Barack and Michelle Obama are coming for the podcast world with new Spotify partnership

The high power duo are promising series that will inspire and bring diverse voices to the entertainment world 
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Amelia Heathman7 June 2019

Everyone’s favourite former presidential duo, Barack and Michelle Obama, are entering the podcast world thanks to a new partnership with Spotify.

The couple’s production company, Higher Ground, is going to be making exclusive podcasts for the streaming platform that promise to “entertain, inform and inspire”, as well as bring new and diverse voices to the entertainment industry.

The Obamas launched Higher Ground back in 2018 thanks to a partnership with Netflix to create scripted, unscripted and documentary series, as well as feature-length films for the platform. In April, the couple announced the first seven projects it will be producing including a documentary series with Moneyball and The Big Short author Michael Lewis on his book The Fifth Risk: Undoing Demcoracy.

There will also be a biopic on the abolitionists Federick Douglass as well as pre-school series called Listen To Your Vegetables and Eat Your Parents focusing on healthy eating, something Mrs Obama promoted during her time in the White House.

The new Audio part of the company has signed a multi-year deal with Spotify in order to create audio series. There’s no word on what shows Higher Ground Audio will create for the podcasting world, but they’re sure to be interesting.

In a statement, Barack Obama said: “We always believed in the value of entertaining, thought-provoking conversation. It helps us build connections with each other and open ourselves up to new ideas. We’re excited about Higher Ground Audio because podcasts offer an extraordinary opportunity to foster productive dialogue, make people smile and make people think, and, hopefully, bring us all a little closer together.”

Michelle Obama added: “Our hope is that through compelling, inspirational storytelling, Higher Ground Audio will not only produce engaging podcasts, but help people connect emotionally and open up their minds—and their hearts.”

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The partnership with the Obamas is a major coup for Spotify. The company has been investing heavily in podcasting recently, acquiring two podcasting companies, Gimlet Media and Anchor, in February and another studio, Parcast in April.

The star power of the Obamas is only increasing since they left the White House. Michelle Obama’s memoir, Becoming, is officially the best-selling memoir of all time. President Obama’s memoir is expected later this year.