City Cast DC

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.

Episodes

How DC Got Its Iconic Flag

July 15, 2025 • 24 mins
DC may not be a state, but I think we can all agree that it has an awesome flag. A couple years ago, we sat with a couple of the world’s top vexillologists — that’s flag experts — to talk about why the DC flag became so ubiquitous and why it works. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more abo...
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Can Sports Save DC’s Economy?

July 14, 2025 • 25 mins
The federal workforce may be in trouble, but Mayor Muriel Bowser is poised to replace it with a pivot to a sports economy. We sat down with two Washington Post reporters who have been covering the mayor’s efforts to build a new stadium — Meagan Flynn, who covers City Hall, and Sam Fortier, who writes for the sports section.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a ...
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SCOTUS Okays Layoffs and Trump Teases Takeover — But Hey, More Fireflies!

July 11, 2025 • 30 mins
WAMU’s Alex Koma is here to talk about the Supreme Court giving the greenlight to Trump’s mass firings of federal workers. Plus, the president is musing about taking over DC again. But it’s not all bad: There are more fireflies than ever! And in a member’s only fourth topic, we’re going to get into DC’s feelings about the Better Bus Network changes.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey ...
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Why Won’t DC Fix Its Inhumane Jail Conditions?

July 10, 2025 • 20 mins
The DC jail is in absolutely wretched shape — and has been for years. So why can’t anyone fix it? DC Auditor Kathy Patterson has just released a report about inhumane conditions at the facility, and it’s not even her first report on the topic. She’s here to walk us through what’s happening.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, fo...
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How a $1.5 Billion Development Could Change Anacostia Forever

July 9, 2025 • 17 mins
The Bridge District sounds like one of those buzzy, made-up neighborhoods that suddenly pop up on a map…and it kind of is! It’s a new $1.5 billion development along the Anacostia River in Southeast DC, with plans for seven buildings, more than 2,000 residential units, 90,000 square feet of retail, green space, and more. We sat down with Axios reporter Mimi Montgomery to break down what it means for the neighborhood — and for the pe...
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DC's Most Underrated Bars for Drinking Alone

July 8, 2025 • 25 mins
There’s something uniquely empowering about taking yourself out on a solo date. The City Cast team got together last year to figure out DC’s best places to drink alone, whether you’re in the mood for a craft cocktail or a sober-friendly mocktail. Places mentioned in this episode: Showtime Lounge Lyman’s Tavern Red Derby Last Call Bar Jackie Lee’s Bar Charley Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning ...
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What Next Week's Election Means for DC

July 7, 2025 • 29 mins
DC Council is already pondering whether to expel Ward 8 councilmember Trayon White again if he wins his seat back on July 15 special election. But in the meantime, the voters get a say, and they actually have a few candidates to choose from. WAMU’s Alex Koma is here to walk us through the state of the race.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-f...
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Is DC the Best Summer City in the US?

July 3, 2025 • 47 mins
Bridget Todd and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Boise, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country’s best farmers market,’ pickle festiv...
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Architectural Moments That Changed DC

July 2, 2025 • 19 mins
In DC, everything is political — even the buildings. One of Trump’s first moves back in office was saying federal buildings should follow “traditional” design styles. Meanwhile, there’s growing buzz about turning the city’s aging office buildings into housing. Public historian Neil Flanagan joins us to break down what these shifts mean for the architecture that shapes DC — and the politics behind it. Want some more DC news? Then m...
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Your Guide to July 2025 in DC

July 1, 2025 • 31 mins
Listen, we get it — when it’s this hot, staying inside with the A/C blasting feels like the only option. But don’t let the muggy weather keep you stuck at home. July in DC is packed with fun — indoors and out. City Cast DC’s Bridget Todd, Michael Schaffer, and Ashe Durban are here to guide you through it, from how to manage the Fourth of July to beating DC’s infamous July heat waves. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together...
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DC’s Craziest Political Scandals

June 30, 2025 • 32 mins
Voters in Ward 8 are about to decide whether to send Trayon White back to the DC Council — just months after he was indicted on bribery charges and expelled from the body. A re-election would elevate White’s case to the pantheon of DC political scandals. Which got us thinking: What are the other legendary scandals locals ought to know about? NBC4’s Mark Segraves has been covering city politics for years and is going to walk us down...
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Youth Curfew Controversy, Federal Agency Moves Out, and DC’s Worst Drivers

June 27, 2025 • 32 mins
We’re talking about DC’s controversial new curfew, the first federal cabinet agency moving out of town in the Trump era, and two very different crazy stories about misbehaving drivers. Plus, in a members-only fourth topic: the implications of The Washington Post’s Metro section merger. Axios’ Cuneyt Dil and City Cast’s Priyanka Tilve are here to get into what it means for the city. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up...
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When Being Gay Meant Losing Your Job in DC

June 26, 2025 • 19 mins
We’re at the end of the most tense and controversial Pride Month in years. Which makes it a good time to take another listen to our conversation with James Kirchick, the author of "Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington". Kirchick’s history paints a very different Washington — but one that has some pretty significant echoes in 2025.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Yo...
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Why More DC Men Are Getting Chin Implants

June 25, 2025 • 22 mins
Plastic surgery procedures are booming among Washington men. Some of DC’s most visible residents are getting procedures to emphasize strong jawlines and prominent chins. Journalist Joanna Weiss from Politico magazine is here to tell us about the Square Head phenomenon and how DC feels about plastic surgery. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-fr...
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How To Bargain Hunt at DC’s Estate Sales

June 24, 2025 • 28 mins
Looking for vintage, eclectic, and well-made clothes or furniture without breaking the bank? Estate sales might be your new favorite thing. Vic Yepez is a vintage collector and reseller who’s gone viral for her estate sale shoutouts around the DMV. She’s here to share everything you need to know to get in on the estate sale scene. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also bec...
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What Metro's Automation Means for You

June 23, 2025 • 24 mins
In the past few weeks, Metro has quietly switched to automatic driving. In other subway systems, this has happened without much drama. But in Metro, automatic driving has a fraught history. NBC4’s Adam Tuss has been covering the change and is here to explain what it means for passenger safety, transportation budgets — and the drivers themselves. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Y...
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Here's What 13 US Cities Are Talking About This Summer | A City Cast DC Special

June 20, 2025 • 61 mins
City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what’s happening in our communities. So Michael Schaffer and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode: Gala Theatre Nace Law Group B...
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Vinyl Bars Are DC’s Next Big Thing

June 18, 2025 • 20 mins
Vinyl Bars are popping off in DC. Like, bars where you go, have some cocktails, and the music you’re hearing isn’t from spotify algorithms — it’s from actual records. Journalist Claudia Rosenbaum has been visiting a ton of them, and she’s here to give us some recs. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month....
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What Trump's Failed Parade Means for Local DC

June 17, 2025 • 27 mins
Despite the administration’s hype, Trump’s military parade fell short of expectations. WAMU reporter Alex Koma was on the ground covering both the parade and the protests and he’s here to break down what actually went down in the streets and how it impacts the city.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a mont...
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How DC Wants to Spend Your Money

June 16, 2025 • 28 mins
DC’s city government needs to find a way to balance the budget — and plan for a future where tens of thousands of federal jobs might never come back. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposal is to make a bunch of big cuts — but also spend more on things like stadium projects that she thinks will boost the economy. As you can imagine, not everyone agrees with this. Her budget director, Jenny Reed, sat down with us to walk us through their thi...
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