The Soundtrack of D.C.: 6 Local Podcasts to Follow

Walk down any D.C. street and you’ll hear its soundtrack: the man on his bike blasting music from his stereo, the chants and rallying cries of protests, the robotic drones from metro stations, the cheers from the many stadiums, the rolling water along Rock Creek Park trails. The following D.C. podcasters capture this sound in their individual niches, interviewing and highlighting the people, things and thoughts that make the District what it is. If you’re looking to add another layer of sound to your daily life, check out these shows. 

For the story lover: “The Inner Loop Radio”

Looking to bring together a disparate community of creative writers, co-hosts Courtney Sexton and Rachel Coonce interview local authors about their work within the creative writing world. Each episode has a theme on some part of writing, and Sexton and Coonce dive deep, analyzing and commiserating on different aspects of creating in the D.C. area. Episodes air monthly and are usually about 45 minutes long. Visit their website at theinnerlooplit.org and follow them on Instagram @theinnerlooplit.

Want more like this? Check out Story District’s podcast “Story District Presents.”

For the music lover: “Rhizome DC”

This podcast showcases music from artists who will be performing at Rhizome, a nonprofit community arts space — a short and sweet sample of what’s to come. “We are always thinking about ways to let people know about the mind-blowing cultural experiences they could be having,” Layne Garrett, program director at Rhizome says. Interviews with the artists overlay the music, creating an experience they hope will bring people to, in Garrett’s words, their “humble little venue.” Episodes air weekly on Tuesdays and are about 10 minutes long. Visit their website at rhizomedc.org and follow them on Instagram @rhizome_dc. 

Want more like this? Check out “Wiggly World” for talks on music and local happenings. 

For the soccer lover: RFK Refugees

RFK Refugees produces three soccer podcasts: “United 96,” which covers DC United; “Kindred Spirits,” which covers the Washington Spirit; and “Next in Line,” which covers Loudon United and the DC United Academy. Co-creators Jon Hoffman and Ted Meyer enjoy the way podcasts allow them to form a relationship with the listener. “You end up spending hours with that person in their car or while they’re on the treadmill at the gym,” Hoffman says. Hoffman and Meyer regularly interview players, coaches, announcers and personalities to provide a well-rounded scope of D.C. soccer. Episode air dates and lengths vary, and there are live shows every Monday via Twitch. Visit their website at rfkrefugees.com and follow them on Instagram @rfkrefugees. 

Want more like this? Check out “The Bad Hombres FC,” a quarterly podcast about soccer in the DMV. 

For the food lover: “The Moveable Feast”

Three D.C. natives — Jenna Golden, Tammy Gordon and Tony Fratto — take the mics to talk all things food. Their aim is to help people have great experiences at restaurants; to have full confidence they won’t waste time or money. The well-traveled hosts have tried many different cuisines, and their website’s interactive map can help you find your next culinary delight in D.C. Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays and are usually about 30 minutes long. Visit their website at moveablefeastpod.com and follow them on Instagram @moveablefeastpod. 

Want more like this? Check out “Dish City,” a food podcast produced by WAMU. 

For the existential humor lover: “Not for Everyone”

Co-hosted by Caroline Winkler, D.C. YouTuber-extraordinaire, and Jess DeBakey, a Chicago-based podcaster, “Not for Everyone” combines mindset hacks with comedy. Episodes vary — some more serious, some more frivolous — but either way, the co-hosts dive deep into whatever topic they decide to cover. “If you love petty rants and shower thoughts, or if you’re tired of social media feeling like a place where no one says anything honest, come hang out,” Winkler says. Episodes air Thursdays and are usually about an hour long. Visit their Instagram @not4everyonepod. 

Want more like this? Check out “Wait! Don’t Do It!,” a podcast on D.C. happenings by two “LBGTQ-ties.” 

For the local history lover: “Porchtales”

A collaboration between HumanitiesDC and local podcaster Prof. D. Boose, this six-episode podcast tells the story of Sister Koko, a freedom fighter who has advocated for equitable treatment of D.C.’s Black community since the 1960s. Listeners get to know Sister Koko’s story while feeling like they’re hanging on a porch, listening to a neighbor who’s seen it all. Episodes are about 30 minutes long. Visit their website at humanitiesdc.org and follow them on Instagram @humanitiesdc.

Want more like this? Check out “City Cast DC,” a daily podcast that covers local news, trends and history. 

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Abi Newhouse