Barack Obama Tells Stevie Wonder His Optimism 'Gave Me Hope' in New Podcast About Music Icon's Career (Exclusive)
The performer and former president share a sweet moment in a PEOPLE-exclusive preview of Audible's 'The Wonder of Stevie'
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Barack Obama and Stevie WonderA new podcast about Stevie Wonder’s impact features a heartfelt chat between the music legend and none other than Barack Obama.
Hosted by journalist Wesley Morris, The Wonder of Stevie dives into Wonder’s fabled career, and focuses especially on the five-year stretch during which the star, 74, achieved unprecedented success marked by five hit albums and 13 Grammy awards.
Throughout seven episodes, it features insight from some of Wonder’s biggest (and most famous!) fans, including Questlove and both Michelle and Barack Obama, the latter of whom presented Wonder with the Library of Congress Gershwin Award.
In the final episode, Morris is joined by the former president, 63, as well as Wonder himself — and PEOPLE has an exclusive first listen at their intimate chat.
Related: Stevie Wonder's Life in Photos
In The Wonder of Stevie finale, Wonder explains that “for me, me being an optimist doesn’t mean that I don’t think tragedies won’t happen, because I think part of growing is understanding pain as well as joy.”
Tracing his optimism back to early childhood, the Grammy winner says, “I was born. Shortly after that, I’m blind. My mother went through the different things, and so my experience with that was deep.”
Audible
'The Wonder Of Stevie' podcast artWonder says his mom would cry “every night” and ask “Oh God, why?” until one night, when he said “Mama, you shouldn’t cry, you’re making my head hurt.”
“And I said, ‘Maybe God has something for me that’s bigger than all this,’” the singer recalls, adding that “history proved that true.”
“And he was right,” Obama adds of Wonder’s childhood premonition. “I will say this: your version of optimism that is not blind to pain and tragedy and history, but that shows us what’s possible, that gave me hope, gave Michelle hope, gave a lot of people hope.”
“And so,” the politician continues, “it turns out that that spirit through your music has carried forward and is still doing its work.”
Broadening the conversation a bit, Wonder tells Morris and Obama, “Our focus has to be about what is going to be the best thing for humankind. Now, if you’re selfish and you don’t care, may you perish. If you’re not selfish, and you want to do something for the good of everyone, and your ego is not tied to it, then we will be OK.”
And, after Morris points out that this message evokes his 1974 song, “They Won’t Go When I Go,” the music icon responds with a nod to another one of his ‘70s tracks: “I plan to go to a higher ground.”
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Stevie Wonder and Barack Obama in 2009The Wonder of Stevie was produced by Audacy’s Pineapple Street Studios, the Obamas’ Higher Ground, and Questlove’s Two One Five Entertainment banner, and executive produced by Wonder himself.
Outside of the Obamas, other guests featured throughout its seven episodes include journalists, activists and musicians including Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson and Janelle Monáe.
“As I reflect back on some of my fondest and proudest moments on this music journey, I am beyond humbled to have those that I respect and deeply cherish, show me the kind of love that I can hear and feel in their voices,” Wonder said of the series in a statement.
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All episodes of The Wonder of Stevie are available exclusively on Audible starting Thursday, Sept. 12.
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