The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell Podcast with Kenya Barris, Malcolm Gladwell, Ron Howard, Anderson .Paak, David Sedaris, Amy Sherald, Walter Isaacson, Rich Roll, Coleman Hughes, Chelsea Handler cover art

The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell

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The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell

By: Kenya Barris, Malcolm Gladwell
Narrated by: Kenya Barris, Malcolm Gladwell, Ron Howard, Anderson .Paak, David Sedaris, Amy Sherald, Walter Isaacson, Rich Roll, Coleman Hughes, Chelsea Handler
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Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell bypass pleasantries and promotional banter to deliver raw, unfiltered conversations with some of today's most influential and fascinating figures. Featuring two seasons of titans spanning every corner of culture—from Oscar-winning directors and Grammy-winning musicians to trailblazing Fortune 500 CEOs and iconic artists—The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris & Malcolm Gladwell gives listeners rare access to the minds of the world's most extraordinary individuals and the pivotal moments that defined their paths to greatness.

Season 2 releasing September 10th.

Episode 1: Ron Howard, Oscar-winning director and co-founder of Imagine Entertainment

Episode 2: Anderson .Paak, eight-time Grammy-winning musician and half of Silk Sonic

Episode 3: David Sedaris, bestselling humorist and beloved essayist

Episode 4: Amy Sherald, groundbreaking American portraitist who painted Michelle Obama

Episode 5: Walter Isaacson, bestselling biographer of Steve Jobs, Einstein, and Elon Musk

Episode 6: Rich Roll, ultra-endurance athlete, bestselling author, and top-ranked podcaster

Episode 7: Coleman Hughes, bestselling author of The End of Race Politics

Episode 8 (Bonus Live Recorded Episode–Coming Soon): Chelsea Handler, bestselling author and trailblazing comedian

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Episodes
  • S2 E7 | Coleman Hughes

    S2 E7 | Coleman Hughes
    Sep 10 2026
    Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris meet with political podcaster and author of The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America, Coleman Hughes. The result is more of a lively debate than an interview. Coleman came to fame with his Ted Talk, “A Case for Colorblindness” – a controversial topic on which Malcolm and Kenya have no shortage of opinions. The three discuss their views on Blackness, how race impacts us today, and whether there’s a North Star in race relations.
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    49 mins
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  • S2 E6 | Rich Roll

    S2 E6 | Rich Roll
    Sep 10 2026
    Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris sit down with Rich Roll, an ultra-endurance athlete who, at 51 years old, was named the World’s Fittest Vegan. Rich speaks openly with Malcolm and Kenya about his past with addiction, his switch from extreme substance abuse to extreme athletic pursuits, and his ability to withstand pain. He even gives Kenya some tips for shopping at the grocery store.
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    52 mins
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  • S2 E5 | Walter Isaacson

    S2 E5 | Walter Isaacson
    Sep 10 2026
    Malcolm Gladwell and Kenya Barris interview Walter Isaacson, world-renowned biographer who has written about geniuses across the ages and whose books, Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, took the world by absolute storm. Walter speaks candidly about what he considers the true sign of brilliance and his belief that a genius’s demons are often inextricable from their work. It all begins with a discussion of New Orleans, Walter’s hometown, and the place that shaped his desire to be a storyteller.
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    42 mins
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The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell Season 2

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It was all good because the two hosts are different with similar in many ways. They felt at ease about sharing details of their lives.

The honesty of the guests. They felt comfortable

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Engaging conversations with remarkable people. Uplifting, inspiring, poignant, I finished all 8 episodes in two days and I hope there will be another season.

Wes Moore and Ursula Burns

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The interviews were great. Always good questions for the guests. Funny and thought provoking. I just wish there was more!!!

Always interesting and engaging

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I started to listening in the beginning of my morning workout, and could not stop listening, I avoid talking to people so I can continue listening, Kenya and Malcolm were extremely entertaining I truly enjoyed how they both include themselves into the questions they would ask, I can’t wait to share this with my daughter’s and friends.

Finding self

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This is a great podcast! Direct to the point and the co-hosts are outstanding and vulnerable while allowing their guests to shine in their own way.

Ray and Nephew

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