Barack Obama's Tradition From First Campaign He Still Maintains Today
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Former President Barack Obama still maintains a tradition from his first presidential campaign, according to his wife, Michelle Obama.
During Wednesday's new episode of her podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson—which she co-hosts with her older brother, Craig Robinson—the former first lady shared details about her husband's "lucky charms."
Newsweek reached out to Barack Obama's representative for comment on Friday via email outside regular working hours.
Barack Obama addresses a press conference after a rally at Kingstree Senior High in Kingstree, South Carolina, on January 24, 2008.
Barack Obama addresses a press conference after a rally at Kingstree Senior High in Kingstree, South Carolina, on January 24, 2008.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images
Why It Matters
Barack Obama served as the 44th president of the United States for two terms from 2009 until 2017. He and Michelle Obama got married in 1992, and they share two daughters: 27-year-old Malia Obama and 24-year-old Sasha Obama.
Earlier this year, the couple endured divorce rumors after Michelle Obama chose to not attend former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral and President Donald Trump's inauguration.
Meghan McCain also said on her Citizen McCain podcast that she heard the pair were splitting up "by reputable people."
Both Barack and Michelle Obama have dismissed the speculation.
What To Know
On the most recent episode of IMO, Michelle Obama and Robinson spoke with South Carolina Gamecocks head coach and former player Dawn Staley. At one point during the discussion, the conversation turned to the meaning behind Staley's signature necklaces and bracelets.
The Gamecocks won the national championship in 2022 and shortly afterward, she met a young girl with pediatric cancer who made the two necklaces for her.
"I wore it ever since. Because of strength," Staley explained. "We were sitting together, and she has cancer—you would never know, like you would never know the strength that she set with that cancer."
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley wears her signature necklaces while looking on during an open practice ahead of the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on...
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley wears her signature necklaces while looking on during an open practice ahead of the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on April 3, 2025. MoreAs for her bracelets, she said they're often gifted to her with words like "grit" and "uncommon favor," seemingly referring to her new book Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three.
"I wear it until it pops," Staley said.
Michelle Obama shared that Barack Obama was often gifted things, too.
"Over the course of his first campaign, people would come and give him their lucky charms—it could be a rabbit's foot, a little Buddha, whatever it was—but so many people were praying for him and would give something precious to him, and he kept all those things."
"He has a drawer full of them," the Becoming author added, noting: "And even to this day now, he takes a few of them every day and puts them in his pocket, just in the same way. It's perspective and it's a blessing."
What People Are Saying
In the comments underneath the podcast on YouTube, fans praised Staley's interview.
@epochchange6803 wrote: "Thank you Dawn Staley for doing this interview. You are a bright light for SC [South Carolina] and the Nation! Thank you Michelle and Craig for a great podcast!"
@loxsochic said: "Dawn Staley = G.O.A.T. status. She's been one of my faves since her days on the court. Love you, Dawn!!!!"
@travelone753 shared: "Hi Michelle and Craig!!! Your guest Dawn Staley was so inspiring....Black women have, can, will, and do great things!!!"
@blkyogi999 added: "We love you here in SC and all your sacrifices... love seeing you Coach."
@tanyafulcher2968 chimed in: "Great advice from great leaders helps me to fine tune my own leadership skills. Great guest!!!! I've always been inspired by Dawn Staley. IMO is the best podcast for people wanting to level up in various areas of life."
What Happens Next
IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson airs new episodes on Wednesdays on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
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