Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast coming to Audible
February 1, 2023
Audible, the creator and provider of audio storytelling, and Higher Ground have announced Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast releasing March 7th. This is the first Original project in the newly formed exclusive, worldwide, multi-project, multi-year first-look production deal between Audible and Higher Ground. Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast will be released weekly; each of the eight episodes will be exclusively on Audible for two weeks, then available widely wherever podcasts are found.
Upon the release of her new bestselling book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times, former First Lady Michelle Obama set out on a very special highly anticipated, six-city US book tour. Inside intimate venues and in front of small audiences, Obama held inspiring conversations with esteemed friends, like Ellen DeGeneres, Tyler Perry, Conan O’Brien, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Hoda Kotb, David Letterman, and more. Though only a few thousand people were able to attend the events live, these remarkable conversations can now be heard by everyone. Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast goes beyond the book as Obama and her friends share personal stories and insights listeners won’t encounter anywhere else.
Listen as Obama and her friends explore themes like building meaningful relationships; issues connected to race, gender, and visibility; the habits and principles they have used to successfully adapt to change and overcome obstacles; and the importance of lighting up for others to reveal the richness and potential around us.
Obama commented: “Like so many people around the world, I felt isolated, disconnected, and discouraged during the pandemic. Writing The Light We Carry was a way for me to make sense of it and reflect on some of the biggest challenges we all face in life – and the tour was an incredible way to share those stories with my readers and connect with real people once again. The best part is that this time around I got to bring some of my best friends and favourite personalities to join in the fun. That’s what Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast is all about – it’s a deeper examination of those fun and meaningful moments, lovingly made by our incredible team at Higher Ground and the fantastic people at Audible. I can’t wait for you all to take a listen.”
Dan Fierman, Head of Audio at Higher Ground, added: “After the remarkable reception to The Michelle Obama Podcast, we’re excited to bring listeners more wisdom, humour, and empathy from Mrs. Obama and some of her brilliant friends. With Audible, a company with a rich history of producing compelling audio storytelling, we have found a true collaborator. Using audio from her deeply inspiring The Light We Carry tour as a foundation for this original series, we look forward to sharing these incredible stories and profound conversations with listeners throughout the world.”
Zola Mashariki, Head of Audible Studios, said: “While only a finite number of tickets were available for Mrs. Obama’s tour events, listeners globally are invited into these intimate conversations through Audible. Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast feels like a phone call with a friend, filled with nourishing conversation and enlightening moments of empathy. The appetite for Michelle Obama’s work is immense; our global customer base has logged over 41 million hours of listening time with President and Mrs. Obama’s audiobooks. We’re honoured to offer those avid listeners and new audiences Audible Original content that matches the elevated and thoughtful discourse the Obamas are known for – diving deeper into nuanced and earnest conversations in a way that only audio storytelling can accomplish.”