City Cast Pittsburgh

The latest season of 'The Pitt' is a wrap! And we're still doing our best Nurse Dana, "Baby Jane Doe" impressions. City Cast's Megan Harris and Mallory Falk are with Josh Axelrod, a local film critic and comms director at the Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center. We're talking about our favorite moments of the season, how the writers room rep’ed Pittsburgh, and what we think just barely missed the mark. Plus, our City Cast colleagues from across the country are sharing their impressions of the city based solely on watching the show.

Haven't caught up with the finale yet? Listen to our review of the first half of Season 2 here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, April 22nd episode:

Pittsburgh Opera

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Brewhouse Arts

PGH Cultural Trust Serial Killer

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

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Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. 

Tomorrow is Earth Day, and we think the best way to celebrate is by visiting one of the city's 176 gorgeous parks. Plus, with so many parks in every corner of the city, there's sure to be one where you can escape into nature instead of sitting in traffic during Draft week! Producer Sophia Lo is with Matthew Hileman, the director of operations and visitor engagement at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, to talk about the best parks for gorgeous views, a romantic date night, birdwatching, and more.

**This episode originally aired April 17, 2025.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, April 21st episode:

Pittsburgh Opera

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Brew House Arts

PGH Cultural Trust Serial Killer

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Spring in Pittsburgh means one thing: it’s officially food fest season. From Vegan Restaurant Week and a mac-and-cheese marathon in the Strip to Greek festival favorites (yes, baklava sundaes included), host Megan Harris and producer Sophia Lo are sharing the can’t-miss spring food and drink events worth planning your weekends around right now.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, April 20th episode:

Pittsburgh Opera

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Brewhouse Arts

PGH Cultural Trust Serial Killer

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Could public financing get more Pittsburghers involved in local elections? For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouchers to every voter to donate to the candidate of their choice in municipal elections. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Seattle podcast host Jane C. Hu about how these Democracy Vouchers work, how many people are participating, and what the impact on local elections has been. Plus, is the “Seattle Freeze” a real thing?

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

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The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is not shutting down after all! The Baltimore Banner's parent nonprofit just bought the paper from Block Communications Inc. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and contributor Colin Williams share the details. Plus, we celebrate Colin's return to the newly-revived City Paper, which started back up this week, and give an update on when to expect the alt-weekly's first print issue. (It's been a big few days for Pittsburgh media!) We also take a mail bag question about whether Mayor Corey O'Connor can do anything about our high utility bills, explain why Airbnb hosts aren't exactly making bank on the NFL Draft, and share some big wins for the Eat 'n Park smiley cookie and the old PIT terminal. Plus, in a members-only bonus segment, we share where you can find public bathrooms Downtown during the draft and all year round.

Update! In our conversation we said a local McMansion was listed for $63k during the NFL Draft — but it's actually listed for an even more eye-popping $68k!

We need your help! We're making a list of 1,000 things we love about living in Pittsburgh. Fill out this form to let us know your favorite things about the city.  It could be anything from your go-to breakfast order to your favorite feral animals (real example) — or maybe it’s the way the lights twinkle on the Sister Bridges.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, April 17th episode:

Sustainable Pittsburgh

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Window Nation

Pittsburgh Steelers

Taskrabbit

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Mayor Corey O'Connor just reached his 100th day in office, and he's sitting down with host Megan Harris to talk about his main accomplishments so far, opportunities during the NFL Draft, and what's in store for Pittsburgh after the big party. Plus, we're bringing the mayor YOUR questions, like whether voluntary donations from some of the Big Five nonprofits are just bandaids, how the city can support our unhoused communities, what it would take to get public bathrooms Downtown and in the Strip District, and even his favorite iced tea.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, April 16th episode:

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Window Nation

Pittsburgh Steelers

Taskrabbit

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Company is coming, and a lot of out-of-town drivers don't know how to zipper merge. But let's be honest, some of yinz don't either! Driving down steep hills and navigating tight streets can be a challenge, and people have been complaining about our city's layout for decades. In the 1930s, renowned journalist Erine Pyle wrote, "Pittsburgh is the cockeyedest city in the United States. Physically it is absolutely irrational. It must have been laid out by a mountain goat.” Before tens of thousands of visitors descend on our city, we're revisiting our conversation with friend of the pod and former Uber driver Jakob Lazzaro. Together, we're talking about why the streets are like this, share some very important rules for navigating our narrow, hilly streets, and – of course – debate the efficacy of the Pittsburgh Left. 

**This episode originally aired September 4, 2024.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, April 15th episode:

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Window Nation

Pittsburgh Steelers

Taskrabbit

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It's one of our most contentious debates: Can you get a good bagel in Pittsburgh? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is entering the fray and taste testing offerings from some of the most recommended brick-and-mortar spots: Pigeon Bagels, Balena Bagels, Three Brothers Bagels, Phat Bagel, and Burgh's Bagels. We share which bagels have the best texture, are the most flavorful, and meet producer Sophia Lo's strict criteria for "all around" seasoning. Plus, we spread the word about our absolute favorite cream cheese.

Your turn! Do you agree with our picks? What are your favorite bagel spots? Call or text us our Bagel Hotline to share your hot takes: 412-212-8893.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, April 14th episode:

Sustainable Pittsburgh

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Window Nation

Pittsburgh Steelers

Taskrabbit

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. 

The NFL Draft is taking over Pittsburgh, and even if you're not a football fan, there's still probably something up your alley. We've got concerts, brunches, happy hours, block parties, and so many more activities, and there's even plenty to do beyond Downtown and the North Shore. To help you navigate it all, content creator Brenasia Ward-Caldwell created the Pittsburgh Draft Week Guide. Brenasia tells host Megan Harris which events she's looking forward to the most, what's free to enter, and what she hopes visitors will take away from the big weekend.

If you enjoyed today's interview with  Chelsea Kovak Senior Manager at Taskrabbit, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, April 13th episode:

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Window Nation

Pittsburgh Steelers

Taskrabbit

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Pittsburghers, what do you do when your night life starts to dwindle? Nightlife is a huge economic driver for cities, but city offices are often closed when those businesses need help. That’s why Portland is considering hiring a Night Mayor. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza about what this new position would do, and if it is the answer to the pandemic’s enduring negative impact on walkability, small businesses, and nightlife in cities everywhere. Plus, should your city be weirder?

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Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

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