Dana Taylor

Thomas Jefferson, a founding father, is ennobled in U.S. history books. You present two key interventions he pushed forward that you write, quote, laid the groundwork for anti-Black and anti-Native ways of viewing the world, both inside schools and beyond their corridors, unquote. What are they and have they persisted in curricula today?

school system is where children are first introduced to racial hierarchies and that these normalized beliefs solidify in many institutions like health care, employment, policing. and more. Sociologist and author Eve L. Ewing's new book, Original Sins, The Miseducation of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism, is on bookshelves now.

Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Wednesday, March 26th, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. Are American schools providing a fair and balanced education to our children? Our guest today argues that the U.S.

You write that there are three pillars of racism introduced in schools. Tell me about them.

You delve into the history of standardized testing. How do you believe it connects to this concept of racial intellectual inferiority?

Thanks for joining us on the excerpt, Eve.

Let's talk about the policing and sentencing disparities that exist for Black and Native people. How do you believe the foundation of unequal constructs laid out in school shows up in the criminal justice system?

You start Original Sins sharing your argument on the purpose of schools, which you say isn't only to educate. Tell me about that.

You talk about demographics in the teaching staffs of schools and introduce a term other scholars call the white lady bountiful. Can you expound on that?

Eve, what do you hope to achieve in writing this book? What do you want your readers to walk away from this book understanding?

Eve's new book, Original Sins, The Miseducation of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism is out now. Eve, thank you so much for being on the excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance, our executive producers, Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

You point to two, and I think this is what you were referring to, original sins that our education system refuses to address. How do American schools today deal with each of these issues?

So can you give us some of the evidence that you uncovered specifically as relates to baby powder?

But it's that last item, the talcum powder, that may prove to be a tipping point in destroying its hard-won 139-year-old reputation with consumers. To find out why, we're now joined by author and freelance investigative journalist Gardner Harris. His new book, No More Tears, The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson, is on bookshelves now. Gardner, thanks for joining me. Thanks for having me, Dana.

Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. For generations of Americans, the Johnson & Johnson brand has been a beloved one, as quintessentially American as baseball and apple pie. Its baby shampoo, No More Tears, has been a fixture in bathrooms, as has its iconic Band-Aids and talcum powder.

As you say, there are literally tens of thousands of pending lawsuits against J&J. And while this J&J subsidiary is still in bankruptcy because of all the lawsuits, the company's been unable to reach a settlement that's acceptable to the courts. What's the big sticking point here?

Gardner, did you find that the people you approached for your book, doctors, former employees, were willing to speak to you on the record? What kind of risks did they face in coming forward?

Tylenol, another Johnson & Johnson product, became a target of product tampering in the 1980s. People died when someone successfully slipped cyanide into Tylenol bottles. The tampering crisis led to their creation of tamper-proof bottles still in use today. They're an important part of the Johnson & Johnson legacy, but your book takes aim at their response. Why?

There are two products that immediately come to mind when I think of Johnson & Johnson. One inspired the title of your book, Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo, No More Tears. The other, the topic of your investigation, is J&J's baby powder. What are the risks associated with talcum powder? And can you share some of the evidence you uncovered that the company knew about those risks?

Yours is a story about a beloved American brand. At its core, it's a story about the people behind the brand and the people affected by the brand. What compelled you to tell this story?

And finally, your book was released last month. How has J&J responded?

We reached out to Johnson & Johnson for comment on Harris' investigation, and they issued a statement saying, quote, we stand by the safety of our products and are focused on what we do best, delivering medical innovation for patients around the world, unquote.

Investigative journalist Gardner Harris' new book is called No More Tears, The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson, and it's on bookshelves now. Gardner, thanks for being on the excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

Let's talk about the risks one by one, starting with how the data could be used to discriminate against a consumer.

Data is always at risk of being hacked and then exploited by nefarious players. Does bankruptcy make this data less safe? And if so, how?

What are some ways that this data can be utilized that concern you the most? Is there anything that keeps you up at night?

That data managed by 23andMe could eventually be used to discriminate against a consumer trying to buy life insurance, or it could be combined with a publicly available dating profile to target someone for a sophisticated scam. The possibilities for abuse are endless. And to be clear, this isn't just a 23andMe problem. Bankruptcy and data theft are just as much a risk with other DNA testing firms.

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Wednesday, April 16, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. The recent bankruptcy of genetic testing firm 23andMe has raised alarm bells for privacy advocates and consumers worried about their personal information.

You mentioned DNA data and law enforcement. How does law enforcement capitalize on these databases?

Kate, medical research using these databases is an incredibly promising field. This could involve anything from knowing you're at a higher risk for getting a certain disease or condition to helping scientists customize your treatment. What's the status of this work, not just with 23andMe data, but with other genetic testing firms?

Can you imagine other areas where this genetic data can be used in a beneficial way that have yet to be fully explored?

Finally, Kate, for people who are listening or watching who've used the services of 23andMe in the past, what should they do to protect their data going forward?

So what should people know about privacy and genetic data security? For more on that, I'm now joined by Kate Spector-Bagdaddy, a member of the Health Law and Bioethics Faculty at the University of Michigan. Thanks for joining me, Kate. Thanks. It's great to be here. Let's start with the basics on the privacy issues here.

And what if members of your family have submitted DNA to these testing firms? Is there potentially a direct link to you?

Kate, thank you so much for being on The Excerpt. Thank you for having me. Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance. Our executive producers, Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor.

Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

First, there's the privacy policy that consumers agree to at the time of purchase. There's also personal information 23andMe subsequently collected from many users via surveys. That's a massive amount of highly sensitive consumer data that's highly valuable to a host of different players. What happens if this data is sold during bankruptcy?

I mentioned a new form of matter, which, of course, is huge scientific news for people who aren't scientists and maybe even for some who are. What does this mean?

It's the latest major announcement in the race to achieve a new level of computing power, one that's exponentially faster by several magnitudes than traditional computers, transforming drug discovery, data encryption, and artificial intelligence. In short, helping humanity solve its most difficult scientific and environmental problems.

There are some unusual physical conditions required for the quantum computing prototype you're building.

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. Microsoft says it created a new state of matter to power quantum computers, one that's neither liquid, solid, nor gas.

How is this new qubit discovery impacting the timeline for when quantum computers could become commercially available?

You've been working on this for nearly two decades. Can you briefly walk us through how your team has pivoted on findings and lessons? And also, how have Microsoft's goals changed for Quantum over this time?

How is this project advancing the science of quantum computing? To dive into the science and progress, we're now joined by Chetan Nayak, a technical fellow in quantum hardware at Microsoft and co-author of the study that first presented Microsoft's research in the scientific journal Nature. Thanks for joining me. Thanks for having me. Let's start with the basics here.

How have you and your team weighed ethical concerns regarding how quantum technology may be used?

Some scientists who reviewed your paper were cited in the Wall Street Journal as saying you didn't present, quote, conclusive evidence, unquote, that you'd achieved the results that you claimed you did. How do you respond to that?

There's obviously a ton of competition out there regarding quantum computing. Google just rolled out its new qubit. Now Amazon is in the race, too, with oscillate. How is Microsoft's qubit different? And what's next for you and your team?

First, what is quantum computing?

And then what's next for you and your team?

My big takeaway is that this is coming within years, not decades. Chayton, thank you so much for being on The Excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon McGreen and Kaylee Monaghan, for their production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

I was going to ask you about working in high pressure environments. You write about the challenges of finding your path while working in various high pressure environments within the culinary world. In broad terms, what did survival mean to you then and what does it mean to you now?

You spent a good deal of your career working with two larger-than-life personalities. It's clear from your book that both Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain helped propel your writing career. Let's start with the good stuff. Batali's restaurant, Babo, was at one time the most sought-after restaurant in New York City. For you, what was the upside of being there?

With a career spent both cooking and writing about food alongside well-known chefs and television personalities like Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain, Laurie Willever has a unique perspective on navigating the complex world of food culture.

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Wednesday, April 2, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. Women in the culinary world have long fought to be heard, respected and given full credit for their contributions, you know, for their rightful place at the table.

You also spent years working with Anthony Bourdain. I know you call him Tony, including during his pivot from the show No Reservations to Parts Unknown. His star ascended at that time. Did you feel that yours did as well? How did he help you?

Many of the types of experiences you shared regarding working with Mario Batali in the early 2000s seemed destined for a collision with the Me Too movement that took off in 2017. There was a moment when Anthony Bourdain thought you might need to do some personal damage control when Mario Batali was accused of sexual assault. Was there a personal reckoning there or did that feel unfair to you?

She's the bestselling author of Bourdain, The Definitive Oral Biography, a collection of interviews with those who knew him personally and professionally, and co-author of World Travel and Irreverent Guide with Anthony Bourdain. Her new memoir, Care and Feeding, is on bookshelves now. Thanks for joining me, Laurie.

You've worked in publishing and professional kitchens, places that historically haven't been welcoming to women. Over the past 20 years or so, have you seen or experienced any meaningful changes?

As I mentioned, you've written extensively about Anthony Bourdain. In your new book, you discuss the impact of his life on both your career and personal life, as well as the impact of his death on both of those. What was the biggest lesson you took away from his life? And what was the biggest lesson you took away from losing him?

Can you describe the professional world you entered following culinary school? Was it and does it remain a culture of food, alcohol, and drugs? In care and feeding, you were pretty wide open regarding your road to addiction and recognizing when you needed help.

Your book is called Care and Feeding, which sounds nurturing, Lori. Now that I've read it, I'd like to have a deeper understanding of why you chose that title. How did you land on that?

And finally, it would be impossible to tell the story of your professional life without discussing your work with Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain. Does this book close the chapter on that era of your life? What's next for you?

Lori Willever's new book, Karen Feeding, is available now. Thank you so much for being on The Excerpt, Lori.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance, our executive producers, Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

Hello, I'm Dana Taylor, giving our audience a heads up. USA Today has a new podcast coming. It's called Untested, and it's about one detective's relentless pursuit of a serial sex offender. A warning, this program includes discussions of sexual assault and suicide. It may not be suitable for all listeners. Here's a preview.

Instead of suspending it, saying that there's a possibility it happened, but I can't prove it, I want to say that it didn't happen. You know what I'm saying? I would rather that anyways.

The main character of the show is Detective Annie Harrison. How exactly did you meet her and what drew you to her as a character?

Gina, what are some of the things Annie did differently from the other detectives who worked on this case?

She was cleaning out her inbox when she saw an email that would change the lives of two women who'd reported being raped. Annie is a detective in Michigan, and the email was from the state crime lab detailing a DNA match that would lead her on a quest to hunt down and bring a serial sex offender to justice.

Tell us about some of the more compelling twists and turns in the case.

Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. A quick warning, this episode includes descriptions of sexual assault and suicide, so it may not be suitable for all listeners. Annie Harrison had just gotten back from a family vacation to Mexico with her husband, her aunt and uncle, and her two daughters.

Gina, as a reporter, did you take any special steps when you were dealing with the victims because of the sensitivity of this topic?

This is the story of Untested, an exclusive true crime subscriber podcast series from Witness and USA Today. The podcast is available to subscribers of Witness and also on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Untested's host, investigative reporter Gina Barton, joins me now to talk about her reporting and why she thinks listeners should tune in. Thanks for joining me, Gina. Thanks for having me.

What did your team learn about the problem of untested rape kits?

What do you hope that listeners will walk away with after listening to your podcast series?

Thank you for having me. I really appreciate it. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify to get the full season of Untested, a Witness-exclusive podcast ad-free. For much more true crime content, subscribe at witness.usatoday.com. Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

This is obviously a huge project, one that you've dedicated many, many months to now. What made you want to create Untested, Gina?

And what did you learn regarding frequency and our gut microbiome? Let's start with those with high level frequency.

And what about those who experience low frequency?

What are some of the underlying conditions that our bowels may be warning us about?

We've talked about frequency, but what can you share with us about the Bristol stool chart?

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Thursday, March 27, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. We eat for a variety of reasons, most importantly, to sustain life. Unsurprisingly, the decisions we make about what we consume can have a huge impact on our health. Equally important is how our bodies eliminate the waste created by what we ingest.

As you know, two people can consume the same meal and experience vastly different results. What are some of the things that impact the amount of time it takes for food to make its way through our digestive system? And why is gut transit time important?

After all, what goes in must come out. Are there hard and fast rules about what constitutes a healthy, let's just say it, poo? Sean Gibbons, a microbiologist at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, now joins us to discuss what bowel movements, or a lack of them, reveal about our health. Thanks for joining me, Sean.

Are there other factors such as lack of sleep that can impact our digestive health?

What steps can people take on their own to improve their rate of frequency and hopefully the health of their gut microbiome?

And when should someone seek further guidance from their doctor? What are a few of the things that should not be ignored?

I think we all have an idea about what's normal for us, but how often should we be going? Is there an ideal frequency?

What about colonics? Some people swear that they're the gateway secret to healthy digestion. Do you have a take on that?

Sean, this isn't an easy subject to broach, but you've dedicated your time and expertise to this study. Why does it matter? What would you like people to walk away from our conversation with?

Sean, thank you so much for being on The Excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance, our executive producers, Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at ushday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

You conducted a study last year that gave you insights into the effects of having a regular or irregular bowel movement and that effect on our gut microbiome. First, how many people took part in the study and how were they categorized?

Can you describe the culture of events like Comic-Con?

You conduct surveys at conventions and do follow-up interviews. You touched on this, but what were some of the specific responses from people that had you drawing a connection between Comic-Con and religiousness?

You've probably seen devoted superfans participating in cosplay 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?

I think I just moved from classifying myself as a fan to a super fan. But I will ask you, what makes a super fan? What characteristics exist for someone to truly belong to a fandom?

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Thursday, April 24th, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. 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?

Is there a tipping point for a given fan to become a super fan? What factors can lead to it?

Michael, what makes something sacred? How do you define it in your work?

My experience with fandoms has been a positive one, but I know that fandoms can also be a source of negative experiences for some. What have you heard from people about when a community or fandom becomes harmful?

That's the argument of sociologist Michael Elliott, a professor at Towson University who studied the culture of Comic-Con for seven years. Michael, thank you for being on the excerpt.

Michael, what do you think people misunderstand about the concept and community of fandoms?

And also something that connects people and pulls them together.

Can you explain what Comic-Con is for those who don't know?

Michael, thank you so much for being on The Excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monaghan, for their production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

How did Comic-Con culture first spark your interest? What compelled you to study it?

It makes sense that with longer periods of warmth, plants have longer flowering seasons, but climate change also affects the range of where plants can grow. How are plants able to move into new environments?

One factor in how bad allergies are is the concentration of allergens. How has the concentration of pollen in the air changed over the years?

I wanted to ask how do longer and more intense pollen seasons impact public health, particularly respiratory health?

Even if you didn't suffer regularly from pollen allergies in the past, you might have noticed that you are now. Turns out pollen allergens are getting worse. The question is why? To help us understand all the forces at play and what we can do to minimize our suffering is Lou Ziska, Associate Professor at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. Thanks for joining me, Lou.

What groups of people are most affected by the changes in pollen season?

What are some potential solutions or actions that can be taken to mitigate the impact of climate change on pollen seasons?

And how can individuals with allergies or respiratory conditions manage their symptoms during longer pollen seasons?

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Thursday, March 10th, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. Spring is here and that means that we're sneezing, itchy eyes and noses, and congestion that define allergy season. If you're one of those who suffer from seasonal allergies, you might have noticed that it seems to be getting worse with each year.

Lou, what's next for your research here?

Thank you so much for being on The Excerpt and for sharing your important research, Lou.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Ray Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance, our executive producers, Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

You recently co-authored a study that looks at how climate change is impacting allergy season here in North America. Tell me what you found.

You argue that genes play a surprisingly limited role in healthy aging despite decades of genomic research. What was the most surprising thing you learned from your study?

Well, you mentioned the profound impact of physical, regular physical activity on health span. Can you elaborate on the types of exercises that are most beneficial?

In an age of vosempic and personalized medicine, how do you see the balance between behavioral changes and pharmaceutical solutions in promoting public health?

As you mentioned, sleep is super important in maintaining health. Can you explain the role of the glymphatic system in sleep and its impact on brain health?

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Thursday, May 8, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. In an era where aging is often framed as something to resist or reverse, Dr. Eric Topol offers a far more empowering vision. What if the second half of our lives could be just as vibrant and healthy as the first? In his latest book, Super Agers,

An evidence-based approach to longevity, the renowned cardiologist, researcher, and author lays out a bold, data-driven roadmap to extending not just how long we live, but how well we live. In addition to years of research, Dr. Topol has also been recognized by Time as one of the 100 most influential people leading change in the medical community. Dr. Topol, thank you for joining me.

You emphasize the role of AI in building personalized health forecasts. What do you think is the greatest opportunity and the greatest risk of integrating AI into preventative medicine?

I want to dig into environmental toxins because it's a significant concern in super agers. What are some common environmental exposures that people should be aware of and how can they minimize their risk?

You explore the potential of personalized nutrition using AI in the book. How can AI revolutionize our approach to diet and nutrition for better outcomes?

In the book, you discuss the concept of healthspan versus lifespan. What's the difference and which one should people focus on to improve longevity?

Recent investigations have cast doubt on the validity of blue zones. These are parts of the world that have high concentrations of people living longer and healthier lives, like Okinawa, Japan, for example. Some critics are suggesting that factors like unreliable record keeping and potential age misreporting may undermine claims of exceptional longevity in these regions.

Given your emphasis on evidence-based approaches to aging, how do you assess the credibility of the Blue Zones concept? And what lesson should we take away from this controversy when identifying models for healthy aging?

Looking ahead, Super Agers discusses future possibilities for altering the aging process. What are some of the most exciting technological advancements on the horizon that could change how we age?

Dr. Eric Topol's new book, Super Agers, is on bookshelves now. Eric, thank you for joining me on the excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Rae Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

According to the Associated Press, there are more than 7,300 satellites in low orbit, which is where we count on our space junk disintegrating, right? Can you explain this to me as though I were one of your children, just how this part of the atmosphere works?

What did your study reveal regarding the impact of climate change on the ability of the Earth's atmosphere to keep debris from piling up in space?

Do you have increased concerns about the Kessler syndrome where collisions of space junk create a cascade of increasing debris? What's currently being done to prevent satellites from colliding?

Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. Last month, a team of aerospace engineers at MIT released their findings from a research study on the effects of climate change on satellites in the Earth's upper atmosphere. What happens when today's treasure, satellites that give us access to broadband internet,

Well, by your estimation, how much time remains to offset greenhouse gas emissions before we see a significant decrease in the number of satellites that can be maintained in low orbit?

and accurate weather forecasts, among other things, become tomorrow's trash? Or in other words, where does all that space junk go? And what does climate change have to do with it? Here to discuss the impact of global warming on satellites is Will Parker, PhD candidate in aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, lead author of the study. Thanks for joining me, Will.

And the adverse effects will not be distributed evenly across the globe, correct?

Is the Earth's atmosphere the only way to get rid of space junk? Are there any other options here?

Besides a loss in critical services such as GPS and global communication, does space junk pose a hazardous risk to those of us down here on Earth?

First, is it time to change our thinking regarding the vastness of space and looking at the total number of satellites? I understand there are more than 11,900 circling the Earth right now. Is it already too crowded up there?

What are satellite mega constellations and is the rate at which satellites have been launched over the last few years sustainable?

Well, as you know, only a small number of countries have space launch capabilities. What are some of the ethical and geopolitical considerations of space junk here?

Well, thank you so much for being on The Excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance, our executive producers, Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

And then looking back at the ethical standards for The Onion when they're riffing on sensitive topics back in your day when you were there, the way you view it today, what are those standards?

Christine, I'm sure you know that there is a popular subreddit, it's called Not The Onion, and they highlight real stories and headlines that something could have been written by The Onion. The Onion was originally circulated in print. Do you think it would have become as well known as it is if it had been launched during the age of social media?

And I think you've answered this, but do you think that it still cuts through the noise?

In 2001, a few weeks after 9-11, The Onion published an issue with a satirical take on the tragedy. There was an article titled, quote, not knowing what else to do, woman bakes American flag cake, unquote. The reception was mixed. What was your take on that publication and what kinds of things were you hearing at the time about that?

Satire can make us think. It can also make us laugh. Do you have a favorite Onion story or headline?

What role does humor play in making the world make sense? I'm joined now by Christine Wentz, a member of The Onion's original staff and author of the new book, Funny Because It's True, How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire, which is available now. Thanks for joining me, Christine. Thanks for having me, Deanna. This is great.

You were there at the beginning. Can you describe the energy and some of the minds that created The Onion, who you've said are the creators of modern American news satire?

Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Sunday, April 20th, 2025. If you haven't heard of The Onion, a satirical news publication, you've no doubt come across the many memes and parodies inspired by its style. The Onion began with a group of scrappy Gen Xers who wanted to poke fun at mainstream news. It's evolved into an at times biting, oftentimes comic, cultural critic.

So I'm not going to let this go. I was surprised to learn that USA Today is actually part of the Genesis story of The Onion. You wrote about one of its co-founders, Tim Kack, growing up in rural Wisconsin, where there were only two newspapers available. One of them was USA Today. The other was the Oshkosh Northwestern. And he had very unflattering things to say about both of them.

As I mentioned, you were there at the beginning, part of the original staff from 1988, about 1990. Fast forward to this moment, you're discussing The Onion and your book with USA Today. Is this a strange full circle moment for you? I mean, The Onion is now a massive media brand itself.

Your book is rich with all of these characters. Why did you want to write this book? I know you did extensive research for it.

In your book, you talk about good fake news versus bad fake news. How does The Onion walk the line between satire and misinformation?

It was very interesting to read this book and read. I'll just say I enjoyed the USA Today shout out. It made me laugh. This book is called Funny Because It's True. It's on bookshelves now. Thank you so much for being on The Excerpt, Christine. Thank you for having me, Dana.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon McGreen and Kaylee Monaghan, for their production assistance, our executive producers, Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

Satire is, of course, a powerful tool to hold those in positions of authority accountable. One of The Onion's most famous headlines is one that's often seen after a mass shooting in America. And it says, no way to prevent this, says only nation where this regularly happens. Do you think The Onion has successfully influenced public opinion with its brand of satire?

On a societal level, what kinds of challenges do a low birth rate present?

And what might those be?

Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Sunday, May 18th, 2025. It's well known that child care has become extraordinarily expensive, costing many families nearly a quarter of their income. A recent study out from LendingTree estimated that it costs $300,000 to raise a child over the course of 18 years.

What about the trend of trad wives? For listeners who aren't familiar, can you explain what being a trad wife means? And does it dovetail with pronatalism?

The fertility rate, as we've covered on the excerpt, remains at a historic low. The Trump administration is also floating ideas to encourage people to have more children, such as a baby bonus. Have these trends paved the way for the pro-natalism movement, which is having a moment?

You've shared that there are three segments of the pronatalism movement. Can you detail those and how does that break down with the way people reproduce, including the use of in vitro fertilization?

Karen Guzzo, a professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, is here to parse this out with us. Thanks for joining me, Karen. Yes, happy to be here. First, can you describe what the pro-natalism movement is and the views that the people who support it espouse?

You mentioned Elon Musk. He is, of course, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency and reportedly a father of 14 by multiple women who said that low birth rates are a, quote, much bigger risk to civilization than global warming, unquote. What sort of influence does he have over this movement?

The Trump administration is looking at a $5,000 baby bonus to incentivize parents. Obviously, that's a drop in the bucket in comparison to the real costs of health care, child care, food and more. Could it really make a difference in incentivizing people to have more kids?

And finally, what are the concerns that opponents of pronatalism raise?

Karen, thank you so much for being on The Excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monahan, for their production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

It's costly to choose to have a child, let alone several. Is that just one of the reasons why people are having fewer kids today? What has your research shown on family trends?

The researchers discovered new and diverse ecosystems that had long been flourishing beneath the ice, but that the scientific world was wholly unaware of. What to you was the single most surprising find?

Are we talking about all new species here and how might this knowledge impact the scientific community?

Prior to the iceberg calving, and you discussed this, but I want to circle back to how far below the surface these life forms were. And if it is in any way clear how these species have been able to thrive beneath the ice, does the early research tell you anything?

Well, this is a dazzling discovery. It was unfortunately made possible likely due to climate change. What might future research teach us on that front?

Life as we know it has changed. On a recent expedition to Antarctica, researchers made a startling discovery after part of a huge ice sheet broke off, revealing waters long hidden beneath. In it, the scientists encountered what appear to be new species of crustaceans, fish, and other life forms. Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Sunday, April 13, 2025.

How is this possible? And just how many more new life forms are waiting to be discovered? Here to shed light on this incredible new development is Jyotika Vermani, head of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to global marine research that partially funded this work. Thanks for joining me, Jyotika.

And are you concerned about the speed at which some of these species may have to acclimate to surface exposure or can they perhaps move beneath another part of the ice sheet?

What can you share about the tech that made this discovery possible? How did the team do it?

I know that in your work you focused on mapping the ocean floor. Roughly how much has been mapped and why is mapping important?

As more research expeditions in that area take place, I don't know if they're already underway, but what can you share with us about what comes next in terms of exploration?

The team in Antarctica was researching something else altogether just prior to a Hemden iceberg cracking off the ice sheet. Walk me through the pivot here. Was there any hesitancy about switching their focus to this newly exposed body of water?

As our oceans continue to warm, do you expect this Bellingshausen sea discovery to be just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, in terms of finding new species? And could we eventually see some of the sea creatures found there in our more familiar waterways?

Jotika, thank you so much for being on The Excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monaghan, for their production assistance. Our executive producers, Laura Bading. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

Let's turn to the namesake of your latest book. How did Tina come into your life and what was her rehabilitation like? Then you say she started a movement. How did that come about?

You mentioned commenters on social media who often say, Niall, take that one home with you, but that you couldn't possibly take them all because it would distract from your mission. And just the numbers that you're talking about, that just wouldn't be possible. When did you know that Tina was going to live with you and be your dog?

How has the rescue operation impacted the communities that you work in?

Now, once the animals have recovered, how do they go to new homes or be released back to where they were living? Can you share the process you've created here?

You mentioned some of the other dogs that you've rescued. Tell us about Wacker.

This sweet golden retriever is Tina, named after the legendary Tina Turner. Thanks to her owner, Niall Harveson, she's an internet celebrity, raising awareness of Niall's mission to rescue and rehabilitate abused dogs and street dogs in Thailand, his adopted country.

In it, he documents Tina's legacy and what's next in the fight to save even more dogs or bringing about a fix to this persistent global issue. Thanks for joining us on the excerpt, Niall. Thanks for having me. Niall, you wrote about hitting what's known as rock bottom as the entry point to your rescue work. Can you share more about that turning point for you?

This work is moving, but I know that it can also be harrowing. How do you find resilience on very hard days?

Now, you describe Tina's death in your book with these words, quote, it was by far the most profound moment in my life that I'd ever experienced, unquote. How did her passing change you and influence your work?

Nile, the dog rescue and care organization you founded is called Happy Doggo. How is it different from other animal rescue and care facilities?

You mentioned that it's your mission to rescue a million or more dogs. Is it achievable and what will it take?

Niall, thank you so much for being on the excerpt.

Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Marie Green and Kaylee Monaghan for their production assistance. Our executive producers, Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts at usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

The IRS, unlike some other agencies of government, actually brings in money, right? And if you cut all of the people who audit, wealthy people and corporations, if those people lose their jobs, then a lot of money that might be recovered in audits would be lost.

It's interesting because I also know that journalists love The Onion. You know, they say The Onion says things that we wish we could say and we can't say. And so I find that really interesting, too. So I think The Onion is aware that journalists actually love them, even though they're often making fun of what journalists do.