Dream City Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Dream City Podcast

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Frequency: 1 episode/9d. Total Eps: 34

A new conversation about the politics and business of hometown Washington. Longtime journalists Cuneyt Dil and Tom Sherwood bring exclusive reporting, sharp analysis and real curiosity to the forces shaping D.C.’s political and business scene. It’s the stories everyone’s talking about — and the ones they aren’t.

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Data updated on 16/09/2026

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https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/us/politics/trump-muriel-bowser-qatar-investigation.html?unlocked_article_code=1.zU8.ClDn.LEm8xOhitH4g&amp
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Score global : 62%

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Trayon White Heads to Court as D.C.’s Finances Flash Red

Season 2 · Episode 28

Monday, September 14, 2026 • Duration 35:38

On this week’s Dream City Podcast, Cuneyt and Tom preview Ward 8 Council member Trayon White’s long-awaited federal bribery trial.

They also dig into a stark warning from D.C.’s chief financial officer that the city’s economic and revenue signals are “flashing red."

It points to Janeese Lewis George's biggest task ahead: rebuilding D.C.'s economy.

00:00 We're back + Cuneyt's Travels

02:59 Tom vs. Bowser Over the IndyCar Race

04:41 Trayon White Heads to Trial on Bribery Charges

11:39 The Council Returns: Waymo, Taxes, Budgeting

14:41 D.C.’s Finances Are “Flashing Red”

22:54 Five Ways D.C. Could Start Acting Like a State

34:11 Commanders vs. Eagles + Closing Banter

The Dream City Podcast will hold the powerful accountable and take you inside D.C.’s business and political worlds. Along the way: Revelatory conversations with city officials, business leaders, and the best-sourced journalists in town.

Music credit: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions

The Dream City Podcast is a product of COSMOS Media LLC.

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The Trumpification of Washington Continues

Season 2 · Episode 27

Monday, August 17, 2026 • Duration 26:25

On this week’s Dream City Podcast, Cuneyt and Tom (happy 80th!) take stock of the many ways President Trump is physically reshaping Washington.

They talk about the two-year Kennedy Center renovation, new blinged-out images of Trump’s White House ballroom, and plans to surround Lafayette Park with a new fence.

00:00 Trump’s Two-Year Kennedy Center Makeover

07:13 Gold, a Six-Story Bunker, and Trump’s New White House

11:32 The Fight Over Fencing Off Lafayette Park

15:38 National Guard Deployment Becomes a Long-Term Reality

18:52 Whatever Happened to Washington’s Quiet August?

21:01 Trump’s IndyCar Race Takes Over the National Mall

24:54 Vacation Talk + Tom Sietsema’s Bowser Dinner

Music credit: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions

The Dream City Podcast is a product of COSMOS Media LLC.

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D.C.’s Identity Crisis

Season 2 · Episode 26

Monday, August 3, 2026 • Duration 41:36

Washington Post reporter Paul Schwartzman joins Cuneyt as Tom Sherwood celebrates his 80th birthday.

They talk about President Trump’s $22.5 billion plan for Dulles Airport, in the context of Trump's desire to play the part of big city mayor.

Then, they turn to why Congress’s effort to restrict D.C.’s taxation a felt like a sneak attack, the business community’s anxiety over mayor-in-waiting Janeese Lewis George, and the city's biggest question: How does Washington rebuild as the federal government shrinks?

00:00 Tom Sherwood Turns 80 + Paul Schwartzman Joins

00:55 Trump’s $22.5 Billion Dulles Airport Makeover

10:56 Trump’s Builder Mythology + Reflecting Pool Mess

14:57 Who Will Pay for the New Dulles?

17:33 Congress' Sneak Attack

23:30 Business Anxiety Over Janeese Lewis George

26:56 D.C.’s Economic Upheaval and Identity Crisis

31:37 Mendelson, Bowser, and City Hall’s New Power Structure

38:31 New York Bagels and D.C. Pizza

Music credit: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions

The Dream City Podcast is a product of COSMOS Media LLC.

D.C.’s DoorDash Revolt and Southwest’s Once-in-a-Century Rebuild

Season 2 · Episode 25

Monday, July 27, 2026 • Duration 33:26

On this week’s Dream City Podcast, Tom returns to break down why D.C. activists are calling for a DoorDash boycott after the company supported congressional legislation restricting the District’s ability to change local taxes and fees.

Cuneyt and Tom also explore the once-in-a-century opportunity to remake Southwest Washington’s sprawling federal enclave, including the possible demolition of the hulking Forrestal Building and plans for new housing, offices, schools and cultural attractions.

Plus: former DOGE staffers become government contractors, Trump addresses the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a possible revival for White’s Ferry, and a new report detailing how MPD’s crime-statistics safeguards broke down.

00:00 Tom Returns

02:14 Why D.C. Activists Are Boycotting DoorDash

09:04 Is Robert White Doing Enough With Republicans?

11:11 Southwest’s Once-in-a-Century Redevelopment Opportunity

22:42 Speed Round: Former DOGE Staffers Become Federal Contractors

25:15 Speed Round: Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

27:42 Speed Round: Could White’s Ferry Finally Reopen?

29:49 Speed Round: What Went Wrong With MPD’s Crime Stats

Music credit: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions

Waymo vs. Labor: Does D.C. Want Robotaxis?

Season 2 · Episode 24

Monday, July 20, 2026 • Duration 36:33

Waymo’s head of policy for the east, Matt Walsh, joined Dream City to make the company’s case for operating in D.C., right as council members debate one of the country’s most ambitious robotaxi bills.

Cuneyt presses Walsh on labor’s warnings about lost driving jobs, the company’s safety record, and whether a multibillion-dollar technology company is prepared to make a significant investment in D.C.

They also get into Waymo’s response to labor's accusations that it is trying to “steamroll” the city, the possibility of a deal with unions and Janeese Lewis George, and when riders might finally be able to take a driverless car to DCA or Dulles.

00:00 Introduction to the Dream City Podcast

01:14 Getting Over the Fear of a Driverless Car

05:08 Is D.C. Falling Behind Other Cities?

05:49 Charles Allen’s Robotaxi Bill, Vehicle Caps, and New Fees

09:15 Why D.C.’s Robotaxi Report Is Years Late

11:52 Waymo, Tesla, Uber, and the Robotaxi Competition

13:28 How Many Driving Jobs Could Be Lost?

16:22 Waymo Responds to Labor’s “Steamrolling” Charge

21:30 Waymo’s Investment and Job Plans for D.C.

24:26 Are Robotaxis Really Safer Than Human Drivers?

27:31 Waymo’s Collision Record in D.C.

28:12 Robotaxis, First Responders, and Motorcades

30:50 Are Waymos Learning to Drive Like New York Cabbies?

33:19 The Cameras, Lidar, and Radar Behind a Waymo

35:05 No, Waymo Cannot See Through Your Clothes

35:35 When Could Waymo Reach DCA and Dulles?

D.C.'s Next Big Fight: Robotaxis

Season 2 · Episode 23

Monday, July 13, 2026 • Duration 36:09

On this week’s Dream City Podcast, Cuneyt and Mark Segraves of NBC4 break down Vice President JD Vance’s plans to rent a sprawling estate in Middleburg — including questions about the property’s owner, the lease, and what the Veep's arrival could mean for the quiet Virginia town.

They then dig into the coming fight over legalizing Waymo and other robotaxis in D.C., as labor unions raise concerns about jobs and City Hall prepares for a marathon hearing.

Plus: the valuable naming rights and seat licenses included in the Commanders stadium deal, and the surprising local history behind “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as the song enjoys another World Cup-fueled revival.

00:00 Introduction + JD Vance Eyes a Middleburg Estate

10:05 Waymo and D.C.’s Coming Robotaxi Fight

17:17 Robotaxis, Union Opposition, and the Future of Driving Jobs

21:11 Commanders Stadium Naming Rights and Seat Licenses

24:08 The Local Roots Behind “Country Roads" + Its World Cup Fame

29:54 How “Country Roads” Became a Royalty Goldmine

33:50 Mark Segraves’ After Dark Fund

Music credit: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions

The Dream City Podcast is a product of COSMOS Media LLC.

Trump Attacks Janeese Lewis George

Season 2 · Episode 22

Monday, June 29, 2026 • Duration 21:28

President Trump is calling out Janeese Lewis George — attacking her as a "communist," but says he'd meet with her. In this week's Dream City Podcast, Cuneyt and Tom break down whether D.C.’s incoming left can find any workable ground with the White House.

Plus: The next major battle at the Wilson Building will be over taxes.

They dig into the pressure to raise new revenue after the city’s budget crunch, what kinds of tax hikes progressives may pursue, and how much room they really have with Congress still looming over D.C. affairs.

00:00 Trump Calls Janeese Lewis George a “Communist”

03:24 Can JLG Actually Work With Trump?

07:31 The Next Big D.C. Fight: Taxes

13:13 Will the Left Raise Taxes on the Rich?

19:39 Fourth of July Sendoff

Music credit: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions

The Dream City Podcast is a product of COSMOS Media LLC.

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The Socialist Sweep: How This Election Changes D.C.

Season 2 · Episode 21

Monday, June 22, 2026 • Duration 44:50

On this week’s Dream City Podcast, Cuneyt and Tom are joined by veteran D.C. strategist Chuck Thies to break down Janeese Lewis George’s sweeping mayoral primary victory, why Kenyan McDuffie’s campaign never found its footing, and what the results say about the city’s political direction.

Cuneyt also talked to Ward 1 D.C. Council Democratic primary winner Aparna Raj, a tenant organizer who describes why the democratic socialist platform resonated this year.

00:00 Chuck Thies’ Election Night Call Was Right

01:51 Aparna Raj on the Democratic Socialist Wave in Ward 1

04:48 How Aparna Raj Became a Tenant Organizer

06:51 Why DSA Just Won Big in D.C.

09:06 Aparna Raj’s Vision for Ward 1

12:09 Can a More Progressive D.C. Still Grow the Economy?

16:54 Janeese Lewis George’s Big Win

18:44 Why Kenyan McDuffie Lost

22:43 How JLG Ran the Table Across D.C.

26:10 The Empty McDuffie Tent That Said It All

28:24 Elissa Silverman’s Comeback

30:47 Robert White’s Huge Delegate Victory

33:51 What the Election Means for D.C.’s Budget Crisis

38:24 Tax Hikes, Unions, and City Hall's Fights Ahead

The Dream City Podcast is supported by launch partner SpotlightDC: Capital City Fund for Investigative Journalism.

Trump Just Jumped Into D.C.'s Mayoral Race

Season 2 · Episode 20

Friday, June 12, 2026 • Duration 27:06

On this week’s Dream City Podcast, Cuneyt and Tom break down the final days of D.C.’s mayoral race — including President Trump slamming Janeese Lewis George, Muriel Bowser’s all-but-official endorsement for Kenyan McDuffie, and the different paths each candidate has to victory.

They also look at the other races on the ballot, the growing role of outside spending and dark money, and how Trump’s supersized fireworks show will make July 4 very different this year.

00:00 Trump Jumps Into D.C.’s Mayor Race

04:32 Bowser’s Unofficial Endorsement of Kenyan McDuffie

06:16 How Janeese Lewis George or Kenyan McDuffie Can Win

18:27 The Other Races to Watch

19:24 Dark Money and Outside Spending Flood the Election

20:24 Trump’s Unprecedented Freedom 250 Spectacle

22:41 July 4 Fireworks Chaos and Business Backlash

The Dream City Podcast is supported by launch partner SpotlightDC: Capital City Fund for Investigative Journalism.

Music credit: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions

The Dream City Podcast is a product of COSMOS Media LLC.

Mayoral Sprint, a 250 Mess, and D.C.'s Crazy Expensive Fire Alarm

Season 2 · Episode 19

Monday, June 1, 2026 • Duration 36:57

Will Sommer, senior reporter at the Bulwark and former Loose Lips columnist at Washington City Paper, joined the Dream City Podcast as guest co-host this week.

Cuneyt and Will broke down the Kenyan McDuffie vs. Janeese Lewis George sprint to the finish — the ground game, the prediction markets, the Chipotle moment, and what ranked choice voting could mean for the outcome.

Plus: DC somehow spent a million dollars on human fire alarms, Freedom 250 is a mess, and the mayoral candidates reveal their favorite DC restaurants.

00:00 Intro— Will Sommer Guest Co-Hosts
03:26 DC Spent $1 Million on Human Fire Alarms
07:09 The Mayor's Race Final Sprint
15:36 Mayoral Polls, Prediction Markets, and McDuffie's Chipotle Bump
23:18 Freedom 250 Turmoil in DC
30:50 Speed Round: Capital Weather Gang Goes Independent
32:13 Speed Round: Mayoral Candidates' Favorite DC Restaurants
34:28 Speed Round: Snake Experts Rate RFK Jr.
35:29 Speed Round: Kangaroo Boxing Club Throwback

The Dream City Podcast is supported by launch partner SpotlightDC: Capital City Fund for Investigative Journalism.

Music credit: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions

The Dream City Podcast is a product of COSMOS Media LLC.

Dream City Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Dream City Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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