Podcast
City Cast DC
Hosted by City Cast · EN
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.
66episodes
Episodes
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Inside Trump’s No-Bid Contract Turning the Reflecting Pool Blue
Yesterday00:28:55Tap to summarizeWhat’s going on with the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool? The blue paint is slowly covering the national landmark. But nearly every day there’s a story about new controversies over Donald Trump’s pet project. And a lot of those stories are written by David Fahrenthold, an investigative reporter for the New York Times. He’s here to give us a lay of the land. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 18th episode: Window Nation Signature Theatre DC Department of Behavioral Health DC Board of Elections Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Transcribe →'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer?
2d ago00:29:30Tap to summarizeWould DC be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, the city brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital? Mentioned on the show: "The deadliest road in America" (Vox) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
Transcribe →Lewis George Leads Mayor's Race, Trump's Dulles Plans Leak, and Facebook Marketplace Dinners
4d ago00:39:23Tap to summarizeWe’re talking about the state of the mayor’s race, the new plans for Dulles Airport, and all the great meals you can buy off Facebook Marketplace in DC. Really. Plus in a members-only fourth segment, the calendar just dropped for Pride — make that, Prides — and we’ll talk about how to get the most out of the festival in DC and elsewhere around the region. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 15th episode: Window Nation Arena Stage Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Transcribe →Randy Clarke Rips That Washington Post Editorial, His Favorite Metro Stop, and No New Metro Near RFK
5d ago00:37:51Tap to summarizeToday we're talking with Randy Clarke, the head of Metro and one of the most popular officials in D.C. Mike busted his chops about bus schedules, he busted Mike's chops about Metro’s budget, and they also managed to talk about the new Gold Line, his favorite Metro station, and that Washington Post editorial that has Metro fans fuming. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 14th episode: Window Nation Arena Stage Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Transcribe →Scandalous DC Cop Texts, Trump's $13 Million Pool Paint Job, Digging Into DC's Reality Show
6d ago00:34:51Tap to summarizeWe’re talking about a DC Police Scandal — but not the one you think! We’re talking about the latest twists in Donald Trump’s various schemes for the National Mall. And a new D.C. reality show. Plus in a member’s only fourth segment, the Trump administration’s odd campaign against a crucial source for DMV charities Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 13th episode: Window Nation Arena Stage Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Transcribe →The 111 Most Underrated Spots to Bring Kids in DC
1w ago00:24:58Tap to summarizeHey parents! Remember those early pandemic days when you were stuck inside with your kids, just trying to figure out how to keep them entertained? Austin Graff spent that time walking every single street in the District, all 136-plus neighborhoods, with his young daughter, using the city itself to teach her the alphabet. The result is his new book, 111 Places for Kids in Washington D.C. That You Must Not Miss. Austin joins us now to talk about hidden gems, favorite spots, and how you can have those same kinds of adventures right here in the city. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 12th episode: Window Nation Arena Stage Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Transcribe →Robert White Wants To Be Your New Warrior On The Hill
1w ago00:43:57Tap to summarizeWe’re chatting with DC Councilmember Robert White. He’s one of the candidates running for the job of DC’s nonvoting Congressional delegate. During our conversation, we got into how he’d work with a hostile Congress, why he doesn’t support youth curfews in DC, and just how he’d be different from the retiring delegate, his old boss Eleanor Holmes Norton. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 11th episode: Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Transcribe →'Your City Could Be Better': Philly's Bold Nightlife Experiment — Presented By City Cast DC
1w ago00:23:20Tap to summarizeWashingtonians, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number of tourists coming to town for World Cup games and semiquincentennial events, so the city is allowing its bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during most of June and July. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri about the city’s nightlife, and the pros and cons of this extended hours experiment. Plus, how to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary without feeling like you’re serving a Trump narrative. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
Transcribe →Crime Stats Scandal Rocks MPD, All About That Obama Musical, and National Mall Food Might Get Good?!
2w ago00:45:18Tap to summarizeHappy Friday. We’re talking about the fallout from the MPD’s scandal over manipulated crime data. We’re talking about the Obama musical that’s currently playing in town. And we’re talking about a change at the National Mall that DC can actually get behind. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment — which is actually free for everyone today, because it’s the LAST DAY of membership drive — we’ll talk about how and if the city can help local restaurants and retail survive the DMV’s grim economy. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 8th episode: TodayTix Window Nation Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Transcribe →Trump's Elite Golf Vision Could Kill Public Access at Hains Point
2w ago00:29:34Tap to summarizeDoes Donald Trump want to hijack a DC municipal golf course from the middle class and hand it over to the rich? That’s what critics of his plans for East Potomac Park say — and their suspicions got stronger last weekend, when new renderings emerged that show humble old Hains Point as an elite golf course — with no bike lane, playground, minigolf, or old men fishing, all the stuff that makes the place a part of DC life. The Washington Post’s Rick Maese has been covering the story. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. If you enjoyed today's interview with TodayTix's Head of North America, Kyle Sircus, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 7th episode: TodayTix Window Nation Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
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