President Barack Obama is offering commentary for a brand new Malcolm Gladwell podcast about America’s Reconstruction Period.
The podcast, Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise, is an eight-part collection exploring the post-Civil Conflict and post-slavery period during which the U.S. tried to rebuild the nation and reimagine society. The podcast is produced by the Historical past Channel, in collaboration with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Larger Floor, Gladwell’s Pushkin Industries and Audible.
The collection might be launched on Audible on Thursday, with all episodes to be launched on all podcast platforms beginning June 18 by means of July 16.
“The Reconstruction Period was a quick however pivotal and turbulent chapter in our nation’s historical past – one that’s usually neglected, despite the fact that its penalties are nonetheless felt at present,” stated President Barack Obama. “In confronting this era actually, I hope audiences can rediscover an important a part of our previous and do not forget that even in moments of deep battle and contradiction, persistence and perseverance stay highly effective sources of hope.”
The collection begins and concludes with a dialog between Obama and Gladwell, with commentary all through the collection from friends together with Jelani Cobb, Wyatt Cenac, David Blight, Kai Wright, Kellie Carter Jackson, Ashley C. Ford, Manisha Sinha, Kidada Williams and Eric Foner. Every episode attracts from archives, letters, diaries, court docket data, eyewitness testimonies and extra to look at the complexities of the period and its impression on present day America.
The podcast, initially introduced in 2024, is a part of Larger Floor’s first-look cope with Audible, which has additionally included Michelle Obama: The Mild Podcast; Your Mama’s Kitchen: Conversations from the Coronary heart of the Dwelling hosted by Michele Norris; The Surprise of Stevie hosted by Wesley Morris; and Fela Kuti: Concern No Man hosted by Jad Abumrad.
The Historical past Channel is releasing the podcast as a part of its marketing campaign honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
