🌟Mike Manning: From Real World to Real Impact

In this exciting episode of Amazing Women and Men of Power, Raven rolls out the red carpet for two-time Emmy Award-winning actor, producer, and activist Mike Manning — a performer whose career continues to evolve with heart, courage, and purpose ✨

Mike first captured national attention on The Real World: Washington, D.C., and since then has built a dynamic career spanning television, film, and documentaries. From powerful roles on Days of Our Lives to fan-favorite Smitty on Beyond the Gates, Mike has proven his versatility — seamlessly shifting between villainous intensity and heartfelt charm.

Now, he’s stepping into an entirely new universe in the sci-fi adventure film Unexpected Treasures, available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. In the film, Mike plays Sam — a telepathic alien fugitive whose optimism and humanity help restore hope in an unlikely friendship set against the mystical backdrop of Joshua Tree. The project premiered at Comic-Con, marking a dream milestone for the lifelong sci-fi fan.

Beyond the screen, Mike uses storytelling as a tool for advocacy. As a producer, he has helped spotlight meaningful causes through documentaries, proving that entertainment can inspire real-world change. In this conversation, he opens up about choosing roles that scare him, the power of representation, and why storytelling still matters in a social-media-driven world.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• How The Real World changed Mike’s life and sense of purpose
• Why he chooses roles that challenge and stretch him
• The inspiration behind playing an alien in Unexpected Treasures
• What fans can expect next on Beyond the Gates
• His passion for science fiction and superhero mythology
• How storytelling can influence culture and human rights
• The balance between acting, producing, and activism
• What keeps him excited after more than a decade in the industry