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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

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

After reading the Epstein files, Claire Wilmot, a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science, uncovered a chilling pattern: systematic efforts to discredit survivors of sexual abuse while protecting the rich and powerful.... more

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It's been a week of escalating rhetoric from President Donald Trump with regards to Iran, starting with threats to power plants and bridges on Monday morning. By Tuesday, Trump had posted on Truth Social that 'A whole civilization will die tonight, n... more

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The World Cup is just over two months away. The 48 teams that were selected will be competing in a record 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. What storylines can we expect? Seth Vertelney, Soccer Editor for USA TODAY... more

Cannabis is widely known as a recreational drug, illegal in some states and legal in others. But what do you know about cannabis-based therapies, often referred to as medical marijuana? For well over a century, compounds extracted from the marijuana ... more

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Recent Guests

Claire Wilmot
Visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science
London School of Economics and Political Science
Episode: The reckoning over Jeffrey Epstein isn’t finished
Seth Vertelney
Soccer editor for USA TODAY Sports
USA TODAY Sports
Episode: The World Cup is just over two months away. Here’s what to watch.
Josh Meyer
USA Today domestic security correspondent
USA Today
Episode: A California sheriff is questioning election integrity
Aalok Mehta
Director of the Wadhwani AI Center for CSIS
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Episode: AI is playing a big role in the US-led war in Iran
Masa Alimardani
Associate Director, Technology Threats and Opportunities Program
Witness
Episode: AI is playing a big role in the US-led war in Iran
Zuleyka Nathoo
USA TODAY producer and host
USA TODAY
Episode: AI is playing a big role in the US-led war in Iran
Laney Wilson
Country music singer
Episode: USA TODAY’s Women of the Year: Stories That Inspire
Channing Dungy
Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD US Networks
Warner Bros. Television
Episode: USA TODAY’s Women of the Year: Stories That Inspire
Sarah Gordon
Centre back and captain of Angel City FC
Angel City FC
Episode: USA TODAY’s Women of the Year: Stories That Inspire

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 States3 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 States4 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 States5 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 States5 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
#67
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#147
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#82
Germany/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#168
Italy/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#32
Norway/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#45
Saudi Arabia/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The reckoning over Jeffrey Epstein isn’t finished
Q: What did you mean by the mechanics of doubt in the Epstein files?
I meant that doubt operates as a systemic mechanism—shaping how people are believed or doubted, influencing who is heard, and ultimately affecting whether survivors are supported or dismissed, with implications across reporting, investigations, and public perception.
If it works, why can’t doctors prescribe cannabis?
Q: What led you to this line of work?
Dr. Gruber explains that after studying recreational cannabis for decades, she found a gap in medical cannabis knowledge and started the MIND program to systematically assess long-term medical outcomes, comparing whole-plant products to purified compounds and examining indications across conditions.
The World Cup is just over two months away. Here’s what to watch.
Q: What are you hearing about ticket availability and pricing?
FIFA initially kept a lottery-based approach but recently opened a first-come-first-serve system; prices remain high with a resale market that's perhaps the most secure route for some fans, though prices can fluctuate widely.
The World Cup is just over two months away. Here’s what to watch.
Q: Should we expect any surprises when the final roster is revealed?
Pochettino has brought in many new players and, given the two friendlies in Europe, the final roster will likely be built largely from those players, with potential injuries still a consideration.
A California sheriff is questioning election integrity
Q: Josh, what's at stake for the residents of Riverside?
The impact is more about public perception and confidence in the voting system than changing the outcome of Prop 50; the challengers may fear loss of trust, while supporters worry about fully counting ballots and the integrity of mail-in voting.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Interests
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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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2. CNN 5 Things
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4. Up First 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. Claire Wilmot
2. Seth Vertelney
3. Josh Meyer
4. Aalok Mehta
5. Masa Alimardani
6. Zuleyka Nathoo
7. Laney Wilson
8. Channing Dungy

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