IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

Disappointment Is the Key to Career Success with Keke Palmer

Mar 26, 2025

Keke Palmer, an Emmy-winning actress known for her dynamic presence in entertainment, joins Michelle and Craig to discuss the complexities of career success. She candidly shares her experience of feeling disappointment after her highs, emphasizing that failures can shape growth. The trio reflects on how their views of meaningful work have evolved and the importance of nurturing childhood dreams. They explore resilience and the societal pressures of success, advocating for personal fulfillment over external validation.

47:06

Episode guests

Keke Palmer

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Success is subjective and unpredictable, as illustrated by the journey of the movie 'Akeelah and the Bee', which evolved over time.

True fulfillment comes from serving others and finding purpose, rather than seeking validation from external achievements or accolades.

Deep dives

The Elusive Nature of Stardom

The podcast highlights how the concept of becoming a star is subjective and difficult to pinpoint. An example is shared about a movie, 'Akeel and the Bee,' which was initially projected to be a hit but underperformed at the box office. Despite its initial failure, the film later became a beloved work, illustrating that success can be unpredictable and evolve over time. This demonstrates that an individual's legacy comprises numerous moments rather than a single achievement.

Intro

2min

Nurturing Childhood Dreams

10min

Resilience and Reflection

8min

Redefining Success: Beyond Societal Pressures

10min

Navigating Challenges to Discover Unity

4min

Journey to Self-Discovery and Fulfillment

13min

Acclaimed actress Keke Palmer joins Michelle and Craig to answer a listener who asks why she feels so bad after a big career win. Keke reflects on how her planned breakout as a young actress went awry, and the ways that feelings of failure contributed to her career. Michelle, Craig, and Keke talk about how their perspective on meaningful work has changed over the years—and the advice that Michelle’s girls are finally starting to listen to.

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