

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

Aug 25, 2023 • 20min
Comparing Crime Rates, Little League Drama, and Best Pizza
A new poll says most Americans think DC is a safe city to live in, but around here, it seems all people are talking about is crime. So how bad is it really? Bridget Todd, Priyanka Tilve, and Julia Karron are here to chat about that, plus some major drama in DC’s Little League and also the best pizza in town.As always, our Friday news roundups are powered by the fabulous local reporting around here:
Check out the latest Gallup poll about America’s safest cities.
Frederick Kunkle of the Washington Post delves into Northwest Washington’s Little League drama.
Eater D.C. compiled a list of essential D.C. pizza spots.
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.

Aug 24, 2023 • 15min
How to Safely Bike Around D.C.
Locals Siddharth Muchhal and Bobo Stankovikj set out to visit every Bikeshare dock in the DMV. Why did they do it and what tips and tricks do they have for the rest of us? Host Michael Schaffer found out for us.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.

Aug 23, 2023 • 19min
D.C. is Bringing Roller Skating Back
Roller skating became all the rage during the pandemic, but for D.C., this wasn’t really a new thing. Just ask D.C. skate enthusiast, Salleta Coleman. She tells us why the District has always had a special connection to skating. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter.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.

Aug 22, 2023 • 18min
Celebrating 65 Years of Ben’s Chili Bowl
The word “iconic” gets used too much in D.C. But in the case of Ben’s Chili Bowl, the U Street Mecca for late-night half-smokes, it fits. Bridget and Mike sat down with Virginia Ali, the matriarch of the restaurant which turns 65 today! They talk about the early days serving Howard University students, living through the fires of 1968, and what business is like in spiffed-up 21st century U Street. 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.

Aug 21, 2023 • 17min
Why Our Social Worker Shortage Is Driving Up Houselessness
Houselessness is still below pre-pandemic levels in the District, but that good news doesn't paint the entire picture. Because there’s also been an increase in houselessness this year. The city also has a social worker shortage. Marissa Lang, reporter at the Washington Post, has been covering how this is impacting 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 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.

Aug 18, 2023 • 24min
D.C. Sued For Anti-Abortion Arrest, Dogs Drown, & Is That Really The Best of D.C.?
District Dogs day care in Northeast flooded again, but this time, 10 dogs drowned. Our team talks about what happened and how the owner’s past pleas to the city went unheeded. Plus, we break down a “freedom of speech” lawsuit by anti-abortion protesters against D.C. and size up Washington City Paper’s Best of D.C. 2023.Check out the local reporting that powers our roundups:
News4 Reporter Walter Morris spoke with several pet owners whose dogs were in a flooded dog day care.
John Domen of WTOP has the latest on what city officials have to say about the emergency response to the flooding.
Casey Parks of the Washington Post breaks down where the lawsuit against D.C. for the arrest of anti-abortion protesters stands.
Washington City Paper gave their takes in the Best Of DC 2023.
Want some more DC news? Then you should 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.

Aug 17, 2023 • 17min
How To Start Running In D.C.
D.C. has loads of parks and trails, which make it a great city for running. It also has a lot of hills, which, for a lot of people….not so much. We sat down last year with Washington Post wellness reporter Kelyn Soong to get his sense of Washington as a running town — and as some of his tips and tricks to get out there and start pounding the pavement. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter.We’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 2026422654.

Aug 16, 2023 • 22min
D.C. is Losing Jobs to Virginia
The pandemic changed where you work — and where the people who sell you stuff want to set up shop. In the D.C. area, this has meant jobs, and people, moving from the city to the suburbs. Will it last? And what comes next? Tristan Navarra from the Washington Business Journal is here to explain. 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.

Aug 15, 2023 • 10min
How To Get a New D.C. Memorial Constructed
During World War 2, women took on roles as codebreakers, pilots, butchers, and farmers to aid in the war effort. These women are “Rosies” like Rosie the Riveter. College student Raya Kenney has been trying to get a memorial to these women built in DC for half her life — since she was 11. She explains what it takes to get a new monument constructed.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

Aug 14, 2023 • 22min
What Haters Get Wrong About D.C.
D.C. gets a bad rep ... in a lot of ways. People say we're not fashionable, we're careerist snobs. Are they right? Co-hosts Mike Schaffer and Bridget Todd sat down to discuss D.C.’s stickiest stereotypes.Also, we're doing a live taping, and we'd love to see you. Come on by to Sonny's Pizza on Monday, Aug. 28. There will be a wine tasting from 5-6 p.m., followed by our recording at 6:30 p.m. It's also our anniversary party, so it's going to be a really special night. 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 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.