-old, you know, and we're doing some dumb 13-year-old stuff right now. But we're going to continue to grow. We're going to learn. And there's going to be some pain and some loss and some failure. But the trajectory is upward. We just, have to keep moving forward. Keep moving forward. Learn from our history. Amen to that. I am so excited for the look for the launch of this. Also, love your podcast, IMO. I like laugh. Would your mom said that your brother's wine is so good and the whole thing? And you're like, no, but we have white house wine and she's like just all of it and how he's the he was the favorite all the things
Starting point is 00:18:06 still is and you're also doing a special podcast um with your trifecta and and so many special guests for the looks and we're also going to link to that because so many people listening to us right now can just hop right on over like right now whatever app you're listening on or you know watching it on youtube hop right over so we're going to link to that in the show notes here to check that because that's so special. And I just want to thank you. Jamie, thank you. I mean, this was emotional. It was funny, fun. You are, you are a light. I was right. I was absolutely right. I didn't even know it. And thank you for being the light for so many people. Your platform is important. And it's been an honor and a privilege for me to be here with you. So just keep it up,
Starting point is 00:18:56 Thank you. Thank you. Remember this episode's not just for you and me. Please share this with every single person that you know because it can impact and change their life too. And if you love today's episode, please click the follow or subscribe button for this show on the app you're listening to it on or watching it on. And if it added value to your life, if you could give it a rating or review, I would be so grateful, five stars if you can. And again, just share it with every person you believe in. Share it with another person in your life who could benefit from it. Maybe you know someone needs to step into their authentic self or love who they truly are. Please post the episode and share it with others online or in your community who just might need the words and tools
Starting point is 00:19:42 and lessons in this episode today. You never know whose life you're meant to change today by sharing this episode. And thank you so much for joining me today. Before you go, I want to share some words with you that couldn't be more true. You right now, exactly as you are, are enough and fully worthy. You're worthy of your greatest hopes, your wildest dreams, and all the unconditional love in the world. And it's an honor to welcome you to each and every episode of the Jamie Kernelima show. Here, I hope you'll come as you are. Heal where you need, blossom what you choose, journey toward your calling, and stay as long as you'd like, because you belong here. You are worthy.
Starting point is 00:20:31 You are love. You are loved, and I love you. And I cannot wait to join you on the next episode of the Jamie Kernelima show. Imagine what would you do if you fully believed in you? My weekly free inspirational newsletter is packed with tips. and tools to help you find out. It's called One-on-One with Jamie, and it's delivered right to your inbox each Tuesday morning.
Starting point is 00:20:59 It's a love letter from me to you, from my soul to yours, and I hope it brings you the words and messages you need at just the right moment. Plus, when you're part of my free inspirational newsletter community, you'll be the first to get behind-the-scenes content, inspirational messages, and be the first to learn about upcoming events and more. It's the place to be, and I sure hope you'll join me there. So if you're not on the list yet, you can sign it for free at jamiekernlima.com or click the link in the show notes below. And here's to Becoming Unstoppable Together. I am so excited for this book, you know why? Because it's going to save so many. It's going to save me. It's going to save me.
Starting point is 00:21:48 Worthy, your new beautiful book worthy. Get this book? This book? I'm telling you. It's a book that can change anybody's life who picks it up. Anybody who's ever felt that they were not good enough, didn't measure up, something's missing in your life. I have to tell you.
Starting point is 00:22:06 It's powerful. It's happening. It's worthy. Imagine what would you do if you fully believed in you? I went from stress. from struggling waitress facing non-stop rejection to founder of It Cosmetics, a billion dollar company by learning how to overcome self-doubt
Starting point is 00:22:26 and believe I'm worthy of my hopes and dreams and I'm sharing how you can too in my new book, Worthy, how to believe you are enough and transform your life. If you're ready to truly trust yourself and break through that barrier of self-doubt and know that where you come from or even where you are right now doesn't determine where you're going than worthy is for you.
Starting point is 00:22:54 It's time to go from doubting you're enough to knowing you're enough. It's time to step into all of who you are and into the person you were born to be. And it's time to believe that you are worthy of it. Because in life, we don't become what we want. We become what we believe we're worthy of. Join the Worthy Movement today by grabbing your copy of Worthy, anywhere books are sold, then head to Worthybook.com now for free gifts, including my five-part course on becoming unstoppable and my 95-page Worthy Workbook Action Plan that teaches you how to implement the tools
Starting point is 00:23:36 from the book into your real life right now. Worthy is groundbreaking. Yo. My God! Worthy, you are worthy. This book is going to change lives. This book literally will teach you how to actually feel worthy so that you can have the strength, you can have the confidence.
Starting point is 00:23:52 The lessons in this book and the strategies will change your life. You will never be the same again after you read this book. Jamie's Bookworthy is a must read. It is going to inspire you, empower you, give you the hope that you need and the kick in the rear end that you deserve. Amy's Book Worthy is incredible. The gifts are going away, but they're all free right now on worthybook.com. Do you struggle with negative self-talk? Living with a constant mental narrative that you're not good enough is exhausting.
Starting point is 00:24:29 I know because I spent most of my life in that habit. The words you say to yourself about yourself are so powerful. And when you learn to take control over your self-talk, it's life-changing. And I wanted to give you a free resource that I created for you if this is something that could benefit your life. It's called Five Ways to Overcome Negative Self-Talk and Build Self-Love. And it's a free how-to guide to overcome that negative self-talk to build confidence and develop unshakable self-love so that you can dream big and keep going in the pursuit of your goal.
Starting point is 00:25:07 don't let self-sabotaging thoughts hinder your progress any longer. It's time to rewrite the script of your life when filled with self-love, resilience, and unwavering belief. If you're ready to take charge of your narrative, build unwavering confidence, and empower yourself to persevere on the path to your dreams, you can grab your free guide to stop overthinking and learn to trust yourself at jamie kurnlema.com slash resources or click the link in the show notes below. And please note, I'm not a licensed therapist and this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional.

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