

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

Sep 27, 2024 • 25min
Housing Crisis, Noise-Proof Apartments, and the Commanders Rebirth
We’re talking about a perfect storm threatening affordable housing in D.C. with the Washington Post’s Aaron Weiner, as well as whether they ought to make builders noise-proof new buildings. Plus, we have some thoughts about Washington’s newest sports icon.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 September 27th episode:National Museum of Women in the Arts PaintCareThe Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins UniversityHSEMAInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Sep 26, 2024 • 25min
What’s Next For DC’s Trendiest Neighborhood
The Washington Post dubbed Buzzard Point “D.C.'s trendiest new neighborhood” this past summer. But longtime residents of the area have concerns about just how Buzzard Point is being developed. Emeka Moneme, Capitol Riverfront BID president, is here to explain what Buzzard Point means for DC. Our next live taping is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Black Cat. Come join us to learn about the juiciest election stories of the year, from the fierce clash over ranked choice voting to an indicted councilmember's scandalous reelection bid with zero competition. RSVP here.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 Alliance Francaise Executive Director, Sarah Diligenti, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this September 26th episode:National Museum of Women in the Arts PaintCareThe Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins UniversityInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 25, 2024 • 17min
Where To Get The Best Wine in the DMV
2024 is looking to be a solid year for wineries in Virginia and Maryland. But for folks who are unfamiliar and want to check out the area’s wineries this fall, we’re returning to our conversation from last year with Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post. He’s got a list of wineries no matter your price range or distance restrictions.Our next live taping is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Black Cat. Come join us to learn about the juiciest election stories of the year, from the fierce clash over ranked choice voting to an indicted councilmember's scandalous reelection bid with zero competition. RSVP here.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 September 25th episode:National Museum of Women in the Arts PaintCareThe Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins UniversityInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 24, 2024 • 24min
A Political Bar, News-Based Dating App, and Other DC Stories You Missed This September
September was chock full of news — so much so that we’ve set up this rapid-fire episode to squeeze all of the stories in. Today we’ve got 10 stories in 20 minutes, from D.C.’s newest dating app which matches you based on news articles, to the viral TikTok that got an AdMo cafe kicked off of Uber Eats.Our next live taping is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Black Cat. Come join us to learn about the juiciest election stories of the year, from the fierce clash over ranked choice voting to an indicted councilmember's scandalous reelection bid with zero competition. RSVP here.P.S. A quick correction: The InPress dating app is free for users. The $19.99 fee we mentioned unlocks Premium features.P.P.S. Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC for more local news and events. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month.Learn more about the sponsors of this September 24th episode:National Museum of Women in the Arts PaintCareThe Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins UniversityInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 23, 2024 • 20min
The 1991 Uprising That Changed Mount Pleasant
In 1991, protests erupted in D.C.’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood after police shot Daniel Gomez, an El Salvadoran immigrant. Ellie Walton and Quique Aviles, creators of the documentary ‘La Manplesa: An Uprising Remembered', are here to explain what happened and why it was a turning point for D.C.’s Central American communities. Please be advised that this episode contains some graphic descriptions.‘La Manplesa: An Uprising Remembered’ will be broadcast nationally this Thursday September 26th at 8 p.m. EST on American Reframed on the WORLD Channel and will be available to stream for one month on the PBS passport app.Our next live taping is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Black Cat. Come join us to learn about the juiciest election stories of the year, from the fierce clash over ranked choice voting to an indicted councilmember's scandalous reelection bid with zero competition. RSVP here.Learn more about the sponsors of this September 23rd episode:National Museum of Women in the Arts PaintCareThe Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins UniversityWant 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

Sep 20, 2024 • 28min
Does DC Need More Cops? Plus, $19,000 in Traffic Tickets, and Political Merch Sales
We’re talking about whether D.C. needs more police thanks to a new audit report, a car crash involving someone who had $19,000 in unpaid tickets — but was still on the road, and the big recent change in political merch.Our next live taping is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Black Cat. Come join us to learn about the juiciest election stories of the year, from the fierce clash over ranked choice voting to an indicted councilmember's scandalous reelection bid with zero competition. RSVP here.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 September 20th episode:Paulson & NaceHSEMAInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Sep 19, 2024 • 29min
The Good and Bad of Development in Congress Heights
Congress Heights is the home of the Washington Mystics and the entertainment and sports arena, but that’s a pretty limited view of one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in the District. So local artist and business owner Keyonna Jones and City Cast DC contributor Austin Graff stopped by to break down why Congress Heights is a neighborhood you should know.Our next live taping is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Black Cat. Come join us to learn about the juiciest election stories of the year, from the fierce clash over ranked choice voting to an indicted councilmember's scandalous reelection bid with zero competition. RSVP here.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 Alliance Francaise Executive Director, Sarah Diligenti, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this September 19th episode:Paulson & NaceHSEMARoda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Sep 18, 2024 • 21min
What Do DC’s Violence Interrupters Do?
This week, D.C.'s police union called for the city’s violence intervention programs to be shut down after Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White was charged with bribery related to a violence interruption program. We talked to Dr. Joseph Richardson, a UMD professor and co-chair of D.C.’s Homicide Review, about what exactly D.C.’s violence interrupters do for the city. Our next live taping is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Black Cat. Come join us to learn about the juiciest election stories of the year, from the fierce clash over ranked choice voting to an indicted councilmember's scandalous reelection bid with zero competition. RSVP here.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 September 18th episode:Paulson & NaceHSEMARoda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Sep 17, 2024 • 15min
How DC’s Breakup With Humane Rescue Alliance Affects Pet Owners
D.C. Health and the Humane Rescue Alliance, which handles animal services, just announced they’re ending their 44-year-old partnership. HRA leaders say they were initially caught off guard by the split. The Washington Post’s Michael Brice-Saddler explains what this could mean for pets and pet owners in D.C. Our next live taping is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Black Cat. Come join us to learn about the juiciest election stories of the year, from the fierce clash over ranked choice voting to an indicted councilmember's scandalous reelection bid with zero competition. RSVP here.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 September 17th episode:Paulson & NaceHSEMARoda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offGala TheatreInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 16, 2024 • 15min
A New Plan to Fix DC’s 911 Call Center
Councilmember Brooke Pinto has put forward a new bill to finally fix DC’s beleaguered emergency response system. Bona fide 911 call center expert Dave Statter joins us to share his thoughts. Our next live taping is Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Black Cat. Come join us to learn about the juiciest election stories of the year, from the fierce clash over ranked choice voting to an indicted councilmember's scandalous reelection bid with zero competition. RSVP here.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 September 16th episode:Paulson & NaceHSEMAThe Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins UniversityRoda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.