Barack Obama to host Audible podcast on six books that shaped him
The former US president will discuss literature with guests in a six-episode series debuting 24 September 2026
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made

Barack Obama to host Audible podcast on six books that shaped him
Photograph: Variety (embedded from source)
What this story says
- Barack Obama will host a six-episode podcast, 'A Great Book with Barack Obama', discussing books that shaped his worldview, debuting 24 September 2026 on Audible.
- The podcast is part of a first-look deal between Audible and Higher Ground, Obama’s media company, and will feature six guests discussing six selected books.
- The books include works by James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and John le Carré, among others, chosen for their influence on Obama’s understanding of identity and society.
- The left-rated reports emphasised the personal and societal themes of the books, while the right-rated digests focused on the podcast’s format and Obama’s role as host.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 40 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 9 of the 49 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
82/100
Craft
68/100
Hype
20/100
49 sources · methodology
Missing from the right
Only 10 of the 40 outlets with a published leaning rating that ran this story are rated right.
A reader who follows the right would not have seen this. We report the absence rather than explain it: outlets choose what to cover for many reasons, and we have no evidence about which one applies here.
Former US president Barack Obama will host a new podcast, 'A Great Book with Barack Obama', discussing six books that have influenced his worldview. The podcast, announced by Audible and Obama’s media company Higher Ground, will debut on 24 September 2026 exclusively on Audible. It is the sixth release under an exclusive first-look deal between the two companies.
The six books selected by Obama 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 will feature discussions with six guests, described as 'thinkers, writers and artists', though their identities have not yet been announced.
In a statement, Obama said the books had helped him 'figure out who I am and what I believe'. The podcast is described by Audible and Higher Ground as exploring 'identity, power, memory and culture' through conversations between Obama and his guests. Previous collaborations between Audible and Higher Ground include podcasts hosted by Michelle Obama and Michele Norris.
What the coverage left out
None of the right-rated digests named the six books Obama selected for the podcast. The centre-rated digests also omitted the titles of the books and did not include quotes from Obama or representatives of Audible or Higher Ground. The left-rated reports, including Variety’s full article, provided the most detail, but none of the digests across the political spectrum mentioned the identities of the six guests who will appear on the podcast.
Coverage settled. We checked this 21 times and stopped on 16 Aug 2026, 21:31. The figures above are what it finished at.
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
17 rated outlets
- The seven left-rated digests and the full report from Variety led on the personal and societal themes of the books Obama selected. Variety described the podcast as exploring books that have 'profoundly shaped his worldview and our society', quoting Obama’s statement that the books helped him 'figure out who I am and what I believe'. The Washington Post and USA Today also highlighted the podcast’s focus on the impact of literature on Obama’s understanding of himself and others.
- Variety’s full report included details about the podcast’s format, the books selected, and the broader context of Higher Ground’s partnership with Audible. It quoted statements from Audible’s chief content officer, Rachel Ghiazza, and Higher Ground’s head of audio, Dan Fierman, emphasising the podcast’s aim to connect listeners with 'transformative storytelling'. The left-rated digests also noted the podcast’s release date and its exclusive availability on Audible.
Centre
13 rated outlets
- The centre-rated outlets reported that Barack Obama will host a six-episode Audible podcast discussing books that influenced him. All nine digests led on the podcast’s format and purpose, naming the platform and the number of episodes.
- The Hill’s digest added that the podcast is titled *A Great Book* and is produced by Higher Ground Productions, the Obamas’ media company. No other centre-rated digest mentioned the title or the production company.
- None of the centre-rated digests identified the six books or the guests Obama will interview. The reports did not include quotes from Obama or Audible representatives.
Right
10 rated outlets
- The right-rated digests agree that Barack Obama will host a six-episode podcast for Audible, starting in September 2026, discussing books that influenced him. All mention the podcast is produced by Higher Ground, the Obamas’ media company. The release date and the number of episodes are included in every digest.
- Five of the seven digests lead on the Obamas’ post-presidency media ventures. The New York Post, ussanews.com, and realnewsnow.com describe the podcast as part of an expanding business. BT and Observador do not mention the Obamas’ media company or financial interests.
- None of the digests name the six books or the guests Obama will interview. The tone in ussanews.com and realnewsnow.com is dismissive, using phrases like “the grift continues” and “media empire” without further elaboration.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover Barack Obama to host Audible podcast on six books that shaped him?
- Of the 40 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 43% are rated left, 32% are rated centre, 25% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 49. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is Barack Obama to host Audible podcast on six books that shaped him left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 40 rated outlets on this story, 43% are rated left, 32% are rated centre, 25% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of Barack Obama to host Audible podcast on six books that shaped him biased?
- Barack Obama to host Audible podcast on six books that shaped him is one event reported by 49 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which side is not reporting Barack Obama to host Audible podcast on six books that shaped him?
- When we first saw this story, outlets rated right had barely covered it. Coverage accretes for hours after an event, so that is where to look rather than a verdict — the split above is the current count, and it is the one to read.
- Which outlets covered Barack Obama to host Audible podcast on six books that shaped him?
- 49 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- Which books will Barack Obama discuss on his new podcast?
- Barack Obama will discuss six books on his new podcast: '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 books were chosen for their influence on his worldview.
- When will Barack Obama’s podcast debut and where can I listen to it?
- Barack Obama’s podcast, 'A Great Book with Barack Obama', will debut on 24 September 2026. It will be available exclusively on Audible, as part of a first-look deal between Audible and Obama’s media company, Higher Ground.
- What is the focus of Barack Obama’s new podcast?
- The podcast will explore themes of identity, power, memory, and culture through conversations between Barack Obama and six guests. Obama has said the books discussed helped him 'figure out who I am and what I believe', and the podcast aims to connect literature to broader societal questions.
- Which outlets reported on the books Obama selected for his podcast?
- The left-rated reports, including Variety, The Washington Post, and USA Today, named the six books Obama selected. The centre-rated and right-rated digests did not include the titles of the books in their coverage.
Read it at the source
49 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
17- Books | Barack Obama Hosts Podcast Series About Books that “Profoundly Shaped His Worldview” (opens Helsingin Sanomat in a new tab)
Helsingin Sanomat — is Helsingin Sanomat biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Vic Mensa Launches ‘The Vic Mensa Show’ With Chance The Rapper as First Guest: ‘A Space to Deepen the Dialogue’ (opens Billboard in a new tab)
- Obama Launching His Own Podcast — and It’s Not About Politics (opens Mediaite in a new tab)
- Barack Obama is hosting a new podcast about the books that shaped him (opens CBC News in a new tab)
- Book Bytes: Obama’s book podcast, Banaras awards call for entries & more (opens Indian Express in a new tab)
Indian Express — is Indian Express biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama launches new podcast about books that have shaped him (opens The Independent (US) in a new tab)
The Independent (US) — is The Independent (US) biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama launches new podcast about books that have shaped him (opens The Independent in a new tab)
The Independent — is The Independent biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama to Host Personal Podcast Series About Books (opens Politiken in a new tab)
Show 9 more
- Barack Obama to host podcast exploring influential books (opens The Seattle Times in a new tab)
The Seattle Times — is The Seattle Times biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens WCSH in a new tab)
- Former president Barack Obama launches a new podcast (opens The Washington Post in a new tab)
The Washington Post — is The Washington Post biased? Our profile of this outlet
- President Barack Obama To Explore Baldwin, Morrison And More In New Audible Podcast (opens Essence in a new tab)
- Obama launching 'A Great Book' podcast. Which favorites will he discuss and why? (opens USA Today in a new tab)
- President Obama’s New Podcast Is Focused on the Books That Shaped Him (opens The Hollywood Reporter in a new tab)
The Hollywood Reporter — is The Hollywood Reporter biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama to Discuss His Favorite Novels on ‘A Great Book’ Podcast (opens RollingStone in a new tab)
RollingStone — is RollingStone biased? Our profile of this outlet
- President Barack Obama Is Launching 'A Great Book' Podcast For Audible (opens Deadline in a new tab)
- Barack Obama to Host Podcast Digging Into Six Books That ‘Helped Me Figure Out Who I Am and What I Believe’ (opens Variety in a new tab)
Centre
13- Barack Obama Criticized Online After Announcing His New Podcast (opens RadarOnline in a new tab)
RadarOnline — is RadarOnline biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama Launches a Podcast About Books that "Modeled His Vision of the world." (opens Digi 24 in a new tab)
- Barack Obama to host podcast exploring influential books (opens Chicago Tribune in a new tab)
Chicago Tribune — is Chicago Tribune biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens WKYC in a new tab)
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens Fort Smith/Fayetteville News in a new tab)
Fort Smith/Fayetteville News — is Fort Smith/Fayetteville News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens KYTX in a new tab)
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens WLTX in a new tab)
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens WFAA 8abc in a new tab)
Show 5 more
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens 9NEWS Denver in a new tab)
9NEWS Denver — is 9NEWS Denver biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens Krem2 News in a new tab)
Krem2 News — is Krem2 News biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens KTVB in a new tab)
- Former President Barack Obama launches his first podcast (opens WBIR in a new tab)
- Obama to host literary podcast, ‘A Great Book,’ on Audible (opens The Hill in a new tab)
Right
10- See it! Obama finds his next money grab – The Horn News (opens thehornnews.com in a new tab)
thehornnews.com — is thehornnews.com biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- “It Is Important to Remember the Joy that Arises From Literature”: Barack Obama Will Be a Literary Podcaster (opens La Tercera in a new tab)
La Tercera — is La Tercera biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Obama Returns with Big Announcement Before Midterms (opens Conservative Brief in a new tab)
Conservative Brief — is Conservative Brief biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama Launching New Book Podcast as Obamas Expand Post-White House Media Empire - Real News Now (opens realnewsnow.com in a new tab)
realnewsnow.com — is realnewsnow.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- LOL! Obama to start his own podcast (opens ussanews.com in a new tab)
ussanews.com — is ussanews.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama Will Present Podcasts About Books that Influenced Him; Know Which Ones (opens Globo in a new tab)
- Barack Obama to debut books podcast as he and Michelle keep up post-presidency cash in (opens New York Post in a new tab)
New York Post — is New York Post biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama Launches Podcast on the Books that Marked His Life (opens Observador in a new tab)
Observador — is Observador biased? Our profile of this outlet
Not rated
9- Barack Obama Launches His Podcast Dedicated to Literature and the Books that Marked It (opens cnews.fr in a new tab)
- Barack Obama Becomes Podcaster: That's What His New Format Is All About (opens nordbayern.de in a new tab)
nordbayern.de — is nordbayern.de biased? Our profile of this outlet
- New Job: Ex-President Barack Obama Becomes Podcaster (opens Promiflash.de in a new tab)
Promiflash.de — is Promiflash.de biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama Will Launch a Podcast on the Books that Marked His Life (opens Noticias Argentinas in a new tab)
Noticias Argentinas — is Noticias Argentinas biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Obama To Host Six-Episode Audible Series Exploring Works By Toni Morrison, James Baldwin (opens Leadership in a new tab)
Leadership — is Leadership biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Obama Boðar Hlaðvarp Um Bækur Sem Breyttu Lífssýn Hans (opens RÚV in a new tab)
- Books, movies, podcasts and the Obama Presidential Center: Barack Obama’s second act keeps growing (opens blkalerts.com in a new tab)
blkalerts.com — is blkalerts.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Barack Obama Is Going to Host a Six-Part Podcast About His Favorite Books. (opens NU in a new tab)
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