A new podcast about Stevie Wonder’s influence features a candid conversation between the music legend and none other than Barack Obama.
Hosted by journalist Wesley Morris, A miracle from Stevie delves into Wonder’s legendary career, focusing in particular on the five-year run during which the star, 74, achieved unprecedented success marked by five hit albums and 13 Grammy Awards.
Across seven episodes, we feature insights from some of Wonder’s biggest (and most famous!) fans, including Questlove and Michelle and Barack Obama, the latter of whom presented Wonder with the Library of Congress’s Gershwin Award.
In the latest episode, Morris is joined by the former president, 63, as well as Wonder himself — and PEOPLE has the exclusive first listen to their intimate conversation.
Stevie Wonder’s life in photos
IN A miracle from Stevie finale, Wonder explains that “for me, being an optimist doesn’t mean I don’t think tragedies won’t happen, because I think part of growing up is understanding pain as well as joy.”
Tracing his optimism back to early childhood, the Grammy winner says, “I was born. Not long after that I was blind. My mother went through different things, so my experience with that was profound.”
Image of ‘The Wonder Of Stevie’ podcast.
Audibly
Wonder says his mom would cry “every night” and ask “Oh God, why?” until one evening, when he said “Mom, you shouldn’t cry, you’re giving me a headache.”
“And I said, ‘Maybe God has something for me that is bigger than all of this,'” the singer recalls, adding that “history has confirmed that.”
“And he was right,” Obama adds of Wonder’s childhood hunch. “I will say this: your version of optimism that is not blind to pain and tragedy and history, but that shows us what is possible, that gave me hope, gave Michelle hope, gave hope to a lot of people.”
“And so,” continues the politician, “it turns out that this spirit has spread through your music and is still doing its job.”
Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Sheila E. cover Prince’s ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Expanding the conversation a bit, Wonder tells Morris and Obama, “Our focus has to be on what’s going to be the best thing for humanity. Now, if you’re selfish and don’t care, you’re doomed. If you are not selfish and want to do something for the benefit of everyone, and your ego is not attached to it, then we will be OK.”
And, after Morris pointed out that the message evokes his 1974 song, “They Won’t Go When I Go,” the music icon responds with a nod to another of his ’70s songs: “I’m planning to go to a higher place . ”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(722x365:724x367)/Barack-Obama-and-Stevie-Wonder-1-091124-c5d61943ee2342daa4b28170134535ee.jpg)
Stevie Wonder and Barack Obama in 2009.
Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty
A miracle from Stevie produced by Audacy’s Pineapple Street Studios, Obama’s Higher Ground and Questlove’s Two One Five Entertainment banner, and executive produced by Wonder himself.
Outside of the Obamas, other guests appearing in the seven episodes include journalists, activists and musicians including Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson and Janelle Monáe.
“As I reflect on some of my favorite and proudest moments on this musical journey, I’m more humbled that those I respect and deeply appreciate show me love that I can hear and feel in their voices,” Wonder said of the series in a statement.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
All episodes A miracle from Stevie are available exclusively on Audible starting Thursday, September 12.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education