Barack Obama is entering the audio space with a new project. His upcoming podcast, A Great Book with Barack Obama, launches on Audible on September 24. Produced by his company, Higher Ground, in partnership with the audio platform, the series features six episodes focused on literature.
Each episode centers on a single title from the former president’s personal collection. The list includes Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré. Other selections include All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, and All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren.
Obama intends to discuss these works with various guests to examine how they influenced his own worldview. He notes that these specific books have stayed with him throughout his life and offer insight into the human experience. While he frequently shares annual reading lists, this project moves into a conversational format intended to highlight the importance of literature today.
Listeners can expect the episodes to explore why these texts continue to resonate. The series aims to encourage people to engage with stories that challenge their personal perspectives. Guests for the podcast remain unannounced, but the series format promises a deep look at how narrative shapes individual and societal identity.