

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

Sep 4, 2025 • 31min
DC’s Most Underrated Arts Scene
You might not think of D.C. as a city with a thriving literary scene, but it is. Not only is the world-renowned National Book Festival happening here this Saturday, September 6th, but according to writer Hannah Greico, D.C. also has a robust literary community. She’s here to give her best book and poetry recommendations from local authors.
If you enjoyed today's interview with Backroom's Founder, Ethan Downs, learn more here.
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.
If you enjoyed today's interview with Backroom's Founder, Ethan Downs, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 4th episode:
Nace Law Group
District Bridges
DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Mosaic Theater Company
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sep 3, 2025 • 26min
How Trump is Censoring the Smithsonian
The fate of the Smithsonian is one of the biggest DC storylines of the year. A lot has happened since the last time reporter Manuel Roig-Franzia joined us to talk about it. Today he’s getting into President Trump’s latest demands on Washington’s most prominent museums and when we’re likely to see what happens in response.
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 about the sponsors of this September 3rd episode:
Nace Law Group
District Bridges
DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Mosaic Theater Company
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Reach us at DC@citycast.fm.

Sep 2, 2025 • 35min
Your Guide to September 2025 in DC
There’s been a lot going on in the city lately, but we aren’t letting that keep us from enjoying this city we love. So from new restaurants with bugs to checking out subversive art while it’s still legal, here are our top picks for what to do in DC this September.
If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast community.
For even more tips on how to make the most of September in DC, check out Hey DC’s take on what to do this month.
If you enjoyed today's interview with District Bridges' Director of Storytelling and Marketing, Anna Claire, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 2nd episode:
Nace Law Group
District Bridges
DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Mosaic Theater Company
Food & Friends - Move For Meals
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Reach us at DC@citycast.fm.

Aug 29, 2025 • 31min
Trump's Death Penalty Push, Feds Take Union Station, and the Food Hall Fad
WAMU’s Alex Koma is here to talk about Trump, Bowser and the death penalty in DC, the federal government’s Union Station takeover, and the strange death of food halls. Plus, in a members-only fourth topic, we’re learning about the weird new AI private school in Virginia.
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 about the sponsors of this August 28th episode:
Overlook Maps
DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Wise
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Aug 28, 2025 • 22min
Must-Hear Jazz in DC
To mark the start of Jazz Fest, we’re re-airing a conversation our co-hosts Michael Schaffer and Bridget Todd had about earlier this summer, where they get into the history and present of jazz in DC and the best ways to experience it.
Learn more about the sponsors of this August 28th episode:
Overlook Maps
DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Wise
Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Aug 27, 2025 • 31min
Why Cashless Bail is Trump’s Latest DC Target
Earlier this week, President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at eliminating cashless bail in D.C. and requesting that officers bring people arrested in D.C. into federal custody. But what is cashless bail? And can he actually do this? WAMU’s Alex Koma is here to dig into it.
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 about the sponsors of this August 27th episode:
Overlook Maps
DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Wise
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Aug 26, 2025 • 29min
Trump's 'Beautify DC' is Displacing People. Where Do They Go?
President Trump is clearing homeless encampments as part of his plan to make DC "more beautiful”. But he’s not alone – Mayor Muriel Bowser has also cleared encampments in DC, most notably a big spate in March of this year. But what are the numbers, where are folks going, and are there enough shelters for them to go to? We talked with the Washington Post’s Marissa Lang to get the details.
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 about the sponsors of this August 26th episode:
Overlook Maps
DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Wise
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Aug 25, 2025 • 21min
Inside The New Policy That’s Completely Changing DC Schools
It is the first day of school for DCPS and also the start of a new bell-to-bell cell phone ban in schools — part of a trend around the country and around the city. One early adopter of the no-phones policy was Georgetown Day School in Tenleytown. Back in June we talked to their head of school, Russell Shaw, about why and what results they’ve seen because of it.
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 about the sponsors of this August 25th episode:
Overlook Maps
DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Aug 22, 2025 • 28min
Were DC's Crime Stats Faked? Plus, Ghost City & Your Love Letters To DC
The Washington Post’s Perry Stein joins us to talk about local D.C.’s response to the Trump law enforcement surge, the coming debate over crime stats, and we’re going to hear some of your love letters to DC. Plus, in a member’s-only fourth segment: What about that new Metro design?
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 about the sponsors of this August 22nd episode:
Overlook Maps
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Aug 21, 2025 • 23min
Are Dems Doing Enough to Fight For DC?
Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Congressman and passionate DC native, discusses his efforts to terminate Trump's controversial control over the police department. He highlights the urgent need for local governance and DC statehood amid federal overreach. Raskin critiques the misuse of emergency declarations and emphasizes the importance of active democracy. He shares insights on the historical and current challenges for DC residents, advocating for community mobilization to ensure their voices are heard in the political landscape.


