Dream City Podcast

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.

Dream City Podcast is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 34 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Dream City Podcast, a news show with 34 episodes published.

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  Episode #28

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

  Sep 14, 202636 minS2

  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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  Episode #27

  The Trumpification of Washington Continues

  Aug 17, 202626 minS2

  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 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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  Episode #26

  D.C.’s Identity Crisis

  Aug 3, 202642 minS2

  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 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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  Episode #25

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

  Jul 27, 202633 minS2

  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 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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  Episode #24

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

  Jul 20, 202637 minS2

  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? 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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