The Excerpt
SubscribeAbout
Available on
Community
1568 episodes
The U.S. and China have reached an agreement to reduce tariffs. The Trump administration floats suspending habeas corpus https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/10/trump-stephen-miller-habeas-corpus-constitution/83554334007/. What does that mean? USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes discusses what deporting people facing criminal charges can mean for justice. USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi explains how Diddy's lawyer defended a 'sex cult' leader in an eerily similar case https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/05/09/diddy-trial-sean-combs-defense-lawyer-strategy/83086723007/. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We're putting the spotlight on moms today, asking readers to share about why it's so important to honor moms or maternal figures in our lives. Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum. And if your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tina was a sweet golden retriever, named after the legendary Tina Turner. Her passing led owner Niall Harbison down the path of a new personal mission: to rescue and rehabilitate abused street dogs in Thailand, his adopted country. Niall captures the story of Tina and his dog rescue journey in his new book "Tina: The Dog who Changed the World." Niall joins The Excerpt to discuss Tina’s legacy and what’s next in the fight to save even more dogs while bringing about a fix to this persistent global issue. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first mass as leader of the Roman Catholic Church https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/05/09/pope-leo-xiv-first-mass/83523554007/ Friday. USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin discusses how some Republican lawmakers are at odds as they work on a bill dealing with President Donald Trump's priorities https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/09/trump-bill-medicaid-spending-congress/83196723007/. The National Science Foundation https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/09/national-science-foundation-grant-cancellations-doge/83536954007/ eliminates its equity division andcancels dozens more grants. USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Gina Barton gives us a peak of Untested https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2025/05/06/untested-podcast-rape-kit-backlog-serial-sex-offender/83459004007/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
USA TODAY National Correspondent Phaedra Trethan gives us an introduction to Pope Leo XIV https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/05/08/robert-francis-prevost-elected-pope-leo-xiv/83393204007/. The acting FEMA administrator has been replaced https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/08/donald-trumps-administration-fires-fema-administrator-cam-hamilton/83517764007/ after contradicting President Donald Trump on abolishing the agency. USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson breaks down a trade deal between the U.S. and U.K. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/08/us-uk-trade-deal-trump-announces-agreement/83508333007/ President Trump's budget aims to cut billions from environmental programs https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/09/trump-budget-cuts-environmental-programs/83441472007/. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What if the second half of life could be just as healthy, active, and fulfilling as the first? Drawing on the latest science, world-renowned cardiologist and researcher Dr. Eric Topol challenges outdated ideas about aging and reveals how factors like exercise, sleep, social connection and cutting-edge AI tools can help us extend not just our lifespan—but our healthspan. Dr. Topol joins The Excerpt to share insights from his new book "Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Fed left its key interest rate unchanged https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/05/07/federal-reserve-meeting-rate-cuts-live-updates/83473623007/ again Wednesday and gave no hint it plans to lower it soon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As a bulwark against the flood of propaganda and misinformation coming from China and Russia, the United States Agency for Global Media is a global beacon of American freedom and democracy, reaching nearly 500 million listeners every day. Two of the six entities underneath USAGM are Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. While a March executive order by President Donald Trump to dismantle them has been reversed by the courts, their continued existence is uncertain as Republicans hammer out a new budget that aims to deliver on the president’s agenda. Why should Americans care? Japhet Quitzon, an associate fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, joins The Excerpt to talk about the agency's historic role in spreading American culture and values. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
There was some mixed news out of the courts Tuesday for President Donald Trump. The Supreme Court allowed his ban on transgender troops to take effect https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/06/supreme-court-trump-transgender-military/83408713007/. Plus, a judge blocked him from shuttering an agency that funds museums and libraries https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/06/us-judge-blocks-trump-museum-library-labor-disputes/83479667007/. USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes tells us about a women's group that quilts for democracy https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/06/peace-by-piece-quilting-for-democracy/83158189007/. The Trump administration continues to suggest the Federal Emergency Management Agency could go away https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/06/donald-trump-kristi-noem-fema-abolish-helene-wildfire/83474589007/. USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn talks about the waning support from brands ahead of Pride Month https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/05/06/pride-month-defections-dei-backlash/83376447007/. The REAL ID deadline https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2025/05/06/real-id-deadline-updates/83350466007/ is here. A papal conclave https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/01/will-vatican-elect-progressive-or-conservative-pope/83339568007/ begins. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Buried in an evidence room, a DNA swab held the key to catching a serial sex offender. But no one tested it for years. Detective Annie Harrison finally put the pieces together in two states 800 miles apart. This is the story of Untested, an exclusive true crime podcast from USA TODAY and Witness. The show's host, USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Gina Barton, joins The Excerpt to discuss the reporting that went into the series and why she thinks listeners should tune in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
USA TODAY White House Correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy discusses a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's efforts to overhaul the Department of Health and Human Services https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/05/trump-hhs-rfk-jr-state-lawsuit-cuts/83453835007/. Israel readies a plan to seize all of Gaza https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/05/05/israel-may-seize-all-of-gaza/83458258007/. The Department of Homeland Security is offering $1,000 stipends and free airfare to immigrants who deport themselves https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/05/dhs-1000-plane-ticket-migrants-deport/83455872007/. Trump says he knew 'nothing' about an AI image of him as the pope https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/05/trump-pope-social-media-ai-image/83459943007/. USA TODAY Money and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee takes a look at new data showing seriously delinquent student loans jumped just as involuntary collections resume https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2025/05/05/delinquent-student-loans-credit-scores-collections-resume/83412433007/. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We received so many responses https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2025/05/05/trump-voters-reaction-100-days/83330400007/ about President Trump's first 100 days in office that we created a second episode on what Americans are really thinking about Trump and his administration. Forum http://usatoday.com/forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum. And if your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty whether he must uphold the Constitution to carry out his deportation agenda https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/04/trump-third-term-economy-tariffs-constitution/83443855007/ and said he's not looking at running for a third White House term during a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press." USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry discusses what activists are saying about Trump's first 100 days in office setting back civil rights protections. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise talks through new findings on the dangers of plastic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Since its inception, baseball has always had a place for female athletes. In fact, colleges and universities had women’s teams as far back as the 1860's. But at some point, women were shuffled into softball and opportunities to play hardball disappeared. Until now. Associate Professor of sports leadership and management at Miami University Callie Batts Maddox joins The Excerpt to talk about the launch of the Women's Pro Baseball League next year and what it will mean for women and girls who are passionate for the sport. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
President Donald Trump unveiled a budget blueprint https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/02/trump-budget-163-billion-cuts/83405569007/ on Friday. Plus, despite additions, some GOP senators slammed his defense budget https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/02/mcconnell-gop-senators-defense-spending-trump-budget/83414967007/ for being too stingy. USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey talks about Stephen A. Smith as Democrats grapple with celebrity populism. A new policy means zero tolerance for visa holders https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/02/foreign-visitors-one-strike-policy-rubio-trump/83413717007/. President Trump says he's revoking Harvard's tax-exempt status https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/02/trump-revoking-harvard-tax-exempt-status/83405895007/. USA TODAY Sports Columnist Dan Wolken discusses a renewed interest in aftercare for retired racehorses https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/dan-wolken/2025/05/02/kentucky-derby-silver-charm-oldest-winner-retirement-farm/83358100007/. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Demonstrators rallied against the Trump administration in nationwide May Day protests https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/01/may-day-protests-trump-musk-billionaires/83362729007/. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison discusses President Donald Trump's shakeup of his national security team https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/01/trump-mike-waltz-un-ambassador-nomination/83391771007/. A judge rules Trump cannot use the Alien Enemies Act https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/01/trump-judge-alien-enemies-act-deportation-venezuelans/83387647007/?tbref=hp to deport Venezuelan migrants. Plus, the Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to intervene in its bid to strip temporary protected status https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/01/trump-supreme-court-venezuelan-migrants-protected-status/83394942007/?tbref=hp for more than 300,000 Venezuelans. Trump signs an order that aims to cut funding for PBS and NPR. USA TODAY Movie Critic Brian Truitt discusses the release of 'Rust' years after the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/05/01/rust-alec-baldwin-movie-review/83323515007/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What happened to feminism in the twenty-first century? This is the foundational question at the heart of cultural critic Sophie Gilbert’s new book, “Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves.” In it, she argues that porn’s long cultural shadow has resulted in the hyper-objectification of women, presenting them as spectacles. What can a critical look at the postfeminist era teach us about how women can view themselves in a more empowered and healthy way? Sophie Gilbert is a staff writer at The Atlantic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The U.S. and Ukraine have signed a mineral deal https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/30/ukraine-us-sign-deal-joint-mineral-investment-fund/83376148007/ after weeks of tense negotiations. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé takes a look at some rough news for the country's GDP https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/04/30/gdp-report-economy-tariffs-impact-q1-2025/83333454007/. House Republicans propose new immigration fees https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/30/house-republicans-propose-new-immigration-fees-trump/83364825007/. USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer takes a closer look at President Trump's personal wealth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As of today, President Donald Trump has been in office for 100 days. In that short span of time, he has transformed American government https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/04/25/trump-100-days-changes-in-america/83042626007/. From public health to the economy https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/27/trump-promised-economic-boom-americans-still-waiting/83140347007/, immigration https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/28/trump-100-days-touts-deportation-surge/83280907007/ to education, the second Trump Administration has affected changes that are singular in their scope and the speed at which they were made. While some Americans are pleased with Trump’s policies and executive orders, they’ve also thrust many Americans into uncertainty, anxiety and in some cases, detention. Listeners and viewers of The Excerpt should be very familiar with what Trump’s done in the past 100 days because The Excerpt has been breathlessly covering every executive order, every firing, every cut. But what’s been the impact to ordinary Americans? How are they feeling at Day 100? USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes joins The Excerpt to share reporting from across the network on how Americans are feeling. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin breaks down what to know as theGOP starts work on a sweeping Trump priorities bill. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What does Canada's election https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/04/28/mark-carney-wins-canada-election/83327628007/ mean for relations between two countries? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We asked: Do you support President Trump's actions so far? What concerns you about what he and his administration have executed on? Readers across the country shared their opinions https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2025/04/28/trump-100-days-approval-americans/83237573007/ with us. Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum http://www.usatoday.com/forum. And if your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Congress will take up the fiscal 2026 budget proposal https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/27/booker-jeffries-trump-budget-sit-in-capitol/83313175007/ when lawmakers return to session Monday. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A quick Google search reveals many articles, commentaries, social media posts, and scholarly debates on whether or not America is sliding into an authoritarian state. But is that really what’s going on here? Or is calling the current political climate “authoritarian” simply a case of liberals being melodramatic? Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and expert on fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and democracy protection at New York University, joins The Excerpt to share her expertise. Also available at art19.com/shows/5-Things See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson discusses some of President Donald Trump's recent comments to Time Magazine. USA TODAY Wellness Reporter Charles Trepany breaks down why some people live separately from their spouses. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
There's been another shake-up at the Pentagon https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/24/pete-hegseth-joe-kasper-fired-chief-staff/83260233007/. President Donald Trump approaches 100 days in office. Here are 100 things that have changed https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/04/25/trump-100-days-changes-in-america/83042626007/. USA TODAY Education Reporter Zachary Schermele takes a look at a busy week for the Trump administration on education. A judge partly blocks a Trump order seeking to overhaul U.S. elections https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/24/trump-elections-executive-order-overhaul-judge-ruling/83253570007/. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us about carnivorous 'bone collector' caterpillars https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/24/carnivorous-bone-collector-caterpillars-discovered-hawaii/83229310007/. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Most of us can say that we’re fans of something – music, sports, art, books. But what does it mean to be part of a fandom? You’ve probably seen devoted super fans participating in cos play at Comic-Con, painted in their team’s color at a football game or dressed up as their favorite characters at a midnight screening of a film series. But is there something deeper than just fun at play here? Something that aligns more with religion or even sacredness? That’s the argument of sociologist Michael Elliott, a professor at Towson University who has studied the culture of Comic-Con for 7 years. Elliott joins The Excerpt to share the results of his deep research into fandoms. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Russia slammed Ukraine's capital overnight in the biggest attack on the city this year. USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page discusses some concerning polling news https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/04/23/trump-approval-poll-economy-100-days/83217866007/ for President Donald Trump on the economy. President Trump signs an executive order boosting AI in K-12 schools https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/23/trump-order-artificial-intelligence-schools-ai/83230792007/. USA TODAY Health Reporter Karen Weintraub explains how budget cuts are impacting important Alzheimer's research https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/24/alzheimers-study-south-america-trump-budget-cuts/83142034007/. It's NFL Draft Night https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2025/04/22/nfl-draft-first-round-trades-teams-players-cowboys-eagles/83206878007/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
One of the most talked about and controversial cabinet appointments made by President Donald Trump has been that of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic who has embraced several debunked health conspiracies. As secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, he now controls the Centers for Disease Control, which led the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Food & Drug Administration which looks after food safety, and many other consequential health subdepartments which safeguard the public's health. What changes has RFK Jr. enacted so far and what does the future of American health under his leadership look like? Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC, joins The Excerpt to share his concerns. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava talks about his experience covering conclaves https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/04/21/pope-francis-conclave-what-happens/83195802007/ and what to expect from the process to select a new pope. The Trump administration proposes a major shake-up of the State Department https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-reorganizing-state-department-rubio-says-2025-04-22/. Health Secretary RFK Jr. says eight artificial dyes https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/22/rfk-jr-food-artificial-dye-food-supply/83211595007/?tbref=hp will be phased out of the U.S. food supply. USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Nick Penzenstadler discusses the latest on a pair of men deported to El Salvador https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/22/congressman-letters-gay-stylist-sent-el-salvador/83193541007/. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
