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The Excerpt

USA TODAY
Donald Trump
Iran
Supreme Court
USA Today
Trump Administration
ICE
Artificial Intelligence
Immigration Enforcement
Transgender Rights
United States
Birthright Citizenship
Mental Health
Climate Change
Department Of Homeland Security
First Amendment
Immigration
Social Media
Malala Yousafzai
Homelessness
Tariffs

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes127Founded12 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Cornell University received more than 1,200 reports of sexual violence between 2018 and 2024, but only a fraction resulted in formal investigations and disciplinary action. Kenny Jacoby, investigative reporter for USA TODAY, joins The Excerpt to brea... more

Cancer rates are declining across most of the United States. But Iowa is moving in the opposite direction. Iowa now has one of the nation's highest cancer incidence rates and is one of only three states where rates continue to rise. So what's differe... more

Ten years after taking on Roger Ailes, Gretchen Carlson, former Fox News anchor, reveals what changed for women who speak out and where justice still fails them. She reflects on the personal cost of challenging workplace power and why many women neve... more

Bad actors rarely remain on a single platform. Sean Litton, former president and CEO of the Tech Coalition, explains how they can move between social media, gaming, messaging and payment services. On USA TODAY's The Excerpt, he also breaks down Lante... more

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Recent Guests

Sam Litton
Exiting CEO of the Tech Coalition
Tech Coalition
Episode: Can tech companies stop AI deepfakes from spreading?
Ignacio Calderon
Data reporter for USA Today
USA Today
Episode: A record number of ICE employees are leaving. Why?
BrieAnna Frank
USA Today First Amendment Reporting Fellow
USA Today
Episode: What happens when the White House bans reporters?
Andy Beshear
Governor of Kentucky
Governor of Kentucky
Episode: Andy Beshear talks faith and a possible 2028 run for president
Jay Stahl
Senior reporter for USA Today
USA Today
Episode: Her father was denied a class trip to D.C. Now she may join the Senate
Oprah Winfrey
Media mogul, journalist, author and entrepreneur
Oprah Winfrey
Episode: Oprah Winfrey reveals how intuition has guided her career and life
Jeremy Redmon
National Enterprise Editor at USA Today and author of Tell the Kids I Love Them
USA Today
Episode: His father was missing. Then his search for answers began
Tom Franklin
Photographer who captured the flag-raising photo at Ground Zero
Bergen Record, New Jersey
Episode: The story behind the firefighters' flag-raising at Ground Zero
Peter Folan
Head of Dexter Southfield School, educator with 30+ years in education
Dexter Southfield School
Episode: The challenge of teaching 9/11 to kids

Host

Dana Taylor
Host of The Excerpt, USA Today network contributor coordinating across national and regional reporting.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Missing Five Things

    This show used to be my go-to news podcast. Its formatting was great. The changes are unfortunate, and I’m dropping the show after many years of listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    BrianGulotta
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States9 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 States9 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 States10 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall quality is strong with credible reporting and diverse guest insights.
Some listeners crave the original multi-topic format; deep dives are appreciated by a niche segment.
Guest access and expert perspectives are valued by advertisers and guests seeking thoughtful exposure.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#65
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#235
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#188
Italy/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#31
Ukraine/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#59
Finland/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#91
Russia/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A record number of ICE employees are leaving. Why?
Q: What did your investigation uncover about the number of people leaving ICE, and what surprised you the most as you've dug into those numbers?
The turnover in 2026 is unusually high, with departures due more to quit or termination than retirements, indicating something beyond typical workforce changes is at play.
Trump threatens Iran in fiery UN speech. What's next?
Q: So I know that you were watching this closely. What was the biggest surprise either in what Trump said or what he chose not to say?
Francesca Chambers explains that a key surprise was how hard he pressed on Cuba and Western Hemisphere issues, signaling a stronger stance than anticipated, while still leaving room for diplomacy with Iran and suggesting ongoing private negotiations.
AI insiders warn of danger. Will Congress act?
Q: Are there any proposals that might have a real chance of advancing?
There are some targeted measures, like ratepayer protections related to data centers and debates about more fundamental governance tools such as independent oversight and kill switches, which could gain traction in the lame duck period.
AI insiders warn of danger. Will Congress act?
Q: What are they looking for or hoping to determine in these discussions?
The focus is on gaining a better understanding of AI capabilities and risks, with potential frameworks being discussed, including independent monitors and a pathway toward guardrails, rather than immediate sweeping regulation.
AI insiders warn of danger. Will Congress act?
Q: The question everyone is asking is whether Coxon's warning is credible, and if so, is Congress ready to act?
Zach explains that the warnings have gained traction because of high-profile online amplification and a growing sense among lawmakers that action is overdue, but the reality is that the congressional calendar makes rapid, comprehensive legislation unlikely before the midterms.

Audience Metrics

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

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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 of the top stories with in-depth reporting and expert context across politics, economics, and public life. Episodes frequently feature USA TODAY journalists and subject-matter guests who unpack how national events filter into local impacts, with a pattern toward nuanced analysis rather than quick takes. Notable strengths include a track record of bringing high-profile policy and political coverage into a concise, interview-forward format, and a willingness to explore how religion, education, and regional dynamics shape national conversations. The show often centers around timely political analysis, data-driven context, and on-the-ground reporting from across the country, making it helpful for listeners who want deeper und... more

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1. Apple News Today
2. CNN 5 Things
3. Start Here
4. Up First from NPR
5. WSJ What’s News

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The Excerpt launched 12 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. Sam Litton
2. Ignacio Calderon
3. BrieAnna Frank
4. Andy Beshear
5. Jay Stahl
6. Oprah Winfrey
7. Jeremy Redmon
8. Tom Franklin

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