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The Excerpt

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

USA TODAY’s daily news podcast, The Excerpt (formerly 5 Things), brings you a curated mix of the most important headlines seven mornings a week. We also deliver special deep-dive episodes on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons on the most compelling topics in culture, entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Give us fifteen minutes a day, we'll give you all of the headlines, none of the chaos. Hos... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes127Founded11 years ago
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NewsDaily News

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Latest Episodes

Who doesn’t like a weekend getaway? A nice hotel room, spa treatments, room service, sure – but a cabin with strangers? Adult sleepaway camps are having a moment, but what’s driving the boom? These retreats promise connection in a time when many adul... more

The H-1B visa program — a key pipeline for skilled foreign workers in tech — has recently been upended by President Donald Trump. A recent executive order now mandates that companies to pay $100,000 per application, a move the White House says will p... more

America’s high school seniors are falling behind. The decline in math and reading scores is more than a statistic. It’s a warning sign about our future. If the next generation is leaving high school and stepping into adulthood with fewer core educati... more

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As the contract deadline of October 31st approaches, negotiations are at a standstill, and players and fans alike are contemplating the very real possibility of no 2026 season. What are the big sticking points and how might players pivot? USA TODAY S... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Martin West
Academic Dean at Harvard Graduate School of Education
Harvard University
Episode: Why do US students continue to fall behind in reading and math?
Michael Collins
National correspondent with USA Today
USA Today
Episode: One family, seven hostages, and the end of a two-year nightmare
Amanda Lee Myers
USA TODAY Senior Crime Reporter
USA TODAY
Episode: New York Attorney General Letitia James indicted
Sibel Mays Osterman
National security and world affairs reporter
USA Today
Episode: National Guard troops in limbo as Trump battles courts over deployments
Andrew Blauner
Author of THE PEANUTS PAPERS Writers and Cartoonists on Charlie Brown, Snoopy & the Gang, and the Meaning of Life
Episode: SPECIAL | Peanuts turns 75 and still speaks to the child in all of us
Melissa Rugiri
National music writer at USA TODAY
USA TODAY
Episode: Trump approval ratings historically low compared to other presidents
Charlamagne tha God
Influential radio host and political commentator
The Breakfast Club
Episode: SPECIAL | Charlamagne tha God emerges as a political force
David Inserra
Senior fellow at the Cato Institute
Cato Institute
Episode: SPECIAL | Jimmy Kimmel's right to free speech is not up for debate
Sarah D. Weier
Senior national political correspondent with USA TODAY
USA TODAY
Episode: A government shutdown begins. What's next?

Hosts

Taylor Wilson
Host of The Excerpt, known for insightful commentary and concise news delivery.
Dana Taylor
Co-host of The Excerpt, bringing engaging dialogue and analysis to current events.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Please coach journalist

    Please provide voice/speech coaching to your journalist Zach Shermele. There is nothing worse than listening to a person speak who loves the sound of their own voice. His content is good, but the presentation is laborious and unnecessarily dragged out. He tends to dominate the overall length of this podcast on a consistent basis. I frequently skip past his segment because of this. Otherwise, The Excerpt is great for daily news

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Magnum Steve.I.
    United States24 days ago
  • Good hosts but shameful reporting

    I can't believe how journalism has failed us so badly — and how easily the American people have folded and accepted this tacky, racist, hostile government takeover. This is the United Stares of America. Shame on us. And shame on USA Today for whitewashing Trump's insanity to normalize this fascist, racist regime for public consumption.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    AKA Queen Mab
    United Statesa month ago
  • No Journalistic Integrity

    Episode on 8/22/25 — chief political correspondent reports how gerrymandering is unpopular across the board re: California redistricting but fails to mention which party voted in favor by (100% - 0%) of a national ban

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JonnJonzzCP
    United States2 months ago
  • More about the journalist than about the topic

    The 7/13/25 cast is all about this journalist and general women’s sports issues, absolutely nothing about “women hat makes Katlin tick” , which was the tagline.

    Like 20% of the podcasts, this is ridiculous.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Peg111
    United States3 months ago
  • Serious Click Bait

    What a bad deal. The latest headline is at least 24 dead in Kerrville floods (paraphrased). But wait. NOT ONE piece of information about the tragedy. How disrespectful to those parents who lost kids. Just the lowest form of journalism. The other stories presented may have been worthy but they apparently were not with their own headline. So they had to get you by exploitation.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    EveAnn61
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the concise format, making it easy to catch up on news quickly.
Listeners enjoy the special episodes, which provide deeper insights into significant topics, adding value to the daily listener experience.
Some listeners express concerns about perceived bias, particularly around political coverage, citing a desire for balanced reporting.
The commentary on pressing cultural and political issues has received mixed feedback, indicating a diverse audience with varying expectations.
The hosts are often praised for their engaging delivery and clear presentation of complex information.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#50
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#184
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#169
France/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#229
Italy/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#238
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#67
Ukraine/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

California Prop 50 voting underway. Will the decision neutralize Texas redistricting?
Q: What are the implications of this vote for California and the nation?
This election is viewed as a local pushback against Trump and the redistricting measures in Texas, with California aiming to secure its political landscape for future elections.
California Prop 50 voting underway. Will the decision neutralize Texas redistricting?
Q: How many additional House seats would Proposition 50 give to California?
Proposition 50 is expected to give California five additional Democratic-leaning districts, reducing the Republican delegation significantly.
California Prop 50 voting underway. Will the decision neutralize Texas redistricting?
Q: What is this move in response to? Can you give us some political context for how this proposition ended up on the ballot?
The proposition aims to counteract Texas's redistricting efforts, which were seen as favoring Republicans, by creating additional Democratic-leaning districts in California.
Why do US students continue to fall behind in reading and math?
Q: What might be the long-term consequences for the US in terms of global competitiveness if student knowledge continues to go down?
It could hold back the American economy in the future and reduce global influence over time.
Why do US students continue to fall behind in reading and math?
Q: Is it clear what factors are contributing to the imbalance of declining scores between girls and boys?
It's not clear, but technology's adverse impact on girls' mental health could be a contributing factor.

Audience Metrics

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

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Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Excerpt

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

This daily news podcast offers listeners a curated selection of important headlines, capturing significant events across a range of topics, including politics, culture, and entertainment. Episodes typically span around fifteen minutes, allowing for a quick yet informative update on key stories, trends, and events shaping the world today. Special deep-dive episodes pose thought-provoking discussions on pressing societal issues, making the content not only informative but also relevant and engaging for listeners seeking both news and analysis. The format and structure are designed to provide a straightforward approach to daily news, appealing to busy individuals looking for concise information without the excess commentary often found in main... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Excerpt has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Excerpt?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Excerpt:

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

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. Martin West
2. Michael Collins
3. Amanda Lee Myers
4. Sibel Mays Osterman
5. Andrew Blauner
6. Melissa Rugiri
7. Charlamagne tha God
8. David Inserra

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