

City Cast DC
City Cast
City Cast DC is the daily, local audio companion you knew DC needed.. 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. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at dc.citycast.fm.
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. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at dc.citycast.fm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 23, 2025 • 28min
How to Escape DC for Under $150 This Fall
Tim Ebner, a travel writer and CityCast contributor, shares his savvy tips for budget fall getaways from D.C. He highlights the stunning Shenandoah National Park for peak foliage views and cozy park lodges. For those craving more comfort, he discusses glamping near Berkeley Springs and the perks of off-season rates in Ocean City. Tim emphasizes the importance of travel as a means of experiencing new adventures and reveals his favorite methods for snagging travel deals, making adventure accessible for everyone on a budget.

Sep 22, 2025 • 23min
Can DC’s Restaurants Survive the Takeover?
President Trump claims that DC restaurants are suddenly packed because his federal takeover made people feel safe enough to go out to dinner. But how is DC’s restaurant industry really reacting to the takeover? The Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman is here to break down what it means for the city’s dining scene.
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 $10 a month.
If you enjoyed today's interview with Backroom's Founder, Ethan Downs, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 22nd episode:
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Library of Congress
The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Folger Shakespeare Library
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 19, 2025 • 39min
Eleanor Holmes Norton Has a Challenger! Plus, Bowser's Hill Grilling and VIP Perks at Dulles
We’re talking about Robert White’s bid for Eleanor Holmes Norton’s seat, the DC Mayor getting grilled on Capitol Hill, and a fancy new VIP addition at Dulles. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we’re dissecting a controversial data center in PG County that’s now stalled.
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 $10 a month.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 19th episode:
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Library of Congress
Wise
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Sep 18, 2025 • 27min
How This DC Alley Became a 40 Year Old Dump
What do you do when people start dumping trash in your neighborhood? It turns out that no one is quite sure — including the city government that’s supposed to act as watchdog. Sloane Airey wrote a wild story for City Paper about one Northeast DC neighborhood and she’s here to tell us about it.
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 $10 a month.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 18th episode:
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Library of Congress
Wise
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 17, 2025 • 26min
Fact Checking Trump’s Crime Emergency
Since Trump announced the takeover of DC’s police his administration and Trump himself have been throwing out some big very impressive sounding numbers about arrests. But can we even trust those stats? Plus, Mayor Bowser and President Trump may be on another collision course over MPD and ICE in the District, and on Thursday, the Mayor, the Attorney General and the DC Council Chair head to the Capitol to testify on the DC-related bills Republicans proposed. The Washington Post’s Olivia George is here to break it all down.
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 $10 a month.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 17th episode:
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Library of Congress
Wise
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 16, 2025 • 29min
Why DC’s Media is Wrong About H Street
If you read a certain gloomy article earlier this summer, you might think every business on H Street is shutting down. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. H Street is still full of incredible experiences and new businesses, you just have to know where to look. To help us map it all out, and provide a history of this neighborhood, City Cast contributor Austin Graff and tour guide Kate Denson are here with your ultimate guide to H Street.
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 $10 a month.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 16th episode:
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Library of Congress
Wise
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 15, 2025 • 41min
All the GOP DC Bills — And Whether Eleanor Holmes Norton Is Up to Fighting Them
It’s no secret that DC is facing holy hell on Capitol Hill. But are the city’s leaders doing all they can to advocate for themselves in front of a Congress that seems to despise self-government in the District? DC Councilmember Christina Henderson joined us to talk through the Congressional bills currently targeting the District, Eleanor Holmes Norton’s poor performance last Wednesday, and about whether Mayor Muriel Bowser and the rest of our elected officials are up to the unprecedented challenge. Plus – the council is back this week. We’re previewing that.
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 $10 a month.
If you enjoyed today's interview with Food & Friends' Director of Volunteer Services, Katrina Mathis, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 15th episode:
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Library of Congress
Wise
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 12, 2025 • 27min
More Congressional Interference, Trump Dines Out, and Real Estate Petting Zoo
We’re talking about the end of Trump’s police takeover and dissecting the House’s 16 D.C. bills. Plus, Donald Trump dines out, and a wild suburban house sale. Plus, in a member’s-only fourth segment, we’re talking about the National Guard’s offer to help with local landscaping, and thinking up some projects we’d like to assign.
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 $10 a month.
If you enjoyed today's interview with Food & Friends' Director of Volunteer Services, Katrina Mathis, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 12th episode:
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Washington Nationals
Library of Congress
The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Sep 11, 2025 • 27min
DC's Best Burgers: From Cheap to Gourmet
What’s the best burger in DC? Some folks at Washingtonian have tried almost all of them and Jessica Sidman is here to give us some highlights from their list of DC’s best.
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 $10 a month.
If you enjoyed today's interview with District Bridges' Director of Storytelling and Marketing, Anna Claire, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 11th episode:
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Washington Nationals
Library of Congress
The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 10, 2025 • 35min
Will Trump’s Takeover of DC Continue?
It’s been 30 days since President Trump announced a federal takeover of DC’s MPD. That's technically expiring today, but the federal surge continues. It’s raised plenty of issues, including ones that aren't even related to what Trump is doing to the city. And there are some big implications. NBC4's Mark Segraves has been covering all of it. He's talking through what we know, what we don’t, and what to look out for 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 $10 a month.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 10th episode:
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Washington Nationals
Library of Congress
The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.


