Coming up in this incredible part three episode with Michelle Obama. How especially if someone has 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 into our part, bring others up, yes, move out of the way, let them cook as the kids say. The 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? 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 hurt. 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. In her new book, The Look, Michelle reveals for the first time ever how she and her team transform 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. I was absolutely right. I didn't even know it. Oh my goodness. Jamie. What you just gave? Like thank you. I was like, what would be such a light? Where did that come from? What planet did you have? I don't want to cry my makeup off. You just want me to cry mine off. I mean, it's like, oh Jamie. Welcome to the Jamie Kern Lee, Michelle. 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, you belong here. And whether today you're listening for yourself or because someone shared this episode with you, welcome to the J.K.L. 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 for me for free. Just join my newsletter at jameycurrentlyma.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 because we are all in this life together. Welcome to the J.K.L.K.L.M.A. 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. 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 Kern Lima show. Jamie Kern Lima's for names. Everybody needs Jamie Kern Lima in their life. Jamie Kern Lima. Jamie, you're so inspiring. Jamie Kern Lima. 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. I'm grateful to be in this moment with you. But my greatest life lesson, do unto others. We are each other's brothers and sisters, keepers. And we do have space to do that. I really do believe that. That what you put out, you get back. I do believe that. And by no means perfect, talk to my staff. They're like, oh my god, what does she want us to do now? It is hard for me not to scoop up everybody in my orbit. You know, and just parent them. As Sasha said this the other day, we were at dinner and she says, oh, mom loves to parent a thing. Whether it's a dark, dark, sunny or there's like, well, this is what I would do. I do 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. And what I've experienced is 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 pieces. Can I go low? 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. Oh 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. That's the greatest lesson I've learned. One of the things I think is so powerful is that idea. Like if you need something, give it. Like there's so many people that don't feel seen or they feel invisible. And you walk into a coffee shop if you're able to or 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 are seen. And it's like in that moment, they see you back. And it's like 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 throw that page away. And, you know, to your point earlier, you've done so many things and etc. And, and yet you've talked a lot recently where, you know, because there's a lot of people call you there 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 if someone has been this amazing overachiever, huge overachiever, your whole life, how have you gotten to the place where you're not tied to the significance of that? Yeah, it's, it's, it's work. But it goes to the mentoring piece, right? I believe that our jobs as leaders is to come into our part, bring others up, move out of the way, let them, 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 to write in. And nope, don't use that recipe. So this part of my, the stage of my life is purposefully and mindfully planning my step aside, not my exit. But it's like you 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 our competence. By saying, you can, you can do this. You don't need me. And how many parents are willing to say that's not your wins, 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 I'm, I'm trying to give back to. Yeah. And if I'm holding on to it, the position, the thing, the title, the feeling, 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. Like that is, 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 has submitted questions. So I'm just going to do a rapid fire. All right. How did you learn to be so cool? Yeah. I think I was born with it. No, how did I learn? That's so, that's so, it's so cute. I think it's a culmination. This is the beauty of this interesting life, you know, grew up as a working class 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 school. Do you have a favorite prayer? Oh gosh. It's the nightly prayer, the prayers, you know, the end of the day. Baroque still says his prayers too at night, but he does it in 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 you, when I've kind of settled in, right before I go to 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. It's a multi-pleasure TV show. Oh, any real housewife. I watch them all. It's, you know, it's a sociological study. Yeah. Yeah. I DVR them and my husband's like, that again. Oh yeah. That's what. Baroque is the same way. 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 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, it's who I am just, you know, just trying to understand the assignment. And so I think I, I felt a loss for us as a nation. But personally, you know, that was not our house. That's, 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 when none of us learn this? Oh my gosh. I, I'm looking for that light, that connection, you know, what I, I try to focus on the person right in front of me. That's the, that's the easiest thing. Tell me about you. What's going on in your life? I mean, that's the, that's why I love my podcast. Because that's, I'm just doing, it's like, Jamie, I, I would. So we would be off. And I just, I can focus in on one conversation 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, 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, I don't have trouble connecting with people. 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, I will say what my husband has said and he helps me. If it's still in the course of human history, if we had to pick a time to be alive, it would be now. We, 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, what we've been through, what, what we've decided we don't want to be any longer and why. 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, but progress is never a straight, clean, clear line. And that's okay. So I would just remind us all that we are still growing. And we're 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. 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 beg laugh with your mom said that your brother's wine is so good. And the whole thing and you're like, 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 still is. And you're also doing a special podcast with your trifecta. 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. You can just hop right on over. Like right now, whatever app you're listening on or you know, if you're watching it on YouTube, hop right over. So we're going to link to that in the show notes here to check that out. Because that's the special and I just want to thank you. Jamie, thank you. I mean, this was 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, girl. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Remember this episode is not just for you and me. Please share this with every single person that you know because it can impact and change their life to. And if you love today's episode, please click the follow or subscribe button for the 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 and 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 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 Kernley Michelle 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. You are love. You are loved. And I love you. And I cannot wait to join you on the next episode of the Jamie Kernley Michelle. 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. 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 up for free at Jamie Kernleyma.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 say so many things. It's going to say, you're worthy. You're a new beautiful book. You're 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 just tell you, it's powerful. It's happening. It's worthy. Imagine what would you do if you fully believed in you? I went from struggling waitress facing non-stop rejection to founder of It Cosmetics, a billion dollar company, by learning how to overcome self doubt and believe I'm worthy of my hopes and dreams, and I'm sharing how you can too, and my new book, worthy, thought 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, then worthy is for you. It's time to go from doubting your enough to knowing your 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 and head to worthybook.com now for free gifts, including my five part course on become worthy. I'm not worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy of worthy 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 goals. 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 jameycurnlema.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.