Barack Obama to be first guest on Michelle Obama’s new podcast

Former first lady Michelle Obama’s new podcast will kick off with her husband, former President Barack Obama, as her first guest, according to an announcement Friday.

“For eight years my life was full of crazy schedules, juggling big initiatives, speeches, state dinners,” Michelle Obama says in the introduction of her first episode, according to a preview. “Not to mention trying to raise two daughters and keeping my head above water. But once Barack’s second term ended, the presidency was over and finally had some time to breathe.”

“I don’t want this podcast to be prescriptive … or present anyone’s ideas as truth,” she adds in the first episode. “I just want it to feel like we’re sitting together on a park bench or in the booth of a restaurant with the jukebox playing. And most importantly, I hope this podcast sparks ideas and topics that all you listeners can open up with in your own circles.”

“The Michelle Obama Podcast” will debut Wednesday on Spotify as part of a nine-episode series.

Other guests scheduled to appear include TBS late-night host Conan O’Brien and Valerie Jarrett, former senior adviser to President Obama.

Michelle Obama’s podcast is part of a collaboration between Spotify and Higher Ground, a production company and streaming service founded by the Obamas in 2018.

Her memoir “Becoming” sold 2 million copies in its first two weeks after publication in late 2018, making it the fastest-selling book that year.