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The Excerpt

USA TODAY
Donald Trump
Charlie Kirk
Government Shutdown
Supreme Court
USA Today
Trump Administration
ICE
Congress
Israel
Tariffs
Jeffrey Epstein
Hamas
Russia
Iran
Mental Health
Jimmy Kimmel
Gaza
Transgender Rights
Immigration Enforcement
Free Speech

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
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Latest Episodes

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Summer travel season is getting underway. But this year, travelers are facing a perfect storm of new pressures in the airline industry. The budget airline Spirit Airlines has collapsed after years of financial struggles, eliminating one of the countr... more

La Niña may be gone, but its impact doesn’t end when the pattern fades, according to a new study from NOAA researchers and the Cooperative Institute. Now, as scientists watch for signs that El Niño could emerge in the Pacific, there are growing conce... more

Last week, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that will likely impact Black voters for generations. The 6-3 decision, which split along conservative and liberal lines, essentially nullified section 2 of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act which prohib... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kenny Jacoby
Investigative reporter for USA Today
USA Today
Episode: Inside a hockey empire that turned youth sports into big business
Suzy Welch
Professor at NYU's Stern School of Business
New York University
Episode: Why Gen Z is getting fired after being hired
Brian Truitt
USA TODAY movie critic
USA TODAY
Episode: The must-see movies of summer 2026—and a surprising frontrunner
Rachel Goldberg-Polin
Author of When We See You Again
Author
Episode: Her son was taken and killed in Gaza. She still chooses humanity.
Jason Frakes
Courier Journal horse racing reporter
Courier Journal (USA TODAY Network)
Episode: Why this year’s Kentucky Derby is wide open
Kirby Adams
Lifestyle and entertainment reporter
Courier Journal
Episode: Why this year’s Kentucky Derby is wide open
Charlie Warzel
Staff writer at The Atlantic and author of Galaxy Brain newsletter
The Atlantic
Episode: AI-generated influencers are here. Can you tell who’s real?
Shane Elipot
Physical oceanographer, University of Miami
University of Miami, Department of Ocean Sciences
Episode: Doomscrolling alert: The Atlantic current may be headed for collapse
Kim Hjelmgaard
World Affairs correspondent for USA Today who discusses the Trump-vs-Pope feud from Rome
USA Today
Episode: The pope & Trump: A match not made in heaven

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 States4 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 States5 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 States5 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 States6 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 States6 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
#59
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#155
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#146
Germany/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#63
Norway/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#69
Argentina/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#86
Finland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Her son was taken and killed in Gaza. She still chooses humanity.
Q: In the book, you refer to a lobby or a hallway. Can you explain what that is and whether understanding it is where healing begins?
The host asks about healing concepts, and the guest responds that healing isn't a destination but a process of acknowledging pain, finding meaning, and recognizing that life can still hold value despite loss.
Will SCOTUS Voting Rights Act ruling disenfranchise voters?
Q: What might be the immediate political fallout from this ruling?
States in the South are redrawing maps quickly, with a potential shift in representation ahead of midterms and the 2028 presidential cycle, as maps could be drawn to favor whichever party controls the state legislature.
Will SCOTUS Voting Rights Act ruling disenfranchise voters?
Q: Bart, what did the justices decide in this ruling?
The majority held that challenging congressional maps requires a strong inference of discrimination, effectively raising the bar compared to the 2019 approach, which allowed more latitude for partisan considerations to be cited as a basis for challenge.
Why Gen Z is getting fired after being hired
Q: How are employers adapting to AI and changing work patterns?
Employers are relying more on selective hiring for 'the 2%' who align with their values, and leveraging AI to automate entry-level tasks, which shifts soft-skill development and requires new approaches to training.
Why Gen Z is getting fired after being hired
Q: What should Gen Z do to improve their fit in today's job market?
Keep your core values, but be strategic about where you work, prioritizing organizations that align with your definition of success and making trade-offs when necessary.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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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1. Apple News Today
2. CNN 5 Things
3. Up First from NPR
4. Start Here
5. Consider This from NPR

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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. Kenny Jacoby
2. Suzy Welch
3. Brian Truitt
4. Rachel Goldberg-Polin
5. Jason Frakes
6. Kirby Adams
7. Charlie Warzel
8. Shane Elipot

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