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City Cast DC

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City Cast is the daily, local audio companion you knew DC needed. Washingtonians are gritty, proud, and resilient — necessary qualities for a community facing issues that range from an affordability crisis to the fight for statehood to the movement for racial justice… and useful qualities for a region full of whip-smart people, dynamic culture, and constant change. Washingtonians are deeply passionate about our city, whose story is still being written, and City Cast DC is here to tell it. Every weekday morning, our hosts Michael Schaffer and Bridget Todd will engage people from all over the eight wards in conversation about DC’s crises and its beauty, both literal and figurative. It’ll have the feel of eavesdropping on an energetic and informative coffee shop chat, except that with City Cast DC, consider this your official invitation to listen in.
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Episodes

The Latest Twist In DC's Sports Betting Saga, Thanksgiving Tips, and Spirit Watch Parties

We’re talking about the latest twist in DC’s ludicrous sports-gambling saga, the big news about the Washington Spirit soccer team, and ways you can have the best Thanksgiving ever. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 22nd episode: Luray Caverns Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Paulson & Nace Interested...

Nov 22, 202427 min

The Novel That Exposed DC's Elite Parents

Washington loves a good elites-behaving-badly story, whether it’s real life or fiction. Which is why we’re hanging out with Emma Sasaki, the pseudonymous author of It’s a Privilege Just to Be Here, a novel set at a D.C. private school that looks a lot like Sidwell Friends School, which just happens to be her alma mater. The book is pretty scathing — especially about the parents, who have been scathing right back. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC...

Nov 21, 202425 min

How DC’s Zoning Shapes Our Lives

Sara Bronin is one of the world experts on zoning. It’s the kind of thing that really rivets people at cocktail parties, right? But in fact, Bronin’s new book about how zoning shapes our lives is like a secret history of how cities came to look the way they do — and a blueprint for the way they can get better. And because she lives in Georgetown, it’s full of examples from D.C. that you don’t have to be an urbanism nerd to understand. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our mor...

Nov 20, 202431 min

DC Networking Hacks with a 'Faceblind' Reporter

Maybe you have had that moment of anxiety where you see someone and you get that sinking feeling like you’ve met before, but you just can’t place their face. That is the everyday reality for former Washington Post journalist Sadie Dingfelder, author of the book Do I Know you? A Faceblind Reporter’s Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory and Imagination. Sadie was diagnosed with face blindness at age 35, and she joins the show to shed some visibility into what it’s like not being able to recog...

Nov 19, 202417 min

How Go-Go Stays Alive in DC

The ribbon cutting for DC’s Go-Go Museum is today! So it seemed like a good time to rerun our episode discussing the idea of enshrining go-go — or any genre — as DC’s official music. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. If you enjoyed today's interview with Luray Caverns Director of Marketing and PR, Bill Huffman, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of thi...

Nov 18, 202425 min

Can Bowser Save DC From Trump? Plus, Musk in DC and Bay Bridge Update

We’re talking about Mayor Bowser needing to woo Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DC, and some news about the Bay Bridge. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 15th episode: Food & Friends' - Slice of Life Paulson & Nace Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% off Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Interest...

Nov 15, 202431 min

What’s Happening to Metrobus?

Metrobus is about to blow up its map, giving every bus in town a new name and giving a bunch of them new routes, too. The system is also trying to rework its funding model in the name of staying afloat. Rachel Weiner from the Washington Post is here to get us up to speed. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 14th episode...

Nov 14, 202422 min

DC’s Best Late Night Food

We care a lot about food at City Cast so we’re always talking about great places to eat. But what about those nights when you’re leaving the bar or a club or work and you’re looking for a spot that’s open late and has killer food? Big Schlim, DC native and viral food reviewer, has you covered. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. If you enjoyed today's interview with...

Nov 13, 202421 min

What's the Most Overrated (and Underrated) Thing in DC?

Are D.C.’s monuments fun or more effort than they’re worth? Is Le Dip a must visit restaurant experience or just overpriced? If there is one thing we like to do here, it’s debate what aspects of DC are under or overrated. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 12th episode: Food & Friends' - Slice of Life Paulson &...

Nov 12, 202427 min

How DC Steakhouses Became Republican Hangouts

Washingtonian writer Jessica Sidman crunched numbers from political spending reports and found a weird correlation between the Republican party and steakhouses. She’s here to explain where the new power-class hangs out in DC and what it means for the rest of us. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Vote on our City Cast 6 awards shortlist here, to help select the six...

Nov 11, 202419 min

Will Council Fund I-83? Plus, DC Trump Reactions, and Coping Recs

Initiative 83, proposing ranked choice voting and semi-open primaries, passed on Tuesday, but what’s next? The Washington Post’s Meagan Flynn joins the team to discuss that, plus local reactions to the 47th president. Check out the 51st’s recommended volunteer opportunities, and Washingtonian’s decompression recs. If you’re especially passionate about our work, consider becoming a member. Thank you for being here — We really hope our election coverage has served you, and we’re planning to keep c...

Nov 08, 202436 min

DC's New Approach to Development

It’s been a week of big news about things outside of DC’s control, and we’ll get more into that in tomorrow’s Friday news roundup. But one thing that is DC’s call is the redevelopment of North Capitol Street. Ebony Dumas and Anita Cozart from DC’s Office of Planning sat down with us in July to talk about how planners have changed throughout the years. Vote on our City Cast 6 awards shortlist here, to help select the six Washingtonians who have transformed D.C. this year. This year’s City Cast 6 ...

Nov 07, 202440 min

How the Election Went Down in DC

It’s 4 AM, and though there hasn’t yet been a final call, it’s looking like D.C. is going to have to brace itself for another Trump presidency. The team is here to process what that means for our city, our country, and for all of us. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 6th episode: Food & Friends' - Slice of Life Al...

Nov 06, 202425 min

What Happens if Trump ‘Takes Over’ DC?

It’s election day! And your guess is as good as ours about what happens. Cuneyt Dil from Axios joined us back in July to talk about what D.C. might look like in a second Trump administration. Vote on our City Cast 6 awards shortlist here, to help select the six Washingtonians who have transformed D.C. this year. This year’s City Cast 6 Awards are presented by Christopher Nace and the trial lawyers at Paulson & Nace. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter...

Nov 05, 202420 min

2024 DC Celebrity Endorsements

Since election day is almost here, you might be feeling all kinds of election related anxiety. So take your mind off that with City Cast DC’s endorsements for which celebrities could run our city. And if you’re wanting updates and analysis from our ACTUAL election, we’ve got our election day coverage dropping later in the day, around 6 am, on Wednesday. Check out all of our previous coverage on D.C.’s election, which includes episodes on: The I83 debate If Trump wins If Harris wins Our live tapi...

Nov 04, 202425 min

The Four Cities That Could Decide the Election

This week we’ll be sharing results from our local elections and discussing what they mean for DC. But we can’t help but wonder… what’s going on with our City Cast colleagues in swing states? As America white-knuckles its way into one of the closest presidential elections in modern history, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with the hosts of our shows in swing state cities: Madison, Philly, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas. In this special episode, our crew of hosts gives you a locals’ look inside how...

Nov 03, 202425 min

WaPo Loses 250k Subscribers, DCA Line-Cutting Tech, and Commanders Hope!?

We’re talking about the crisis at the Washington Post, the joy around the Washington Commanders, and a sneaky new technology that aims to bust line-cutters at DCA. Vote on our City Cast 6 awards shortlist here, to help select the six Washingtonians who have transformed D.C. this year. This year’s City Cast 6 Awards are presented by Christopher Nace and the trial lawyers at Paulson & Nace. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become...

Nov 01, 202428 min

Your Guide to November 2024 in DC

D.C. is getting darker earlier and the pleasant weather is giving way to the cold. November can be a slog, but the City Cast team is here to help you make the most of it. Vote on our City Cast 6 awards shortlist here, to help select the six Washingtonians who have transformed D.C. this year. This year’s City Cast 6 Awards are presented by Christopher Nace and the trial lawyers at Paulson & Nace. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and article...

Oct 31, 202427 min

How DC Prepares For Elections After January 6

The election is looming and Washington is anxious. The city government announced some plans last week for security around November 5 and all the way through the interregnum. Axios’ Cuneyt Dil is here to tell us what to expect. Vote on our City Cast 6 awards shortlist here, to help select the six Washingtonians who have transformed D.C. this year. This year’s City Cast 6 Awards are presented by Christopher Nace and the trial lawyers at Paulson & Nace. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to...

Oct 30, 202420 min

Poop Memorial, WaPo Resignations, And Other DC Stories You Missed This October

October was a crazy month in D.C.! In fact, there were so many stories that we couldn’t get to all of them. So today on City Cast DC, we’re recapping the wildest stories you missed, from the poop memorial on the Mall to Metro’s latest big problem. Vote on our City Cast 6 awards shortlist here, to help select the six Washingtonians who have transformed D.C. this year. This year’s City Cast 6 Awards are presented by Christopher Nace and the trial lawyers at Paulson & Nace. Want some more DC ne...

Oct 29, 202428 min

The DMV’s Weirdest Mall is Closing

As of this week, most of the Crystal City underground shops are shutting down for good. The owner of Total Party, a store that’s been there for nine years, joins us to talk about when the Crystal City Mall thrived, why it’s died, and what’s next. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 28th episode: Mosaic Theater Company Be...

Oct 28, 202418 min

Cap One Arena Facelift, &Pizza Apologizes, and New NatGeo Museum

We’re talking about the new Capital One Arena plans for downtown with the Washington Post’s Michael Brice-Saddler, the controversy over a Marion Barry-themed snack, and the new NatGeo Museum of Exploration. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 25th episode: Urban Pace Paulson & Nace Make All Votes Count Interested in ...

Oct 25, 202430 min

'We Were Bored': Teen Girls Kick Man to Death

There’s a trial going on in a case that has transfixed the city. A group of teenage girls are accused of beating a disabled man to death because they were bored. Keith Alexander from the Washington Post was in the court and is here to talk us through the story. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. If you enjoyed today's interview with Mother's Outreach Network Founde...

Oct 24, 202427 min

What To Know Before You Vote on Initiative 83

There’s not a lot of competitive races on your November D.C. ballot, but there’s a very interesting referendum that could go either way: Initiative 83, which would bring ranked choice voting to the District, and open up our blue city’s primaries to independent voters. Brian Strege is one of the organizers of the initiative, and Dierdre Brown has been campaigning against it. They’re here to tell us why we should vote their way. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning new...

Oct 23, 202436 min

The Metro Monster and Other Creepy DC Myths

D.C.’s got plenty of ghost stories. But do you know about the creepy, mythical cryptids roaming our forests and city tunnels? Producer Ashe Durban is here to enlighten you. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 22nd episode: Urban Pace Paulson & Nace Make All Votes Count Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find m...

Oct 22, 202423 min

‘Love is Blind’ Turns Up the DC Drama

“Love Is Blind DC” episodes 10 and 11 dropped on Netflix last week and D.C. really turned up the drama. Turns out one of the most beloved men on the show has kids he didn’t disclose? And multiple couples break up before they even get to their weddings. Aja Drain is back to chat through the details. Warning: Spoilers ahead. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn m...

Oct 21, 202439 min

How to See the Pandas, Encampment Clearings, and Whistleblower Payout

Axios’ Cuneyt Dil joins the team to talk about D.C. 's clear-out of homeless encampments, a city government whistleblower lawsuit, and what you need to know about the new pandas. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 18th episode: Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% off Make All Votes Count Interested in advertising w...

Oct 18, 202428 min

Should DC Stop Project Pipes?

For the last few years, Washington Gas has had a scheme to replace pipes all over D.C. in the name of safety. What could be wrong with that? Well, according to the people behind Stop Project Pipes, the real plan is to keep D.C. dependent on a fuel the city has vowed to move away from. City Paper’s Alex Koma has been covering the issue and is here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, ...

Oct 17, 202426 min

The Local Stories About To Go National

Back by popular demand, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from across the country to talk about what stories they're watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Hear from D.C.'s own Julia Karron along with hosts from our daily local shows in Austin, Boise, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Salt Lake. City Cast is now in 13 cities across the country! Joining our member community is the best way to support what we do. Get all the details and sign up here. Learn more about ...

Oct 16, 202441 min

Monica From ‘Love is Blind DC’ Dishes

If you’re keeping up with the new season of Love is Blind set in the District, you know the couples have moved from their pods and are adjusting to their real lives around the DC area. The couples have all experienced ups and downs, especially Monica Davis, who was blindsided by an infidelity scandal on the show. But Monica says even after everything, she’s still redefining fairytales. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a memb...

Oct 15, 202432 min
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