President Barack Obama is launching A Great Book with Barack Obama, a six-episode Audible podcast premiering September 24, 2026. Produced through Higher Ground, the series features the 44th U.S. president discussing books with invited guests.
Higher Ground and Audible Expand Audio Partnership
President Barack Obama is adding podcast host to his extensive post-presidency media resume with a new literary series on Amazon’s Audible. The production comes through Higher Ground, the media company operated by Barack and Michelle Obama, under an exclusive first-look deal signed in 2022.
Titled A Great Book with Barack Obama, the six-episode project represents the sixth podcast released under the Audible and Higher Ground collaboration. Previous projects from the partnership include Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, Your Mama’s Kitchen: Conversations From the Heart of the Home, The Wonder of Stevie, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, and Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise.
Six Selected Works Shaping a Worldview
While the former president frequently publishes widely read summer and end-of-year book lists—such as recent picks featuring works by Colson Whitehead, George Saunders, and Tayari Jones—his new podcast focuses strictly on literature that have profoundly shaped his worldview and our society.
Each of the six episodes centers on a single book, with the sole exception of Marilynne Robinson’s 2004 novel The Guardian, as the others were published in the 20th century. Obama’s connection to Robinson dates back years; he hosted her for dinner at the White House and awarded her the National Humanities Medal in 2012.
- 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
- Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
Conversations With Luminaries and Industry Reactions
In each installment, the 44th U.S. president sits down with guest thinkers, writers, and artists to examine identity, power, memory, and culture. While the specific guest lineup remains unannounced ahead of the September 24, 2026 release, executives note that the format is designed to foster intimate, personal dialogues.
“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.”
President Barack Obama
Audible Chief Content Officer Rachel Ghiazza highlighted the former president’s conversational approach, noting that the series invites audiences into deeply personal discussions about how literature builds character and citizenship. Dan Fierman, head of audio at Higher Ground, added that the discussions reflect Obama’s genuine passion for reading and highlight the chemistry between the host and his invited guests.
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