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Back in 2019, we were watching this City—our City—go through some major shifts driven by the impacts of gentrification, displacement, and tech. So we launched a podcast called San Francisco inFLUX.
Our goals with that project were to explore the complex dynamics of this transformation—It was about understanding the real forces behind this change—forces that were reshaping the culture, pushing out long-time communities, and leaving a lot of us wondering where we fit in.
We highlighted the people and stories that weren’t getting the spotlight and really dug into what’s current and next for the people who make this place home.
Since then, our City has continued to be upended by the ever-present impacts of gentrification, and our already deep social inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Look, our City has seen better days, we’re grappling with challenges that don’t have easy answers– but what we’ve noticed about the prevailing narrative is that it paints a hopeless picture that’s quite anxious and dystopian. This way of viewing San Francisco is somewhat fair, but it stifles aspirations, leads to feelings of apathy, and disengages the very people– us – who should be working together to find solutions.
Here’s the thing—we know San Francisco still has something special. It’s got us. We’re resilient, compassionate at heart, and familiar with the pavement. We can turn this around.
So that’s why we’re hyped to announce that we’re shifting gears. We’re relaunching the podcast under a new name: San Francisco Revival.
We’re focusing on the movements, the stories, and the people who are *actively* pushing back against the doom and gloom. We’re providing words of resilience, healing, and hope. We’re not going to let anyone write us off.
Let’s get to work on the City’s Comeback Story. This is San Francisco Revival, a Mission Housing podcast.
Episodes
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
In this episode of the San Francisco Revival Podcast, we sit down with Katy Birnbaum, Co-Founder and CEO of Into the Streets SF, the cultural production studio behind Downtown First Thursdays and other transformative public events across the city.
Katy explains why reclaiming public space isn’t just about events — it’s about culture, healing, and creating shared reality in an AI-driven world.
From the emotional aftermath of the 2016 election to the economic impact of revitalizing downtown San Francisco, this conversation explores why joy might be the most radical act of all.
Episode Highlights:
(02:12) – The moment Katy realized streets could be healing spaces
(08:45) – Public space, immigration raids & joy as resistance
(11:06) – Defying the “San Francisco is declining” narrative
(15:37) – AI, shared reality & why physical gathering matters
(20:15) – Vibes vs. metrics: How do you measure impact?
(23:56) – Why joy is not frivolous — it’s human
(28:49) – Kindness as a radical choice
(32:30) – Designing a citywide celebration with no limits
(43:11) – How to connect with Into the Streets SF
If you care about civic renewal, community healing, downtown revitalization, or the future of San Francisco — this episode is for you.
Subscribe to the San Francisco Revival Podcast for conversations with the people shaping the city’s comeback.
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/udaZ75gdJu4
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