

City Cast DC
City Cast
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 14, 2023 • 19min
What To Do When the Snakes Come Out
D.C. is in prime season for snake sightings. That might sound a little scary for some, but local wildlife educator Caroline Seitz says they're more afraid of us than we are of them. Her love for the scaly, slithery creatures is infectious, and she explains what to do when you see one.Text “DC” to 66866 to subscribe to our newsletter Hey DC. Our editor Kaela has a brilliantly curated list of news, events, and cool features every weekday morning.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 13, 2023 • 16min
Why You Need to Visit Anacostia Park
D.C. has one of the most dynamic parks around. It’s bigger than NYC’s Central Park, and you can roller skate, go boating, or even take a class. Richard Trent is the Executive Director of Friends of Anacostia Park and he tells us what it has to offer.This episode is part of our Summer Entertainment Guide series, presented by Clyde’s Restaurant Group. We’ve also got guide content in our newsletter. Be sure to subscribe here, or by texting “DC” to 66866. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREWe’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 12, 2023 • 13min
The Future of Dave Thomas Circle
Did you know that Dave Thomas Circle — that weird, notoriously chaotic triangle-shaped block out in Northeast where there used to be a Wendy’s — was never actually officially designated Dave Thomas Circle? Now there’s a plan to give it a new name and redesign the space. Maura Brophy runs the NoMa Business Improvement District and she tells us what‘s in store for the space.Got a name you think would work? Submit it 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

Jun 9, 2023 • 24min
Suffocating Smog, Congress Attacks D.C. Elections, and Local Pride History
It’s hazy out there! We chat about what to do about the Canadian smoke spreading across D.C. Plus, Congress has some thoughts on voting rules in the District. And of course, it’s pride month, and CCDC contributor Dan Reed has been reading up on that month’s local history. As always, our Friday episode is fueled by local journalism:
Capital Weather Gang is all over the haze and smoke status around the city.
WAMU’s got you covered on what went down with Congress.
Check out all the local Pride events in the city.
We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text “DC” to 66866 to subscribe.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 8, 2023 • 26min
D.C.-Made Beers You Have to Try
D.C.’s craft brewery scene is young, but prolific. There are 16 craft breweries in the city, and it’s home to the largest percentage of Black beer brands in the U.S. So where should you start with your tastings? Kim Bender, the CEO of Heurich House and Executive Director of the D.C. Brewers Guild is here with recs. Plus, we’ve got a room full of beer lovers with us at this live taping at Right Proper’s Brookland location.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.For more D.C. news, be sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can even just do it over messaging! Text "DC" to 66866 to subscribe.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 7, 2023 • 20min
The Chaotic Phasing-Out of the Tipped Minimum Wage
D.C. residents voted to phase out the tipped minimum wage, and it’s finally now happening, but gradually and confusingly. In the meantime, what’s happening to prices? What does the service charge mean? And are you still supposed to tip? Jessica Sidman from Washingtonian is here to walk us through it all.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your D.C.-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

Jun 6, 2023 • 27min
D.C.’s Best Outdoor Movie Screenings
Grab your blanket and popcorn, because we’re kicking off our Summer Entertainment Guide series by talking about outdoor summer movies! Which has the best location? Which has the best movies? We ranked them so you don’t waste your time going to the wrong ones. We’ll have more Summer Entertainment Guide episodes for you the next two Tuesdays, all presented by Clyde’s Restaurant Group. Be sure to tune in!Also, check out our episode on the Reeves Center development.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 5, 2023 • 17min
Moon Rabbit Mysteriously Closed. What's Next?
Moon Rabbit, the award winning restaurant that was at the base of the Wharf’s Intercontinental Hotel, closed down abruptly two weeks ago. The Washington Post reports that the shocking closure might have been the hotel’s attempt to union bust the staff’s labor organizing efforts. In the fallout, chef Kevin Tien legally got ownership of the name Moon Rabbit, and his recipes. We chatted with him about his search for a new D.C. location, and his reflections on D.C.’s restaurant industry so far.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.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

Jun 2, 2023 • 21min
Metro Crime, Commanders’ Trademark Issues, and Best Pools
On this week’s CCDC roundup, we’re talking crime on the Metro, more drama around the name of our football team, and — now that it’s summer — we’re breaking down places to swim. Thanks to this local reporting that helped inform this episode:
Check out the Washington Post’s reporting on Metro crime
SBNation’s got the scoop on the Commanders’ potentially changing their name again
And subscribe to our newsletter Hey DC for more tips like best DC pools!
Per WAMU Housing Reporter Morgan Baskin’s hot tip, check out the DC Superior Court search portal here: https://portal-dc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/Home/Dashboard/29 We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast DC an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 1, 2023 • 21min
Farewell to D.C.’s Police Chief
DC’s police chief is moving on after just two years atop the force. It’s a moment of rising crime, Congressional meddling, and lingering worries about policing. We’re talking with Washington City Paper’s Mitch Ryals about Robert Contee’s legacy and how the city might replace him. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast DC an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.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