Transcript

REGINA & REINA KING on the Power of Family and Keeping Memories Alive | IMO

From Michelle Obama · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 1 h 5 min · 9,552 words · 90 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "REGINA & REINA KING on the Power of Family and Keeping Memories Alive | IMO", an episode of Michelle Obama published January 21, 2026 (1 h 5 min, about 9,552 words). It mentions 11 people, works and ideas, including Regina King, Sunil Raina, Me and You, Janis Ian, Richard Donner.

What this episode is about

Regina and Reina King discuss the importance of family, the impact of childhood experiences on personal growth, and the ways in which cultural practices shape parenting methods. Through their conversation, they reflect on how memories influence their identities and relationships.

Key takeaways

  • China's rice kneeling punishment: a bizarre blend of discipline and culinary irony.
  • Hollywood may sparkle, but every star's path is unique—just ask the Kings about their LA roots.
  • Who needs a chef's kitchen? Sometimes all you need is creativity and a basic stove in LA.
  • Regina and Reina King show Hollywood isn't just about fame; it's about family and storytelling depth.
  • Gentrification in Windsor Hills: a neighborhood's transformation reflects broader socio-economic shifts in LA.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 10:00: Regina King, Me and You, Airbnb, Theraflu
  2. – 20:00: Betty Bridges, Todd Bridges
  3. – 30:00: Airbnb, Indeed, Theraflu
  4. – 40:00: Richard Donner
  5. – 1:00:00: Me and You, Janis Ian, Kismet
  6. – 1:05:02: Me and You

Notable quotes from "REGINA & REINA KING on the Power of Family and Keeping Memories Alive | IMO"

  • Regina and Raina are sisters and co-founders of the production company Royal Ties, a company recognized for developing projects across.
    about Regina King · at
  • And we were at her house, we were roller skating and this woman saw us that lived up the street and that ended up being Betty Bridges, Todd Bridges' mom.
    about Betty Bridges · at
  • You've heard me talk about how much I love that I get to stay in a real neighborhood.
    about Airbnb · at
  • This episode of IMO is brought to you by Theraflu.
    about Theraflu · at
  • Indeed's mission is to empower people to use their skills to find better work, and Career Scout is their latest innovation to help you do that.
    about Indeed · at
  • Just because, Richard Donner, the director, those were that was a man, and Alfie Woodard, that Was Carol Kane, I'm mean,.
    about Richard Donner · at
  • And so trying to find ways to create new memories with Ian, and Ian would introduce me to so many things, and...
    about Janis Ian · at
  • To shorten the story, we came up with this label from, I was going through one of his journals and trying to find.
    about Kismet · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Regina King — Person · Main guest · 1 mention · first at
    Co-interview subject discussing her upbringing in L.A., sibling dynamics with Raina, and her career as an actress/director and producer.
  • Sunil Raina — Person · Main guest · 2 mentions
    Co-interview subject; discusses childhood, early entry into acting via Betty Bridges, and career highlights including work with director Richard Donner.
    Regina and Raina are sisters and co-founders of the production company Royal Ties, a company recognized for developing projects across.
  • Janis Ian — Person · Referenced family member (Regina King's son) · 1 mention · first at
    Central emotional reference point: Regina describes creating the 'Me and You' wine label in his honor and recounts his friendships and creative spirit.
  • Richard Donner — Person · Referenced director / career influence · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned by Raina King as director of 'Scrooged' and as a formative professional influence (including an anecdote about his habit of wearing new socks).
  • Betty Bridges — Person · Referenced industry connector · 1 mention · first at
    Credited as the person who noticed the sisters as kids and connected them to acting classes, catalyzing their entry into entertainment.
  • Todd Bridges — Person · Referenced actor (via family connection) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears as a contextual identifier for Betty Bridges (“Todd Bridges’ mom”), anchoring the story of how the sisters were introduced to acting.
    Skating and this woman saw us that lived up the street and that ended up being Betty Bridges, Todd Bridges' mom.

Products & tech

  • Me and You — Product · Business focus · 5 mentions · first at
    A wine label established by Regina King in honor of her son, Ian, mentioned as a significant personal project.
    Regina King is an Academy Award-winning actress and a director with a 40-year career, widely regarded as one of Hollywood's most versatile.

Places & events

  • Kismet — Place · Setting · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as the restaurant where Regina King was introduced to orange wine by her son, Ian.

Sponsors

  • Theraflu — Product · Sponsor · 4 mentions · first at
    Sponsor of the episode, promoting their cold and flu relief products and the Rest and Recover Fund.
  • Airbnb — Product · Sponsor · 4 mentions · first at
    Sponsor of the episode, promoting their home-sharing platform and encouraging listeners to become hosts.
  • Indeed — Product · Sponsor · 3 mentions · first at
    Sponsor of the episode, promoting their job search platform and Career Scout feature.

Full transcript with timestamps

My mother had read that in China, they discipline their kids by kneeling on rice. So she said, you can kneel on rice for 10 minutes or... A break and you get the rest of these licks. And so that's commitment to the licks, right? It was like, I'll take the rice, I just knew, I was like if only I knew that I should have just got the rest. Like you could have been finished. Yeah. How about your mother researching age punishment, right? I mean, it's like that. Easy torture. You're just like, let me find some real good stuff that don't work for it.

This episode is brought to you by Theraflu. Hey, little girl. Craig Robinson, what's happening with you? I like your sink's eye. You have these? Yeah, I do. Elevenths. No, I'm not the same, but I have that style, that high top, that leather. No, 11s are what they are, not the size. Oh, okay, I didn't know that. I don't know what things are called. Yeah, I see that. It's like, no, I don't wear an 11. Especially not a men's 11. Oh my goodness. Ah, what's going on? Uh, you know, excited, um, that to be here, um excited with our guests that we will introduce at some point.

I know. I know, we gotta have some L.A. Flavor for it. I know it's really good. I got a whole lot of LA questions because LA is a mystery to me, you know I so it's always like what what does it mean to grow up here? But anyway, we'll get into that but I'm happy that you're here that we are together. We are And you are enjoying but we haven't had dinner yet. I don't know. We got a busy schedule So I don't even know if we may not have a chance to even chill for a bit Yeah, I might have to whip something up at my Airbnb.

Right. I don't, what do you, okay, what do you think you're going to cook? I don't know. I don't know. We might, we might, I might have to go shopping and get some groceries so Aaron and I can- You can't You can't even say that with a straight face, like look at you. But if I wanted to, I could. You're not going to leave here right now and go to the grocery store. No, no, because it's late, but I might do that before we leave. Okay. Yeah yeah. So is it a good high-end kitchen in the place that you're staying? Is it a chef's kitchen kind of situation? No, no, no.

No, no, no. It's not a chef's kitchen. It is a regular kitchen, but it's got everything you need. And these trips, it's really hard because we put in a lot of time during the day to do a meal at night. But Erin and I are enjoying the weather here and we're staying up later. So maybe we'll whip something up. Well anyway. We've got, I can't, we're so excited for our guest here, other siblings. Siblings, famous siblings who have done everything all over the place. I love these two. And for a long time. Yeah, Reina and Regina King, sisters who own Hollywood, own the industry, killing it on so many levels.

Yeah, well, let me give them a proper introduction. Regina King is an Academy Award-winning actress and a director with a 40-year career, widely regarded as one of Hollywood's most versatile and dynamic creators. She is also the founder of Me and You, a wine label established in honor of her son, Ian. Reyna King is a actress and producer who has worked in entertainment for decades, Both in front of... And behind the camera. As an actress, her credits include Scrooge and Shirley. Regina and Raina are sisters and co-founders of the production company Royal Ties, a company recognized for developing projects across genres with depth, range, and cultural relevance.

So without further ado, Regina and Reina King. Come on in to the I'm-O-Scene. How y'all havin'? Hey, hey, hey. Ooh ooh ooh. Hands up! To the BEEP BEEP! Bye! Okay, we gotta get one of those, y'all. Y'all so short. I know, I know. That's what people say when they meet, it was, can you put some heels on? See, we can't tell how tall we are when we're sitting. We have short torsos, lots of legs, so... Yeah, she actually has a short torso and long legs, but long short legs. In relation. Yes. Other things. Yes. Right. Well, you guys, thank you. Thank you for being here.

Thank you. Thank you, for having us. Truly, truly. How y'all liking L.A.? Oh, man. Why don't I live here? I don't know. Right? You should. Don't you want some of that vitamin D in your life? I know. Man. Gotta have that vitamin. I mean, you heard me say, like, you know, we spend a lot of time in L. A. We record IMO here. Our daughters live here. Our higher ground productions are here. But it seems like everybody we meet are transplants. I mean, rarely do I meet people from LA. And I, you know, I'm trying to get a sense, I'm still trying to give a sense of this city.

Talk about what was it like, what is it like to grow up in LA? I mean does it, is it all Hollywood palm trees and- No. No. Well, I also feel like, you know, there's L.A. Is so big. It is huge. So like when you talk about L. A. County, you have people that grew up in Santa Monica and that's their whole life. And that's a whole different lifestyle than from us. They grew up and Windsor Hills, that, you know, Windsor hills and Baldwin Hills, you know, that's all adjacent. So that all of those kids, all of those people have a similar.

Lifestyle and you grew up and you heard the stories about Ray Charles lives over here. Yeah, I can Tina Turner socialize with people Yeah. When you talk about, it sounded like the Windsor, what is it? Windsor Hills. Windsor hills, multi-income, mostly African-American. What was the vibe of your neighborhood? I don't know what it is now. It's probably not mostly. What was it? It's been gentrified. Well, the people that live in the house that we grew up in when you were doing a location study. I don't know. I went and I...

I don't know, I went and knocked on the door. They didn't answer. Oh, I'm wondering what race they are, but I would say middle class and upper middle class. Yeah, we grew up. Mm-hmm. Predominantly black, you know, there might have been one white woman on our street at the end of the block. Oh, we've got to tell that to you! That's really, I mean, come on. Well, did you know her name? Was it such and such? You didn't even know. You didn't even know her name. I don't remember her name In my mind, I keep thinking Ms.

Gert, but Ms. Gert was black. No, Ms. Gert is my babysitter. Your babysitter, yeah. Was she old, an older woman? She was an older women, yeah. She didn't like talk or interact much unless somebody was on her grass. On her lawn, on her lawn. We're out my lawn, I'm gonna call your mother. We're just trying to play. Our ball just rolled up here, we had to get it. Yeah, we had to get it, we have to get it. Was it working class? I mean, did you know your neighbors? Did you grow up like? We had a lot of kids on our street and you know where what happened to that like they're kids don't go outside and play Like there's no Like when's the last time you saw a kid with a cast on their arm?

That's right. That's a good point. You know what I mean? Everybody's all vacuum sealed. Right. Yeah. Now we're scared of the outside. I mean, you know, like, I remember when we were in Chicago, the girls growing up, we did grow up in a neighborhood where there were a lot of kids, but it is true. Nobody was just letting their kids go out to play. So I found that our girls didn't know the basic outdoor play games, like how to jump double dutch. Double dutch? So me and my friends. One day we decided these little black girls, they have to know how to jump double Dutch.

But so we organized, this is what mothers do because how you learn how to double Dutch is that you got your rope, you went outside, you found somebody to turn and a game happened. Right. Yes. But the girls didn't even know where to begin. So we did it, the mothers, and then we realized, well, you know, in order to play. That's why people aren't doing stuff, because the mothers are doing it. Well, the plan was to teach them so that they'd go outside. But the challenge, did you all jump double dutch growing up? Yeah, we did. We did.

You know, the key to double duch is that you have to have two people that can turn. Yes. Well. That's why we probably didn't do it as often, because I don't think everyone on our block of the girls... Or even at school. You know, because we played double dutch, jumped double duch, played double dutch at school, and, you know, certain people are like, oh, I can't stand when she turns. I know. We called it, she double-handed. Now I don't know what that meant, but yeah, girl, you double-hand it. YOU CAN'T TURN Because you can't turn.

Yeah. Like not being on beat. That's right. Or did you guys ever like how- Or did you guys ever like have like the super long rope that someone would wrap it around their back? Oh yeah. Oh yeah, oh yeah. That's when you knew she could turn. She knew how to do it. She knew what to do. Yeah, I read where you all put on your own little shows Excuse me, there's a fly in my shoe. We have this book of plays. Yeah, and we used to put them on and yeah. In the living room, right in front of the furniture that we weren't supposed to sit on.

That we would sit on where Mom was. That's right. Did it have plastic on it? They did not. She had a best friend that had a lot of plastic on a blue couch and she had blue, for Christmas she had a blue, used to kind of freak me out, the blue Christmas paper and oh my god. Which is a lot. Flocked. Flock tree. It was a bit much, it was a big much. I just remember those summer times sliding on that plastic. Or sticking. Or sticking to the plastic. Or the plastic will wear out and there'd be a slit in it and it'll cut you.

It's like, now this couch is dangerous, it's clean, but it's dangerous, deadly. I don't want to go over that. Sitting on the couch. And how old were you then? Because I'm trying to figure out how early you all thought y'all were going to be actors. I don't think we really thought that we were going to be actors, you know, it was like, you can act like you're somebody else, you can be something else, and we had been doing it all the time at home. And I mean, the roller skating, and someone saw us and asked us if we would- Tell the story Raina.

Yeah, what do you mean roller skating and somebody? I asked you. We're at our mom's friend's with the blue couch Okay uh-huh. Shout out to my mom! All right. And we were at her house, we were roller skating and this woman saw us that lived up the street and that ended up being Betty Bridges, Todd Bridges' mom. Oh and say, you know, they should join, you know, my acting class. And that's kind of how it started. I don't even think I know. Well no right? The first she was like, was talking to us and, you know, stranger danger.

Yeah. So Raina was like, where are you coming up to us? And then she told us to go get our mom. And Raina, was like mom, this lady outside wanna talk to you. She had to give it all it's detail at the moment. Thank you, Regina. To keep it all the way. That's right. See, so that's what you think about LA, you know? It's like, you could be roller skating in your little matching outfit and all of a sudden, you know, you're inactive. You're an atmosphere. See, that's why the kids on the South Side of Chicago think happens when you grow up in the hood in LA. It's, like, well, that how you become a part of the Brady Bunch.

You got to live in LA, so what was going on with school at the time? I mean, were you still in school? Teacher, and our mom was like, both studios wanted our mother to put us in school. Well, you go to studio school when you're shooting. Okay. But they want you to enroll in like a small school that's- Almost like home school, but- Yeah, that is familiar with this type of- Industry. Entertainment. Home school. Yeah. Great. Yeah, I know. Mom was like absolutely not. Uh-huh. So if you want these girls, we gonna figure it out.

And we both ended up having really great teachers and I really Kathy Cyrus was just absolutely amazing and She I wanted to take French. She started learning French. So just in the correspondence they went up she went up to the school to meet all of my teachers because by then I was in High school. Yeah, and and then when the season was over be back it You were like the head of the class. Oh yeah. So I was. Cause it ha- When I got back to school. It's like, I know it all. Yes. Yeah. How was the... How did it feel coming out of that world, being on TV, and then going back into a normal high school life? Were you guys recognized?

Were you known as being those girls that, you know... Yeah, I think people just knew that that's what we did done, because I don't know how it is in Chicago, but you go to schools that are connected to your area. So, you know, all of those kids I went to junior high school with, part of them I went elementary school with. School with So, they had been seeing us doing background work. Yeah, they wasn't new, so. Yeah, so they weren't trippin' No literally the opposite, like you couldn't wait to get back to kind of the public school, that kind of friend group.

It was much harder for me on what's happening now because I was the only child on the show. Oh yeah. You know, there were no. Were no siblings, there were no people in the building, so it was just me and the set teacher. So we used to bump heads. Okay. What's the story? Who had to get called? Who told off who? Yeah, my mom got called a couple of times but I think I was, because it's just me and this one adult, and there's no other person to kind of bounce anything off of, so I found myself like challenging her. I learned a little French too, that was tough, so for me it was a big yearning to Yeah, to school.

Where there are more kids. Like any show where there may have been two or three other kids, it's like, Oh, there's going to be four people. Oh wow. And on set today with the set teachers. So I was really excited to get back to the regular swing of things. And I was coming back further ahead than, because it was fifth grade for me, because I was 10. And I was further ahead than where they were. Mm-hmm Wow. And you guys are four years apart. Four years apart, yeah. Have you always been close? Mm, yeah, all right. Well, we didn't see clear.

Now we're like, mm. That was right on time. I think we've always been close, but it took me, when I moved out the house, when our relationship started becoming like my other half. But I think it was, we've been always been closed. I can talk about my sister, but you can't talk about your sister, you know? Like that's always been. And we always played together. We always, remember we used to play male's diner in the backyard? We did. Oh my God. Oh my God. And with the mud pies. Nails. Kiss my grits. But there was a, because I was younger, that, you know, she didn't want me around.

You know, I'm getting on her nerves. Yeah. She would just go back and I'm like, I am not going anywhere, you know. Thanks, and I'll see y- Keeping up. I mean, this is the younger sibling and I see it with our two daughters. It was like, Malia and Sasha are three years apart. They've always been close, but the three-year difference feels like a chasm until you're older. But Sasha, like me, I was always going to keep up. You were not leaving me behind. Like, it wasn't like, oh no, you can't come with me. I was like, well, come on then.

Yeah And it would be, we playing baseball, we were playing running bases, hide and seek, whatever it was, if she wanted to go, she could come. But do you think part of that is because you guys are brother and sister? I do think that dynamic is... Um, I, you know, there's just, and well, because our spaces could be separate, like I could come along, but I didn't always want to come along because it was like, okay, it's a bunch of crusty boys. Maybe I want to play with my dolls over there, but with my daughters, it was, like, they were pretty much on par in terms of what their interests were and the friend group of girls, you, know, they were just all running as a pack.

Mm-hmm, and so little sister was going to, you know, it's like, I can do this. So in that respect, I think Sasha grew up faster just by keeping up. You know, she had to, she, even though she wasn't there yet, she doubt she was going be there. Yes. And without the emotional tools, you know, necessarily, right? Like, you're literally explaining our dynamic. Like, Reina grew up faster. Definitely. Like, she thought she was... She knew she was grown. And yeah, I was able to spread that, spread my wings with that more when she wasn't around.

So by the time I got to high school, I'm just like... Hmm Can't tell me anything. These youngins don't know. Yeah. Yeah. These other 15 year olds, I've been around the block. These children. Oh my God. I'm 15 with the mind of an 18 year old. I've seen some things. Bring me a drink! Oh wow. That's good.

I have been traveling a ton between my IMO recordings and my day job at the National Association of Basketball Coaches, as well as my kids' teams. This travel has afforded me the opportunity to visit some new places and meet some new people. And last year's travel was so good, I've actually been able to enjoy my time on the road. That's because I've been booking stays on Airbnb. You've heard me talk about how much I love that I get to stay in a real neighborhood. This helps me feel at home and settled, in addition to being able to explore my surroundings.

And during these trips, it clicked for me. My place is just sitting there, empty. Meanwhile, someone else could be getting that exact same sense of ease and connection from my home that I just got from theirs, and I'd be making a little extra money without lifting a finger. I'd never really thought about hosting in that way. It's not a big production. It's simply opening your door to someone who wants a meaningful stay while your home quietly works for you. And if you live in a city, people are always trying to visit or have to travel to for work.

Trust me, there are folks out there looking for a space that feels warm familiar and lived in. Your home might be that place, and it might be worth more than you think. Find out at airbnb.com slash host. This episode of IMO is brought to you by Theraflu. Thera flu, makers of fast acting cold and flu relief believes everyone deserves the right to rest and recover when they're sick, no matter where they live or how much money they make. When I was coaching, if I got sick, I found it hard to choose between taking time for myself to rest and heal and showing up for my family and my team.

Luckily, I had the ability to take paid sick time when I really needed it, but not every American has that option. In 2021, Theraflu launched the Rest and Recover Fund and they've committed more than $1 million to provide micro grants to families and individuals, helping offset the cost of taking a sick day for those that don't have coverage. Everyone should be able to prioritize their health without risking their ability to the food on the table. That's why Theraflu is committed to keep fighting, because rest and recovery is a right, not a privilege.

Learn more or help someone apply for the fund at theraflu.com slash right to recover. This episode of IMO is brought to you by Indeed. You know, I've been thinking a lot about careers lately, especially in a job market like this. One thing I've learned is that you really have to think outside the box when it comes to your path. Nothing about my own journey has been linear. I've made pivots, followed my curiosities, leaned into the strengths and skills I had at the time. And somehow, all of that kept opening doors I never would have pictured for myself.

And honestly, being willing to evolve made my whole career feel more dynamic and rewarding. The roles I ended up loving weren't always the ones I initially imagined. They were the ones that aligned with who I was becoming. But let's be real, the process of finding those roles, it can feel like a second job. I remember stretches where searching applying waiting it was exhausting. That's why I love what Indeed is doing with Career Scout. It's designed to make the whole process faster, easier, and a lot more intentional.

Career Scout actually looks at your skills and interests and sources opportunities you might not have even realized were a fit. It's like having your own career coach working behind the scenes, helping tailor your resume, matching you to roles that align with your strengths, even supporting you with interview prep. It takes something that can feel overwhelming and makes it manageable. And honestly, if I had Career Scout earlier in my career, it would have saved me so much time and helped me tap into my strengths more quickly.

It's a game changer when you're ready for that next step. Indeed's mission is to empower people to use their skills to find better work, and Career Scout is their latest innovation to help you do that. The future of job searching is here and it's called Indeed Career Scout. Try it today in the Indeed app.

So when did it click? Did it, you know, because there's also the shadow of the older, uh one right? Because I would also tell Malia, right, you grew up unshadowed, right? You, you, you grew up and everything you did because you were performing for us was wonderful. And it's like, wow, say more. Oh, look at what you've done. That's so smart. You can read now, right. Well, the younger sister has the older sister going, you can't read yet? It's like, that's not how you say that. Let me just do it. Let me, you know. And so I would have to explain to her, do not step on my other child.

I love you both, but you cannot try to parent her because you don't know what you're doing. You are just, you're seven. You're seven, you don't know what's happening. But I saw Sasha. Come into her own as Malia, you know, moved on. So it was like that tree, you know, moved away. And so the light got to the younger one. Did you feel that way? I think so. Yeah, I definitely. It was when she moved out. I mean, it really was, that was, I'm running this house now. I've got, you know, it was, I definitely did come into my own.

I felt like I had the space and not thinking about it then, but things that I actually had learned from her. And now I can. Exercise that in my own world, amongst my own group of friends. Without somebody judging it, going, that's not how you do it. Yeah, that not how do you do exactly. The idea when she moved out and having, then she also, her apartment became kind of a safe space that was then on this next level still learning and maturing and still able to experience it with her. So yeah, that's, and she had a car.

Uh-huh. That's useful. I mean, there were little perks there. Because she moved out pretty young. Yeah. She was about 17. Okay. Talk about that. What? Precipitated them the move. I was ready. Yeah, she wasn't watching nobody. She was ready to watch it. No more anybody else's dishes than she did yours. Quite literally, um, you know, like I need out all day doing my own thing and then come back home and I gotta wash day dishes? Uh-huh, yeah. I said, oh! So, um, and you had an income from your, yeah, yes.

Moving out and getting a tattoo. I'm gonna look like that. Yeah, because she's been saying, no tattoo, no tattoos, I don't know why you want to mark pretty skin, no tatoo. And I graduated high school. School, you know. So how did that conversation go over? What did mom say? And were you in the the other room, Raina. Listen I'm sure I was close by. I was cause by, no yeah. I'm Jarena's own. I don't ever remember any pushback because I really did not want to go to college and I applied because my mom's a teacher and that just wasn't going to happen and I got in so there was nothing you know I'm working I'm going to USC yeah I don't want to wash dishes yeah why should I have to wash dishes and She was a- And she couldn't really have that conversation.

How are you going to take care of yourself? How are going to pay the bills? Yeah, right. Well, I actually can do that. So then 2G7 was canceled. Regina, who apologizes more, you or her, when you all get into it? I'm just going to keep looking at you. You think you apologize more? You think I apologize more, I know. I don't. I think you'll apologize more. You do? Uh-huh. I was actually gonna say the same. Oh well. Okay. Cause I feel like we. We're so sensitive to each other because, like... It's just hard to even just imagine doing anything without her.

So when we know that we've disappointed each other, it just- It's an unspoken apology. I think that's what it's not really. We both kind of I'm sorry, it's not really those words. It's the gesture. And we do sometimes, you'll call or I'll call and be like, you know when I did da-da-da, and you'll go, oh, Regina, and vice versa. That's true. Yeah. I think we had a moment like that. That not too long ago. That's why I was like, why you look the other way? Yeah. Yeah. I guess it is a balance. It's a balance with us with so much and so thankful to have that because a lot of siblings, I'm sure you guys have heard.

I mean, we talk to sisters and sister and brothers and they don't get along with their siblings in that Right. So I feel blessed. Yes. Have a other hat. She wrote a poem about it in high school. Oh really? Do we have the poem? Is it still top of mind? I mean, yeah. Who has the book? I don't know. I have the book and I, didn't I bring it to you? Remember I took a picture. So you did a book of poems. My school did a book of points and the different students and I'm trying to think what grade I was in. The seven. No, I was older than that.

I think it was like ninth grade, I want to say. OK, I'm wrong. All right. Once again, and I'm sorry, I'm wrong, I am sorry. Moving on. I was in Regina Soon's class and it was eighth, it was seventh or eighth grade, but they had all the students do poems and they compiled a book and my poem was called My Other Half. I still have the book, but she didn't know I had it a month ago. I thought that was packed up, disappeared somewhere, like with the yearbooks that you don't want anyone to see, but I would say those words that I spoke in that poem then are very much still fitting and still of the time and of the moment of what we are.

What do you, what do you think it was that your mother did to foster it? Because, you know, I think a lot of times sibling rivalry is coming from somewhere, right? Because I think it's so easy to unintentionally as a parent pit one against the other, just because of lack of awareness or, you be. Technically easier on that parent than the other, because personalities, you know, parents are people too. And if you have more than one kid, you may click in a different way with the other. And, if that's the case, maybe some of that, you, know, sprinkles out.

Yeah. Um, so I just wonder if there's anything to think about. We were going to, you may not want to, but you're going to your sister's recital or this thing. She was always making sure we were in situations that we had to do things together. Mm-hmm So, in the... In addition to always, I like, I used to feel like Reina got away with everything, but says the lady to my right. But I feel like my mom really made sure that she treated us individually different. Like I didn't feel like I was treated like Raina and Raina didn't like.

She saw you both in your own... Like, our punishments were different. You didn't have the Rice punishment, did you? What was the Rice? I like to tell the story because I don't want you to have some revisionist history. We shared a room, and Reina is clean, but Reina's messy. Okay, yes. And so we kept getting in here from difference. For the world. Yes. Now I'm talking about his kids. Right. You're clean. You're not dirty and messy. Is it back here to come for me? And we kept getting in trouble for having a messy room and it wasn't my stuff.

And I'd be like, mom, it is not my stuff, I am cleaning it up my side and I'm kicking it. Then I started kicking it to her side of the room. So you see the difference. Uh-huh. So, finally, my mom was like, all right every piece of—if you don't have this room cleaned up by whatever time it was, everything that I pick up, you're getting two licks. Yeah yeah and it came out to like 92. Oh, you were about to say, she didn't need to give two licks. It was enough clothes for a lady. I'm like, it came out to be one lick. I thought it was happening, but yeah, I'm a one-lick woman.

It came out. When you got into the night. Like how you say, where was Raina? So I'm in the room and she's counting. I was like, whoa. And now I'm feeling bad, like I darked on her and now it's me and so she started proceeding with the spanking and I guess my mom got tired, Raina got tired. My mom was like, okay, you can kneel. My mother had read that in China they discipline their kids by kneeling on the rice. Yeah, so she said you can kneel on rice for 10 minutes or take a break and you get the rest of these licks. Dag, that's just, that, that commitment to the licks I was, and Raina was like, I'll take the rice, I take the rice, and I was like I just knew, I was If only I knew I should've just got the rest of it.

Like, you could've been finished. Yeah. I might still have rice imprints in my knees. Felt so bad for you. Oh my god How about your mother researching Asian punishment, Punishment, right, you know? I mean, it's like that. A teacher, right? You just like, let me find some real good stuff. But links don't work. Right right. So did it, uh, was it effective? Did you clean up your mess? I did, I did once I could walk, once I needed a minute to compose myself. So now you all have been in this business for so long. I'd like to hear from you.

What are some of your favorite projects that you've worked on? Can you say that or is it too hard? I want to hear that. Please save. Please save, please save. As an actress, or as producers, or director, because it's, it's a, it, there's, there, there's different. I'd like to hear. Yes, I'd like to hear the whole game. I always say my favorite project is the one I'm working on now because we've been blessed to have done so much that some things I don't even remember, you know. So it is tough to, I can tell you the things that people the most talk to me about that they've loved is boondocks. You know that's like at the top, Watchmen.

Um, that is Barack Obama's favorite. Oh wow. Mm-hmm Uh and I guess somewhere between... 227 boys in the hood. Mm-hmm. And then Jerry Maguire. What about you, Raina? It would be, um, Scrooge. Mm-hmm. Just because, I mean, Richard Donner, the director, those were like, that was a man, and Alfie Woodard, that Was Carol Kane, I'm mean, it was a, it was a massive class, like I said, for a very young girl. Richard Doner. So I have thing would suck. I love socks and I like new socks if I could wear a new pair of socks 365 days a year.

How many socks do you own? I have a lot. I actually had to buy or online these little square boxes that have like 24 compartments and they're stacked. I've got short ones, long ones, thick ones, ankle lids. I love taking new ones out of the package. And I got that from Richard Donner. Oh my gosh. He always had on a new pair of socks, and he would donate, like, because he wore socks one pair, you know, wear socks once, and donated, and I'm like, I want to be, I just want a different pair. Exactly. Exactly. And I was...

You didn't want cars. Reina didn't. She wanted socks. And it sucks. You know, when I wash socks, I'll look at them, I'm like, yeah, it's just time. Yeah. It's, you know, if you, if I get three wears out of a sock. It's like, no, no. No, no we are done. On to the next. I find other uses, usage. You know. Do you use them like the dust? Yeah, the duster, the dusty window sills, you know, rags. I actually. That new sock smell. Nothing like it. It's nothing like it! C'mere!

When it arrives, you're just like, yes. Exactly. So yeah, I would say, as an actress would be... And to sleep with anger just because Danny Glover, that was a bit of a master class, too. And then as a producer, that's hard. I would just surely only because it was something that we had been fighting to do for a decade.

January always feels like that moment to hit reset. To finally stop saying maybe one day and actually start becoming who you're meant to be. And that's why I love Shopify. If you've got a dream, whether it's a side hustle you've been sitting on or something bigger, Shopify makes that first step simple. So let me ask you, what's the one thing you've always wanted to build but kept putting off? And how different could your year look if you just started now? If 2026 is your year, go to shopify.com slash IMO and make your move.

This episode of IMO is brought to you in part by Acorns. You know, one of the most valuable pieces of money advice I've ever gotten is that financial wellness isn't about how much you make. It's about making the most of what you have. That's something I've carried with me from my time on Wall Street to today. And that's why I love Acorns, Acorns is a financial wellness app. That makes it easy to start saving and investing for your future. You don't need to be rich. Acorns lets you get started with the spare money you've got right now, even if all you've go is spare change.

You don't need to an expert. Acorns recommends a diversified portfolio that can help you weather all the market's ups and downs. You just need to stick with it. And Acorns makes that easy. Acorns automatically invest your money, giving it a chance to grow with time. The best advice I've gotten was from my father, and that was to pay yourself first. So sign up now and join over 14 million all-time customers who have already saved and invested $25 billion with Acorns. Plus, Acorns will boost your new account with a $20 bonus investment.

Offer only available at acorns.com slash IMO, that's A-C-O-R-N-S. To get your $20 bonus investment today. From Acorns, mighty oaks do grow. Investing doesn't have to be complicated. Acorns makes it easy to invest for your future, plan for tomorrow and spend smarter today. Paid non-client endorsement, compensation provides incentive to positively promote Acorns. Investing involves risk. Acorns advisor slash LLC and SCC registered investment advisor. View important disclosures at acorns.com slash imo.

Here at IMO, we also like to take a listener question to give our humble opinions on. And the one we have here is particularly ripe for that sibling dynamic we've been talking about. Hello, Michelle and Craig. I'd love your advice. I want to build a better relationship with my younger sister, but we're 27 years apart in age. She's 10 and I have a 6-year-old who is one of her best friends. I feel lucky that I grew up with my older brother. We had that typical sibling relationship and he's been the one constant process in my life.

I don't want my sister to have that same sense of connection, but it's harder for her because everyone around her is older. Those who are closer in age to her are really her nieces and nephews. We're also very different. When I was her age, I was more of a tomboy looking up to my brother while she's girly, loves makeup, and is already on social media. The tricky part is, my dad and stepmom are older, so they don't really know how to set limits. For example, they let her join TikTok with no parental controls, and it's hard to even explain those things to them.

Sometimes my brother and I try to guide them. But I don't want to cross the line into parenting her myself. So my question is, how do I build a stronger sister relationship with her while still respecting boundaries and not slipping into that parent role? 27 28. 27 years. Well, that's. Well Helen, yeah, it has. I think Best ship has sailed. I mean, if I'm being completely honest, I mean 27 years, I think...

Best you can do is remember that relationship and those things between her and her brother, that those sibling things, and try to encourage that with her son. Sister because they're four years apart. So they actually are more like siblings. I just Don't think that you should be trying to be the sister. I mean, you are the big sister, but you are in so many... I mean Craig and I can attest to this. In a lot of ways, even when you are The Eldest, you do have some moments where you are kind of like not the parent, but your making the decision for both of y'all, you know?

And so, I just don't know that it's actually possible. To try to not feel that bit of parental responsibility. A sibling that's 27 years younger. But you can try. You can try, you can be sympathetic to it, sympathetic, but you know, what are those things? She said 10 years old? She said, 10? I think she's 10. She's 10 on TikTok. Yeah. So, yeah, I was going to say what those things that a 10 or 11 year old are into or might want to do and experience how you can experience that with them in more sisterly fashion opposed to...

A motherly trash. I think maybe also a conversation with her parents or their parents is necessary because she's being 37 sounds like from what Helen said is that she's much more aware of the dangers of being exposed online. In a way that in a way an older set of parents. Don't think of yourself as a sister, don't think of yourself, as a mother, think of yourself more of the auntie, that middle ground. Cause the aunties, the aunty helps. What do y'all think? Well, I was going to have you start because you actually have kids with a pretty broad age range.

Yeah, but it's I know, but still 16 and. Yeah. Well, but what? So it's 13 and 30, 32, my oldest to my youngest. Youngest, okay. Yeah. So that's why I'm like, you're in it. Yeah, I'm in it, but you're You're the old parents. The interesting thing with my kids are my younger kids have always viewed their older siblings as siblings. NNNNGGGGHHHHHHH even though they were 16-ish years older, they've always viewed them as siblings. Even now, as adults, they are siblings. They treat each other like siblings, and it's a real cool dynamic.

So the older ones never had to sort of be the parents, because we were the parents. So they could take on that sibling role. So, and believe me, I have used the older kids. To get certain messages. Across to the younger kids. Because as, as you all know, it, it you get tired of hearing the same voice over and over again. And my wife and I, they're tired of here on us over and over again. So every now and then we'll be like, Hey, talk to your little brothers. Same message, change the voice. Just change the voice. Just change the voice and, and surprisingly, it can be more effective.

So did your kids spend time in the house together? So our, really our daughter who is, uh, 29 was in high school. It was just going into high school when our two younger ones were born. Mm-hmm. So they spent some time. Now, the older one had gone away to prep school and then the college. So he didn't spend much time in the house with him, but our daughter did. And as a result, those two always viewed her as the conquering hero of the family. It's been really interesting. And she was a basketball player. So. Well, so was Avery too.

Avery was too, but they never got to see how they play. Don't play. Play right. So... But they had those common interests. Which Helen is saying, bitch, they don't. They don't have, she has no connection other than blood. Other than blood, yeah. Yeah, so it just feels hard. It feels forced. That's the word I think I was gonna write down. It feel, you don't want it to feel forced because it won't work for either one, especially the 10 year old. Mm hmm. I think this is where, you know the the The typical family construct, the titles, the names, they don't apply, right?

So biologically, yes, you are sisters. I think Helen would be helped if she thought about the village. Hmm Um, and that she is a part of the village and what does it matter what you're called? You're a part the village, right? Because it takes a village and you know, um, in our, uh, family, we had aunts and uncles that were 10 years older than us, right. They were the younger, uh siblings of our, our father and, and they are 10, 12 years older than. Us. They felt like. Brothers and sisters when we were younger. Right It didn't really matter what the title was, you know, it's the thinking about everybody circling as a village to support the kids right?

And that the relationship has to look a certain way, like you're right, the ship has sailed on a sisterly relationship between a 37-year-old and a 10-year old. You've had different experiences, different, you're not sitting and coloring, and that's Okay. I do feel like one of the things that's really cool in Helen's situation is that she has a six-year-old. Mm-hmm And you know, I'm guessing we don't hear, we didn't get the breakdown of their entire family dynamic, but it sounds like the 10-year-old is the last child of the parents and...

And we don't t know whether it's a stepparent, or whether they're staying, or whatever it is. But a six-year old to have a 10- year old aunt. Yeah. But it's kind of cool, because that is like a sister. You know what I mean? And um um. I think that there's a blessing in that, in having, and especially being a girl, you like being the big sister, giving her opportunities to feel like she's the, she's not the baby, she's, you know, I don't know, again, I dunno they're doing dynamic, yeah, I think that makes sense. It's like...

You know, thinking about things like instead of her, Helen trying to force the relationship, it's like what ways can you integrate your younger sister into your life that makes sense? Because you can't come in with a place of, I'm going to tell you about yourself. Like you can come in as the parent, right? So that should free Helen up to be like, well, maybe I'll just be someone in her life that she knows and trusts. Right. If she's thinking along those lines, that takes the burden off of, let me fix this. If she can just get to the place where her little sister enjoys her.

Mm-hmm You know, whatever you're focused on right now, work, family, big goals, there's never a perfect time to feel your best. There's just right now. AG1 has honestly been the easiest, most impactful habit I've added this year. Real sustainable health isn't about perfection. It's about consistency. And AG1 keeps it simple. Multi-vitamin, pre and pro biotics, super foods, antioxidants, all in one scoop. And AG1 is the opposite of complicated. One scoop, eight ounces of water, about 20 seconds. I drink mine first thing in the morning before coffee, before the phone, it's become this little micro habit that sets up the whole day.

And the new next gen formula has more vitamins and minerals than ever, clinically proven to help fill common nutrient gaps. I use this every single day and you should too. They've got Original, Citrus, Berry, and Tropical. And I'm an Original and Citrus guy myself. AG1 has over 50,000 verified five-star reviews and comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. Go to drinkag1.com slash IMO to get their best offer. For a limited time only, get a free AG1 duffel bag and a free AC1 welcome kit with your first subscription order, only while supplies last.

That's drinkag1.com slash imo, drinkagone.com slash im-o. All right, so here's what I'm hearing from the three of you for Helen. Ship is sailed. That's definite. Mm-hmm We all agree on that. Mm-hmm. But drop the labels. Yeah. And be present, but don't parent. Okay, little Mr. Summarization. I mean, hey, I'm getting good at this, I see, I think that's one. I see, I see. Everyone, I am old. Now I am. No, so one more thing, because we wanted to talk about me and you. Yeah, so special on so many different levels. Yes.

And so in preparation to talk about me and you, I went online to order myself some orange wine. And the bad news is, it was sold out. But the good news is it was sold out right? Out, right? That's great, fantastic. We were able to track something down? We're gonna do our own, me and you. We got them. Look what we got. You got this. We got the sarah And this is at the end of our day, so I might just... This is a new strategy, so we have never had wine on IMO. Thank you. Wow. So I want you to tell us about being you and then we will toast.

Mm-hmm Yeah okay Thank you first of all we got to We got tissue right here, mama. Yes, you see, I'm trying to. That's okay. Yeah, I am up and I'm going to be crying soon. I mean this, I've never gotten a chance to say, I wanna say publicly to Malia and Sasha for being. Great friends of Ian's. You know, we didn't even know. We didn't know they were friends. No, and you know, Ian's cooking dinner and he's just telling me he's cooking dinner from Sasha, I think first it was. So I'm just thinking it's some girl named Sasha.

Which it was, yeah. A friend is dating. And so this feels like it's beautiful to be able to be sharing. A bottle of Ian's wine with you all. And my sister, this came from just trying to find ways to You hear people talk about what their kids are doing, and, you know, Ian and I, our memories kind of stopped for a bit. And so trying to find ways to create new memories with Ian, and Ian would introduce me to so many things, and... One thing, and Malia and Sasha will tell you this, when Ian discovers something, he wants to share it and he wants to tell you all about it, you know, with just everything.

And you may not even like it, but you'd be like, you don't want to try it. This might be something here. And it kind of came to me that Ian, we're going to make a wine. And so this journey started from him introducing me to Orange Wine. I remember the moment at a restaurant called Kismet, how about that? You know, to shorten the story, we came up with this label from, I was going through one of his journals and trying to find what. Just trying to find little messages from him, you know, and saw this little M that he had drawn, real small, and I was like...

It should be the M from me and you. And so that M is the beginning of that. So I had an artist who is an amazing artist who created the album covers for Fleetwood Mac, the Thriller album cover. So I know that was Ian like, yeah, look who's doing my like boom. And he created a font. From Ian's M. And so that's how we landed there because Ian is an artist and all different modalities. And so it felt like I wanted it to be a canvas. And that's why we came up with the brush stroke And splatters, because a lot of his artwork has splatters.

He'd like to do that on his art. And so, I said I was going to make a long story short. No, take your time. This is wonderful. Make a long-story long story. I'll make a story longer. It's worthy of, it's a long, it should be a long story, yeah. And the orange wine sold out. And I don't know what I was expecting, But, um, I knew that, okay. Well, we need to continue on and how do you continue in this social space knowing that I'm going to, we're going to make more wine, but it takes time. Wine takes time, you know.

You can't brush those grapes. That's the beauty of wine. And so I came across this Syrah, I tasted this Syrah. My winemaker let me taste it and I tasted it for the first time with Raina and. I was kind of concerned, like, you know, people know this brand so far with the orange wine. We still haven't reached everyone, but the Syrah is really beautiful and Raina was like, my nephew would want this. Yeah. And so we ended up doing a holiday release and it kind of serves as a way for us to

as an embodiment of some ways of all of those joyous things about Ian during the holidays. So it felt appropriate for this sarah to come out during the holidays. Malia and Sasha met Ian at sort of the beginning of their lives here in L.A. You know, and it's a scary time for a mother to send your kids off. I was grateful that they were living together. But, you know, when you know your your children are in a place, in a new place is when they have community, you know, and and our girls are good community builders, but you don't know. I mean, they're who they are and. It's LA, and who are these people?

And your son, your nephew, was that first bright light of connection for them here. They spoke to us so glowingly about all the things that you know that are special about him. His creative mind, his openness. You know, the way he makes people feel special and seen. I wanna, I think we talked briefly in, at the CAA conference, you know but we were in the middle of a thing. And I just wanted to, you know, tell you that his spirit is here with us. I know you all feel it, you know, we feel it. I didn't get a chance to meet him but I feel like.

I'm meeting him all the time. And I just am grateful to you for raising a young man that provided that space for my girls. Thank you. And we are honored to love that, to toast to Ian, to Ian. To Ian, to community, to sisterhood. To sisterhood, to brotherhood. This has been a beautiful conversation. You guys, you are amazing. Thank you. And everybody. Thank you, really. Me and you. Hold on, we'll let you know. I am old, me and you? This is, I love a red. Oh, yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much for being here. We can talk to you guys also.

Yeah, well, we, you know, I mean, we're building family here. Yeah. It's like, you now, we just gonna keep crossing paths. Yeah. We were, we are intertwined. I mean, our paths were crossing before we even knew that they were, you know, with the things the spirits that are the most near and dear to us were connecting us.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "REGINA & REINA KING on the Power of Family and Keeping Memories Alive | IMO"?

Michelle Obama (Host), Craig Robinson (Host), Regina King (Guest), Reina King (Guest).

What is "REGINA & REINA KING on the Power of Family and Keeping Memories Alive | IMO" about?

Regina and Reina King discuss the importance of family, the impact of childhood experiences on personal growth, and the ways in which cultural practices shape parenting methods. Through their conversation, they reflect on how memories influence their identities and relationships.

What is mentioned in this Michelle Obama episode?

11 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Regina King, Sunil Raina, Me and You, Janis Ian, Richard Donner, Betty Bridges. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "REGINA & REINA KING on the Power of Family and Keeping Memories Alive | IMO"?

The episode runs 1 h 5 min; the transcript is about 9,552 words in 90 timestamped sections.

More from Michelle Obama

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 24, 2026.