

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 13, 2025 • 32min
How Federal Workers Are Preparing for Trump
Federal workers make up about a quarter of the jobs in DC, and these days, they’re worried: The incoming Trump administration’s talk of slashing the government and changing the rules around career public servants would be a huge economic and cultural change for our city. The Washington Post’s Lisa Rein is here to talk us through what the options are for the Washingtonians who may find themselves in the crosshairs.Got a tip related to this story? Get in touch with Lisa at 202-821-3120 and her or lisa.rein@washpost.com.For more DC news, 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 13th episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offRestaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 10, 2025 • 23min
DC's Snow Days, How Jimmy Carter Changed DC, and the Panda-conomy
Axios DC’s Anna Spiegel joins the team to talk snow in DC, Jimmy Carter, and the return of the 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 January 10th episode:Call2RecycleRestaurant Association Metropolitan WashingtonInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Jan 9, 2025 • 23min
What’s In and Out For DC’s 2025 Food Scene?
Washingtonian’s food editor, Jessica Sidman, is here to walk us through what's in and out in DC dining in 2025. 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 9th episode:Call2RecycleInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 8, 2025 • 14min
How To Improve the National Mall
This week, Congress and President Biden officially approved a monument commemorating women’s suffrage to go on the National Mall. There’s limited space on the Mall, so adding a new memorial or site is actually pretty complicated. In 2022, we spoke to Philip Kennicott from The Washington Post about a vision for a bigger, better National Mall. 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 8th episode:Call2RecycleInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 7, 2025 • 16min
DC’s Most Underrated Indoor Activities
DC is currently a snowy winter wonderland. And on cold days like these, you don’t have to just stay in your apartment. Clockout DC’s Jade Womack is here to clue you in on DC’s most underrated indoor activities.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 7th episode:Call2RecycleInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 6, 2025 • 21min
How MPD Aided the Proud Boys Before Jan. 6
Shane Lamond was the head of the intelligence unit for the DC police — until he was indicted on charges that he helped the Proud Boys before January 6. He was finally convicted last month, and the Washington Post’s Tom Jackman watched the case unfold. He’s here to tell us about Lamond, and what the trial says about extremism and law enforcement. 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.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 3, 2025 • 29min
RFK Site Plans, Bowser Meets Trump, and Right On Red Ban
Welcome to 2025! A lot happened in DC over the last week and a half, and we’re here to round up what you missed. We’re talking about crime: It’s down. We’re talking about a new football stadium: It might be going up. Plus, will you turn right on red this year? The team is here to discuss whether a law that isn’t really enforced will be followed at all.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 3rd episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jan 2, 2025 • 24min
Your Guide to January 2025 in DC
The start of the new year can be hard for some folks. It’s still cold out, and the holidays are over. Lucky for you, some of us here at City Cast DC love and thrive in the January energy, so today the gang is here to give you everything you need to make January 2025 your best yet.Also! Check out our daily newsletter Hey DC’s take on what to do this month. And if you're finding our recs helpful, please consider becoming a member to help us stick around long-term.If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a whole guide for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to our City Cast DC community.Learn more about the sponsors of this January 2nd episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Dec 30, 2024 • 22min
Our Guide to a Perfect Weekend in DC
The New York Times may know NY, but do they know D.C.? Their guide to 36 hours in D.C. had our local team reeling a bit, and we hopped on mic to share some thoughts, feelings, and differing opinions on where to send your family next time they come to town.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 December 30th episode:Paulson & NaceBlack CatInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Dec 26, 2024 • 17min
Our Thrifting Guide to the DMV
Thrifting in the DMV often means finding all kinds of treasures, but the landscape can be hard to navigate. To help with this journey, we brought in Sidney Hui, owner of Disco Loft, to give you our guide for thrifting in D.C. 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 December 26th episode:Paulson & NaceBlack CatInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.