The Manny's Podcast

Where My Girls At? Evolution of Women in Pop Culture w/ NPR's Aisha Harris

Golden Girls. Girlfriends. Living Single. Sex & the City. Girls. Grace & Frankie. Broad City. Pen15. Insecure. The Bold Type. Euphoria. From Lucy and Ethel to Issa and Molly, from Mary and Rhoda to Cassie and Maddy, Hollywood has offered stories of women that veer from patronizing to fully fleshed out and sometimes, wonderfully problematic. Join us for a lively conversation about women, BFFs, frenemies and everyone in between with one of the country's leading pop culture experts and co-host ...

A Conversation on Psychedelics for PTSD and Depression w/ Joe Green and Amy Emerson

Are current psychiatric treatments addressing the epidemic levels of mental illness across the world? Where do psychiatric treatments fall short? What does emerging research say about psychedelic therapy? Can it fill the holes in modern treatment? How does psychedelic therapy address PTSD, depression, and addiction? Manny's is excited to host leading experts in psychedelic therapy, Joe Green and Amy Emerson, to help us answer all the questions we have about the research and future of men...

Perspectives on Congress: a Conversation w/ Congresswoman Jackie Speier

Jackie Speier, the Congresswoman representing CA's 14th congressional district will be stepping down at the end of her term. What does this mean for CA's 14th District? Who does she see gunning for her seat? Who encouraged her to be one of the leaders of progressive movements? Jackie has been fighting for women's equality and is one of the most influential people for bringing the Me Too movement to Congress. We had a conversation about her impact on Congress and what she sees for her futu...

The State of Cannabis in SF w/ The Director of the Office of Cannabis Nikesh Patel and Malcom Mirage

Years after legalization, where are we now? The New Director of the Office of Cannabis along with local dispenser Malcom Mirage discuss... About the Speakers: About Nikesh Patel: Born in San Francisco, and raised in a single-room occupancy hotel in the Tenderloin, Nikesh Patel’s first experience with serving the City and County of San Francisco began nearly twenty years ago as a high school intern with the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Followed by a summer internship with the ...

The Politics of Cryptocurrency: A Discussion w/ FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried

What might the political ramifications be if traditional currencies no longer are used and are instead replaced by cryptocurrencies? How has crypto already affected politics and civic life? Here to discuss this intersection is the co-founder and CEO of FTX, one of the largest cryptocurrencies in the world, Sam Bankman-Fried.

The State of Housing in the Bay Area w/ Housing Directors from San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose

Why is it so hard to get any new housing built in the Bay Area? Housing Directors from SF, Oakland & San Jose stop by to talk about it all. Bay Area residents know that buying a home anywhere in the bay is hella hard! There are far more people looking for housing than there are units and we all feel the pinch in exorbitant rents and crowded spaces. What can be done about it? Manny's is excited to welcome Housing Directors from the three largest cities in the Bay -- Oakland, San Francisco, ...

Meet the Three New SFUSD Board Members

Will SF's new Board of Education members make effective change? San Franciscans spoke out loud and clear last month when they recalled three SFUSD board members. The 3-to-1 voting margin was a resounding reflection of the frustration that so many parents and community members felt for almost two years. Mayor London Breed has appointed three public school mothers, from diverse backgrounds, to replace the ousted Board members. They've already attended their first Board meeting and now they ar...

How do we Rewrite the History of America? Michael Harriot x Dr. Sheryl Evans Davis

The prominent Black intellectual, writer, and political commentator Michael Harriot will join Sheryl Davis, Human Rights Commission Executive Director, in conversation at Manny's on a wide range of topics, including reparations, the force and power of Black women, and the anniversary of the MegaBlack S.F. collective. About Michael Harriot: Michael Harriot is a columnist at theGrio and a staff writer on The Amber Ruffin Show. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Atlantic, and BE...

The Practice and Power of Forgiving w/ Dr Fred Luskin

Kara Swisher - The Most Influential Journalist in Tech

How did Kara Swisher become Silicon Valley's most feared, trusted, and respected journalist?Oh not to mention media personality. Come learn! Technology has changed rapidly over Swisher's career. From the invention of the internet to the emergence of the metaverse. How does she stay on top of a rapidly changing industry? Looking back on her career, what has surprised her about where technology has gone? After a lifetime of being the main tech reporter, what's next for her? What does she h...

Town Hall w/ Chesa Boudin

Town hall meetings play a key role in our democracy. It's a time where our elected officials can hear directly from the voters. Manny's is starting a monthly town hall with elected officials from all over the city to help facilitate discussion between the people and our representatives. Our first town hall is with District Attorney Chesa Boudin, San Francisco's top prosecutor.

STACKED @ Manny's: We Are the Student Vote

Stacked is a student-run political action committee that is devoted to expanding the political influence of the student voting bloc. Over the years, the deck has been stacked against us and we’re now saying, “Let’s reshuffle the cards” towards a more equitable future for each of us. Students across the country have the power to influence state and federal elections in favor of a progressive student agenda. We plan to own that power. Bios of StackedPAC Panel: Jordan Harzynski - Jordan is a s...

WTF Happened in Congress? w/ Dan Pfeiffer

We had Former Senior Advisor to Barack Obama - Dan Pfeiffer talk about the current state of Congress and what happened the previous year. How can democrats make moves to combat republican media takeover? Who do you see as the future speaker of the house? Who would bring you back to the White House? We were able to answer all these questions! Join us again for another conversation with these political all stars.

Dignity in a Digital Age: Making Tech Work for All of Us w/ Rep. Ro Khanna

Representative Ro Khanna represents California’s 17th Congressional District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is serving his third term. As a legislator, Rep. Khanna is addressing the possible regulations that may impact consumer privacy, the cognitive impacts of social media, and much more.

Foraging: Where to Find Them and What to Eat w/ Owen Janson

Foraging has become a popular activity across the Bay Area and the nation. Where am I able to go to harvest? How do I make sure I don't die? Why has foraging become so popular lately? Foraging can be a form of self sustenance and the rejection of a consumeristic culture. In a lot of ways, it is becoming a form of resistance. Sometimes it's just an engaging activity. Be a part of the growing conversation on foraging here in the Bay Area. Join us at Manny's. About Owen: Owen is a computati...

Episode 5 - AZ

Episode 4 - WI - Ben Wilker

Episode 3 - GA - Nikema Williams

Episode 2 - MI - Lavora Barnes

Episode 1 - PA- Nancy Mills

Episode 1 of our 5 part mini series Midterms Explained . We were able to talk to the 5 key democratic chairs of the 5 key democratic states.

Manny's LIVE: The San Quentin COVID Outbreak w/ Dr. Hadar Aviram

There's a massive outbreak of COVID-19 at San Quentin Prison. Almost 2,000 prisoners are positive and more folks have died of COVID-19 in custody than in a century of execution. What is going on? How did this happen? Could it have been prevent and what's been done to stop the spread of the virus in our prisons? How will the virus inside the prison affect life and the spread outside the prison? Dr. Hadar Aviram, a criminal justice activist and law professor is leading the charge to address the...

Manny's LIVE: Breaking Down This Year's Supreme Court Decisions w/Ben Feuer

This has been a landmark year for Supreme Court rulings already. In one week we got the protections of LGBT people at work and a rejection of Trump desire to end DACA, protecting immigrants!! What other decisions were made by the court this year and what do they mean for future jurisprudence? What do the majority opinions of the two stellar judgments teach us about Chief Justice John Roberts? Is he the new Justice Kennedy? Do we have cause to be optimistic about the future of the court? Ben F...

Manny's LIVE: Mondaire Jones & Ritchie Torres - Two New Voices in Congress

Mondaire Jones and Ritchie Torres ran against the machine to represent their communities in the House of Representatives. They likely won. While the final votes are still being counted, and the general election is still to be had, it looks like Mondaire Jones (33) and Ritchie Torres (32) will be the first two black gay men in Congress come January!! They'll be representing the Bronx and Rockland County respectively. Both ran insurgent campaigns and have likely won against all odds. Both wer...

Manny's LIVE:The Future of Queer Gathering Spaces

Queer bars all over the country (world) were closing before this damn pandemic. And now, momma, the future is unclear. Where's all this going? How will the queer community gather in the coming years? What is the magnet that will bring people together in the future? What will the affects of the pandemic be on how, when, why, and where the queer community gathers? Will there be a renaissance of the gay bar? What will the physicality of queer space of the future look like? Two denizens o...

Manny's LIVE: What the SCOTUS Ruling Means for Immigrants

For years, DACA recipients have lived with instability following the Trump's administration's repeated attacks to end the program placing their livelihoods, careers, and families at stake over to fulfill a political agenda. On June 18th, the highest court of the land ruled in favor of DACA, defying Trump's vicious promises to end the program. Over 700, 000 individuals reveled in relief and victory. The landmark SCOTUS decision defined the lives and futures of those individuals who were reas...

Manny's LIVE: A Path Forward with SF Police Chief Bill Scott & DA Chesa Boudin

Manny's LIVE is bringing together the San Francisco Chief of Police Bill Scott and newly elected progressive prosecutor, District Attorney Chesa Boudin in the midst of massive protests and unrest to discuss the Black Live Matter movement, the DA's and Chief Scott's separate call for police reforms, and our path forward. In the midst of a world on fire - pandemic, protests, curfews, riots - what do these leaders think of how to respond? The death of George Floyd ignited what have been some o...

Manny's LIVE: A Conversation on Redirecting Funds from the SFPD

Manny's LIVE is bringing together the Supervisor Shamann Walton, the only black member of the SF Board of Supervisors, and Sheryl Evans Davis, the Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission to discuss how they are thinking about the process to redirect funds from the SFPD into the communities they are charged with protesting and serving. The movement to "defund" the police has risen to the tip of national conversation. To some it's a call to substantially reduce or completely remove ...

Breaking up Facebook with Facebook co-Founder Chris Hughes

Join Manny's and the Bay Area Chapter of the American Constitution Society for a conversation between Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes and Christine Pelosi about current issues in Big Tech and antitrust.  In 2002, Hughes co-founded Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg and other Harvard classmates. In 2019, Hughes called for the break-up of his creation in an influential New York Times op-ed that fanned the flames of the conversation around Facebook and other technology companies' role in modern so...

Phone Addiction with New York Times Columnists Kevin Roose & Nellie Bowles

I don't know about you but I can't seem to get off my phone. I wake up. Phone. I hit my bed at night. Phone. It's enraging. I know it's bad - I can feel it stressing me out but still can't stop.  I've gone grayscale. I have limits on my iPhone. I've deleted the Facebook app. But no dice. The issue of phone addiction is plaguing our society but how did it come about, what exactly is causing it, and what are practical ways to fight back? Also should the government step in and play a role? Two...

A Conversation with President Obama's Campaign Manager David Plouffe

What was it like to manage President Obama's campaign?  What was it like to be on the road with him for months at a time?  What about in the Oval Office during the difficult decision making of his Presidency? And how about that person's perspective on the election now and the Democratic party?  Well...That person is David Plouffe and he is coming to Manny's to discuss his time with President Obama and his thoughts on the future of the Democratic Party. Come join the discussion! More about D...

Being the Obama's Advisor: A Conversation with Valerie Jarrett

Want to know what it was liked to have been an essential part of the Obama story? Look no further than Valerie Jarrett, close friend to the Obama's, early mentor of First Lady Michelle Obama, proponent of President Obama's political career, and Senior Advisor to the President. We're extremely honored to host Valerie Jarrett at Manny's on December 3rd for a conversation and book signing for her new book, Finding my Voice! About Valerie: Valerie B. Jarrett is a senior advisor to the Obama F...