

City Cast DC
City Cast
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 28, 2025 • 17min
DC Reacts to Trump's In-Office Mandate
President Donald Trump has made big changes to how remote work and telework will function in the federal government - which will have a big impact on the DMV. The Washington Post’s Emily Davies has been collecting stories from federal workers in the area and is here to share how they’re feeling and what they’re doing about it. If you’re a federal worker with a story to share, get in touch with Emily over Signal, at 202-412-9091.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.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 January 28th episode:District BridgesAlliance FrancaiseRestaurant Association Metropolitan Washington

Jan 27, 2025 • 32min
The January 6th Supporters In Our Own Backyard
Donald Trump’s pardon of January 6 rioters hit close to home for Lauren Ober and Hanna Rosin. Literally: Last year, the journalists created We Live Here Now, a podcast about what happened when a house of J6 activists moved in next door. They’re here today to talk about what the pardons mean for their block and our city.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.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 January 27th episode:Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTDistrict BridgesAlliance FrancaiseInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 24, 2025 • 29min
Trump's First Week, Top 100 Restaurants, and A New ‘Gilded Age’
We’re talking with The Washington Post’s Lisa Rein about the new Trump administration’s role as our city’s biggest employer — and what its whirlwind of new rules mean for us. Plus, Washingtonian food critic Ann Limpert is going to share highlights from the magazine’s annual list of top restaurants. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.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 January 24th episode:Restaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Jan 23, 2025 • 21min
Football is DC's Common Ground Again
So it’s a weird political time for a lot of people in DC. But a strange and pretty retro phenomenon is lightening the mood: The city seems to be falling back in love with its football team, the Commanders. After years of futility, the team that was once the one subject guaranteed to unite our city is now one game from the Super Bowl. The Washington Post’s Sam Fortier is here to explain their revived hold on our imagination, and provide a primer for anyone who’s game to jump on the bandwagon. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.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 January 23rd episode:Restaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 22, 2025 • 27min
The Best Eats and Hangouts in Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle is known for embassies and think tanks. But did you know that it’s also a place where you can find good sushi, cool architecture, and symbols of DC’s changing landscape? Longterm Dupont residents HH Leonards and Paul Cohn, and our City Cast DC contributor Austin Graff, share their guide on how to spend the perfect day in Dupont Circle. 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 January 22nd episode:Restaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 21, 2025 • 22min
What Trump Can (and Can't) Change in DC
As the second Trump term begins, many in D.C. are worried about their legal rights in a city that’s not quite a state. Monica Hopkins, who runs the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, has been tracking the threats and is here to talk about what’s real and what isn’t. 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 January 21st episode:Restaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 17, 2025 • 29min
Pizzagate Fallout, Transforming Office Space, and Avoiding Inauguration
We’re talking about the newest idea for converting unused downtown office buildings, the long legacy of the Comet Ping Pong shooting, and everything that is happening this weekend. We’re going to tell you how to navigate it all. ICYMI: How to Navigate Inauguration Weekend in DC, from Metro closures to high security.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 January 17th episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offRestaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Jan 16, 2025 • 20min
Biden’s Local Legacy
How much impact does the president actually have on D.C.? As president Biden prepares to leave the White House, City Cast hosts Bridget Todd and Michael Schaffer reflect on the ways Biden shaped our city. 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 January 16th episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offRestaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 15, 2025 • 19min
How to Navigate Inauguration Weekend in DC
Inauguration Day is a huge event for our nation with loads of fanfare, politicking, and of course security, but for many of us who live in DC, it can be a major headache. That’s why Axios’ Cuneyt Dil joins us to go over the tips and tricks to avoid the spectacle. Plus we answer: is there really more security in DC this month than ever before and why the mayor is paying 1.5 million to attend the parade. 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 January 15th episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offRestaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 14, 2025 • 14min
DC’s Best Winter Getaways
With the MLK holiday coming up, and not to mention a certain upcoming inauguration, a little getaway might be just what the doctor ordered. City Cast contributor Madeline Weinfeld has the coziest winter getaways from the DC area to help shake you out of a winter funk. 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 January 14th episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offRestaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.