A new podcast series hosted by Barack Obama, launching exclusively on Audible, will focus on the influence of literature on personal and societal perspectives.
The six-episode series, A Great Book with Barack Obama, is produced by Audible in partnership with Higher Ground, the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama.
In each episode, Obama will sit down with a different guest to discuss a book that has significantly shaped his worldview and broader society. The guest list has not yet been announced.
The books selected for the series are The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren, and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré.
President Obama said: “Great books have always helped me figure out who I am and what I believe.
“The six books featured in this series have stayed with me throughout my life, and each one has something to teach us about the human experience.
“For this podcast, I invited some friends to explore why they resonate, how they can shape our understanding of ourselves and each other, and why literature matters now more than ever.
“I hope listeners will be inspired to discover or rediscover books that change the way they see themselves and the world.”
Rachel Ghiazza, Chief Content Officer at Audible, described the series as an opportunity for listeners to connect with transformative storytelling through audio.
Dan Fierman, Head of Audio at Higher Ground, highlighted the personal and accessible nature of the conversations, noting the chemistry between President Obama and his guests.
A Great Book with Barack Obama is the sixth project released under the exclusive first-look deal between Audible and Higher Ground. It will be released on 24 September.
