🌟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 purposeWhy he chooses roles that challenge and stretch himThe inspiration behind playing an alien in Unexpected TreasuresWhat fans can expect next on Beyond the GatesHis passion for science fiction and superhero mythologyHow storytelling can influence culture and human rightsThe balance between acting, producing, and activismWhat keeps him excited after more than a decade in the industry