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President Barack Obama will curl up with the six books that have most influenced him — along with six “luminaries” to discuss the works — in a new podcast from Audible and Higher Ground.
Amazon’s Audible and Higher Ground,
Barack and Michelle Obama’s media company, announced “A Great Book with Barack Obama,” a new original podcast hosted by the 44th U.S. president about the books that have “profoundly shaped his worldview and our society.”
“A Great Book” is the sixth release under Audible and Higher Ground’s exclusive first-look deal. The series debuts Sept. 24, 2026, exclusively from Audible in the initial release. It can be pre-ordered from Audible at this link. The six “thinkers, writers and artists” who will sit down with him as guests in the “intimate” podcast will be announced at a later date, the companies said.
The six books Barack Obama selected for the podcast 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.
The podcast is described like this by Audible and Higher Ground: “Reflecting on identity, power, memory and culture, the conversations between President Obama and his guests explore one central question: What do the stories we love tell us about the world we live in and the world we want to create?”
“Great books have always helped me figure out who I am and what I believe,” Barack Obama said in a statement. “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.”
Previous Audible and Higher Ground collaborations include “Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast” hosted by the First Lady; “Your Mama’s Kitchen: Conversations From the Heart of the Home” hosted by Michele Norris; “The Wonder of Stevie” hosted by Wesley Morris; Peabody Award-winner “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man,” hosted by Jad Abumrad; and “Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise,” a collaboration with the History Channel and Pushkin Industries hosted by Malcolm Gladwell and featuring Barack Obama.
“President Obama has a remarkable ability to connect books to the questions of who we are and how we see the world,” Rachel Ghiazza, Audible’s chief content officer, said in a statement. “In ‘A Great Book,’ he invites us into deeply personal conversations about books that have shaped not only a president, but also a person and citizen. This series represents everything we strive for at Audible: connecting listeners with transformative storytelling through the intimacy of audio.”
Dan Fierman, head of audio at Higher Ground, added: “President Obama has always been a champion of reading, and this series captures his genuine passion for literature in a way that is personal and accessible. These authentic conversations explore how books can challenge us, comfort us, and change us. The chemistry between President Obama and each guest creates truly special moments that remind us why storytelling matters.”
The Obamas’ Higher Ground produces scripted and unscripted television, feature films, animated series, podcasts and digital series. Those have included several titles for Netflix, including “Leave the World Behind,” “Crip Camp,” “Rustin” and “American Symphony.”
