
City Cast DC
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.
Latest episodes

Jul 17, 2024 • 34min
Who Makes DC’s Best Pupusa?
D.C. is a city known for its pupusas. So from El Tamarindo to La Casita, who’s got the best one? The City Cast DC team taste-tested them all (for science!) to get to the bottom of this important question.And go 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 July 17th episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offPaulson & NaceInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 2024 • 27min
Ex-DCist Reporters Launch Worker-Led News Outlet
A few months ago, when the news site DCist abruptly shut down, it was a shock. So we were intrigued by the rumors that a bunch of former DCist employees were starting up their own, homegrown thing. Natalie Delgadillo and Abby Higgins are two of the founders, and they’re sitting down to give us the exclusive details on what their new organization is, how they’re going to survive when DCist couldn’t, and when you can start following their work.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 July 16th episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offPaulson & NaceInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 15, 2024 • 20min
Trump's Radical Plan to 'Takeover' DC
It doesn’t get a lot of attention compared to other stuff going on in the presidential election, but Donald Trump has made a number of radical proposals for what he’d do to D.C. if elected. Cuneyt Dil from Axios is here to tell us how it could affect 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 July 15th episode:Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% offPaulson & Nace Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 12, 2024 • 30min
Severed Thumb Murder, National Mall Expansion, and A Summer Peak Bloom
We’re talking about the future of the Mall, a spate of weird crime stories, and why you need to go to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens right now.Come hang out with us at metrobar tomorrow! 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 July 12th episode:BabbelPaintCareInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 11, 2024 • 22min
What Happened to the DMV's ‘Black Promised Land’?
For decades, Prince George’s County has been a top draw for Black professionals looking for a suburban life. But lately its demographics have been changing in interesting ways. Greater Greater Washington’s Olubusayo Shabi is here to tell us more.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 July 11th episode:BabbelPaintCareInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 10, 2024 • 21min
How DC’s Moped Boom Affects You
Police are clamping down amid a massive boom in moped riders. But it turns out it’s not just a new way of commuting — mopeds are at the core of a trend in food-delivery where the riders are some of the most vulnerable people in the industry. Axios’ Anna Spiegel 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, for as little as $8 a month.If you enjoyed today's interview with PaintCare’s Vice President of Communications, Brett Rodgers, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this July 10th episode:BabbelPaintCareInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 9, 2024 • 21min
Your DC Summer Essentials
School’s out, the first big holiday of the summer is past us, and it feels like endless days of humidity lie ahead. So we sat down with food and travel writer Tim Ebner to lay out your perfect summer bucket list for 2024, from one-off events like pig racing (yes you read that right) to the quintessential D.C. summer activities we often take for granted.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 July 9th episode:BabbelPaintCareInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 8, 2024 • 14min
Where’s the Best Coffee In DC?
There are so many places to get coffee in DC, it’s a real cafe hot spot. And digital creator Domonique Panton of As Told By Dom is making it her mission to visit every single one in D.C.Here’s her guide to the best underrated cafes in the District. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 3rd episode:Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement DistrictDistrict BridgesBabbelWant some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 5, 2024 • 52min
Here's What the Entire Country Is Talking About
City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from all 13 City Cast daily local podcast hubs to talk about what stories they’re watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Listen in for how Bridget Todd's story stacks up against the rest.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 July 5th episode:
Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District
District Bridges
Eagle Bank
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREWe’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dcAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 3, 2024 • 14min
DC’s Secret Oasis
Crispus Attucks Park in Northeast D.C. is a great place to spend your 4th of July holiday, so we’re revisiting our episode with Tyrone Goodwyn, who helped transform the space from asphalt into a hidden gem.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 July 3rd episode:Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement DistrictDistrict BridgesBabbelInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices