Washington City Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Grading the Oscars, from Black Panther to A Star Is Born Jan 25, 2019

Show notes

City Paper has a rotating cast of all-star film critics who review movies big and small in the paper and online. With the nominees for the 91st Academy Awards coming out this week, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to sit down with one of our critics and talk about some of the biggest movies of the year. Film critic and City Paper contributor Alan Zilberman chats with arts editor Matt Cohen about the nominees for Best Picture. And yes, they assign a letter grade to every film and fight about A Star Is Born.

Host Will Warren also talks about the latest news in D.C. politics, including Metro fare evasion and Michael A. Brown's potential return to politics.

Stories in this episode:

D.C. Council Overrides Mayor Muriel Bowser's Veto of Metro Fare Evasion Decriminalization

Back From Bribery?

Ask Us Your Burning Questions About D.C.

The Iranian Film Festival Enters Its 23rd Year With a Diverse Glimpse of Iran's Film Scene

Vote for Best of D.C. 2019 Music for this episode was by Lee Rosevere and Jahzzar used under the Creative Commons license.

Mayor Bowser Vetoes a Bill, the Shutdown Continues, and the Future of Langston Golf Course Jan 18, 2019

Show notes

This week on Washington City Podcast, contributor Fredora Kamara talks about the uncertain future of the historic black golf course Langston, which is facing a bidding war. She talks about its important role in American history and the D.C. community, and how it may change.

Host Will Warren also brings you the latest news from D.C., talking about the mayor's decision to veto a bill decriminalizing Metro fare evasion and the effects of the ongoing shutdown.

Stories in this episode:

Mayor Muriel Bowser Vetoes Bill to Decriminalize Metro Fare Evasion

The Furloughed Federal Employee's Guide to the 2019 Shutdown in D.C.

As Shutdown Stretches On, Despair and Anger Deepens Among Workers

A Historic Black Golf Course Faces Uncertainty as a Bidding War Over Its Future Begins

Music for this episode was by Lee Rosevere and Jahzzar used under the Creative Commons license.

Furlough Phone Line Jan 11, 2019

Show notes

Washington City Podcast opened its phone line for furloughed workers, contractors, and non-feds affected by the shutdown to call and complain. And they did. We hear from them in this episode, and also catch up on local news. Mitch Ryals talks about growing frustrations with Ward 4's Councilmember Brandon Todd, and host Will Warren talks about the ripple effect of the partial shutdown, as well as changes to the Council's committees.

You can still call the Furlough Phone Line: (202) 681-9756

Stories in this episode:

Frayed Ends

D.C.'s Taxi, Uber, and Lyft Drivers Suffer Severe Cutbacks in Pay During Shutdown

The Furloughed Federal Employee's Guide to the 2019 Shutdown in D.C.

New Year, New Committees

Frustrations With Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd Grow

Phone Sound Effects:

Voicemail beep

Hanging up phone

Picking up phone

Where to Eat in 2019, Plus Housing News and Our Fiction Issue Jan 04, 2019

Show notes

Happy New Year, D.C.!

We've spent some time reflecting on the past year, but we're also eagerly looking ahead to this one—at least when it comes to restaurants. Food Editor Laura Hayes wrote about 10 restaurants opening in 2019 that not only excite her, but come together to tell the story of dining in D.C. She joins host Will Warren to break down her list and talk about what we can expect from D.C.'s food scene this year. Spoiler alert: Small plates aren't going anywhere.

Warren also brings you news that you might have missed if you unplugged over the break. A judge appointed a receiver for a Brightwood Park apartment building, and we published an issue devoted to fiction of and about D.C. Listen to learn more!

Stories in this episode:

Judge Appoints Receiver for Brightwood Park Apartment Complex

After a Fire and a Flood, Brightwood Park Tenants Navigate Their New Reality

The Fiction Issue 2018

Open Tables: 10 Thrilling Restaurants Coming to D.C. in 2019

Hospital and Housing News, the Year in Photos, and the Sleigher Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

It's the most wonderful time of the year! The time when City Paper staffers and contributors grab a mug of hot cocoa, gather around the proverbial fire, and rip those who dare try their hands at performing festive tunes. Every year a few brave musicians succeed, and avoid our withering words. Most do not. Welcome to the Sleigher.

In this special podcast episode we lend our critical ears to William Shatner, Memphis Ukulele Band, Why Don't We, John Legend,and Ingrid Michaelson. Did we gain any new holiday standards? You'll have to listen to find out.

Host Will Warren also brings you the latest on the ever-evolving effort to build a hospital in Ward 8 and the first replacement shelter for DC General. Staff photographer Darrow Montgomery is also in the mix, talking about his year in photos.

Stories in this episode:

Confusion Turns to Compromise as the D.C. Council Moves Forward on the Construction of a New Hospital

Maintenance Issues Persist in Ward 4's Brand New Homeless Shelter

2018

William Shatner, "Jingle Bells"

Memphis Ukulele Band, "Mele Kalikimaka"

Mike Love, "Finally It's Christmas" (feat. Hanson)

Michael McDonald, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

John Legend, "Christmas Time Is Here"

Ingrid Michaelson, "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"

The Monkees, "Unwrap You At Christmas"

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, "Little Drummer Boy"

Telly Leung, "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

Jon Batiste and Danielle Brooks, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Engelbert Humperdinck, "A Christmas for the Family"

From Kris Kringle The Musical, "The Kringle Curse"

Initiative 77 Again, First Source, and Swimming Phenom Phoebe Bacon Dec 14, 2018

Show notes

This week on Washington City Podcast, Kelyn Soong brings us a story about a high school swimming phenom whose biography is, almost to a literary extent, intertwined with that of Olympian Katie Ledecky. Listen to Soong so that you know about Phoebe Bacon before she's a household name.

Host Will Warren also brings us the week's news, talking about surprising turn of events in the ongoing saga of Initiative 77 and criticisms of D.C.'s First Source law.

Stories in this episode:

Save Our Vote Campaign's 25,000 Signatures Are Moot Due to Technicality

D.C.'s Development Boom Exacerbates Frustrations With First Source Law

Swimming Phenom Phoebe Bacon Is Breaking a Former Schoolmate's Record

A New Chancellor, Our Guide to Giving, and a Health Care Saga Dec 07, 2018

Show notes

This week on Washington City Podcast, Mitch Ryals breaks down the saga that is the Ward 8 hospital. After a series of surprises and some legislative drama, George Washington University Hospital threatened to remove itself from negotiations to operate a new hospital in Ward 8. Loose Lips reporter Ryals explains why.

Host Will Warren also talks about the newly named chancellor of DC Public Schools, and our guide to shopping local this holiday season.

Stories in this episode:

Bowser Picks Indianapolis Superintendent to Lead DCPS

Buy D.C. 2018

George Washington University Hospital Walks Away From a Deal to Run a New Hospital in Ward 8

Wedding in the Archives, the Line Hotel, and Christina Sturdivant Sani Nov 30, 2018

Show notes

This week on the podcast, Christina Sturdivant Sani talks about the experience of being a black journalist in D.C. She wrote a cover story for Washington City Paper about her experience and the experiences of others black journalists who cover local news. Hear her talk about her story, which examines why in D.C., a city where 47 percent of residents are black, so many newsrooms are overwhelmingly white.

Host Will Warren also catches you up on local news, including a wedding at the National Archives and new details about the circumstances surrounding the Line Hotel's final occupancy certificate.

Stories in this episode:

Power Play Safety Issues May Have Delayed the Line's Final Occupancy Certificate The Reality of Being a Black Journalist Covering Local D.C. News

Strengthening Rent Control, Green-lighting Hospitals, and Tucking in with Michael Twitty Nov 21, 2018

Show notes

We're bringing you this week's episode early, just before Thanksgiving, because our guest, Michael Twitty, is a culinary historian. You can listen to him and creative director Stephanie Rudig talk about food and identity, growing up in D.C., and a memorable anti-Thanksgiving dinner in their wide-ranging conversation. Host Will Warren is also here to catch you up on the news. The Council is considering a deal that would clear the way for the George Washington University Hospital to operate a hospital in Ward 8 and expand in Foggy Bottom, and it unanimously passed a bill that, should it become law, would strengthen rent control.

Stories in this episode:

The D.C. Council Has a Deal to Put a New Hospital in Ward 8

Council Passes Watered-Down Measure to Strengthen Rent Control

The People Issue 2018

Music for this episode was by Lee Rosevere and Jahzzar, used under the Creative Commons license.

A Bevy of Bills, Mental Health in the Restaurant Industry, and Neal Henderson on Hockey Nov 16, 2018

Show notes

This week on Washington City Podcast, we look at a slew of bills the Council considered during a mammoth legislative day. The Council got into, among other things, Metro fare evasion, the statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual abuse, who gets to vote, and hedgehog ownership. Host Will Warren catches you up on all that before Food Editor Laura Hayes joins him to discuss her cover story on mental health in D.C.'s restaurant industry.

Later in the episode, Sports Editor Kelyn Soong interviews Neal Henderson. Henderson is the founder of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club and was a finalist for the NHL's prestigious community award this year. The pair talked about his life as a hockey coach and fan as a part of our annual People Issue.

Stories in this episode:

Jump the Metro Gate and You Might As Well Be Taking $2 Out of Councilmember Jack Evans' Wallet

Actually, Looks Like the D.C. Council May Not Give 16-Year-Olds the Right to Vote

D.C. Council Pushes Forward Bill to End Statute of Limitations for Prosecuting Sexual Abuse

D.C. Council Passes Controversial Home-Sharing Regulations

Sonic Had His Day at the Dais: D.C. Council Moves Toward Legalizing Pet Hedgehogs

Workers Staffing D.C.'s Restaurant Boom Seek Ways To Care For Their Mental Health

The People Issue 2018

Music for this episode was by Lee Rosevere and Jahzzar, used under the Creative Commons license.