City Cast Portland
City Cast Portland captures the one-of-a-kind creative spirit of this place and tackles who we are and where we’re going — from big deals, like equity and livability, to tiny delights, like the city's most wonderful doughnut. Our home is teeming with creativity and controversy, natural beauty and impossibly good food and drink. Host Claudia Meza is so over the notion that ‘Portland is over.’ On the show, she’ll revive your civic pride and stir you to help create local change — through conversations with neighbors, newsmakers, artists and entrepreneurs about our ever-changing city.
Episodes
July 18, 2025 • 37 mins
The socialist caucus at Portland City Council may be shaping the future of the city. The city is also seeking to expel ICE from the South Waterfront. We also looked at the Portland Parks & Recreation director’s resignation, the new WNBA team, and shady towing practices. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and senior producer Giulia Fiaoni.
Discussed in Tod...
Mark as Played
July 17, 2025 • 31 mins
Portland has plenty of options when it comes to breakfast. You can pick up some pastries at an award-winning bakery or stand in line for brunch in just about every neighborhood. But what about breakfast sandwiches? Today on City Cast Portland, host Claudia Meza joins producers John Notarianni, Giulia Fiaoni, and you, our listeners, to talk about Portland's best breakfast sandwiches – from the tastiest sauce to the ultimate hangover...
Mark as Played
July 16, 2025 • 22 mins
Oregon has no shortage of waterfalls, towering trees, and postcard-worthy views. But seasoned adventurers know there’s a whole other side to the outdoors that you won't find on normal trail maps. We’re talking about abandoned classic cars, forgotten train tunnels, and unconventional campsites. Today on City Cast Portland, Norther Emily from Wild Solitude Guiding is sharing some of the strange and surprising things you can find off ...
Mark as Played
July 15, 2025 • 18 mins
Oregon saw the worst wildfire season on record last year, and estimates show that 2025 could be at least as bad. Fighting wildfires takes a ton of resources, which can put additional strain on fire and rescue workers here in the city. Today on City Cast Portland, Portland Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Chris Barney is here to walk us through how the city is getting ready for fire season, including how they prepare for fire risks in F...
Mark as Played
July 14, 2025 • 34 mins
Last week, we saw headlines that Portland has the largest share of people aged 35-49 of any major city in the country. Considering so many of us grew up along with the internet, it kind of makes sense why Portland generates so much meme-worthy news, from exploding whales to cement milkshakes. Today, we're revisiting our team's conversation breaking down some of our city and state’s most memorable viral moments.
This conversation ...
Mark as Played
July 11, 2025 • 32 mins
This week, Oregon High School students sought a ban on transgender athletes via a federal lawsuit. Trump’s “border czar” threatened to crack down on Portland. And we looked at the flurry of housing bills that made it through our legislative session. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are Oregonian courts reporter Zane Sparling and executive producer John Notarianni.
Discussed in Today's Episode:
Ore...
Mark as Played
July 10, 2025 • 37 mins
Today we're talking with Portland Monthly's associate editor of food and drink, Alex Frane, to give us a rundown on what we've been missing out on in Southwest Portland. We’re talking through some of the best spots to check out, so that you’re able to eat through your entire day without leaving the area.
Mentioned in today's episode:
Jen's Pastries
Mother's Bistro
Stretch the Noodle
Duck House Chinese Restaurant
So...
Mark as Played
July 9, 2025 • 22 mins
Last month, the Oregon Legislature failed to pass House Bill 2025, the largest and most comprehensive transportation bill in nearly a decade. Today on the midweek news roundup, executive producer John Notarianni and host Claudia Meza look at the consequences of the bill's failure. Plus, they're digging into the mailbag and hearing from you, our listeners!
Discussed in today's episode:
Oregon Lawmakers Failed To Find Billions ...
Mark as Played
July 8, 2025 • 24 mins
Everyone knows about the looming threats of “The Big One” and the ongoing danger of wildfires across our state. But recently, another potential local natural disaster has emerged in the headlines: Portland is sinking. But should we be worried? Today, science journalist Erin Ross is joining us to discuss why our city is sinking and how concerned we should be.
Mentioned in today's episode:
Land Subsidence Risk to Infrastructure ...
Mark as Played
July 7, 2025 • 25 mins
Countless varieties of fruits and vegetables are hitting farmers markets and grocery stores over the next few months, but just because they're local, that doesn't mean we love them all. Today, Bryan Vance of Stumptown Savings is here to debate the best and worst of Oregon's summer produce. Plus, he's got plenty of tips on when to find local fruits and vegetables at peak season.
Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all ...
Mark as Played
July 3, 2025 • 47 mins
Claudia Meza and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Boise, Chicago, DC, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, 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 festivals to ...
Mark as Played
July 2, 2025 • 25 mins
Oregon's wine industry has been juggling several challenges recently: Sales are down, tariffs are looming, and immigration crackdowns have rattled vineyard workers — all while wildfire season creeps closer. And yet the Willamette Valley was just named the best wine destination in the world. Today, Portland Business Journal reporter Pete Danko helps us make sense of just what's going on with the Oregon wine industry right now.
Beco...
Mark as Played
July 1, 2025 • 33 mins
Whether you’re chasing thrills on a whitewater raft or jamming to lunch-hour bluegrass, July is bursting with can’t-miss festivals and outdoor adventures. City Cast Portland has handpicked the absolute best of the month’s food, entertainment, and community happenings to help you narrow down your plans to this month’s must-dos — like floating up to a riverside bar by kayak
Plus, a bonus suggestion from our episode archive: Queer Ra...
Mark as Played
June 30, 2025 • 19 mins
Today, we’re revisiting a conversation with Noa Rubin, a community organizer for the paddle-boarding group SUP PDX. Noa has also been kayaking and paddling on the Willamette for over 13 years. She’s here to share tips for the best routes and how to stay safe out on the river.
This episode originally aired on August 8, 2023
Routes discussed in today’s episode:
George Rogers Park
Ross Island Loop
Willamette Narrows
Wil...
Mark as Played
June 27, 2025 • 40 mins
The city is changing the way it permits and regulates our street trees, the results of the Boeing door plug investigation are in, and the future of the Preschool for All tax is in question. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are senior producer Giulia Fiaoni and KBOO news director Althea Billings.
Discussed in Today's Episode:
Lawmakers’ Ambush of Preschool for All Gives Kotek a Nuclear Option [Willa...
Mark as Played
June 26, 2025 • 28 mins
Portland is a vegan food haven, with all sorts of vegan-only spots as well as omnivore restaurants with plenty of vegan options. Today, vegan food enthusiast Sara Bahmanyar is sharing her picks of the best spots in town for an easy communal eating experience to satisfy vegans and meat eaters alike.
Mentioned in today's episode:
Wajan
Chelo
Rangoon Bistro
Thai Hot Pot Heaven
The Uncanny
Obon Shokudo
Kate’s ...
Mark as Played
June 25, 2025 • 33 mins
The potential name for Portland’s new WNBA team is already stirring up controversy, and the state has a new plan to pay for wildfire prevention as fire season kicks off early. Senior producer Giulia Fiaoni joins executive producer John Notarianni for the midweek news roundup.
Discussed in today's episode:
Portland’s WNBA Owners Had One Job: Don’t Name the Team After the Disaster Destroying Our State [Oregonian]
Oregon Wil...
Mark as Played
June 24, 2025 • 26 mins
With organized bike rides happening every day throughout the summer, one could feel a little left out if they don’t have a bicycle. But how do you choose? How much should you be prepared to spend? And how the heck do you find one that fits? Today on City Cast Portland we’re revisiting a conversation with cycling expert Leah Benson. As the former owner of the dearly-missed Gladys Bikes on Alberta Street, she’s helped hundreds of Por...
Mark as Played
June 23, 2025 • 26 mins
"Tilt," the debut novel by Portland writer Emma Pattee imagines the aftermath of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. As a journalist, Pattee has reported on the danger that Portland schools' unreinforced masonry buildings pose during an earthquake. Today, we're talking with Pattee about the book, the real science behind it, and how she still finds joy living in Portland while acknowledging the threat.
Become a member of City C...
Mark as Played
June 20, 2025 • 61 mins
City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what’s happening in our communities. So Claudia Meza 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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbe...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus