Episodes

  • Do The Sounds of Your Philly Neighborhood Annoy You?

    Do The Sounds of Your Philly Neighborhood Annoy You?
    Jul 6 2026
    While all fireworks shows have ended, Philly is still a noisy place. Just listen to the El train rolling by, neighbors yelling at each other from across the street, and Mr. Softee’s jingle playing on a loop. But are there noises that make the city’s soundscape special? Host Trenae Nuri talks with executive producer Matt Katz and newsletter editor Siani Colón about which noises piss them off, which they love, and which ones they just have to live with. This episode originally aired on July 29, 2025. Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor. Sign up here. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Four Seasons Philadelphia Brooklyn Bowl Philly Philadelphia Union Arbor
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    26 mins
  • 'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Philly

    'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Philly
    Jul 3 2026
    See if your Philly knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of questions covering everything from The Declaration of Independence to the hottest college rivalries, and all 13 City Cast cities make an appearance. See how you stack up! Mentioned on the show: Trivia Mafia website and locations Alexandra Petri's US History: Important American Documents (I Made Up) Milwaukee's block of Frank Lloyd Wright - Atlas Obscura 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.
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    25 mins
  • Philly-Made Cocktails Worth Celebrating With

    Philly-Made Cocktails Worth Celebrating With
    Jul 2 2026
    Every celebration needs a beverage to pair with it. This weekend, as the city marks the semiquincentennial with fireworks, block parties, and parades, honor Philly’s part in the nation's history with a cocktail created here. Host Trenae Nuri runs through these beverages, the history behind them, and where to get them with food contributor Alisha Miranda. Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor: membership.citycast.fm Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Four Seasons Philadelphia Brooklyn Bowl Philly Philadelphia Union Arbor
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    38 mins
  • Your Guide to July 2026 in Philly

    Your Guide to July 2026 in Philly
    Jul 1 2026
    As America rings in its 250th anniversary on July 4, Philadelphia celebrates with free museum admission, concerts, and special events for the semiquincentennial. We also recommend celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Ben Franklin Bridge, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and a spaghetti-eating contest. In this episode, you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying Philly, plus lots of activity recommendations you won’t find elsewhere. And if you’re hungry for more food content, don’t miss Siani’s lists of the best barbecue spots, farmers markets, and restaurants for outdoor dining. For even more tips on how to make the most of July in Philly, check out our newsletter. City Cast Philly is made possible by our awesome sponsors, like Four Seasons Philadelphia, Brooklyn Bowl Philly, Philadelphia Union, and Arbor. We’re powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show and other perks. Find out more at membership.citycast.fm. Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise
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    43 mins
  • Can a Free July 4 Concert Keep You in Philly? Plus, Pension Loophole & SEPTA Housing

    Can a Free July 4 Concert Keep You in Philly? Plus, Pension Loophole & SEPTA Housing
    Jun 30 2026
    Are you sticking around for the semiquincentennial celebrations this weekend? Host Trenae Nuri, senior producer Abby Fritz, and Fae Ehsan, a board member of the urbanist group 5th Square Advocacy, make a list of pros and cons to help you decide. Plus, they discuss the couple in City Hall taking advantage of a retirement incentive — without retiring — and the neighborhoods that could get more housing near public transit. Our Tuesday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: Fourth of July travel: Best and worst times to travel in Philly region This Philly City Hall power couple stands to reap up to $750K by briefly retiring — then continuing to work for the city Philly has a new law to boost development around transit. Which neighborhoods will benefit? The Other Way Mayor Parker is Stepping Up for Transit Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor: membership.citycast.fm Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Four Seasons Philadelphia Brooklyn Bowl Philly Philadelphia Union Arbor
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    41 mins
  • Is 2026 the Safest Year in Philly’s History?

    Is 2026 the Safest Year in Philly’s History?
    Jun 29 2026
    Is 2026 the safest year in Philly’s history? If you look at homicide rates, it just might be. In 2025, we saw the fewest number of homicides since the 1960s. And through the first half of this year, the murder rate is down about 30 percent from even that historic low. What’s going on here? What story are these numbers telling us about crime in the city. And statistics aside, do people feel safe? Host Trenae Nuri talks with Mensah Dean, staff writer from the gun violence reporting newsroom, The Trace. Read Mensah’s reporting here. Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor: membership.citycast.fm Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Story Strolls Brooklyn Bowl Philly Fitler Club Philadelphia Union
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    34 mins
  • 'Your City Could Be Better': How Denver Is Fixing Its Sidewalks — Presented By City Cast Philly

    'Your City Could Be Better': How Denver Is Fixing Its Sidewalks — Presented By City Cast Philly
    Jun 28 2026
    Just how good are the sidewalks in Philadelphia? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and pedestrian safety is just the beginning. In Denver, voters approved a new fee a few years ago to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth, those repairs are finally underway. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about what drove this initiative, how it’s going, and who’s paying for it. And speaking of sidewalks, do bikes, scooters, and people playing music belong on public sidewalks? 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.
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    27 mins
  • FCC Targets 6abc, Philly Grades Our Politicians & Broad Street Goes Green

    FCC Targets 6abc, Philly Grades Our Politicians & Broad Street Goes Green
    Jun 26 2026
    For today’s Friday News Roundup, we’re talking about our city’s most popular and least popular politicians, why it seems like President Trump is trying to kick 6abc off the air, and South Broad Street’s recent glow-up. And stick around with host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz as they talk about summer deals, exclusively for our City Cast Philly Neighbors. Our Friday news roundups are powered by great local journalism: 6abc is warning viewers about the FCC taking away its TV license. Here’s what’s going on. Tell the FCC to Keep WPVI-TV on the Air! Josh Shapiro is most popular politician among Philadelphia residents — by a long shot Poll: Philadelphians feel safe and see a cleaner city under Mayor Parker — but schools remain a major concern Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts introduces South Broad Street’s green future Where To Watch Free Movies Outdoors This Summer Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor: membership.citycast.fm Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: ArtPhilly Fitler Club Philadelphia Union Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise
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    34 mins