
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

Feb 27, 2024 • 32min
Unions Protest Arena Move, RIP DCist, and D.C.’s Polyamory Scene
The Washington Post’s Teo Armus explains why some Virginia unions have come out against the plan to move the Capitals and the Wizards to Virginia. Plus, we pour one out for DCist shutting down and what it says about the state of media, and why it seems like polyamory is on the rise in D.C. Plus, after the interview, City Cast CEO David Plotz joins us for a conversation sponsored by Urban Pace, the mid-Atlantic leader in development real estate services, about the new Ebenezer Row homes in Capitol Hill. Click through to learn more about how the development is building upon the neighborhood’s rich history.You can check out more information on polyamory support groups and resources here.And if you want to help support us, become a member! It only costs $8/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 26, 2024 • 21min
What DCist's Closure Means for Local News
On Friday, public radio station WAMU announced that it was killing its local news site DCist. Fifteen journalists lost their jobs, adding even more casualties to a job market that has seen steep cuts over the past year. Reporter Martin Austermuhle, who spent more than a decade with WAMU and DCist, is here to tell us what happened, and what it means for the city.Want 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

Feb 23, 2024 • 24min
Nadeau Recall, Retail Security Upgrades, and Chesapeake Oyster Boom
There’s another recall campaign, this time against Ward 1 councilmember Brianne Nadeau. NBC4’s Mark Segraves is here to tell us about it. We’re also talking about the wild new security measures going up in local stores to try to curb theft. Plus: Oysters! City Cast’s Ashe Durban explains last year’s record catch in the Chesapeake. Want 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 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

Feb 22, 2024 • 25min
Behind Closed Doors: How D.C. Lost The Caps and Wizards
The plan to move D.C.’s hockey and basketball teams to Virginia is one of the biggest stories of the year — one that’s potentially devastating to downtown D.C., and one that has led to all kinds of recriminations in local politics. The Washington Post has published a big, behind-the-scenes look at how the decision went down. Reporter Sam Fortier is here to tell us about it.Plus, after the interview, City Cast CEO David Plotz joins us for a conversation sponsored by Urban Pace, the mid-Atlantic leader in development real estate services, about the new Ebenezer Row homes in Capitol Hill. Click through to learn more about how the development is building upon the neighborhood’s rich history.Want 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

Feb 21, 2024 • 14min
Why D.C. is So Lonely
It's still that time of year when the weather is gloomy and nights are long, and it can be hard to seek out social activity and fulfillment. City Cast newsletter editor Natalia Aldana is here with Shannon Vyvijal of the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness for an important conversation about the prevalence of loneliness in D.C. and how to fight it off. Here's where you can find the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness's work, follow them @endsocisolation on X, or visit their website endsocialisolation.org Check out their Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities and their policy priorities for 2024.For further reading, check out the NYT 2023 article, Surgeon General: We Have Become a Lonely Nation. It’s Time to Fix That.Want 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

Feb 20, 2024 • 15min
Were the Robberies at the Chinatown Walgreens an Inside Job?
The Chinatown Walgreens was hit by armed robbers eight times in a year. It’s a story that seemed to be a symbol of Washington’s worries about lawlessness. But this week, it took a crazy turn. Rather than a random crime, police now think it was an inside job. NBC4’s Jackie Bensen is here to tell us what’s in the court docs on this wild story. Want 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

Feb 16, 2024 • 25min
VA Senate Stalls Arena, New Police Hubs, and Dive Bar Rankings
Could VA Senators actually kill the plan to move the Wizards and the Capitals? For once, Washingtonians are rooting for the NIMBYs. Michael Pope from Virginia Public Radio is here to bring us up to speed. Plus, a safety push in Chinatown, and a debate over what makes a dive bar good. Want 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 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

Feb 15, 2024 • 12min
A New Airport is Coming to the DMV
The D.C. area is about to get a new airport — in Manassas. An old private-aviation facility is in the process of converting into a hub for actual airline flights, adding a fourth option for local flyers seeking a bargain or looking for a better route. Jared Foretek covered the story for Inside NoVa and he’s here to explain what happens next.Want 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

Feb 14, 2024 • 20min
The Expert's Guide to Making Friends in D.C.
D.C. is a unique place to make friends. It was recently named the loneliest city by the Chamber of Commerce. Last year, we sat down with psychologist and D.C. local Marisa Franco who wrote the book on friendship - literally - to share some tips on how to make friends in D.C. Want 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

Feb 13, 2024 • 24min
D.C.’s Most Underrated Bars
If you committed to dry January, you might be ready for a nice cocktail. Luckily, D.C. is a great bar city. Raman Santra, creator of the super popular account @BarredInDC, that covers D.C. bar news and happenings, is here to help us determine some of D.C.’s most underrated bars.Want 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