5 Things

Who will be the Democratic presidential nominee in 2028? What will the price of gold be at the end of the week? Who will win the World Cup? All of these are relatively benign bets you can make today. But there are other bets that maybe aren’t so benign, like will Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro be removed from office by the end of January? That well-timed bet, made in the hours before the U.S. captured and extracted Maduro, netted the anonymous investor who made it $400,000. Are prediction markets democratizing information as some argue or are we monetizing reality in a way that incentivizes perverse motives? Alex Goldenberg, Fellow at Rutgers University, joins The Excerpt to explain how these markets work and the risks they pose financially and politically. (This episode originally aired on February 11, 2026.)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 P

Crafting is having a moment. From knitting and crochet to embroidery and quilting, more people — especially younger adults — are picking up hands-on hobbies. But this trend isn’t just about nostalgia. Research suggests creative activities may reduce stress, improve mood and even affect how our brains and bodies function. Daisy Fancourt, professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London and author of Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives, joins The Excerpt to explain what science says about creativity, mental health and why making something with your hands can be so powerful. (This episode originally aired on March 4, 2026.)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.

With climate change, the threat of wildfires, and human encroachment among other things, our trees and forests are in desperate need of guardians. From tropical rainforests, often referred to as the lungs of the planet, to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in California’s White Mountains, home to some of the oldest living organisms on earth, what is being done to protect our woodlands? Forester and author Ethan Tapper joins The Excerpt to share both his practical and philosophical perspectives outlined in his new book, "How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World." (This episode originally aired on August 6th, 2025.)Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.Episode Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the worst-cast scenario no one wants to talk about: what happens if America's nuclear missile silos are attacked? The Minuteman III is a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking targets on the other side of the world, and it could be our best bet. But it’s aging, and land-based ICBMs have an Achilles heel. USA TODAY Defense Reporter Davis Winkie joins The Excerpt to discuss “The Nuclear Sponge” – a five-part project by USA TODAY that dives into the strategic debate and costs of modernizing the land leg of America’s nuclear arsenal. (This episode originally aired on January 7, 2026.)Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at 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.

A large-scale and delicate system of ocean currents that has been active for millions of years and that’s responsible for our warm climate is in danger of collapse due to climate change. This is according to a new study published in April in the journal Science Advances. If that collapse actually happens, scientists warn, the consequences could be dire. Shane Elipot, a physical oceanographer at the University of Miami and one of the authors of the study, joins The Excerpt to share his findings. (This episode originally aired on April 23, 2026)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.

To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, USA TODAY sent reporters out on the road, and into history, to follow the journeys that built America – from the Underground Railroad and Route 66 to Paul Revere’s midnight ride and beyond. USA TODAY reporters Trevor Hughes, Sarah D. Wire and Karissa Waddick join The Excerpt to share what they saw and what those stories tell us about our history and where the country might be headed in its next 250 years.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Related USA 250 stories: American Flag, Oregon Trail, Space Race, Mississippi River, Paul Revere, Route 66, Underground RailroadSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s no shortage of news coming from Washington these days: The war in Iran, disputes between the president and Congress over legislation such as the bipartisan housing bill and the 250th anniversary of country’s founding this weekend. House Speaker Mike Johnson joins The Excerpt in an exclusive interview hosted by USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers.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.

Another Supreme Court term has wrapped with major rulings that reshape key national debates. The court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting a central push from President Donald Trump, while also siding with states on restricting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. USA TODAY Court Reporter Aysha Bagchi joins The Excerpt to unpack what these decisions mean.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.

It’s being called the wedding of the century! Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting married, and it looks like it’s going to be big! New York City, Madison Square Garden BIG and all the clues are pointing to July 3rd. The rumors have run wild. Some say it’s a distraction. Others think MSG will be the big party “for everyone they’ve ever met,” while the actual ceremony will be somewhere private and intimate. So, what is really going on? From the celebrity guests to the luxe venue, music performances to the wedding dress we are breaking it down. USA TODAY Reporters Bryan West, Melissa Ruggieri and Morgan Evans join Senior Entertainment Correspondent Ralphie Aversa on this special episode of The Excerpt.* An earlier version of this podcast referenced a prior release of Toy Story that included a Taylor Swift song. It was Toy Story 5. 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 a

A bipartisan group of secretaries of state is warning that the federal government may no longer be a reliable hub for election threat information, according to an internal memo shared exclusively with USA TODAY. The concern is that state officials will no longer have access to the kind of real-time cyber and physical threats that only the federal government can provide. USA TODAY Senior National News Reporter Sarah Wire joins The Excerpt to explain what the memo says, why states are trying to fill the gaps themselves and what this could mean for November’s midterms.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.