The Fun Police

Hosted by Ben Bleiman, Sharky Laguana, Manny Yekutiel

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Cities should be fun and full of life! Join Ben Bleiman, Sharky Laguana, and Manny Yekutiel as they interview local politicians and celebrities about the nitty gritty of San Francisco politics, policy, and nightlife. If you are curious how city government works, and think we could use a little more excitement in the urban landscape, this is the show for you.

Listen to episodes

14 recent

March 30, 202655 min

Sexual Violence and Politics - with Lily Ho, and Olga Miranda

The recent horrifying news about Cesar Chavez and his sexual abuse of the women around him has been a gut punch for many who grew up admiring Chavez and the movement he helped build. On today's episode we speak with Lily Ho who serves as chair of the Special Committee on Sexual Assault and Harassment for the San Francisco Democratic Party, and Olga Miranda, President of SEIU Local 87 about how local political groups are wrestling with this news, and the work that is being done to make things better in the future.

March 18, 202653 min

ZOMG Charter Reform

The Fun Police discuss the oh-so-exciting topic of Charter Reform and we promise you will not be bored to tears. Maybe a little misty, but not full-on tears.

February 12, 202652 min

The SF School Strike - with former School Board President Lainie Motamedi

SF public schools have been closed since Monday as teachers have gone on strike. The issues being wrestled with are complex, and we didn't get here overnight. Former School Board president Lainie Motamedi joins us to share her perspective, and shares her insights on how we can make things better going forward. A can't miss episode for understanding an issue that is affecting tens of thousands of parents across the City.

January 14, 202657 min

2026 Predictions - With Bobak Esfandiari

The reading material at Fun Police headquarters is reviewed. A few Movie suggestions are made as well, before we get to the meat of the matter: 2026 political predictions. Special guest (and San Francisco Democratic Party Executive Director AND Fun Police fact checker) Bobak Esfandiari helps flesh those predictions out. Come for the hot takes, stay for Sharky's rant at the end.

December 19, 202558 min

2025 Unwrapped - A Year In Review

Our 2/3 hungover hosts go through the events of 2025 and determine what the biggest stories and people of the year were. We discuss all the greatest hits, speculate as to what might have caused the more toxic elements of our local politics to be somewhat less toxic this year, bandy about the hidden upsides for neighbors of the Safeway Marina project, and close with a fun idea that would really make things lively in our lovely City on a lunar basis.

December 5, 202552 min

The D4 Debacle - With Jessica Ho

The Fun Police, along with former D4 candidate (and current podcast host Jessica Ho) discuss the divisive and deleterious debacle of District 4, and deliver dramatic new details about Supervisor Alan "Dragonkin" Wong and the dungeon denizens he has ducked and dodged. Along the way we learn about how fashionable fireworks can be, and get a fun idea from Jessica that is more green than envy.

October 21, 20251 hr 13 min

Manny Runs For Office - with "Special Guest" Manny Yekutiel

Ben, Manny, and Sharky started the Fun Police podcast years ago to talk about ways to make cities fun and interesting. We've talked to dozens of elected officials. Now it's one of us who is running for office, specifically Manny. Is this going to be the episode that sinks him? You never know, it's always a possibility. Listen to us grill our friend, and see if we found a way to screw it all up for him.

September 12, 20251 hr 2 min

Family Zoning Plan - with SF Planning Director Sarah Dennis Phillips

The Mayor's Family Zoning Plan is the first significant change in the San Francisco's zoning in 50 years. Approved last night by the Planning Commission, it now begins to work its way through the Board of Supervisors as a series of legislative packages. We talk with Planning Director Sara Dennis Phillips about the plan, what it entails, what the challenges are, and where this is all headed. And we get a fantastic fun idea at the end too!

July 22, 20251 hr 0 min

Lesser Lessors - AI's impact on SF with Alexander Quinn

The Fun Police take a look at the impact of AI on SF. We get things started by chatting with Alexander Quinn, Senior Director, Northern California Research for JLL - a global real estate services company. Then we talk about the City's new deal with OpenAI and what that could mean for government services. Today's Fun Idea was controversial with the gang, but should delight movie fans. Finally there's a special easter egg at the end.

July 3, 20251 hr 5 min

Casual Cruelty

It's been a minute but Ben, Manny, and Sharky have now returned, only this time nothing has changed. Still the same three dum dums. Topics include vibe check on the Mayor, San Francisco's budget, and Supervisor Engardio's recall election in District 4.