President Barack Obama is returning to the audio space with a new original podcast titled A Great Book with Barack Obama. The series, which is a collaboration between Audible and Higher Ground, will feature the 44th President in conversation with six different guests to discuss the books that have profoundly influenced his life and perspective.
The six-episode series is scheduled to debut exclusively on Audible on September 24, 2026. This project marks the sixth release under the ongoing first-look deal between Audible and Higher Ground, the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. While the guest list for the upcoming series has not yet been revealed, the podcast will focus on a specific selection of influential literary works.
A Curated Literary Journey
The podcast will center its discussions around six specific books that have left a lasting impact on the former President. The selected titles include 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. These works serve as the foundation for conversations about identity, power, and the human experience.
For fans of the former President and literature enthusiasts, this series offers a unique opportunity to hear how these specific narratives have informed his worldview. By inviting guests to explore these texts, the podcast aims to bridge the gap between personal reflection and broader societal questions. It is a continuation of the intimate storytelling format that has become a hallmark of the collaboration between Audible and Higher Ground.
Expanding the Audible and Higher Ground Partnership
This announcement follows a string of successful audio projects from the partnership, including Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast and the Peabody Award-winning series Fela Kuti: Fear No Man. The collaboration has consistently focused on high-quality, narrative-driven audio content that aims to engage global audiences through thoughtful conversation and storytelling.
The production team behind the series emphasizes that the chemistry between the host and his guests is intended to make these complex literary discussions accessible and engaging. As the media landscape continues to evolve, this project highlights the enduring power of audio as a medium for deep-dive intellectual exploration. Listeners can find more information about the upcoming series on the official Audible project page.
The debut of this series on September 24, 2026, will provide a new platform for listeners to engage with literature through the lens of one of the most prominent political figures of the modern era.
