The Manny's Podcast

What does it mean to be happy? The concept of happiness and how to achieve it has become a constant conversation. In the age of instant gratification and the need for constant success, trying to be present and happy has become more difficult. Additionally, there are many misconceptions around happiness and what we need to be happy. Join us for a special lecture by Dr. Fred Luskin about these misco...

It is 2022 and we are still fighting the same fights as generations before us. The world is upside down and it is up to us, the younger generation, to try and fix it. The generation of today is no longer going to be silence, we are demanding change and a better world. Generation Z (ages 10-25) has been left a world that has been plagued by economic crisis, a deteriorating climate, a global pandemi...

This summer, San Francisco Public Works launches its public trash can pilot program. Prototypes of their next-generation public trash cans are on the street for real-life testing. Community members have the opportunity to evaluate the cans and give input into the final selection. During the 60-day test period, custom and off-the-shelf models are in neighborhoods around the City. Public Works is so...

Do you want to learn more about SF? Have you been caught up in the whimsical nature of the city of San Francisco? Join us for a conversation w/ author Gary Kamiya & Artist Paul Madonna about the beautiful city of San Francisco & their book the Spirits of San Francisco - Voyages Through the Unknown City. About Gary Kamiya: I was born in Oakland, grew up in Berkeley and have lived in San Francisco s...

What does feminism in 2022 look like? In the last decade, a powerful tide of feminist activism has sent millions into streets and onto social media. In Latin America, highly diverse anti-violence and pro-abortion mass protests have exploded. How have so many come into feminist consciousness? Fifty years ago, women seeking liberation across the Américas adopted the small group practice of feminist...

Technology has revolutionized every aspect of modern life and politics is certainly no exception. We're all familiar with stories of how tech has been used to misinform and disrupt civic systems and norms. But, what if tech was the key to saving democracy? Manny's is honored to welcome Obama Digital Organizing Director Betsy Hoover and Feel Good Action Executive Director Andy Forrest for a fascina...

The human experience is a complicated one. On top of the complicated questions of daily life, navigating religion and spirituality is no easy task. To answer these complex questions, some philosophers and Jesuit leaders have stated that in fact humans are just spiritual beings who are going through human experiences. If humans are in fact naturally spiritual beings, what doe is mean to experience...

How can local officials help build up their communities with a long history of poverty? How has the tech boom affected our country's industrial powerhouse cities? Have tax cuts exacerbated income equality? How is wealth inequality trickling down to smaller cities? Manny's is honored to welcome Stanford professor Michelle Wilde Anderson to our space to discuss her new book, The Fight to Save the To...

It's been a very heavy year so far. We've heard the decision from the Supreme Court that they've overturned Roe V. Wade on June 24th, 2022. The 50 years of protection for abortion rights have been revoked. We have a panel with people practicing law to help us understand the written decision as well as the repercussions. What does this actually mean? What is California doing in response to this? Wh...

How can local officials help build up their communities with a long history of poverty? How has the tech boom affected our country's industrial powerhouse cities? Have tax cuts exacerbated income equality? How is wealth inequality trickling down to smaller cities? Manny's is honored to welcome Stanford professor Michelle Wilde Anderson to our space to discuss her new book, The Fight to Save the To...

Can you find hope in spirituality? Which spiritual groups support queer identifying folk? It's a common sight to see queers being denied access to certain religious practices and beliefs because of the interpretation of religious books from previous generations. Today, with the rise in diverse opinions religious and spiritual groups have been more open to letting all kinds of people into their pra...

Growing up in a Filipinx family has many perks such as the rich culture of food, music, and dance but there are certain impacts of colonialism and western beauty standards that have negatively influenced the way Filipinx Americans are treated and walk in life. There is rich history in beauty products from the Philippines with skin lightening formula. Why is that? Have you experienced this or somet...

We all deserve a safe place to live — but many of us can’t pick up groceries, take the train, or walk around our neighborhoods without the fear of street harassment. This panel conversation, facilitated by Stop AAPI Hate, delves into the common problem of street harassment, and how it is experienced by women, girls, people of color, and members of the queer and disabled communities. As Pride Month...

What pressure are prisoners under as they enter the parole process? Due to recent legal reforms and pressures to reduce the prison population, the Board of Parole Hearings has been far more active in overseeing the release of long-term offenders. Based on first hand observations and transcripts of parole board hearings, Dr. Kimberly Richman analyzes the role of what she calls “Program Speak”—the n...

What was your favorite memory from SFGMC? What do you want to see from SFGMC in the future? Who were your biggest inspirations? Are there any people in your circle that inspire you today? Join us for an in-depth conversation with Tim Seelig as we reflect back on his time in SFGMC and what he sees for the future of the Chorus. About Tim Seelig: Tim is the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay...

Are we running out of time? What can we do? Join us for a special conversation with co-author of Speed & Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now, Ryan Panchadsaram. He will dive into the current state of climate change and provide a plan for the future that finally address the climate crisis. About Ryan Panchadsaram: Ryan Panchadsaram is an engineer and investor focused on solving...

Where do we go? Flourishing in the 1980's, lesbian bars have been an important staple by providing a safe space for those most marginalized within the LGBTQ community. Sadly though, these spaces have started to disappear at an alarming rate. While all LGBTQ gathering places may be seeing a decrease in numbers there are still roughly 800 gay bars across the country compared to only 22 lesbian bars....

Last spring, the nation watched in anticipation as Derek Chauvin was taken to trial for the murder of George Floyd. After a global movement, mass media attention, and a heated trial Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Join us as we discuss this difficult process and steps towards justice with Attorney General Keith Ellison from Min...

Manny's is proud to welcome Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer, the first openly transgender bishop elected to lead a major Christian denomination in the U.S., and transqueer activist theologian Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza to discuss Dr. Robyn’s new book Body Becoming: A Path to Our Liberation . Join them for this powerful conversation on theology, neurodiversity, being transgender faith leaders, and so much...

Does gay still have a place? Are our queer spaces safe? What does the future look like for queer spaces? Join us for a special conversation with Gay Bar author Jeremy Atherton on the state of the gay bar. San Francisco is a safe haven for queer identifying folk but this is not the same for spaces outside our bubble. Let's find out what's going on within our nation and internationally as well. Abou...

Now more than ever it's clear that it's important to know what our rights are. Join Good & Common & Civil Rights experts to learn more. Every American is protected by a bill of universal rights under the U.S. Constitution. Good & Common was created to help people learn more about what their rights are and how to exercise them. Providing resources related to a variety of legal topics, from protesti...

Join us for a chill night with 17th Congressional District Supervisor Matt Haney and SF City Attorney David Chiu for an open conversation about what's going on in their lives. What are Matt's plans in his new position as State Assembly District 17 seat? How do they feel about what's transpiring in the nation today? About the Speakers: About David Chiu: David Sen-Fu Chiu is an American politician c...

The debate on the place of officers at Pride has reached a fever pitch. The Mayor, D6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey, The Police Department, The Fire Department, and the Sheriff's have all decided to boycott SF Pride because of the decision to allow SFPD to march but not in uniform. Manny's brought together the Interim Executive Director of Pride Suzanne Ford with LGBTQ Liaison Officer Kathryn Winters to...

We've brought Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow (of this famed viral floor speech) and her colleague MI State Representative and State Senate candidate Darrin Camilleri to the Bay Area. The DLCC has identified Michigan as one of the three states where we actually have a chance at flipping the State Senate, in this instance, because of the state's independent redistricting process. Our friend...

In Uvalde Texas the 2nd mass shooting within 10 days occurred. Taking place at a local elementary school, 19 children and 2 teachers were tragically killed in what is now one of the deadliest shootings in the country. Gun violence has plagued our country and more increasingly in recent years. Manny's in partnership with Giffords, whose mission is to end gun violence, organized an emergency online...