50 most iconic brands that built America

50 most iconic brands that built America

Author: USA TODAY April 16, 2026 Duration: 16:36
You can sip it. Zip it. Drive it. American brands do more than fill our lives, they shape who we are. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, we decided to look at brands that capture America’s ingenuity and drive. From Motown to Harley-Davidson, these names tell a uniquely American story. Narrowing it down to the 50 most iconic? That was the tough part. Business Editor Jim Nelson and Business Reporter Ricardo Torres of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network, join The Excerpt to look at some of the standouts from USA TODAY’s Iconic Brands series. 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.

Each morning, The Excerpt cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle. Instead of a rapid-fire list of headlines, this daily podcast from USA TODAY provides depth and clarity on the stories that matter most. Host Dana Taylor guides conversations with the network's award-winning journalists stationed all over the country, turning complex national issues into understandable segments. You'll hear more than just what happened; you'll get the crucial background and analysis that explains why it matters. The discussions span the full spectrum of American life, from the latest developments in Washington and cultural shifts to major sports moments and entertainment news. It’s designed for anyone who wants to start their day informed, with a clear perspective that lasts beyond the initial click. By focusing on context, this podcast builds a more complete picture of current events, making sense of how different stories connect to our daily lives. Tune in on weekdays for a reliable, thoughtful breakdown that goes deeper than the front page.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 90

The Excerpt
Podcast Episodes
Attorney General Pam Bondi repeatedly clashes with Democrats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:06
Attorney General Pam Bondi clashed repeatedly with Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday in a fiery hearing. Among other heated topics was the release of the Epstein documents and the redactions and lac…
Are prediction markets democratizing information or gamifying war? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:06
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…
US-Russia nuclear treaty called START expired. Should we be worried? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:44
For the first time in over half a century, there are no nuclear arms controls in place between the world’s two largest nuclear powers, the US and Russia. With a rising China growing its nuclear arsenal while it continues…
Is the Trump administration eroding freedom of the press? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:38
It started with the banning of the Associated Press from certain White House events over its refusal to use the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.” Then there was a recent FBI search of a Washington Post…
Illegal sports betting by minors puts their mental health at risk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:08
Since the Supreme Court widely legalized sports wagering in 2018 the nation’s appetite for bets has exploded. U.S. betters made over a billion dollars worth of bets in 2025 on sports alone. This year’s Super Bowl is expe…
Bad Bunny dominates Grammys in lead up to Super Bowl Sunday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:05
The 2026 Grammys saw major wins for artists like Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga, and also served up an impressive number of live performances. But beyond the spectacle and the awarding of Grammy statuettes, the…
Are social media giants like YouTube liable for addiction? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:21
A landmark trial asks whether social media giants like Instagram and YouTube knowingly designed addictive platforms, and if they can be held legally responsible. Clay Calvert, nonresident senior fellow at the American En…