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The Excerpt

USA TODAY
Donald Trump
Hunter Biden
Joe Biden
D-Day
World Happiness Report
U.s.-Mexico Border
Naomi Biden
Mexico
USA Today
Biden Administration
Gaza
Israel
New York Hush Money Trial
Ukraine
World War II Veterans
Greg Abbott
Covid-19
Catholic Church
Inclusive Policy
Hamas

Get context, not just headlines. Every weekday The Excerpt brings USA TODAY's award-winning journalists from across the nation together to unpack America's most pressing stories — from politics and culture to sports and entertainment — with host Dana Taylor.

PublishesDailyEpisodes127Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNews

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Latest Episodes

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As the U.S.-Israel war in Iran intensifies, it’s hard to imagine Iran was once an important U.S. ally. In this special episode, we lay out key inflection points in the history of US-Iranian relations and how they continue to shape the ongoing conflic... more

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A critically important source of water for seven western states, the Colorado River is now running out of water. To fix the problem a public lands access group has proposed an ambitious plan to build eight massive desalination plants off the Californ... more

Public health policy has become one of the most contentious fronts of the Trump administration. From cuts to Medicaid to RFK Jr.'s promotion of dubious theories on the causes of autism, some physicians say they feel compelled to run for office. Presi... more

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Recent Guests

Aaron Parnas
Gen Z political commentator and independent reporter
Independent reporter
Episode: How Aaron Parnas built a massive Gen Z news audience
Will Carless
National Extremism correspondent for USA Today
USA Today
Episode: Probe continues into freezing death of Alabama jail prisoner
Gina Barton
Investigative reporter for USA Today
USA Today
Episode: Probe continues into freezing death of Alabama jail prisoner
Alex Duran
Co-producer; Program Director at Galaxy Gives
Galaxy Gives
Episode: Oscar-nominated “The Alabama Solution” shows unfiltered prison life
Andrew Jarecki
Director and Producer of The Alabama Solution
The Alabama Solution team
Episode: Oscar-nominated “The Alabama Solution” shows unfiltered prison life
Charlotte Kaufman
Director and Producer of The Alabama Solution
The Alabama Solution team
Episode: Oscar-nominated “The Alabama Solution” shows unfiltered prison life
Daisy Fancourt
Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London and author of Art Cure
University College London
Episode: Crafting’s comeback and the science behind it
Francesca Chambers
White House correspondent for USA Today
USA Today
Episode: Trump signals weeks of fighting in war with Iran
Wes Moore
Governor of Maryland
State of Maryland
Episode: Gov. Wes Moore to Trump: “Please start doing your job.”

Host

Dana Taylor
Host of The Excerpt, USA TODAY

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Top five was better

    I do not like the current format. The old format with multiple topics was better.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    We need snow
    United States2 months ago
  • Very good, informative article podcast

    Dana Taylor does a very good job. I did prefer the format with the top five stories however, still enjoying the new format which is going deeper into just one story. at first I was disappointed but now I enjoy this podcast and have a separate podcast where I get the latest on multiple stories

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nickname, nickname, nickname
    United States3 months ago
  • Miss Taylor Wilson as Host /What Was Once a Very Good Pod Changed Formats

    This was my go-to morning news podcast for 10 years but with Taylor Wilson gone, the new format is just terrible. Taylor has a fantastic voice and I looked forward to hearing him every morning. He had a great rapport with the journalists/guests. I was so sad to hear he is no longer the host. I’ve listened to him for years and loved that I could get the news headlines in a quick concise manner to start every day. The new format no longer serves me. Moved on.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NewsKnut
    United States4 months ago
  • Dana makes show hard to hear

    While i really like the show for the most part, Dana’s commentary is making it difficult to remain a listener. She is very left leaning and it shows up in her reporting. I get so much good info from the show but after almost 2 yrs of listening i may have to take a break bc there seems to be no end in sight for her reporting. The other podcasters stay very neutral and the reason ive stuck around but one would have thought after the election it would be been more about the news vs her opinion and ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Tplan
    United States4 months ago
  • I’d give it a zero if I could

    Been listening to this podcast for as long as I can remember, back when it was five things. I enjoyed the single subject versions on the weekend, but to do it every day has just ruined this podcast for me. After looking at the other reviews, I believe everyone else is just as disappointed, I understand that producers and announcers leave, but to change the whole premise of the podcast is ludicrous. I hope that you guys learn from this mistake and I wish you nothing but luck.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Countryjoemcdonald
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listener feedback shows appreciation for deep dives and journalist expertise, but some crave the traditional multi-topic roundup.
Positive mentions highlight strong host rapport and credible reporting from USA TODAY journalists.
Critiques note perceived bias in some hosts and a yearning for the former format and pacing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#70
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#247
Italy/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#64
South Korea/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#81
Colombia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#98
Japan/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#105
Finland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Aaron Parnas built a massive Gen Z news audience
Q: Can you talk about that and what it takes to sustain the work ethic you showcase?
He describes an intense, nonstop daily routine, multi-screen setup, real-time information flow, and a mindset that keeps him going despite burnout.
How Aaron Parnas built a massive Gen Z news audience
Q: Why do you think so many people trust you?
The guest highlights authenticity, willingness to admit mistakes, and a relatable delivery as core reasons people trust his reporting; he emphasizes consistency between online persona and real-life behavior.
Epstein files fallout continues for rich and powerful
Q: What is the current status of the Epstein file releases and what could be expected next?
Officials are still releasing millions of documents and reviewing the remainder, with lawmakers pressing for more transparency while noting some materials remain sealed for legal reasons, including legal reasoning and privilege.
Crafting’s comeback and the science behind it
Q: These hobbies are repetitive, they're rhythmic. Do those patterns help quiet the brain's tendency toward rumination?
Yes, rhythmic crafting induces entrainment and flow, aligning brain activity with the task and producing physiological relaxation and focused attention.
Crafting’s comeback and the science behind it
Q: So Daisy, when someone sits down to crochet, what is happening in the brain and the body?
Pleasure and dopamine networks light up; stress hormones drop, heart rate and blood pressure decrease, and there are broader immune and aging-related benefits tied to regular artistic engagement.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Excerpt

What is The Excerpt about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show aggregates reporting from USA TODAY's national team to unpack the most consequential headlines with depth and context. Episodes frequently center on politics, criminal justice, policy debates, and governance, often featuring investigative context, legal analysis, and interviews with reporters and subject-matter experts. A recurring strength is translating complex developments into actionable takeaways, with guests ranging from White House correspondents to filmmakers and researchers. A notable breadth across recent episodes includes civil rights investigations, prison reform storytelling, and conversations about energy, climate policy, and national security. The format has evolved from quick, multi-topic summaries to more focused,... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Excerpt?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Excerpt:

1. Apple News Today
2. CNN 5 Things
3. Up First from NPR
4. Start Here
5. The 7

How many episodes of The Excerpt are there?

The Excerpt launched 11 years ago and published 127 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Excerpt?

Recent guests on The Excerpt include:

1. Aaron Parnas
2. Will Carless
3. Gina Barton
4. Alex Duran
5. Andrew Jarecki
6. Charlotte Kaufman
7. Daisy Fancourt
8. Francesca Chambers

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