Barack and Michelle Obama have signed a deal with Spotify to produce exclusive podcasts

Spotify acquired podcast companies Gimlet and Anchor back in February, and now the streaming service has enlisted the Obamas to "develop, produce, and lend their voices to select podcasts" covering a variety of topics.

The multi-year deal between Spotify and Higher Ground Audio was announced today, shortly after Spotify has celebrated reaching 100 million paid users worldwide.

Last year their production company Higher Ground signed a deal with Netflix.

Speaking about their move towards podcasts, Barack Obama said, "We’ve 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, "We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to amplify voices that are too often ignored or silenced altogether, and through Spotify, we can share those stories with the world. 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."