Is Michelle Obama’s Podcast a Fail?

So, someone had a moan about your podcast online? Maybe a random bloke on Twitter (sorry, X – still weird) reckons your show’s a ‘flop’? Or maybe, like Michelle Obama’s podcast, some armchair critics are trying to call it a failure after just a few episodes?

Here’s the deal: podcasting comes with criticism. Always has, always will. But should you let it rattle you? Absolutely not.

Michelle Obama’s podcast has been labelled a ‘failure’. And because of what? Some arbitrary YouTube metrics that the pundits have been spying on.

Because clearly, we’re all measuring podcasts the way we measure cat videos now.

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: YouTube is not the be-all and end-all of podcasting success.

Sure, it’s a useful platform, particularly if you’re a video creator who loves to roll your sleeves up on camera.

But even the biggest and best shows still thrive on audio-first platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and even Amazon Music.

The problem? The internet loves a visible number. YouTube comments and public view counts make it easy for people to play ‘expert’ and declare something a failure without understanding how podcast consumption actually works.

Whether the former first lady is a victim or not, I’ll leave you to decide.

But in terms of whether the badge of failure she’s been given for her show “IMO” is deserved or not; I’d suggest not.

And I explain why in the latest episode of my podcast.

Click on the images to listen or watch.