

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

Nov 30, 2022 • 17min
A Guide To D.C.’s Indigenous History
Today is the last day of Native American Heritage Month, but we shouldn’t limit conversations about Indigenous culture to November. So we’re joined by Dana Hedgpeth and Mary Phillips to chat about the rich history of D.C.’s indigenous communities and all the ways to celebrate them.Also, we’re doing our first live taping TODAY! It’s happening at the Politics and Prose at Union Market. We start at 6:30 pm. Our whole team will be there, along with City Cast CEO David Plotz and Anton Bogomazov from Politics and Prose. Come hang out, see how we make this show, and join us for drinks afterwards!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 2026422654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 29, 2022 • 17min
D.C. Charities Worth Your Support
It’s Giving Tuesday. And whether you’re writing a check or planning to volunteer your time, you’ll want to know whether you can trust the organizations you’re donating to. The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington publishes an annual guide to local giving, and they’re here with some timely advice.This year, make your Giving Tuesday donations through GiveLocalTogether.org.And in case you missed it, our sister newsletter Hey DC also put out a great guide to local giving. Subscribe now to see more of this kind of content, every weekday morning at 6 a.m. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 28, 2022 • 17min
D.C.’s Hidden Gems, According to Clockout DC
Washington is full of world-famous tourist sites, but there are so many hidden gems you’ve probably never heard of. Today, we’re sitting down with Clockout DC’s Jade Womack to talk about lesser-known spots where you can take the out-of-towner who thinks they’ve seen it all. For more details about the Heurich House Christmas Markt, go here. And our sister newsletter Hey DC has tons more event and neighborhood recs for you. Subscribe now. And while you’re at it, follow us on Twitter too, 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 2026422654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 23, 2022 • 13min
D.C.’s Turkey Whisperer
For some reason, we all just take it for granted that every Thanksgiving, the White House pardons a turkey. Have you ever stopped to think about how the turkeys are chosen? Where they come from? Where they stay in D.C., and where they go afterwards? We found out for you, and learned more about turkey personalities than we ever thought possible.Also, big news, our first-ever live taping is one week away. Come hang with us as we record our weekly news roundup, at Union Market’s Politics & Prose, on Nov. 30. More details here. With the holidays around the corner, I bet you’re looking for suggestions on how and where to shop local. Sign up for our sister newsletter Hey DC for all the inside info.We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc.And we’re collecting New Year’s resolutions for D.C. Leave us a voicemail by calling 2026422654, and mention your name and your hopes and goals for the city in the new year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 22, 2022 • 24min
The 1977 Siege That Paralyzed D.C.
In March 1977, a group of Hanafi Muslim gunmen took 149 people hostage in Washington, D.C. Marion Barry was shot. A Howard journalist was killed. But today, almost no one remembers the siege. With a big new book that drops today and has already drawn rave reviews, author Shahan Mufti is out to change that.You can find Mufti’s book, American Caliph: The True Story of a Muslim Mystic, a Hollywood Epic, and the 1977 Siege of Washington, DC here.Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Also, follow us at @citycast_dc.And we’re collecting New Year's resolutions for D.C.! How would you like to see the city change and improve? Leave us a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 21, 2022 • 18min
An Expert Guide to D.C.'s Best Bookstores
D.C. has a ton of bookstores with their own personalities. So how can you possibly pick one? Coralyn Maguigad, who’s been exploring every bookstore in the District, gives us her tips.Plus, check out this recent roundup, where we talk about the sidewalk vending controversy.For more D.C. news, sign up for our morning newsletter and follow us at @citycast_dc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 18, 2022 • 23min
World Cup Bars, a New Criminal Code, and Best Thanksgiving Pies
DC Council this week agreed to overhaul the city’s ancient criminal code, but not everyone’s thrilled about it, including the mayor and police chief. Plus, we’re talking Thanksgiving plans, and where to watch the World Cup.Our roundup relies on local journalism. Here’s what we pulled from this year:
NBC Local’s piece about D.C.’s new criminal code
DCist’s guide to World Cup viewing around town
Hey DC’s list of Thanksgiving dinner spots
And if you’re traveling this Thanksgiving, check out our episodes about Union Station’s $10B facelift and traveling to Dulles via the Silver Line.Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our sister newsletter Hey DC. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc.And a reminder that you can enter our holiday giveaway anytime before Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Call 202-642-2654, and leave a voicemail about your hopes and dreams for D.C. in 2023 and you could win two free tickets (entry and a beer) to the Heurich Christmas Markt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 17, 2022 • 16min
Where Will the New Commanders Stadium Be?
The Washington Commanders are looking for a new home. They currently play at the much-maligned FedEx Field in Landover, MD. But could they ever return to the District at the old RFK Stadium site? Sports columnist Rick Snider tells us why it’s not as far-fetched as it seems.And we're doing a holiday giveaway!! You can win two free tickets to the Heurich House Christmas Markt by sending us a voicemail about your D.C.-focused New Year's Resolutions. How do you want to see the city improve in 2023? Tell us, by calling 2026422654, and you'll be entered into the raffle.Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME)We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 16, 2022 • 21min
What D.C.’s Food Tells Us About The City
Ruth Tam and Patrick Fort, the team behind WAMU’s Dish City, join us to chat about all things D.C. food. Whether it’s Old Bay on crabs, the history of D.C.’s Chinatown, or half smokes and pupusas, we’ve got you covered.And we're doing a holiday giveaway!! You can win two free tickets to the Heurich House Christmas Markt by sending us a voicemail about your D.C.-focused New Year's Resolutions. How do you want to see the city improve in 2023? Tell us, by calling 2026422654, and you'll be entered into the raffle.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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 15, 2022 • 19min
Tracking Go-Go Music’s Controversial Past and Present
Go-Go has been THE sound of D.C. since the late 1970’s. In 2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser designated it the official music of the District. But should it be? Hosts Michael Schaffer and Bridget Todd discuss what Go-Go means to both of them, how its influenced their perspective on the city, and if Go-Go could go national.Sign up for our morning newsletter for more cultural tidbits like this. And we’re gearing up for our first live taping ever!! Come meet the team and see how the sausage gets made at Politics & Prose’s Union Market location on November 30. More details here.And we’d love to feature you on the show! We’re collecting New Year’s Resolutions (never too early to set some intentions!). What are your hopes and dreams for D.C. 2023? And how do you plan to help achieve them? Leave us a voicemail by calling 2026422654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices