In a rare and deeply personal Father’s Day conversation, Bruce Springsteen joined Michelle Obama on her podcast IMO to reflect on one of the most profound transformations of his life—not as The Boss, but as a father.
Responding to a listener’s heartfelt question about a complicated relationship with her dad, Springsteen didn’t hesitate. He opened up about his own past wounds, his sometimes rocky journey with his father, and how therapy helped him break the cycle and become the kind of father he always wished he had.
“You don’t always get the love you want the way you need it,” Bruce said. “But you can still choose who you become next.”
Springsteen spoke with raw honesty about going to therapy for years and the courage it took to look inward—especially as someone raised in a generation where emotional vulnerability wasn’t always encouraged. He credits that work for giving him the tools to build a better relationship with his children, grounded in patience, understanding, and showing up every day.
Michelle echoed his sentiments, sharing the beauty of building adult relationships with her daughters and how healing often moves both forward and backward at once.
In a surprise twist, the episode also featured a musical interlude from Michelle herself, who stepped in with a touching performance inspired by the theme of acceptance and legacy.
“Being a good parent doesn’t mean being perfect,” Bruce added. “It means doing the work—and letting your kids see that you’re willing to grow.”
This wasn’t just a podcast—it was a gift. A heartfelt, honest celebration of what it really means to be a father, to evolve, and to love bravely through generations.
🎧 Don’t miss this special Father’s Day edition of IMO. It might just change how you see your own story.
