Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Excerpt: Daily Summaries Delivered
by USA TODAY
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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Today15 min
At Tribeca, music films are moving beyond the screen
Music documentaries are a major part of the festival circuit, but this year at Tribeca, they’re becoming something bigger: live events, legacy projects and cinematic extensions of the artists themselves. The festival opened with Questlove’s new Earth, Wind & Fire documentary, followed by a performance from the legendary band and The Roots. Other music films and events this year center on Alicia Keys, Madonna, Peter Frampton, Katy Perry, Daft Punk and more. USA TODAY National Music Reporter Melissa Ruggieri joins The Excerpt to talk about why music films are having a moment, what separates a great one from a celebrity vanity project and how artists are using documentaries and concert films to reach audiences in new ways.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Yesterday17 min
Melinda French Gates is making a $215 million bet on women's health
Melinda French Gates is one of the biggest donors to women’s health through Pivotal, her foundation. Now she’s investing another $215 million to improve women’s health. This money will help her longtime work on contraceptive access and maternal care while expanding to a new area: midlife and menopause. With 1 in 10 women leaving the workforce because of menopause, and another 1 in 5 considering retiring early, America faces a crisis of losing our women leaders? What can we do to stop the exodus? Philanthropist and author Melinda French Gates joins The Excerpt to talk about her latest initiative to educate healthcare practitioners and expand outreach in areas where access to menopause care is most limited.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 2 days ago16 min
Can Hollywood help heal America's divides?
The United States is marking its 250th anniversary at a moment of deep division over politics, rights, power and who belongs in the nation’s story. Steven Olikara, founder and CEO of Bridge Entertainment Labs, says movies and television can do something politics often can’t: move people beyond caricature and contempt. He joins The Excerpt to discuss whether Hollywood can help Americans build more curiosity, complexity and connection across their differences.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 3 days ago11 min
Trump admin abandons Anti-Weaponization Fund after headwinds mount
In a surprise move, the Trump administration announced that it was retreating from a $1.776 billion-dollar Anti-Weaponization Fund that would have been established as part of a settlement President Donald Trump made with the IRS over leaked tax returns. The fund was intended to compensate people who believe they had been unjustly targeted by the Biden administration’s Justice department, including people involved in the Jan 6th attack on the capitol. The fund was already in legal limbo after one court put the fund on hold last week while a second re-opened the IRS case for further scrutiny. Meanwhile, pushback from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers had mushroomed. We spoke before this news broke with USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi about the dramatic legal and political headwinds the Trump administration was facing. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 4 days ago19 min
Who gets to define what it means to be American?
In the prologue of “All We Say: The Battle for American Identity” author Ben Rhodes asks two questions that get right to the heart of this battle. What does it mean to be an American? And who gets to decide? As we approach our 250th anniversary, these are questions that many Americans are also deeply contemplating. How have 15 speeches shaped and reflected that debate over history? And can they help us understand our ongoing and evolving search for a national identity? Ben Rhodes, a former national security advisor and speech writer to President Barack Obama, joins The Excerpt to share his insights. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago17 min
2028 primary map fight heats up among Democrats
As Democrats turn the page on 2024, a new high-stakes fight is underway over which states will kick off the 2028 presidential primaries. Twelve states made their pitches to the Democratic National Committee, which ranged from racial diversity to electoral history. The coveted early spots can shape the entire race and bring a surge of campaign spending and national media attention. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers explains the political stakes and which states may have the edge. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago14 min
Why the US won’t treat Ebola patients at home
On May 16, the World Health Organization called the Ebola outbreaks in eastern Congo and Uganda a global health emergency. So far, there have been more than 900 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. There is no vaccine. No treatment. Behind it all is a global health funding system at its lowest level since 2009, with the largest single donor, the U.S., having walked away. A recent shift in U.S. health policy now has the U.S. keeping suspected American cases abroad – sending some to quarantine facilities in Europe and others to Kenya. Why can’t they be treated back home? And what does that say about U.S. preparedness for a deadly outbreak? Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist, joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to discuss the policy shift and what it means for public health, travel restrictions, and preparedness in the United States. She is also editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News and an opinion contributor for USA TODAY. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago14 min
Green card application process now forces immigrants to return home
A significant change to the green card application process announced last week could upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in America. The change, released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services which oversees the program, will require non-citizens to apply for a green card from their host countries. What might this change mean for applicants and their families who are already in the US, studying, working and living with their families? And what’s behind the change? Adriel Orozco, senior policy counsel at American Immigration Council, joins The Excerpt to share his insights.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.
Get The Excerpt summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
The Headlines
A daily news podcast delivering global headlines with analysis from New York Times reporters.
Americast
A weekly analysis of US politics and social media's influence on American life, featuring BBC correspondents and guest experts.
The Daily
A daily news podcast covering major global stories with in-depth reporting from New York Times journalists.
Apple News Today
A daily news podcast that highlights and analyzes major current events through the lens of top journalism.
Breaking News from Pod Save America
Former Obama staffers and guests analyze breaking political news, underreported stories, and major political speeches.
What A Day
A morning news podcast providing concise analysis of major stories and cultural trends, hosted by Jane Coaston.
Consider This from NPR
Daily news breakdowns from NPR’s All Things Considered team, explaining key stories in 15 minutes.
The New Yorker Radio Hour
Profiles, storytelling, and insightful conversations are explored in episodes hosted by David Remnick.
The Global Story
A daily look at global politics, business, and foreign policy through the lens of US decisions and their worldwide impact.
The Beat with Ari Melber
Ari Melber analyzes political news and current events with interviews, reporting, and legal expertise.
Up First from NPR
A daily news podcast delivering the three biggest stories of the day with NPR reporting and analysis in under 10 minutes.
CNN This Morning
Audie Cornish delivers the latest headlines and analysis to start your day.
About The Excerpt
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.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from The Excerpt in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's The Excerpt daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Excerpt as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The Excerpt podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The Excerpt product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by USA TODAY.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The Excerpt release new episodes?
The Excerpt publishes daily. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Excerpt cover?
The Excerpt covers topics including News, Daily News. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting The Excerpt summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.