
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

Jan 12, 2024 • 23min
Chinatown Task Force, New Speeding Crackdown, and MLK Day of Service
DC is making plans — a little late — about the future of Chinatown. Plus, some changes to DC traffic policy are on the horizon. And it’s about to be MLK day. We have a roundup of ways you can spend the day volunteering.Our roundups are powered by all the stellar local reporting in the area:
Check out the Mayor’s announcement about the Chinatown Task Force.
WTOP breaks down the new STEER Amendment Act.
And if you’re looking for volunteer opportunities on MLK Day, there’s a bunch of official events!
Like what we do? Sign up to be a member and get exclusive perks like first dibs on live tapings. Speaking of! We are having our first one of 2024! It’s on Saturday, Feb. 3 at The Square Food Hall. Come meet the team and enjoy food/drink specials at noon, and the taping begins at 1 pm. RSVP here.And for more D.C. news, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey DC. (It's free!)Find more info about advertising with us HERE.And 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

Jan 11, 2024 • 17min
Tips for Composting in D.C. in 2024
Composting can seem like a smelly, messy, complicated affair. But City Cast DC Contributor Abi Newhouse tells us that in D.C., it’s easier than it seems and could make a whole world of difference to both local farmers and consumers.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 HERE. And 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

Jan 10, 2024 • 13min
How To Get Fit for Free in D.C.
Most gyms in D.C. are expensive. It’s a bummer, especially if your New Year's Resolution involves getting out and moving more. But don’t worry! Because D.C. actually has all kinds of free workouts to get you out of your house and feeling good. Onose Ijewere creator of the popular D.C. Instagram account HighVibesDC, has been tracking D.C.’s free workout options and shares her favorites. Check out Onose’s Instagram page @highvibedc for more tips like these!Like what we do? Sign up to be a member and get exclusive perks like first dibs on live tapings. Speaking of! We are having our first one of 2024! It’s on Saturday, Feb. 3 at The Square Food Hall. Come meet the team and enjoy food/drink specials at noon, and the taping begins at 1 pm. RSVP here.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 HERE.And 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

Jan 9, 2024 • 24min
Washington Post Buyouts, TikTok Tunnel Girl, and Barnes and Noble Returns
In today’s Tuesday roundup, the team breaks down what’s going on with the Washington Post buyouts, a Herndon woman digging tunnels under her home, and the return of Barnes and Noble to Georgetown. As always, local news powers all of our roundups:
Washingtonian breaks down the Washington Post buyouts.
Check out Aura Bogado’s investigation into the Herndon tunnel girl.
And the Washington Business Journal has the scoop on the return of Barnes and Noble.
Like what we do? Sign up to be a member and get exclusive perks like first dibs on live tapings. Speaking of! We are having our first one of 2024! It’s on Saturday, Feb. 3 at The Square Food Hall. Come meet the team and enjoy food/drink specials at noon, and the taping begins at 1 pm. RSVP here.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 HERE. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc.And 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

Jan 8, 2024 • 25min
What’s In and Out in D.C. in 2024
It’s the season of in-and-out lists, and Washingtonian food editor Jessica Sidman and City Cast DC Senior Producer Julia Karron are here to break down their thoughts on what’s hot and not in D.C. food and culture this year. And be sure to check out Sidman’s full compilation of restaurant ins and outs for 2024.Like what we do? Sign up to be a member and get exclusive perks like first dibs on live tapings. Speaking of! We are having our first one of 2024! It’s on Saturday, Feb. 3 at The Square Food Hall. Come meet the team and enjoy food/drink specials at noon, and the taping begins at 1 pm. RSVP here.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 HERE.And 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

Jan 5, 2024 • 25min
Charles Allen Recall, Local Mall Youth Ban, and D.C.'s Weird Weather
There’s a recall effort against a liberal DC Councilmember, more agita about shoplifting teens, and…snow! Or maybe not? Yep, it’s January and Axios’ Cuneyt Dil and contributor Dan Reed are joining us to talk about weird DC weather patterns. As always, our roundups are powered by all the stellar local reporting:
Cuneyt Dil from Axios had this scoop on the potential recall effort of Councilmember Charles Allen.
WTOP has you covered on the shoplifting teens at the Columbia Heights Mall.
And the Capital Weather Gang explains the snow/rain line D.C. straddles.
Like what we do? Sign up to be a member and get exclusive perks like first dibs on live tapings. Speaking of! We are having our first one of 2024! It’s on Saturday, Feb. 3 at The Square Food Hall. Come meet the team and enjoy food/drink specials at noon, and the taping begins at 1 pm. RSVP here.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

Jan 4, 2024 • 15min
Why D.C. Traffic Is Getting Worse
People in D.C. are working from home pretty often. So why does it seem like traffic is getting worse? It turns out the pandemic changes have altered commuting in surprising and sometimes weird ways. Washington Post transportation reporter Ian Duncan is here to explain just who’s on the road — and when. 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 HERE.And 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

Jan 3, 2024 • 15min
How To Find Local Music Around D.C.
Finding local music can be tough - where do you start? Christopher Naoum co-founded Listen Local First to support D.C.’s homegrown music scene and he’s here to share tips and tricks for making the most of it. 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

Jan 2, 2024 • 17min
Your Guide to January in D.C.
It’s January, which usually means the cold weather is setting in, the holidays have wrapped up, and maybe you’re feeling a bit blah. But January doesn’t have to be blah! The team is here to share what they’re looking forward to this month for your definitive guide to January in D.C. Check out D.C.’s Best Underrated RestaurantsObserving a dry January? Here’s a guide to non-alcoholic drinks in the District.Have a Rock Creek Park fire pit party!Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC.Support our work by becoming a member of City Cast 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

Dec 29, 2023 • 23min
What Bill Nye (the Science Guy) Learned From D.C.
Bill Nye, yes the science guy, is also a D.C. guy. The legendary science educator is a D.C. native and has recently moved back. We talked with him back in February about how the city has changed, what it was like when he was a kid, and how it shaped him into the Bill Nye we know now.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