Obama to Host New Literary Podcast on Audible

Former President Barack Obama announced on Monday, August 10, 2026, that he will host a new literary podcast titled "A Great Book with Barack Obama." The series, set to debut on September 24, 2026, will feature the 44th president discussing six books that he says have profoundly shaped his worldview and our society.

The podcast is a collaboration between Audible, Amazon's audio entertainment service, and Higher Ground, the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. It marks the sixth project released under the pair's exclusive first-look deal with Audible, though it is the first series hosted by the former president himself. The six-episode series will be available exclusively on Audible at launch.

In a statement, Obama explained his motivation for the project. "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," he said. "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...