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City Cast DC

City Cast
Washington, DC
Washington D.C.
Washington DC
Washington Post
Donald Trump
Public Safety
Trump Administration
Washington, D.C.
Ranked Choice Voting
Muriel Bowser
Kennedy Center
ICE
Affordable Housing
Community Engagement
Violence Prevention
Cocktails
Potomac River
Baltimore
Housing
Waymo

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 hav... more

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Artwork for City Cast DC

Latest Episodes

We’re talking about the fallout, so far, a day after DC’s earthquake of a mayoral election. We’re talking about the reaction from DC’s business community, which was petrified about the idea of a socialist winning. And we’re talking about the best of ... more

It was a very big night for DC’s left. With a little under two-thirds of the vote counted, Janeese Lewis George is up big over Kenyan McDuffie in first-choice votes for the Democratic mayoral election. Her fellow democratic socialists are leading a c... more

Today is the first DC election under ranked-choice voting. And anyone who thought “instant runoff” meant immediate results is in for a nasty surprise: The city says it may be 10 days before they announce results. We're talking with Lisa Rice, one of ... more

DC is facing a double-barreled housing crisis where nothing is getting built. No one is building regular houses apartments because of the grim DMV economy. And no one is building subsidized “affordable” housing because epidemic rent nonpayment makes ... more

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Recent Guests

Lisa Rice
A leader behind DC's ranked choice voting referendum
DC elects/board of elections liaison
Episode: What You Need to Know About Ranked Choice Voting Election Delays
Emma Uber
City Cast reporter joining the discussion
City Cast DC
Episode: DC's 10-Day Election Scenario, World Cup Specials Hit DC, and UFC Chaos at the White House
Richard Hahn
Researcher from the Niskanen Center
Niskanen Center
Episode: A New Study Says DC’s National Guard Surge Did Not Reduce Violent Crime
Jesse Merrick
City Cast Las Vegas host
City Cast Las Vegas
Episode: 'Your City Could Be Better': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast DC
Gary Thompson
Chair of DC's Board of Elections
DC Board of Elections
Episode: One Ballot, Five Choices: A Guide to DC's Ranked Choice Voting {Sponsored}
Jeanette Dill
Axios journalist
Axios
Episode: Mayoral Race Showdown, What’s Happening at the Rock Creek Tennis Center, and Three Great New Bars
Kinney Zalesne
Candidate for DC delegate with national and local experience
Candidate for DC Delegate, former Microsoft strategy lead, former White House counsel
Episode: Kinney Zalesne Makes her Case Over White and Pinto
Kelsye Adams
U Street Main Street Manager at District Bridges
District Bridges
Episode: Your Guide to June 2026 in DC
Annie Reiss
Executive Producer of City Cast
City Cast DC
Episode: Feds Face Trump NDAs, DC's World Cup Watch Parties, and Scripps Spelling Bee Dreams

Hosts

Michael Schaffer
Host of City Cast DC; City Cast DC anchor with focus on local policy, governance, and civic life
Bridget Todd
Co-host of City Cast DC; lead on DC neighborhoods, culture, and public-facing storytelling

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 318 ratings
  • Bias problems

    I started trying out City Cast DC earlier this year and most of the coverage is great and interesting. But a pretty big issue is the local criminal justice coverage because the host seems to be pushing his own agenda rather than approaching it like a reporter. It reflects a lack of knowledge on an important issue area. It also makes for some very uncomfortable statements and is a disservice to listeners.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Maya from DC
    United States3 months ago
  • You might also like …

    I want to support this fledgling outlet for D.C. news, but my subscription is hanging by a thread. Nearly every day, I find another, totally unrelated iHeartRadio podcast downloaded onto my phone under the title “You Might Also Like …”

    I won’t, and I don’t. Some of these podcast episodes are more than 1.5 hours long. If this keeps happening, I’ll have to dump my subscription.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    YouWontAlsoLike117
    United States3 months ago
  • What the Post should be

    Good local coverage. Knowledgeable guests. One request only: reintroduce your guests at the end of the show. It’s helpful. Keep it up.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    abuasher
    United States6 months ago
  • My Podcast Source for DC News

    Solid coverage of DC politics, albeit a little more establishment-friendly (plus other coverage of what’s going on events- and development-wise in town). It’s definitely gotten better in the past year and topics are usually good- I’d say I find something to listen to 3-4 times a week (out of 5 episodes a week)

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    JPG4285
    United States8 months ago
  • Best DC Podcast

    Love love love!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    trummy97
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise deep local coverage and clear host dynamics.
Audience values informative, data-driven DC-focused storytelling.
Some critique editorial bias on crime coverage and pacing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#58
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#197
Chile/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Plummeting Rents Could Kill DC’s Housing
Q: What would you say about the idea that bureaucracy and zoning are the main barriers versus just market demand?
While zoning and regulatory hurdles contribute to higher costs, the current downturn in rents signals that macroeconomic shifts and the lack of new construction are driving affordability issues, so solutions must address both policy and market dynamics.
Why Plummeting Rents Could Kill DC’s Housing
Q: So you mentioned there's things that the city could do. What are those things?
Emilia Calma suggests making it easier to build through zoning reform, allowing missing middle housing like condos and duplexes, and reducing restrictions such as height limits, parking minimums, and certain environmental or labor requirements to stimulate supply.
What You Need to Know About Ranked Choice Voting Election Delays
Q: What's it been like educating the public about ranked choice voting and its mechanics?
It's been a year-long, immersive effort across diverse community spaces to demonstrate ranking and how ballots will be counted, with several hands-on examples like mock ballots and rank-the-block events.
DC’s Best (and Most Underrated) Breakfast Sandwiches
Q: Do you think DC's food scene naturally leans international?
Yes, Carman expected and embraced the immigrant-owned depth of DC's dining and found that diversity significantly shaped the top 10, reflecting a broad and vibrant palate across neighborhoods.
DC’s Best (and Most Underrated) Breakfast Sandwiches
Q: What makes the top pick stand out among the rest?
The za'atar-coated croissant with regional spice blend, smoky peppers, and a sunny-side egg creates a striking, multi-layered contrast that Carman felt was both innovative and uniquely DC in its cultural mashup.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About City Cast DC

What is City Cast DC about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A daily local show focused on Washington, DC, blending policy, politics, neighborhood life, and cultural happenings with a practical, in-the-weeds approach. Episodes often pair host commentary with expert guests on governance, elections, public safety, and urban issues, then pivot to actionable takeaways like voter information, event planning, and city services. It stands out for rapid-fire interviews with policymakers, journalists, and community voices, plus a healthy mix of travel, dining, and local lifestyle content anchored in the DC area. Expect energetic, conversational hosts who push for clarity on complex topics while spotlighting under-the-radar community stories and timely civic information.

Where can I find podcast stats for City Cast DC?

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How many listeners does City Cast DC get?

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What are the audience demographics for City Cast DC?

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How many subscribers and views does City Cast DC have?

To see how many followers or subscribers City Cast DC has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to City Cast DC?

These podcasts share a similar audience with City Cast DC:

1. The Daily
2. The NPR Politics Podcast
3. Up First from NPR
4. Political Gabfest
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of City Cast DC are there?

City Cast DC launched 4 years ago and published 990 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact City Cast DC?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for City Cast DC?

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What guests have appeared on City Cast DC?

Recent guests on City Cast DC include:

1. Lisa Rice
2. Emma Uber
3. Richard Hahn
4. Jesse Merrick
5. Gary Thompson
6. Jeanette Dill
7. Kinney Zalesne
8. Kelsye Adams

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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