

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

Jun 22, 2023 • 24min
Which D.C. Airport Should You Use Most?
Washington is the rare city where locals have three airports to choose from. And even if you’re aiming to buy tickets just based on price, it’s not always that simple to figure out what works best. Scott Keyes, the founder of Going — formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights — is here to walk us through the secret strategies of Dulles, National, and BWI.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 HEREWe’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 202-642-2654.

Jun 21, 2023 • 18min
GRRRR! Kicking Off DCPL’s Dino Roar Contest
The DC public library is officially kicking off its annual dinosaur roar competition. In the past, the contest has been so popular it’s gone global, and the children’s librarian behind the whole thing, Elaine Pelton, explains what that says about our city, and how you can join the competition. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can subscribe by just texting “DC” to 66866.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jun 20, 2023 • 19min
A Guide to D.C.’s Summer Festivals
Today we’re all about festivals — summer in D.C. is full of them, and Nicole Schaller from District Fray is here to tell you which ones to hit, which to skip, and how to get the most out of them.This is the final episode of our Summer Entertainment Guide, presented by Clyde’s Restaurant Group, where we help you make sense of summer’s overwhelming options for how to spend your days. Check out the other two episodes here:
D.C.’s Best Outdoor Movie Screenings
Why You Need to Visit Anacostia Park
Listen to our episode covering the failings of D.C’s 911 system. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.The official summer guide may be over, but our newsletter editor Kaela is always putting together content like this in our newsletter. Subscribe by texting DC to 66866.

Jun 16, 2023 • 27min
More Flights at DCA? Plus, Ruby Corado's Dramatic Fall and Juneteenth Plans
There’s a big fight going on over adding more flights to DCA — which side should you be on? Plus, Britt Peterson is here to talk about her Washingtonian expose about the scandal that brought down Casa Ruby, a once-celebrated refuge for Trans kids in D.C. And City Cast DC’s Priyanka Tilve is here with some Juneteenth events you gotta attend.Check out these stories that fueled our episode:
Cuneyt Dil from Axios has the latest on the DCA fight.
Britt’s piece about Casa Ruby is a must-read.
Subscribe to our newsletter Hey DC for event suggestions! Just text “DC” to 66866.
Also, here’s your DC Life Hack: You can get free access to the NYTimes and Washington Post through the DCPL website. All. you need is a library card. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jun 15, 2023 • 23min
D.C.’s Path to Statehood
The fight for statehood has been a longstanding wish for residents of the District. Will D.C. get it? Who is against it? And what would it look like if the District got it? D.C. broadcast legend Kojo Nnamdi gives us his perspective on what D.C. statehood could look like if it’s granted.This episode won a Dateline Award, from the Society of Professional Journalists. It was one of three awards we won from the organization this week. Thank you for your continued support!Subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey DC for more hot takes from our D.C.-loving team. All you have to do is text “DC” to 66866.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.

Jun 14, 2023 • 19min
What To Do When the Snakes Come Out
D.C. is in prime season for snake sightings. That might sound a little scary for some, but local wildlife educator Caroline Seitz says they're more afraid of us than we are of them. Her love for the scaly, slithery creatures is infectious, and she explains what to do when you see one.Text “DC” to 66866 to subscribe to our newsletter Hey DC. Our editor Kaela has a brilliantly curated list of news, events, and cool features every weekday morning.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jun 13, 2023 • 16min
Why You Need to Visit Anacostia Park
D.C. has one of the most dynamic parks around. It’s bigger than NYC’s Central Park, and you can roller skate, go boating, or even take a class. Richard Trent is the Executive Director of Friends of Anacostia Park and he tells us what it has to offer.This episode is part of our Summer Entertainment Guide series, presented by Clyde’s Restaurant Group. We’ve also got guide content in our newsletter. Be sure to subscribe here, or by texting “DC” to 66866. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREWe’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc

Jun 12, 2023 • 13min
The Future of Dave Thomas Circle
Did you know that Dave Thomas Circle — that weird, notoriously chaotic triangle-shaped block out in Northeast where there used to be a Wendy’s — was never actually officially designated Dave Thomas Circle? Now there’s a plan to give it a new name and redesign the space. Maura Brophy runs the NoMa Business Improvement District and she tells us what‘s in store for the space.Got a name you think would work? Submit it here.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. 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 202-642-2654.

Jun 9, 2023 • 24min
Suffocating Smog, Congress Attacks D.C. Elections, and Local Pride History
It’s hazy out there! We chat about what to do about the Canadian smoke spreading across D.C. Plus, Congress has some thoughts on voting rules in the District. And of course, it’s pride month, and CCDC contributor Dan Reed has been reading up on that month’s local history. As always, our Friday episode is fueled by local journalism:
Capital Weather Gang is all over the haze and smoke status around the city.
WAMU’s got you covered on what went down with Congress.
Check out all the local Pride events in the city.
We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text “DC” to 66866 to subscribe.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jun 8, 2023 • 26min
D.C.-Made Beers You Have to Try
D.C.’s craft brewery scene is young, but prolific. There are 16 craft breweries in the city, and it’s home to the largest percentage of Black beer brands in the U.S. So where should you start with your tastings? Kim Bender, the CEO of Heurich House and Executive Director of the D.C. Brewers Guild is here with recs. Plus, we’ve got a room full of beer lovers with us at this live taping at Right Proper’s Brookland location.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card.For more D.C. news, be sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can even just do it over messaging! Text "DC" to 66866 to subscribe.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.


