Michelle Obama expressed her concerns about young women’s self-confidence compared to young men’s during a recent episode of her “IMO” podcast, co-hosted with her brother Craig Robinson. She had a conversation with actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who remarked on how a young woman should assert herself similarly to how a young man would. Obama suggested that many women often hold back because they haven’t embraced the same self-assurance that young men display, especially in their 30s.
She noted that this sense of certainty didn’t really begin to manifest for many women until their 50s and 60s. Reflecting on her own experiences, Obama mentioned feeling grateful during her upbringing, but acknowledged that today’s youth seem to lack that assurance.
The discussion veered towards the unique lives of women, with Louis-Dreyfus sharing her admiration for actress Jane Fonda’s varied career. Obama added that, as women grow older, they often feel sidelined from the narrative or “pushed out of the photos,” in a sense. Louis-Dreyfus agreed, expressing her own amazement at the complexity of such lives.
As Obama reflected on her journey, she revealed that turning 60 has brought her a newfound sense of self and confidence. She feels this is the first time she fully embraces her wisdom, pointing out how women frequently qualify their opinions and hesitate to share them at the table. Louis-Dreyfus chimed in with her own sentiments of apologizing for doing the same.
Overall, while maintaining a focus on lifestyle topics, Obama’s recent discussions have sidestepped political issues. In a previous episode featuring Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé, she advised parents against trying to be friends with their kids, emphasizing the importance of parental roles. In another episode with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, she addressed the need for parents to limit children’s smartphone usage and social media time, asserting that a tougher and more resilient approach is necessary for their well-being.
