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The Excerpt

USA TODAY
Donald Trump
Supreme Court
Trump Administration
USA Today
Iran
ICE
Tariffs
Russia
Mental Health
United States
Immigration Enforcement
Transgender Rights
Birthright Citizenship
Congress
Social Media
Prison Healthcare
Department Of Homeland Security
Ukraine
Immigration
Government Shutdown

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

With less than 90 days before the midterms, the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to let it move forward with an untested system that would give the U.S. Postal Service a new role in determining who receives a mail-in ballot. The admin... more

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Recent Guests

Christopher Cann
USA TODAY national reporter covering immigration policy
USA TODAY
Episode: What Trump’s asylum change means for people seeking protection
Jennie Wenger
RAND Senior Economist
RAND Corporation
Episode: Why are so many young adults not working or in school?
Becky Frank
Veterinarian at Lap of Love
Lap of Love
Episode: Pet hospice is everywhere: What you need to know
Annie Jacobsen
Pulitzer Prize finalist and investigative journalist
Author of Biological War Scenario
Episode: Could biological warfare cause the next pandemic?
Sarah Myers West
Co-executive director of AI Now Institute, nonprofit organization focused on AI policy research
AI Now Institute
Episode: Can the US regulate AI without slowing innovation?
Susan Stokes
Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Director of the Chicago Center on Democracy
University of Chicago
Episode: What Elon Musk reaching trillionaire status says about America
Joey Garrison
White House correspondent
USA Today
Episode: Iran war costs in blood and treasure soar as mission remains unclear
Rachel Barber
Money reporter for USA TODAY
USA TODAY
Episode: America’s workforce is shrinking. What’s going on?
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?

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 States8 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 States9 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 States9 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
#62
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#227
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#86
Italy/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#53
Ukraine/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#56
Saudi Arabia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#63
South Korea/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why are so many young adults not working or in school?
Q: Let's start with the basics. When we talk about young adults who are disconnected, who are we talking about, how many are there, and what does that disconnection look like?
Disconnection affects 18- to 24-year-olds who are not in school, not in training, and not employed, with millions affected at any given time; roughly one in seven individuals in this age group are disconnected, indicating a widespread, ongoing issue.
Is the post-Trump GOP already forming?
Q: Has the Iran policy debate really exposed a larger fault line within the party between traditional hawks and the America First wing?
Yes, the Iran policy debate has highlighted tensions between traditional interventionist instincts and America First restraint, with some members criticizing or diverging from Trump's approach, while others echo the administration's stance, indicating ongoing internal debate rather than a simple bifurcation.
Is the post-Trump GOP already forming?
Q: What does the split between policy disagreements and a broader political divide mean for the GOP going forward?
The discussion highlights discrete policy fights showing serious independence among some Republicans, but Trump's enduring support base and endorsements continue to shape the party's overall cohesion, suggesting a nuanced shift rather than a wholesale realignment.
Trump's immigration crackdown sends migrants north to Canada
Q: What is the biggest difference in how the US and Canada manage border security and enforcement?
The US lacks a national police force and relies on state and local policing, while Canada has a nationally coordinated approach via the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which shapes how enforcement and immigration matters are handled.
What Trump’s asylum change means for people seeking protection
Q: It seems clear that having an attorney matters. What are applicants up against if they don't have one?
Applicants without lawyers face a much tougher, adversarial environment in immigration court with trained government prosecutors, language and educational barriers, and the risk of detention, making it harder to navigate complex forms and present a strong case for asylum.

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

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. Christopher Cann
2. Jennie Wenger
3. Becky Frank
4. Annie Jacobsen
5. Sarah Myers West
6. Susan Stokes
7. Joey Garrison
8. Rachel Barber

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