This special anniversary episode of IMO celebrates the first year of the podcast, highlighting deep and personal conversations that span family, identity, and self-growth. Guests and hosts reflect on pivotal life moments, from childhood struggles and early independence to parenting and self-compassion. The episode emphasizes how women of color have long been conditioned to overachieve, leading to internalized guilt and a need to constantly prove themselves—offering a powerful call to redefine success through self-care and authenticity. Humorous anecdotes, such as sibling rivalries and a daring 13-year-old trip to Miami, provide levity while illustrating resilience and early entrepreneurial spirit. A central theme is the value of small, everyday acts—like a parent playing with children or a family meal—over material wealth, illustrating the idea that "parenting is pennies in the bank." The show also touches on cultural identity, personal boundaries, and the importance of living on one's own terms. A lively segment on ketchup consumption and a fun Black Jeopardy game underscore the podcast’s blend of warmth, humor, and cultural insight. Ultimately, the episode celebrates the journey of self-discovery, the power of shared stories, and the joy of building meaningful connections across generations.
(upbeat music) This episode is brought to you by SHIPPED. (upbeat music) Hey everyone, our podcast IMO has officially reached its first anniversary. And this past year has been filled with so much fun and so many special moments from heart to hearts with Taraji P. Henson to the complexities of parent child relationships with Bruce Springsteen, hilarious sibling stories with Damon and Marlon Wayans, and even a controversial opinion on ketchup from my husband. The first year of IMO has brought us some truly unforgettable moments. And while these conversations have given us the opportunity to connect with some of our favorite people and share our perspectives with each of you, what I love most about this show is I get to do it with my big brother Craig. - Oh, you're sweet, me-- - I am. - This year has been life-changing. And there's no one I would want to have these conversations with than you. To our IMO listeners, thank you for joining us on this journey. I can't wait for what year two of IMO will bring. - And make sure you follow IMO wherever you get your podcast so you can get new episodes as soon as they drop every Wednesday. We can't wait for you to tune in. - And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates at imopod.com. We hope you enjoy this special bonus episode made up of some of our favorite moments from the first year of IMO. - You know, Sonny, I didn't go get my brothers when I got this. I would get my sisters. - Yeah. - My sisters was vicious. - Yeah. - Yeah. The volume one time this kid, Baldi Joe, was beating me up. And he was like a 16 year old kid. And my sister had corn rolls. She was about 250 pounds. She said, "Come here." And she grabbed him by his arms like this. And she said, "Mallon, punch him in the face." I was like, "Devon, he gonna beat me." She said, "If you don't punch him, I'm gonna punch you." I was like, "Bow!" - And, you know, my sisters always had my back in them. - Yeah. - I didn't get-- - I didn't get my brother, 'cause-- I had to look in and get beat up. (laughing) - Not like bad. Like so Keenan used to walk around and come through slippers. Like he was just brutally and gym killing. - Yeah. - And he loved, yeah. Noon Chucks, he would have, like, and he was really good. He would kick the ceiling. And then one day he got into a fight with this dude Bobby Boyd in the building, in the lobby of the building. And Keenan, you know, everybody's like, "Aw, snap." - Yeah. - Yeah. - It's gonna be a karate, oh. - Yeah. - And Keenan went to take off his shirt. - Oh, man! - And the dude snatched him. - No. - But like with his shirt. - Oh, man. - And just-- - And just pummeled him. And like Keenan was on the floor. (laughing) - No. - And there was, like, blood, sleep, sleep in the shirt. - And I'm like, "Get up, Keenan. You should move, too." - And Keenan, you can do it, you can do it. - I'm tangled, you're out from your shirt. (laughing) - Oh, no. - This guy, you looked up. - Don't be a Keenan, someone else. - If you do make sure you take your shirt off. - I'm saying it really, it's like, oh, man, that Bruce Lee didn't know about that. Don't lock yourself up in your shirt, you know, oh, man. - Bruce Lee didn't wear pullovers. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. - Yeah, when I hear you talk about the practice, what I'll call the practice of no, 'cause you're absolutely right. And I know that everyone struggles with disappointing people with trying to set boundaries, but I particularly relate to, you know, what you were saying about. It takes you a while before you, you know, maybe as a woman, as a black woman, where we feel comfortable saying, "No, I sit here thinking, well, why is that?" And why was that for me? Because this is something that I am working on right now. You know, I, I but like you, I have believed in therapy my whole life, you know, done couples therapy with my husband, both my girls are, they believe in therapy. This is generation. Thankfully, I think our children are way more open to it. They understand the importance of self-help and all of that. I also sort of realize that, you know, even Michelle Obama, I am still trying to tell myself that I am doing enough, right? Because there's always that feeling. I think we practice that striving because in order to be successful, I always felt like I had to be smarter, faster, work harder, because somebody was gonna doubt me. Somebody was always already telling me why I couldn't do something before they knew me or even tried. So you get in the, and I don't think this is unique to just women of color. I don't think it's just unique to men, but when you get in that habit of that constant striving and constant proving that, you know, it's enough. It makes us overachievers, but you don't ever turn that off. And at 60, I was still, I had to convince myself that I had done enough after all that I had done in the world. I still felt a guilt, right? Struggling with like deep guilt that maybe, maybe I needed to do a little bit more. So I'm at this stage in life where I have to define my life on my terms for the first time. So what are those terms? And going to therapy, just to work all that out. Like, what happened that eight years that we were in the White House? What did that do to me? - Yes. - Internally my soul, we made it through. We got out alive. I hope we made the country proud. My girls thank God our whole, but what happened to me? - Right, right, right. And going through therapy, you know, is getting me to look at the fact that it maybe, maybe finally I'm good enough, right? And unlearning some of those messages that I've been saying to myself and then trying to actively practice something different to rewire those neurons in my head that make me keep pushing and keep striving. And so practicing know in a very different way intentionally. But then this is what makes it hard because, you know, my decision to skip the inauguration, you know, what people don't realize or my decision to make choices at the beginning of this year that suited me were met with such ridicule and criticism. Like people couldn't believe that I was saying no for any other reason that they had to assume that my marriage was falling apart, you know. It's like, while I'm here really trying to own my life and intentionally practice making the choice that was right for me. And it took everything in my power to not do the thing that was right or that was, was that perceived as right, but do the thing that was right for me. That was a hard thing for me to do. I had to basically trick myself out of it and it started with not having anything to wear. I mean, I had to affirmatively, 'cause I'm always prepared for any funeral, anything. I walk around with the right dress, I travel with clothes just in case something pops off. So I was like, if I'm not going to do this thing, I gotta tell my team, I don't even want to have a dress ready, right? Because it's so easy to just say, let me do the right thing. But then you become a shock absorber. Yeah. And that's what women are, shock absorbers. Yeah. And that's exhausting and it is not healthy. Yeah. It is not healthy. You've had to be shock absorbers for your husband, for your children, for your mom, for your family, your loved ones, because of where you were sitting in the public eye. That's not fair to you. When do you ever get to live for you? I applaud you. I am happy that you are taking care of yourself in the way that you need to. Yeah. 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And it even has extra storage in the legs. When we don't need the middle panels, we just slide them out and our space is back to how it was before. For all things hosting, Wayfair delivers high quality, customer trusted products for your home, so you can host and celebrate without distress. Use filters, customer photos, and more than 20 million verified five-star reviews to confidently find the right fit for your home. When refreshing your home this holiday season, Wayfair delivers exactly what you need. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home. That's w-a-y-f-a-i-r.com. Wayfair every style, every home. In my opinion, and this is controversial in my family, you should not eat ketchup after the age of eight. Is that all kind of answer just ketchup? No, no, no, no, it's just ketchup. I can't even go down an age on that one. You know, I think every time you say it, you make it younger and younger and pretty soon, it'll be like a portal. And I'm hoping we don't have a ketchup sponsor on this show. And that, well, we won't know. I have nothing- >> And we here at IMO have nothing against ketchup. >> I have nothing against kids, having ketchup. Ketchup on their burgers, ketchup for their fries. Even, which is hard for me to watch, ketchup on hot dogs. But at a certain point- >> But why so young? >> You got to kind of grow it. >> Why you cutting the people off the ketchup? So young dude, that's what we take issue with in our household. >> It might be a little too- >> Thank you, a little- >> Draconian. >> I think that's the word draconian. >> I think- >> My God. >> I'm trying to describe a general point of view, which is ketchup has its place. But- >> You should grow out. >> But it sounds like you're saying ketchup is childish. >> No, what I'm saying is that when I see a grown person, porn a lot of ketchup on something. >> Is it the amount of ketchup, is it just ketchup at all? >> Is it a lot of ketchup or even if you have a dollop of ketchup? >> I told you this was controversial in my family. >> I see. >> But I figured I'm coming in here hot. >> Well, and now you know that in addition to clicking my teeth along this straw to get on your nerves, I just have a dollop of ketchup. >> Catch up, right? >> At every meal, just to be like- >> That explains a lot because there's always ketchup. >> At your house, so it's not like- >> We're battling against the man. >> It's not forbidden. >> We are trying to live our lives with ketchup. Freedom for ketchup, he's the only one. >> Everybody else is fine with ketchup online. >> In fact, the girls have all these complicated- >> Oh, you mix up with this. >> Oh, yeah, yeah. >> All kinds of different sauces. >> He's had no- >> We have that in our house too. >> There's no one's following his lead. >> Okay, okay. >> That's a tough one. >> It's never hard. >> It's harsh. >> It is, it's hard. >> It might have been almost harsh. >> I mean, I know- >> But every time he says that the age goes down- >> You're mother in the age goes down. >> I used to- >> Everybody likes ketchup. >> Yeah, it's like the kind of- >> But it's like, now we're- >> And now you got it down the age. >> We got it down 10. I'm just thinking that the lower children- >> Like that's all they don't even want. The ketchup is the actual- >> Everything else is the ketchup delivery version. >> It's the delivery system. Now you're just, you know, just taking it. But we appreciate your opinion. >> There you go. >> I want to get back to because one thing I didn't ask about- you were- you were emancipated at 13. Is that- >> I've read that. >> Yeah, if you read that about yourself- >> You've read that about yourself. >> Tell us more about- >> Yeah. >> So it's not often that, you know. >> And at 13. >> And what led to that? Did you just walk out the door? Did you just say, hey, okay, thank you everyone. I'm going to take all my books and I'm on my own. >> I don't know how to put this without sounding facetious, but if you came from a Bible reading, believing family, yeah. Then you already knew I was finna do which he is as dead. >> Okay. >> Bounce. >> Okay. >> You know, there's no five temple to turn over cables. But this is- This is the life of a Christian revolutionary. >> I got to you way ahead of me. Because even if I wanted to leave at 13, I wouldn't have had the guts to do it, nor I would have the wherewithal that I could do it. >> It was a terrible idea. >> Okay, all right, here we go. I don't talk about it because I don't want any young person to hear that and think that it's possible that they can pull it off. >> Hearing that it's terrible is useful. >> But it wasn't. I just said that- >> It wasn't terrible. >> No, of course not. I'm the adventurer in this story. Are you kidding me? >> Okay. >> Hold me now, sir. I'm grown. I got a mustache and I said that I'm twins. Welcome. That was my- >> I'm picturing a little cat. Did you have the stick in your goods and a little >> Oh no. >> Did you walk out of the suitcase and a rot-wiler puppy? >> Did you left with the- >> That stint for failure. >> I walked out. >> It's like, and dependent. >> I'm taking a responsibility- >> Exactly. It's like, man, and I'll take this puppy. So where'd you go? Where was the first place you when your puppy- rot-wiler puppy went when you left your house? >> Miami, Florida. >> You went to a whole other state. >> That was always the thing. So I went to a truck stop. >> Oh, the best place to go. Wow. >> Because everybody's going out of here. And so then I checked license plates because I was looking for a warm destination. And I was hoping for LA or California. But Miami presented itself. And the guy let me and the rot-wiler puppy get in the back part of the empty truck. And it was stop everyone. >> Did you have any money? Well, we- >> I was loaded. >> I was loaded. I must have had $1,200 and you could not have told me that I was- >> Did you really have $1,200,000? >> $1,200,000. >> How do you get all this money? >> So the only thing I was allowed to do. I was allowed to cut grass in a summer. >> Okay. >> And I was allowed to- Shovel snow in the winter. So I probably had 60 clients on each. >> Okay. >> And you were an entrepreneur. >> I own a lot more in the shovels. >> Wow. >> And so me having money just gave me the ability to not have to wear the clothes that my parents wanted me to wear to school. Like I wear that out, go change, get into something, fly and presentable for school. And then like I was living multiple lives. But the money made it possible for me to have that freedom. And I learned that pretty early on. >> What was your alter ego with your money? >> When you went to school. Were you one way at home? Because you were dressing different. And then you took your lawnmower money and went to school, linear, whatever. Who were you? >> I had a relationship with the candy lady. So I was in sales already. And I was buying at a wonderful price upselling and supply and schoolmates with candy. >> So you were that kid, you were the kid that had the nalators and- >> Plus I had money. So I didn't have to, I was able to treat the women that I liked. >> Nice. >> Really nice. >> Nice. >> I learned that supplying happiness to people. >> So you were moneymighter? >> Yes. >> Yeah, moneymighter. >> Mm-hm. >> Yeah. >> That was your character came from moneymighter. You were practicing that at 13. >> It seems like it's all planned out. But God showed me early on that there was this pathway. And I wasn't really certain of how to make sure that I was on it or- >> Wow. >> So you get to Miami.
Yep, so we get some Miami with your puppy. Yeah, this trip probably only took us maybe Three days at the most maybe two It was a really nice ride, but yeah, so I'm there and I just had never seen a place so big with so many different neighborhoods and a different culture and ethnicity every Three blocks and it was really Really a bit of a culture shock, but I Found a place in coconut grove at a park and that's where I made my residence and it was across the street from a library and so I would Eight hours a day. I would be in a library reading and so you just camped out Literally literally did you buy a tent with your money? No, ma'am So you just laying out on the grass with your puppy at 13-year-old? No, no, no, they had across the street to the library Segment of population that this was kind of a in the homeless world This was kind of a gated community. Yeah, yeah, this park by them with a marina behind it, so you can't encroach In coconut grove, so yeah, I was able to purchase a brand new mattress the First day I was going to have to sleep so I'd never slept on the ground Anything and remember my clothes are all dress clothes. I only have slacks and white shirts and ties Like is anybody like I'm just trying to picture. I can't I can't pick any of those like and I'm still like Are you telling the truth are you joking? Because I'm like still trying to picture you you went and bought a mattress How'd you get the mattress to the park? I mean, I just You they delivered oh you went to a store and you had them deliver your mattress to the park There's a homeless hierarchy in the place that I was at So there was a guy who was in charge of whether or not you got to be there or not and How do you convince him that you should be there I didn't I've lived I've lived I Have a presence yes, you do and I'm one of the people that doesn't have ulterior motives and Most people I found do but even at that age I Didn't I didn't have any and as far as we're concerned you're in our family You feel it what you really I mean they are just sitting here and talking about that path. I mean it I Don't think that well, I know you must hear this all the time, but Yeah, we we have we had a happy beautiful family, right? But your talent your gifts the structure of your show How you showed up in it like Craig said you know your humanity before the show your honesty throughout your career. I mean That kind of stuff is has been as impactful to my development as my parents Right because that's the role modeling, you know, you see a Smart woman because of what is clear through this is that you've always been that woman smart courageous Bold and you just brought that to your your show and that came into our living rooms As as part of an important experience of seeing what you could be You're gonna make me cry Thank you. I'm so touched and moved you mean the world to us And Thank you, you know, I you know what I want to do I Want to Sing, it's so nice. I have a time. It's time together Just to have a laugh Since we just get started and before you know it comes the time. We have to say so long All these youngsters have no idea Oh Thank you. Thank you. I've got chills We played a summer tournament about two hours away and As I think back I wish we had considered staying in an Airbnb home instead of staying at a hotel we would have had an opportunity to eat together watch film together as well as control the curfew of a bunch of 13-year-old boys I also think that it would have given our parents a break from their children as You can imagine coming together as a team outside of the game is as important as what you do on the court and Having the ability to hang out together at an Airbnb would have given us that extra opportunity to bond And if you're thinking about the big tournaments, they come into your town now is a great time to think about hosting fellow fans and players during the season I mean as a kid I was very concerned about Stability and my mom with my mom was an amazing person, but she was not very parental and my dad had died and I very much wanted to know what was happening and I used to read my mom's journal. I used to monitor her phone calls when I was a kid like I wanted to know what was coming down the pipe Yeah, and I started working when I was 12 to earn money because I was very concerned about like My mom's on shaky financial footing and even though the world probably thought she was super rich, but yeah She you know spend a lot of money and I had no sense of money and I knew this from a little kid And I remember I was actually walking up the stairs one day my mom was on the phone She said starting the somebody in the phone. She said well, I'll always be able to make money and I stopped and I was like This ship is going down This I like if she thinks she's always gonna be able to do this like and how were you when you heard that? I was like 12. Yeah, I knew I knew early on Are you the oldest? No, I was the I was the honest my brother was two years older and but he wasn't as like Focused on this as much as I was I was really determined and yeah I started I mean it was ridiculous. I start working as a child model at 12 till I help I mean not that they you know, I wasn't I was saving the money because I was like I'm gonna need to I'm gonna. I'm building a life raft here But but she was remarkable and and you know I was always very sympathetic to my mom because she really didn't have parents have her own she was kind of Her dad died when she was an infant she was Raised in hotels in Europe by her mom and just wanted to party She was a subject of a vicious custody battle when she was 10 years old. It was called the trial the century in the depression and You know, I kind of saw a sadness behind my mom's eyes or whole life and I I didn't understand what the sadness was from But I was sympathetic to her and so even if she wasn't the most kind of mom mom She she was incredible. I viewed her as a I mean from the time I was little I viewed her as like a Space alien whose rocket ship head head like yeah, you know failed and landed on earth by accident And it was my job to like help her like rent an apartment. You learn how to breathe oxygen That's that's a level of worry that most young people. Yeah, but look who's I listen to you and I think about him really in he's the oldest. I think you call it catastrophic Yeah, you know a key was a catastrophe at that age in the same way that you were You know really thinking okay all the worst possible scenarios and I think he felt like the one that had to know it all right He was gonna be you that's interesting like if things fell apart if our dad ever could never function right then Craig Was the one who was gonna make sure that seems to the title of this book my mom and I wrote together Which ended up being basically our correspondence over the course of the year was the rainbow comes and goes which is from a words worth poem Um, and it was the poem my mom like and for her it meant well the rainbow comes and goes It's always gonna come back and so like right days are just ahead They're just around the corner the phone can ring and your whole life can change and for me the title is like yeah The rainbow comes and it goes And yeah, the phone to ring in your whole friggin life and change Like I saw from a negative right and she saw if you like could not it was so it's such an interesting kind of you Just different ways realistic. Yeah, you just try to be realistic. Just over all the bases in case something happens It's a fine line between realistic and pessimistic I think that's right. I think you two fell on the pessimistic side weren't theistic family, but I realized the parenting is pennies in the bank Yeah, it's at that time when you were working and you didn't want to stop but but you did That made a huge difference to me because if I'd have failed I always felt if I'd have failed with my kids. I would have failed tremendously in life Hmm, I like what you said that parenting is pennies in the bank
And that just resonates because I think of my upbringing and I've talked about in a lot. We were working class, poor working class family, father was a city worker, he did not make a lot of money, he did not have a title, he was not famous, he wouldn't be on a regular schedule, we could go for a week and not see him because he was working a shift. But when he was present, he was present in very small but meaningful ways, something as simple, you know, I recall like the special treat before dinner if he was there or after dinner was that we get him to play a game. Any kind of game, you know, a tickle game, a card game, and it just felt like such a treat that this big important man who had all this responsibility got on the floor and played with us. He delighted in our presence. And what I tell a lot of parents is that a lot of times we work for money and things because especially if you're poor, you think, well, if I could give my kids more, we could live in a bigger house, if I could put them in the best schools, if I could give them the nicest sneakers. Right, right, that that is going to replace it, but it's the pennies in the bank. Yeah, that matter and everybody's got some pennies, you know, kids don't need the stuff. They just want the pennies, you know, very important. And I think a lot of men lose sight of the fact that a lot of what they're working towards is just their goals and ambition. You know, and I think men should have that. I think everyone, men, women, people have to have their own lives and their own ambitions, but have it and say that's for you, but your kids, they just want pennies. They want the pennies. They really do. They do. Yeah, you're never too poor to be a father. No, forget, you know, time and attention, you know, artists, the worst, the worst, so self-involved, you know, oh my God, you know, you get so caught up in your own, your own inner world, you know, because that's where you sought refuge. You know, when things weren't working out, when you were younger, you sought refuge in this inner world. I think the point you're making is that, you know, it's easy to get lost in the grandeur of your life. Exactly, of yourself. Of yourself. I had to deal with a lot of the grandeur in myself. Yeah, because that's the thing everybody's taught to pursue, you know, it's like that's the brass ring. And that's why parenting is a group sport. And I think Barack is just like you as a tremendous father, doing it in a lot of grandeur, right? You're the commander-in-chief of the United States of America. And so finding that balance of, you know, when you've got the nuclear code in your grasp and world leaders calling you and big, important, heavy decisions coming at you every day and valleys and aides and on and on and security. Oh, it's just all grandeur. Trying to wipe all that stuff away and leave it at the door before you enter, before he would enter the residence of the White House to sit at a dinner table with his two daughters and only talk about them. Right. It was important for both of us, for me and Barack, to carve out that time in those eight years when our girls were in their formative years, you know? Yeah. They lived long to Malia and Sasha in the White House and they've lived in any house. No, that's that's amazing. They were formed in that house and around that table in that residence. And it took a mighty effort to leave the grandeur at the door and to just be there and talk about fifth grade. And, you know, even in my job, you know, it's like, hey, you're on the road, you're king. So I remember when I did a kill in the B, everybody kept saying this movie is going to be a hit. This movie is going to bust it out. This is going to be a star. And like, it's such an elusive thing. It's what's a star, you know? And how old were you then? I was 11. 11. And they were like, this is, I don't like it. It's like really? Whatever that is. I guess I'll be Michael Jackson. You know, like, it was like cute. And then the movie came in and did so terrible in the box office. Although that was one of my favorite movies. And then the thing about it is like, over time, it couldn't be my own sparkle of film. And the thing that people most know me for, but I use that as an example in this is because my life is made up of many moments. It's not made, like our legacy is not just that one thing we did. You know, it's for many things that we did. And so like, a kill in the B was always there for people to come to and remember my work. And it grew over time, amongst all the things I did. But I remember feeling in that moment being like, everybody lied to me. You know what I mean? I felt like when my mom told me I was going to be a big girl at five, I still didn't get big. I was like, no, wait a minute, I'm still. It's like, what is it? It sounds like big girl just means I can't be a baby. Exactly. Just don't seem right. How I felt with the killer thing. But what I learned and what I never did to myself after that was to expect an outcome, to be proud of the work, to be happy that I got the job or the thing that I wanted to get, or did the, but not to not to make it mean that it is only that. Yeah. If I receive a certain achievement, no, it's that to me. And that has to be enough. That's the one thing I thought about when that happened. So that makes me think, I mean, I share this all the time. I mean, I went to Princeton Harvard Law because I thought I was going to be a lawyer and a corporate lawyer. I didn't know anything about what a lawyer did. I didn't come. Our family was, we were not professional people. I picked law because it was the next thing to do. I applied. I got in Harvard. You get in Harvard. You go, right? That was the extent of my thinking. Yeah. Right. When I got out, I practiced in a firm for two years. And I was like, I don't like this at all. I'm not, you know, because corporate law is about its papers and briefs, its research. It's not very people oriented, especially in the your early years. It just, I had no idea what corporate law was. Right. I had wonderful mentors, people supported me. I was able to achieve and do good things in that year. But I didn't know what that felt like. I did not want to be a lawyer. And it turns out after all that education and all those loans. But to your point, it was all the loans that we just paid off before Barack went into the White House. Okay. So, I mean, we were carrying debt, you know, for a very long time for me not to be a lawyer. But to your point, I had no idea what that was going to mean and what was that, what that was going to feel like. It was just a goal that I set for myself. I didn't even know what it was based on. Yeah. I didn't know my why. I knew my what, but I didn't know my why. And I could have felt like a failure for you, right? But I didn't. Fortunately, I had parents. I was like, let me try on some other things. Like to your point, there are chapters in life. That was a chapter. I needed to do that and know that and understand that. And I went on to have many, many chapters. And I'm still glad that I got my law degree. The way I think, you know, how I see the world is very much influenced by that education. Yes. But it wasn't who I was supposed to be. And there's no way I would have known that had I not tried it. And then moved on from it and tried on some other thing. So for Noel, there are just that life is about the chapters. You know, it's never any one thing and to place too much stock or put too much emotion on one or two achievements, it always sets you up for disappointment because life is bigger than that. [Music] Before we go, I want to hear my song. Which one, okay, here it is. It's so good. It's so good. This is the best song. Here it is. And it goes a little bit like this. Now don't clap because I'll go off rhythm. Yes. Because I'm just pleased I've written some same people. Because you go. Very when the white people chime in on the rhythm, but I'm getting no something now. We'll cut this part out. We want to keep our way to audience. Listen. I love my wife.
I'll be my dude. But y'all just, when we start doing things just sit still. Da da da da da da. Da da da da da. Da da da da da. Da da da da da. Da da da da da. Da da da da. They stayed on top for ages. But their looks never quit. Da da. Now when white women get old, uh, their skin gets creased and lined. But because they're not. Da da da da. But because of my race, look at my face. So there's a baby behind because black don't cry. Da da da da da. I tell you, black don't cry. Da da da da da. Now Cardi B and Beyonce, certainly know how to make a buck. But being sued for fights or on Grammy nights, they don't need no nippin' tough. Da da da da da. Da da da da. Now Harriet's got her railroad. Sojourners got her truth. So come on the hats and Jasmine Crockett could be a choice at the voting booth. Uh, Oprah Winfrey's got her billions. Uh, and Michelle's got Obama. And I still look good out in Hollywood playing everybody's mama. I just hate you black. Don't cry. Oh, so why girls? Get your facelifts to your foreheads on your back. 'Cause I'll be having fun out in the sun. Just baby, black don't. And then shut up on. That's the orchestra going. The thing is I stay open. I'm probably way open. Yes. Oh my God, that sounded so wrong. I didn't mean that. Mom, my heart, your family, my heart is open. I'm literally open in the nation. Yes. Yes. Yes. That was a good question. And it should be, but I do date and it's a fascinating adventure out there. You know, mostly though, I think there's really good men out there. I think to a certain extent, I'm a very unique sort of unicorn of a woman. Yes. And so it's going to take a unique person. And in the meantime, I have really learned how to live my life and enjoy it and not sit around waiting. I come, you know, I was saying to someone recently that I'm one of the first generations of choice. And it's not anymore, which really there was a window and that has shifted. And I do think that that's going to change dating for women so much. When you mean you've been the sort of the product of choice, like the assumption of Roe v Wade and the ability for a woman to find her own delight and pleasure and choice around how she navigates dating or how one would navigate dating. And we're in a different world now. And I'm curious what that will look like. It frightens me for younger girls because of many reasons obviously. But even with the systemic protection of Roe v Wade, I still was coming up against the cultural norms of being a choiceful woman and owning my own body and my own choices. And what it is that I'm looking for in a relationship and the ability to negotiate in a relationship, what it is you want the relationship to be between the two of you as opposed to what society says it should be. We could not have Keenan Thompson on this podcast without doing one of my favorite skits, which is black jeopardy. Let's go. Craig and I have always thought we'd be pretty good at it. It looks a little hard. I'm a little intimidated. But I thought that if you would indulge us, you would give us an opportunity to play a couple of rounds. I love black. One of my favorite. He had the greatest black incredible. I think we coined the phrase Cameron for that skit. That's carrot. What is? Something like raisins or something that entertains us out. As you know, black jeopardy has a bunch of different categories. You know, different ones, like, you know, our categories today might be you better say it right. Fixing your plate. Don't touch that. Oh, you fancy. That ain't it. Black Twitter University. Good classics, black dads, be like et cetera, et cetera. Okay. Okay. All right. This is the sibling competition. Let's go. Good luck. Good luck to both of you contestants. Good luck. We should hear about today's prizes. We'll do that later. I feel like Cadillac might be involved. All right. Our first category. That ain't it. That ain't it. Okay. The question is a friend who says they don't do seasoning is also what? Not of colorful pigmentation. What is not of colorful. That's close. Do you have an answer? Not invited back to my. That is uninvited. Uninvited was the answer. All right. The next category, black Twitter University. Okay. What does she ate and left no crumbs mean? I mean, she told you off and left you with your mouth hanging on the floor. Yes. We need a day. We would have accepted. She slayed. She delivered or that was flawless. Okay. You're in that new house. Yes. What's the score? 2-0. Come on. My buzzer works. This is a black jeopardy. This is hood classics. Okay. This item doubles as a weapon, a shoe and an expression of discipline. What is mama's fluffy pink house shoe? That's right. Too specific. Did you have the answer? No, I was I was embellishing as I said. House lipper. I was going to say house or that flip flop with precision aim. Right. So yes, we all know that boomerang Joe, the great Eddie Murphy. Incredible. All right. Black dads be like, what does your dad say every time he walks past the thermostat? What is we ain't trying to heat up the whole cool down the whole neighborhood? You got one I do. What is nobody should be touching this who ain't paying rent? Close. Both of those are very close. We have why do we feel like the topics in here? Y'all paying the light bills or touch it again and see what happens. Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. Let's give it to you. Okay. 2131. It's 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. Church folks. Okay. If someone shouts take a time, pastor, they probably mean what? They probably mean hurry up so I can get to the repass and have some fried chicken. That's right. You get to the repass and have some fried chicken. That's usually a lot of funerals. I know, but you know, it's an unacceptable answer was wrap it up. We hungry and you're dragging it. Mama said, Mama said, if she uses your full government name, including the middle one, what does that mean? I think you're about to get your butt. You're about to get it. That is the answer. Let's go. Okay. What are you at, man? I'm right here. Okay. Your hand is too far away. You know, put your hand better. You got to be closer to the question before. But that's because I might be in a way. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. There's something that you don't know. That's right. No. category. You better say it right. When a black auntie says, bless her heart. What does she live? What is she's doing something wrong? Uh-huh. You got a better one? What is you have no talent at whatever it is you're trying to do? Y'all being nice. We would have accepted she being shady. That girl is struggling. Or she amass. She amass. Yeah. We try to be too awesome. This next category is fixing your plate. Where is your mama's potato salad recipe stored? That's you, Greg. What is in the middle of the Gideon Bible?
- She don't write the recipe down. She knows it in her head. - Dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang. - That was a good one. - That was a good one, me, shit. - That was cool. That was close though. That gave him, you got to keep getting it in the coach. She got it. She was close. - All right, next category. Oh, you fancy. - Huh? - She got on Hoops, a side part, and baby hairs laid. What does that mean? - Who got that? - I think it was great. - Okay. - What is Mama's going out tonight? - Close. You got one, Michelle. - What does that mean? It just means it's a Tuesday. - Yeah, let me see about her business. Yeah. She, you know, I planned. She mean business and don't shy her. - That's basically what y'all said. Give them both a point. All right, this next category is only two more. You got a chance to catch up. Don't touch that is the category. When your mama says she watching her stories, what is she referring to? - Good. - What is all my children, Brian's hope, one life to live? - That's right. - Any of the daytime soaps. - That's right. What is general hospital at our house? - General hospital. - Well, no, he doesn't get that far. - So poppers, yeah, no. You got that. Yeah, come on. That was a good one. That was a good one. This is a bonus question. - Okay. - What's this going? - We got 5.5 to 1.5. - Oh, man. - So this one's worth $5.5. - We got to make it worth $5.5. - For the time being. - Five points of research. - Yeah, that's very sweet. - Four points of being five. - Yeah. - Yeah, that's five points of being. - Okay. - Okay. - Okay. - The category is, the Obama's be Obama's question. Barack hit you with the, now let me be clear. What's coming next? Michelle. - A 20 minute answer to a question. - 100%. A whole last dead tone. - Listen, listen. - Listen. - But that's your name, Mary. - I didn't think of the question. - Well, I think we got a champion. - I think you're flawed. You were too laid up off the buzzer. - No, it wasn't the quickness. It was my answers for trying to be creative. - Stroow down black memory. - Yeah, that was really fun. - I love it. - I love it. - Baby hairs. - Yeah, baby hairs. - I love it. Shout out to the coach. - This episode is brought to you by Collegard. I knew that I shouldn't delay screening for colon cancer, and Collegard has made that process one million times easier for all of us. I just answered a few questions about my age and medical history, and once their license clinician determined I was eligible, they issued the prescription and the Collegard Plus Kit was sent right to my home. No doctor's office visit necessary. For me, there was just immediate relief in getting it done. It cost me zero dollars with my insurance. It took me truly 15 minutes, and now I can rest easier knowing I screened properly. Plus, if you get a negative result, you generally don't need a repeat Collegard test for three years. If you're 45 or older and at average risk, it's time to screen for colon cancer, even if you feel perfectly healthy. And Collegard Plus gives you an option you can use right at home. Talk to your health care provider about screening for colon cancer with Collegard or request it online today at Collegard.com where they have an easy telehealth option. Don't wait. Collegard products are intended to screen adults 45 and older at average risk for colorectal cancer. Do not use if you have had a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Have inflammatory bowel disease, a family history of colorectal cancer, or certain hereditary syndromes, or a positive result from another colon cancer screening method within that test recommended screening interval. Collegard results should be interpreted with caution as false positives and false negatives do occur, available by prescription only.
Podcast Summary
Key Points:
The first anniversary of IMO features heartfelt reflections on personal growth, family dynamics, and meaningful conversations with guests like Taraji P. Henson and Bruce Springsteen.
The show highlights the importance of self-compassion and setting personal boundaries, especially for women of color who have long internalized societal expectations of constant striving and achievement.
A recurring theme is the emotional toll of being a "shock absorber" for family and society, and the necessity of reclaiming personal autonomy and self-care in midlife.
The podcast shares humorous sibling stories, including a vivid account of a 13-year-old’s escape to Miami with a "rot-wiler puppy" and a strong entrepreneurial start at a young age.
A major point of discussion is the value of "pennies in the bank"—small, consistent, meaningful moments of presence and connection over material wealth in parenting and relationships.
The show emphasizes that life is made up of multiple chapters, not one defining achievement, and that failure or disappointment in one area doesn’t define a person’s worth.
A controversial yet engaging debate arises over the age at which one should stop eating ketchup, reflecting broader cultural values around childhood and maturity.
Black Jeopardy skits and playful segments underscore the show’s celebratory tone, blending humor, cultural references, and personal storytelling to connect with listeners.
Summary:
This special anniversary episode of IMO celebrates the first year of the podcast, highlighting deep and personal conversations that span family, identity, and self-growth. Guests and hosts reflect on pivotal life moments, from childhood struggles and early independence to parenting and self-compassion. The episode emphasizes how women of color have long been conditioned to overachieve, leading to internalized guilt and a need to constantly prove themselves—offering a powerful call to redefine success through self-care and authenticity.
Humorous anecdotes, such as sibling rivalries and a daring 13-year-old trip to Miami, provide levity while illustrating resilience and early entrepreneurial spirit. " The show also touches on cultural identity, personal boundaries, and the importance of living on one's own terms. A lively segment on ketchup consumption and a fun Black Jeopardy game underscore the podcast’s blend of warmth, humor, and cultural insight.
Ultimately, the episode celebrates the journey of self-discovery, the power of shared stories, and the joy of building meaningful connections across generations.
FAQs
Highlights include heartfelt conversations with Taraji P. Henson, discussions on parent-child relationships with Bruce Springsteen, humorous sibling stories with the Wayans, and a controversial opinion on ketchup from the host's husband.
Craig is the host's big brother and a central figure in the show's conversations. The host credits him with making the podcast a meaningful and life-changing experience, emphasizing the value of their shared bond.
The host shares that therapy has been vital in helping her reflect on her life, overcome internalized guilt, and unlearn messages of constant striving, especially in the context of her time in the White House.
The host and family believe that eating ketchup should be avoided after the age of eight, calling it 'childish' and suggesting that it's a sign of growing up. This view is described as 'draconian' by others.
The hosts emphasize that small, meaningful moments—like playing games or sharing special treats—matter more than material wealth in building strong family bonds, especially in working-class households.
She shares that at 60, she began to redefine success and self-worth by practicing self-compassion, therapy, and making choices that aligned with her values rather than societal expectations.
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