The Excerpt

America’s young men are lost. At least, that’s what they’re telling us online. From feeling disconnected in school, relationships, and even purpose, to loneliness, our nation’s boys are turning to the internet for answers and guidance. And that’s where they find the “manosphere”: a world of influencers promoting strength, stoicism… and often, misogyny. “Extremely Normal," a new investigative series by USA TODAY’s National Correspondent Will Carless examines how extremist and fringe ideas and movements have moved into America’s mainstream. He joins us on USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to dive into one part of “Extremely Normal”: The “manosphere.” What is it and how can it devolve from ideas about fitness and discipline into something darker? Will stepped into the manosphere space to see what teenage boys and young men in their 20s are consuming online – and to understand how it’s shaping their world view.You can watch Will's full video on this topic here.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.

An appeals court has rejected President Donald Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans.Military strikes killed 11 on an alleged 'drug vessel' from Venezuela.USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen breaks down a judge's move blocking President Trump's deployment of the National Guard in California. Plus, Illinois responds to Trump's troop plans.The House Oversight Committee released thousands of pages of documents from the government's investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.USA TODAY First Amendment Reporting Fellow BrieAnna Frank talks about her reporting trips to Smithsonian museums amid Trump criticisms that they're too woke.*This audio was corrected to reflect that the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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's Zachary Schermele takes a look at some of the major looming issues as lawmakers return from an August recess.China's President Xi Jinping convened the leaders of Russia and North Korea Tuesday.Former CDC directors say Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s health actions should alarm every American.USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses what the high court might consider in a case centered on whether vanity license plates are protected speech.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.

A judge Sunday issued a restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deporting 10 unaccompanied migrant Guatemalan children.President Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order mandating a voter ID requirement.USA TODAY Government Accountability Reporter Erin Mansfield talks about the popularity of mail-in voting, even as Trump wants to eliminate it.At least hundreds are dead after a devastating earthquake in Afghanistan.USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé looks back on a 2010 pledge by billionaires to give away half their wealth. Are they actually doing it?It's Kind Time! Hear about a golden retriever with a heart of an angel, and her military veteran owner Kevin. Plus, find more from USA TODAY's HumanKind here.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans, the landmark musical venue of Preservation Hall is once again the center of the city's lively community of musicians. Ben Jaffe, its creative director, shared his story of resilience and hope with USA TODAY National Correspondent Rick Jervis.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.

A divided U.S. appeals court ruled Friday that most of President Donald Trump's tariffs are illegal.USA TODAY's Zach Schermele discusses the conversation over whether taxpayer money should be used for private schools' safety.The Trump administration is making plans for an immigration crackdown in Chicago as soon as next week.USA TODAY Money Reporter Bailey Schulz breaks down what economists are saying about possible Fed rate cuts.It's a big weekend for college football!Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.

Families remembered 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski the day after this week's Minneapolis shooting.USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page talks about lessons from Hurricane Katrina 20 years later.Thousands settled elsewhere after Katrina hit New Orleans. See a map here.USA TODAY Reporter Andrea Riquier discusses how Katrina became 'the storm that told us what was to come' for climate and insurance.This week's immigration arrests of firefighters renewed debate about White House priorities.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.

The vice president sat down with USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers to share his thoughts on issues both controversial (the firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the deployment of National Guard troops to American cities, the contentious White House meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy back in February) and mundane (President Donald Trump’s new White House décor and the engagement of Travis Kelce to superstar Taylor Swift) in this wide-ranging conversation. Francesca joins The Excerpt to share her takeaways and a few choice clips from the vice president.You can watch the full interview with Vice President JD Vance here.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.Podcast 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.

Vice President JD Vance sat down with USA TODAY for an exclusive interview Wednesday.Two children were killed in a Minneapolis church shooting.USA TODAY World Affairs Correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard discusses reports in Denmark about U.S. covert operations in Greenland.The White House fired CDC Director Susan Monarez after she refused to quit in a dispute with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.The Social Security Administration's chief data officer said in a whistleblower complaint that DOGE put Social Security data of millions of Americans at risk.USA TODAY Senior Reporter Jessica Guynn talks about how some employees are defying return to office mandates.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note 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.

Is coolness just a vibe—or something deeper? A new global study spanning 12 countries finds surprising common traits that define who we see as cool. Turns out, it’s not about rebellion or being aloof. University of Arizona professor Caleb Warren, co-author of "Cool People," breaks down the six qualities that consistently make someone cool worldwide—and why being cool doesn’t always mean being good. He also explains how social media reshapes our perception of cool, and what the rise of coolness as a status symbol reveals about modern values.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.