Best Council of the District of Columbia Podcasts (2025)

1
Zachary Parker Talks Budget Standoff, Committee Chairmanship, and Youth Rehabilitation 28:43

26d ago28:43

28:43

In the latest Hearing the Council video interview, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker discusses the District government's ongoing budget standoff. He talks about the importance of avoiding a perilous mid-year, $1 billion cut to our previously-approved balanced budget for the ongoing fiscal year. He also discusses his new responsibilities as a comm…

1
Matthew Frumin Talks DC Fighting Back, Becoming a Committee Chair, and the Challenge of Homelessness 43:14

1M ago43:14

43:14

In his latest Hearing the Council interview, Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin discusses how DC residents and civil society came together to combat the unexpected mid-year budget cut recently faced by the District. Plus, he provides insight into the benefits and challenges of becoming a Council committee chair. Specifically, he outlines his new c…

1
Robert White Discusses 2025 Priorities, Housing, Vocational Education & What Can Bring Us Together 36:57

2M ago36:57

36:57

In our latest Hearing the Council interview, we chat with At-Large Councilmember Robert White about the complicated moment we are all living through currently, plus his policy priorities for 2025. We talk about challenges facing both housing development and affordability, including the dry pipeline of future multifamily housing permits in the Distr…

1
Brianne Nadeau Talks About Her Bottle Deposit Bill and Her Neighborhood Management Entities Bill 39:00

3M ago39:00

39:00

In the first Hearing the Council interview of 2025, Ward One Councilmember Brianne Nadeau discusses two of her initial legislative priorities for the New Year: her soon-to-be-introduced bottle deposit and Neighborhood Management Entities bills.Councilmember Nadeau discusses how the bottle (and can) deposit bill would aim to greatly reduce the amoun…

1
Charles Allen Talks Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility 37:32

6M ago37:32

37:32

In the latest Hearing the Council podcast interview, Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen discusses his landmark STEER (Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility) Act, which was recently passed by the Council with key elements having become effective on October 1. The bill is the latest demonstration of the Council's ongoing …

1
Christina Henderson Talks Home Health Aides, the STEER Act, and Decreased Opioid Deaths 36:24

6M ago36:24

36:24

In our latest Hearing the Council interview, At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson discusses three key policy areas. First, we update our prior conversation on the opioid crisis in the District with the welcome news that opioid deaths are now on the decline. Second, we discuss how her Certified Nurse Aide Amendment Act, recently passed by the …

1
Zachary Parker Talks Rhode Island Avenue Development and Budget Wins 34:49

8M ago34:49

34:49

In our latest Hearing the Council interview, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker takes a deep dive into development on Rhode Island Avenue. We discuss how a now-funded economic development study of the crucial corridor will build upon the avenue's existing strengths and help it better meet its current untapped potential, all while respecting and pr…

1
Brianne Nadeau Talks 17th and U Street Redevelopment 43:23

9M ago43:23

43:23

In our latest #HearingTheCouncil interview, Ward One Councilmember Brianne Nadeau talks about the much-discussed redevelopment at the 17th/U intersection. A compromise rezoning--less than what was initially proposed, but more than critics hoped for--recently received its first approval. We talk impacts on affordable housing, the police and fire dep…

1
Phil Mendelson Talks Budget Battles Behind the Scenes 42:50

9M ago42:50

42:50

In a July 1 interview, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson talks about this year's quirky budget process: the mayor's blown budget deadline, the stumbling block created by the Chief Financial Officer but ultimately resolved by the Council, and how even the Attorney General got involved this time around. Plus, the elaborate interplay between these four …

1
Matthew Frumin Talks Out-of-School Time and How to Budget for Schools 43:35

10M ago43:35

43:35

In his latest Hearing the Council video interview, Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin emphasizes the importance of out-of-school time to District youth. He discusses the legislation he introduced on the topic, its prognosis, and how even just the increased attention he has brought to the topic has moved the needle administratively. We also talk ab…

1
Robert White Talks Public Safety via Vocational Education, Youth Mentorship, and Truancy Reduction 30:41

1y ago30:41

30:41

In his latest Hearing the Council video interview, At-Large Councilmember Robert White discusses three youth crime prevention bills he recently introduced: his Vocational Education for a New Generation Act, his Youth Mentorship through Community Engagement Act, and his Truancy Reduction for Student Success Act. Through analysis of vocational educat…

1
Zachary Parker Talks “Water is Life,” Youth Fair Wages, and Environmental Justice 32:38

1y ago32:38

32:38

In his latest Hearing the Council video interview, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker discusses three bills he introduced. His “Water is Life” bill would prevent residential water service shutoffs for nonpayment and facilitate access by tenants to programs meant to help avoiding such shutoffs. His Pay Our Youth a Fair Wage bill would increase wage…

1
Charles Allen Talks Healthy Homes and Electric Vehicles 31:35

1y ago31:35

31:35

In his latest Hearing the Council video interview, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen discusses three critical environmental measures his committee has recently tackled: Healthy Homes, e-bike incentives, and electric vehicles. In each case, he discusses how he brought an equity lens to broaden voluntary environmental incentives (not requirements!) …

1
Christina Henderson Talks Opioids as a Public Health Crisis, Giving SNAP a Raise & Free School Lunch 39:02

1+ y ago39:02

39:02

In her latest Hearing the Council video interview, At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson talked about three policy areas close to her heart. First, we discussed her "Sense of the Council" bill encouraging the Mayor to declare the opioid crisis in the District (and its resultant 400 deaths a year) a public health emergency. Second, we talked ab…

1
Matthew Frumin Talks Ward Three for All 47:04

1+ y ago47:04

47:04

In his sophomore Hearing the Council interview, Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin discusses his signature "Ward 3 for All" initiative. Ward Three has a reputation as a land of plenty, but Councilmember Frumin discusses how he plans to make it more welcoming to all the District's residents. From affordable housing and neighborhood schools to acces…

1
Anita Bonds Talks Return to Office and Work from Home 40:13

1+ y ago40:13

40:13

In her latest "Hearing the Council" interview, At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds discusses the essential role the return-to-office movement plays in reinvigorating the District's downtown and to keeping our local budget balanced.In advance of a committee hearing on the topic, we discuss the stark economic realities that underlie the need for an ac…

1
Charles Allen Talks DC's Many Mobility Options, Plus the Fight for Vision Zero 39:58

1+ y ago39:58

39:58

In his latest Hearing the Council interview, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen discusses two complementary topics: the rich canvas of mobility options available to District residents, and the fight to avoid fatalities among the participants in this system (Vision Zero).From walking to the bus, and scooters to rental cargo bikes, District residents…

1
Zachary Parker Talks Tax Credits for Kids/Families, School Safety, & Firearm Industry Controls 36:12

1+ y ago36:12

36:12

In his latest Hearing the Council interview, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker talks about the return of Ward 5 Day, plus the status and prognosis of four bills he introduced: the District Child Tax Credit Act, Financial Support for Families with Children Act, School Safety Enhancement Act, and the Establishment of Reasonable Controls for the Fir…

1
Brianne Nadeau Talks Investigating Sexual Harassment, Boosting Public Safety 40:36

1+ y ago40:36

40:36

In her latest Hearing the Council interview, Ward One Councilmember Brianne Nadeau tackles two topics that are fresh from recent headlines: the investigation of sexual harassment in the executive branch, and public safety in the District. She discusses Council legislation to ensure not just that prominent recent sexual harassment claims are investi…

1
Phil Mendelson Talks Budget 45:07

2y ago45:07

45:07

In the latest Hearing the Council video interview (from April 21), Chairman Phil Mendelson takes a deep dive into the current year's budget. From the "Incomplete" grade possibly earned by some parts of the Mayor's budget submission this year to the complicated triangular relationship between the Council, the Mayor, and the Chief Financial Officer, …

1
Brianne Nadeau Talks Public Works/Operations Committee Priorities, Parking Enforcement, and Vending 35:11

2y ago35:11

35:11

In her record tenth Hearing the Council interview, Ward One Councilmember Brianne Nadeau talks about the priorities and expansive jurisdiction of her new Committee on Public Works and Operations (which includes contracting, human rights, half of the prior Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, and more). We delve into parking enforcement (g…

1
Robert White Talks Housing Committee Priorities 39:47

2y ago39:47

39:47

In this Hearing the Council interview, we sat down with At-Large Councilmember Robert White to discuss his new committee chairmanship, with the Committee on Housing. For the first time in several years, both housing and homelessness are under the jurisdiction of the same committee, so we discuss the recent clearing of an encampment at McPherson Squ…

1
Christina Henderson Talks Out-of-School Time 34:05

2y ago34:05

34:05

In this latest Hearing the Council interview, we sat down with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson to discuss the critical topic of out-of-school time (OST) for our youth. We covered the topic of extended recreation center hours, the new summer camp signup lottery (goodbye, Ticketmaster-style Hunger Games!), how increased youth recreational …

1
Charles Allen Talks Transportation and the Environment 33:03

2y ago33:03

33:03

In this Hearing the Council interview, we discuss Transportation and the Environment with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen. On January 2 of this year, Councilmember Allen took the helm of the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Environment. We chat about his legislative priorities for his new committee, how the popular free DC bus bill …

1
Getting to Know Zachary Parker 34:28

2y ago34:28

34:28

In this episode of Hearing the Council, we get to know Ward 5's Zachary Parker. We appreciate him taking time out of his first three weeks in office to sit for an interview!We:- Learned how his brothers' economic and health struggles inform his perspective on policy - Discussed just how often people accidentally swap out his name with perennial bot…

1
Getting to Know Matthew Frumin 41:48

2+ y ago41:48

41:48

In this Hearing the Council episode, we get to know Ward 3's Matthew Frumin. Councilmember sat for his first interview just eight days after being sworn into office--a Hearing the Council record!We discuss:- How he dodged COVID through an entire campaign, but how it caught up with him at the last moment and nearly made him miss his swearing-in- His…

1
Janeese Lewis George Talks Green New Deal for Housing 34:59

2+ y ago34:59

34:59

In this Hearing the Council interview, we discuss Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George's proposed Green New Deal for Housing legislation--how social housing differs from public housing, what would make this new housing green, and the prognosis for the bill in Council Period 25 (2023-2024). We finish up with our favorite fun closer: which counc…

1
Brianne Nadeau Talks Migrant Services, Abortion Rights, and DC Statehood 32:38

2+ y ago32:38

32:38

In this Hearing the Council interview, we discuss the importance of providing compassionate services to recently-arrived asylum seekers, DC's protection of abortion rights, new Council legislative efforts on both fronts, and how our lack of statehood imperils each.By Council of the District of Columbia

1
Robert White Talks About the Benefits and Challenges of Balancing Physical and Mental Health in DC 34:22

2+ y ago34:22

34:22

In this Hearing the Council interview, we discuss with At-Large Councilmember Robert White the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health. We talk about the ever-increasing public recognition of prioritizing mental health care, including the nationwide rollout of the 988 mental health hotline. We dig into inequities in access to qual…

1
Christina Henderson Talks Abortion Rights and Early Childhood Education 48:13

2+ y ago48:13

48:13

In this Hearing the Council interview, we talk with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson about the impact that the elimination of national abortion rights (via the overturning of Roe v. Wade) will have here in the District, today and in the future. We also discuss the recent viral tweet regarding future educational requirements for DC's early…

1
Brooke Pinto Talks Free Access to Period Products, Downtown Economic Revival 37:37

3y ago37:37

37:37

In this Hearing the Council interview with Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, we discuss two key legislative topics she's working to address via legislation. The first is making period products available in all schools (current law) and, in the future (pending bill), all government buildings. The second is revitalizing DC's downtown core via reside…

1
Elissa Silverman Talks Census Redistricting, Acting Classes, and Ted Lasso 43:22

3+ y ago43:22

43:22

In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman, we take a deep dive into Census redistricting. While often seen as a political albatross, Councilmember Silverman clearly views it as a labor of love as well. We also discover that since COVID began, she has taken a comedic acting class. Plus, there are passing refe…

1
Christina Henderson Talks Ranked-Choice Voting, Student Vaccine Mandates, and...Fighting Barbarians? 39:15

3+ y ago39:15

39:15

In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, we take a deep dive into her proposed ranked-choice voting legislation. We drill down into how such a system has worked elsewhere, how it could work here in the District, and prospects for the legislation moving forward. We also discuss the Council's recent passa…

1
Robert White Talks COVID, Schools, Virtual Learning, and Child Vaccination 38:30

3+ y ago38:30

38:30

In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Robert White, we follow up on his recent marathon hearing on COVID and facilities during Back to School season. We talk about why outdoor lunch is lagging, the gap between a work order being marked as complete and actually being completed, and what the prospects may be for an efficie…

1
Brianne Nadeau Talks COVID and Back-to-School 39:53

3+ y ago39:53

39:53

In this Hearing the Council interview with Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, we discuss the successes, struggles, mysteries, and disappointments of how COVID has impacted the 2021 Back-to-School season.By Council of the District of Columbia

1
Robert White Talks Affordable Housing, and the Lighter Side of Council Service 37:34

4y ago37:34

37:34

In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Robert White, we talk about serious matters (his newly-proposed affordable housing bill, the budget) and lighthearted (handling diaper blowouts, & the time a Zoom witness testified before him from an airport bathroom stall). There's something for everyone here. Please listen!…

1
Vince Gray Talks Hospitals, Birth-to-Three, Food Deserts, and Cicadas 50:23

4y ago50:23

50:23

In this latest Hearing the Council video, Vincent Gray discusses his current budget and Health Committee priorities. We discuss the planned new hospital and urgent care centers East of the River, but also the status of the United Medical Center and the financial control board to be imposed there. We also tackle childcare, including how federal stim…

1
Brianne Nadeau Pays Tribute to Her Late Grandfather 36:24

4y ago36:24

36:24

When Councilmember Nadeau's grandfather passed away two days before our long-planned interview, she did not cancel (or allow us to). She did the opposite--she insisted we proceed, but asked at the last minute if she could talk a bit about her grandfather. In the end, we dedicated the whole interview to him, while also touching on local policy:- how…

1
Getting to Know Janeese Lewis George 43:24

4y ago43:24

43:24

In our interview with Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, we talk about the family debate about how to pronounce her first name, how her grandmother got her started loving vintage clothing, and whether being a "progressive prosecutor" is a contradiction in terms. Plus, as always in our initial interview, she ranks her favorite dessert catego…

1
Getting to Know Christina Henderson 48:30

4y ago48:30

48:30

Our first interview with each Councilmember always takes a biographical, getting-to-know-you approach, so that residents have insight into who their Councilmembers are and what makes them tick.In our conversation with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, we hear about her growing up as an Army brat, how her time working as a Council staffer …

1
Elissa Silverman, Live Home Edition 47:06

4+ y ago47:06

47:06

Check out our latest #HearingTheCouncil interview with Councilmember Elissa Silverman! We discuss at length her work assisting District residents with Unemployment Insurance since COVID began, including training and serving as a Department of Employment Services call center volunteer staffer. We talk about the intricacies of the application process…

1
Mary Cheh, Live Home Edition 42:46

4+ y ago42:46

42:46

With the Council and staff working from home, the latest editions of Hearing the Council have been recorded via Zoom and Facebook Live.Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh has been one degree of separation from many recent news stories--she is participating in a COVID vaccine trial, she was sworn into office by the dearly missed Ruth Bader Ginsburg, she'…

1
Brooke Pinto, Live Home Edition 38:36

4+ y ago38:36

38:36

As with all councilmembers, our first interview with Brooke Pinto is a deep dive on life before the Council. From her degree in Business/Hospitality Administration to whether there is a “Racine mafia,” you'll definitely learn something new. Be sure to listen.By Council of the District of Columbia

1
Robert White, Live Home Edition 30:00

5y ago30:00

30:00

With the Council and staff working from home, this latest edition of Hearing the Council was recorded via Zoom and Facebook Live.The topic for the full show: the events of recent weeks (the protests, the photo-ops, the Council’s police reform bill, & reactions to it). We take it day-by-day to hear the CM’s thoughts on each topic.…

1
Vincent Gray, Live COVID Edition 44:39

5y ago44:39

44:39

With the Council and staff working from home, this latest edition of Hearing the Council was recorded via Zoom call and Facebook Live. The topic for the entire show: COVID, how the Council is responding, how it's affecting Councilmember Gray's constituents, and the impact on him personally. We go deep on planned future hospitals, food deserts, Birt…

1
Phil Mendelson, Live COVID Edition 27:37

5y ago27:37

27:37

With the Council and staff working from home, this latest edition of Hearing the Council was recorded live via Zoom call and Facebook Live. The topic for the full show: COVID, how the Council is responding, how it's affecting Chairman Mendelson's constituents, and the impact on him personally.We discuss whether the ongoing budget is the most daunti…

1
David Grosso, Live COVID Edition 36:01

5y ago36:01

36:01

With the Council and staff working from home, this latest edition of Hearing the Council was recorded via Zoom call and Facebook Live. The topic for the full show: COVID, how the Council is responding, how it's affecting Councilmember Grosso's constituents, and the impact on him personally. We go deep on the digital divide, and we discuss his feeli…

1
Brianne Nadeau, Live COVID Edition 44:52

5y ago44:52

44:52

With the Council and staff working from home, this latest edition of Hearing the Council was recorded via Zoom call and Facebook Live. The topic for the full show: COVID, how the Council is responding, how it's affecting Councilmember Nadeau's constituents, and the impact on her personally. And to top it all off, an unexpected announcement...that s…

1
Elissa Silverman: On Pizza 31:08

5y ago31:08

31:08

In our 5th "Hearing the Council" interview with Councilmember Silverman, we do a deep dive on deep dish: pizza! Back in 2000, when she was a journalist with the City Paper, Councilmember Silverman wrote a screed against DC pizza. A recent article by Tim Carman of the Washington Post prompted her to get on the record with an update of her views...an…

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