President Barack Obama provides commentary for Malcolm Gladwell’s new podcast about the Reconstruction Era in America.
podcast, Reconstruction: the unfinished promise, is an eight-part series exploring the post-Civil War and post-slavery era as the United States attempted to rebuild the country and reimagine society. The podcast is produced by The History Channel, in collaboration with Barack and Michelle Obama’s company Higher Ground. Gladwell Industries Pushkin Audiobook.
The series will be released on Audible on Thursday, with all episodes released on all podcast platforms starting June 18 through July 16.
“The Reconstruction Era was a short but pivotal and turbulent chapter in our nation’s history — one that is often overlooked, even though its consequences are still felt today,” President Barack Obama said. “In facing this period honestly, I hope that the public can rediscover an essential part of our past and remember that even in moments of profound conflict and contradiction, determination and perseverance remain powerful sources of hope.”
The series begins and concludes with a conversation between Obama and Gladwell, with commentary throughout the series from guests including Jelani Cobb, Wyatt Cenac, David Blight, Kay Wright, Kelly Carter Jackson, Ashley C. Ford, Manisha Sinha, Kidada Williams and Eric Foner. Each episode draws from archives, letters, memoirs, court records, eyewitness testimony, and more to examine the complexities of the era and its impact on present-day America.
The podcast, originally announced in 2024, is part of Higher Ground’s first-look deal with Audible, which also included Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast; Your Mama’s Kitchen: Conversations from the Heart of Home Hosted by Michelle Norris. Awesome Stevie Hosted by Wesley Morris. and Fela Kuti: Fear no one Hosted by Jad Abu Murad.
The History Channel is launching the podcast as part of its campaign to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States
