Rising ICON #34: Mana Moini
What name do you prefer to be called?
Mana
What are your pronouns?
She/Her
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Denmark and my family and I immigrated to Minnesota when I was 10 years old.
What city are you currently based in?
Minneapolis, MN
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
“Hi, I’m Mana, nice to meet you!” I usually follow it up with a compliment.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I’ve grown up in various cultures and can easily empathize and relate to people.
Who do you help?
The podcast provides people with a place to go, a community to join, and to hear people have meaningful conversations that encourage kindness and community.
What are you building now?
With the podcast, a community where people can feel seen and part of the greater good.
What were you building ten years ago today?
My corporate sales career.
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
I hope to expand the HUMANATY platform to various industries: philanthropy, community building, etc.
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
The podcast industry is worth $23.5 billion and there are over 500 million podcast listeners and it’s growing! Given the size and reach of this industry, one can really make a positive impact through a platform, like HUMANATY, where we have meaningful conversations that can motivate people to spread kindness and positivity.
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
It’s important to have dialogue and communicate if we want to see change. The HUMANATY podcast platform provides a place that encourages authentic dialogue.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
I have had many mentors who believed in me before I believed in myself. The one piece of advice that’s been universal is that you have to truly believe in what you do and that will happen if it aligns with your purpose.
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
I’m very proud of the “Power Series” or the first season of the HUMANATY Podcast, where we are having meaningful conversations with the community leaders, CEOs, and business owners, to educate and encourage kindness, community, and connection.
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
Would love for the HUMANATY Podcast to be spotlighted by MPLS St Paul Magazine or the MPLS St. Paul Business Journal, given that we are highlighting the local community, its leaders, and venues on the podcast.
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
Christiane Amanpour. I admire her ability to interview diverse figures and her success as a multicultural woman in the journalism space.
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
Surrender
What award would mean the most to win?
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The awards recognize “individuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate…they do so while acknowledging their debt to their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America.”
What makes zero sense to you?
When someone has the opportunity to be a mentor or offer advice to another but does not step up to do so. We are better together!
What’s a word in your industry you hope gets re-evaluated?
Downloads. Less about the word but just more in the spirit of staying authentic and true to the content versus getting caught up in the numbers.
What game are you changing?
The “everyone has a podcast” game. The elevated content and community-based approach of HUMANATY is unique.
What’s the next thing you’re a part of that you want to invite more people to participate in?
Up next is HUMANATY Pop-ups where we will record episodes live with an audience.
Where can we follow you online?
Instagram: @humanatypodcast and @mana.mpls
LinkedIn: Mana Moini | LinkedIn and HUMANATY: Overview | LinkedIn
Video format is available on youtube: @humanatypodcast or HUMANATY Podcast - YouTube
HUMANATY Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts.
What’s one thing that makes every leader better?
The art of listening.
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We’re grateful to each Rising ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Mana, for sharing your story!
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“It’s important to have dialogue and communicate if we want to see change. ”
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