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The Excerpt

USA TODAY
Donald Trump
Supreme Court
Trump Administration
USA Today
Iran
Government Shutdown
Ice
Tariffs
Russia
Mental Health
Congress
Immigration Enforcement
Transgender Rights
Voting Rights Act
Hamas
Birthright Citizenship
United States
Social Media
Israel
Prison Healthcare

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

The human and financial costs of the U.S. war in Iran continue to rise as the number of service members killed rises to at least 18 and President Donald Trump seeks an additional $67 billion in defense spending. Supporters argue the money is essentia... more

The unemployment rate fell in June, but beneath that encouraging headline are signs that the U.S. job market may be losing momentum. Employers added just 57,000 jobs, previous estimates were revised downward and the share of people working or activel... more

President Donald Trump built his political coalition with overwhelming support from white working-class and rural voters. But rising grocery prices, health care costs, tariffs and frustration over the economy are testing that loyalty ahead of the mid... more

The question of whether college is worth it has gotten more complicated as costs rise and students weigh other paths after high school. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé breaks down what new research says about the value of a degree ... more

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Recent Guests

Roy Altman
Federal judge in southern Florida, author of Israel on Trial
Unknown (appears as guest)
Episode: As antisemitism spikes, how can America tackle the hate?
Ahmed Fuad Al-Hateeb
Palestinian American advocate and writer, founder/director of Realign for Palestine Project
Atlantic Council
Episode: As antisemitism spikes, how can America tackle the hate?
Dinah Voyles-Pulver
USA Today National Correspondent
USA Today
Episode: Is FEMA ready for the coming hurricanes, floods and fires?
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
Sarah D. Wire
Usa Today national news reporter
USA Today
Episode: We hit the road for USA 250
Mike Johnson
Speaker of the House
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: House Speaker Johnson on housing, relationship with Trump and Iran war
Bryan West
USA Today reporter covering Taylor Swift (national music reporter)
USA Today
Episode: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce: The big wedding date is finally here!
Morgan Evans
Style and beauty reporter
USA Today
Episode: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce: The big wedding date is finally here!
Sarah Wire
Senior national news reporter for USA Today
USA Today
Episode: Will the midterm elections be free from interference from bad actors?

Host

Dana Taylor
Host of The Excerpt, USA TODAY network correspondent

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 1.8k 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 States7 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 States7 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 States8 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 States8 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 States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive feedback often highlights strong guest selections and credible analysis.
Critiques frequently focus on perceived partisan bias and longer deep-dive segments.
Some listeners express nostalgia for earlier formats and hosts, with mixed reception to format changes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#56
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#181
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#236
Germany/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#45
Saudi Arabia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#73
Finland/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#74
Norway/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is FEMA ready for the coming hurricanes, floods and fires?
Q: What can we expect from this climate pattern in the rest of the year?
The guest explains that better information is emerging about El Niño's trajectory, with a higher likelihood of a strong El Niño that could influence weather patterns and potentially increase impacts, though El Niño itself doesn't directly cause storms.
What college is really worth in 2026
Q: What does the new Texas-based study say about college value over 15 years?
It finds a positive return for a bachelor's degree overall, with substantial earnings gains by major and a long-run payoff that becomes clear five to ten years after graduation, though the size of the return varies by field and completion status.
Do social media bans actually protect kids?
Q: What might a better model look like, if blanket bans are difficult to enforce?
Education and parental empowerment, along with state-level programs teaching safe use, and better tools for parents, may be a more effective long-term approach than outright bans.
Do social media bans actually protect kids?
Q: Walk us through the state of social media bans in the US, at the state and federal levels.
States have proposed bans while federal discussions continue; Supreme Court cautions that banning minors access broadly may raise First Amendment concerns, making implementation complex.
Do social media bans actually protect kids?
Q: What protections exist for children online and where are the biggest gaps?
The host and guest discuss that ultimately parents bear primary responsibility, platforms have different rules, and First Amendment constraints limit government ability to restrict access, with ongoing debate about how to balance safety and speech.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Excerpt

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

A weekday briefing that blends analysis from USA TODAY's seasoned reporters with a clear focus on the most consequential stories in politics, health, climate, and culture. Episodes frequently feature expert guests—epidemiologists, policymakers, journalists—dissecting complex issues from multiple angles, with an emphasis on context, implications, and practical takeaways for informed audiences. Notable is the mix of long-form policy discussion and timely reporting, plus a track record of hosting credible voices across government, journalism, and science. This show is likely to appeal to listeners who want deeper understanding beyond headlines, with a preference for data-driven insights and real-world impact.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Excerpt:

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

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. Roy Altman
2. Ahmed Fuad Al-Hateeb
3. Dinah Voyles-Pulver
4. Daisy Fancourt
5. Sarah D. Wire
6. Mike Johnson
7. Bryan West
8. Morgan Evans

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