What if politics didn't feel like homework? What if, instead, it was built on a foundation of love, community, and — most importantly — joy?

Disowned by his Orthodox Jewish father for coming out, he showed up in San Francisco fourteen years ago with nothing. He says the city gave him everything. So he got to work giving it back. First, he built Manny's, the Mission gathering space where engagement, disagreement, action, and hope can flourish (and a required campaign stop for Democratic presidential candidates).

Now, Manny is running for District 8 supervisor, Harvey Milk's old seat.
Connor and Manny get into why joy is the most serious tool any politician has, how a guy who lost his dad built a home for a whole city, and why running for office might be the best dating strategy out there.

If you're tired of politics feeling like a chore, this one's for you.

Chapters

00:00:00 Intro — Politics is the problem, politics is the solution
00:01:46 Coming out, being disowned, finding home in SF
00:04:55 Building Manny's — A civic gathering space for democracy
00:06:37 Dating a ballet dancer and enjoying the journey
00:09:01 Loneliness and feeling outside the camp
00:10:58 The craziest moments at Manny's
00:17:16 Why I'm running for office — I owe the city
00:23:34 Change is possible — Politics is the only thing standing in our way
00:33:06 The Civic Joy Fund — Why joy matters in politics
00:35:01 Community organizing 101 — How to build from scratch
00:37:24 Gay, Jewish, and faithful — Reconciling identity and spirituality
00:44:10 The housing crisis — Building 10,000 new homes in District 8
00:49:55 Burning bright — Harvey Milk's legacy and living fully

IS THIS WORKING?!

What if the most interesting thing about work isn't what we do—but what it does to us?

Is This Working?! is about meaningful work and the messy humans who do it. Host Connor Diemand-Yauman talks to the leaders, builders, and creatives navigating the chaos through the moments they question everything and show up anyway.

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