

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

Oct 24, 2022 • 16min
D.C. Has Its Very Own “Onion”
D.C’s satirical website “The Cherry Swamp" is bursting with gut-busting headlines. Think “The Onion,” but specifically for D.C. One of the publication’s founders, Erick Acuña, tells us how D.C. is tailor-made for this type of satire. 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.

Oct 21, 2022 • 25min
MoCo’s Planning Board Troubles, Dan Snyder Drama, and an Ambitious Park Plan
Montgomery County’s Planning Board quit last week in a huge, dramatic shake-up, and it’s Dan Reed, from Greater Greater Washington, is here to tell us what’s next there. Plus, Dan, Priyanka, and Mike break down the latest Dan Snyder drama, and look through the final designs for D.C.’s most ambitious urban park plan in years.Our Friday roundup is fueled by some great local journalism:
Check out the final designs for the 11th Street Bridge park
Dan Reed’s piece about the MoCo Planning Board shake-up
And here’s the latest Commanders drama
And for good measure, Sally Jenkin’s scathing takedown of Dan Snyder
For more D.C. news like this, definitely sign up for our morning newsletter and follow us on Twitter. We’re at @citycast_dc.

Oct 20, 2022 • 18min
At Markoff's Haunted Forest, Someone Is Always Watching
It's spooky season, and our team went on a field trip to Markoff's Haunted Forest. Which we've learned is actually haunted? Paul Brubacher is head of operations for the haunt. He prepared us, and scared us some more, while telling us about the origins of the forest.You can sign up to visit the forest here.For more D.C. news, sign up for our sister newsletter Hey DC, which also publishes every morning.And leave us a voicemail with your D.C.-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations and we may make you podcast-famous!

Oct 19, 2022 • 16min
What Makes For An Iconic D.C. Jersey?
With both the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals debuting new throwback jerseys this season, it got us thinking about what makes those jerseys special. Mike Callow joins us to explain what makes a retro uniform truly iconic.Also, check the Mental Health In America Report here.Need to charge your electric vehicle? We've got you covered.Dig the show? We wanna hear from you! Send us an email at dc@citycast.fm.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

Oct 18, 2022 • 19min
Matt Frumin's Vision for Ward 3
Election season is here! To kick off our coverage, we sat down with Matt Frumin, the democratic candidate for Ward 3 council member, and he tells about his platform and what he could bring to the D.C. Council.For more information, you can check out his website here.Need to check your voter status too? For D.C. residents, head to this site to see if you’re good to go.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.

Oct 17, 2022 • 17min
The Secret History Of Gay Washington
The D.C. History Center just unveiled a new exhibit to celebrate LGBT History Month. But D.C’s queer community hasn’t always felt welcome here. Gay federal employees were forced to stay in the closet as recently as the 1990s. Author Jamie Kirchick is here to share history he uncovered for his book —Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington. Also, find your closest ballot drop box here.

Oct 14, 2022 • 22min
D.C. Public Safety Scandals, Plus Some Local Fall Adventure
In today’s news roundup, we’re joined by DCist’s Jenny Gathright to discuss the history of the D.C. Jail uprising and the jail’s current conditions, Michael Fanone’s new book, and where you can scratch that itch for fall activities around the area.As always, our Friday episode is fueled by some great local journalism: - Jenny Gathright’s piece about the D.C. Jail uprising and current conditions - Michael’s interview with Michael Fanone

Oct 13, 2022 • 15min
Meet D.C.'s Ramen King
Daikaya Owner Katsuya Fukushima knows D.C.’s food scene like few others. He’s led the way on a bunch of local food trends and launched some of the city’s most popular restaurants with Jose Andres. Now, as Daikaya nears the sale of its millionth bowl, he joins us to talk about the restaurant’s journey, and what trends we should look out for next. Want to win a free trip to Japan? Check out the Daikaya One Millionth Bowl Sweepstakes.And if you want to join Montgomery County’s Planning Board, apply here.For more prizes, news, and fun, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and 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.

Oct 12, 2022 • 15min
Why the Capitals Could Surprise Fans This Season
The Washington Capitals are one of D.C.’s most successful teams, and they start their 2022-23 campaign tonight. The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell joins the show to tell us who we should look out for, why we should cheer for the team, and if the Caps will get to hoist another Stanley Cup.

Oct 11, 2022 • 14min
What D.C. Could Learn From Tiny Home Communities
Eden Village is a complex of tiny homes that has helped mitigate homelessness in Missouri. But could it work in D.C.? As part of the 2022 Homeless Crisis Reporting Project, we’re joined by Street Sense reporter Hannah Loder to see if the District could adopt something similar.And here are the links promised in our news round up: Submit your best evil laugh to the DC Public Library’s annual contest.And check out more great journalism from the Homeless Crisis Reporting Project. And while you're puttering around the internet, sign up for our morning newsletter too!Plus, you've probably heard that we're collecting stories about random acts of kindness around the DMV. Share your story with us via email or leave us a voicemail at 202-642-2654.