June 9, 2026 - San Francisco Post

The Book That Was Born in a Brain Surgery and Came Out Swinging: Barry Maher’s The Great Dick Is Unlike Anything You’ll Read This Year

San Francisco Post Staff on June 9, 2026

By: Vicent Morris

There is a particular kind of creative courage that only seems to emerge when someone has genuinely nothing left to lose, and Barry Maher wrote this book with a chunk of his skull removed and a baseball-sized tumor being carved from his brain. Knowing that doesn’t just add color to the author bio. It explains something essential about the energy running through every page of The Great Dick, a restless, darkly hilarious, genuinely unsettling novel that reads like it was written by someone who decided that if he was going to tell this story, he was going to tell all of it.

Reading this book is a physically engaging experience in a way that most fiction simply isn’t. It moves the way anxiety moves, quick and unpredictable, with a nervous humor underneath that keeps you slightly off balance even during the quieter moments. Steve Witowski is not a character you’re supposed to admire exactly, but Maher pulls off something genuinely difficult with him. He makes you care deeply about someone who is, by most reasonable measures, a spectacular mess. That investment sneaks up on you somewhere around the third chapter and never fully lets go, which means that when the supernatural elements start tightening their grip on Steve’s life, you feel that tightening personally rather than just watching it happen from a safe readerly distance.

Underneath the occult rituals and the crumbling California church and the demon that Steve absolutely refuses to believe in, this book is exploring something that sits much closer to everyday life than its genre trappings might suggest. It’s about what happens when a person who has spent years running from everything finally gets cornered by something he can’t outpace or rationalize away. The horror in this novel isn’t just supernatural. It’s the horror of self-reckoning, of realizing that the thing pursuing you has been wearing your own face the whole time. Those themes land with real weight because Maher never lets the darkness become decorative. It’s always attached to something true about how people actually avoid their own lives until they can’t anymore.

The craft here is worth pausing on specifically. Maher’s prose has a deadpan quality that reminds you at times of the great American comic-dark writers, the ones who use humor not to soften horror but to make it cut differently. The 1982 California setting is rendered with enough grit and specificity that it functions almost as a character itself, grimy and sun-bleached and morally compromised in ways that feel entirely appropriate to the story being told. And the pacing is genuinely skilled. Maher knows when to let a scene breathe and when to accelerate, and the result is a novel that keeps you reading at one in the morning when you know perfectly well you have things to do tomorrow.

The Great Dick is the kind of book that stays in your system after you finish it, not because it resolved everything neatly but because it didn’t. It asked uncomfortable questions about denial and belief and what we owe to the lives we’ve stumbled through, and it asked them while making you laugh and covering you in dread simultaneously. That is an extremely difficult thing to do and Barry Maher does it with the confidence of someone who has already survived the worst thing and decided to write about it anyway.

If you’ve ever wanted a horror novel that makes you laugh out loud and then immediately feel unsettled about the fact that you just laughed, The Great Dick: And the Dysfunctional Demon is waiting for you on Amazon. Pick it up, clear your evening, and prepare to meet Steve Witowski. He’s a mess. You’re going to love him.

New Hunters View Park Opens With Bay Views and Public Amenities

San Francisco Staff 2 on June 9, 2026

Hunters View Park officially welcomed residents and visitors in San Francisco this month, adding a new public recreation space that combines scenic waterfront vistas, family-friendly features, and community gathering areas in the city’s southeastern neighborhood. The project involves local residents, city agencies, and development partners who have worked on the broader transformation of the Hunters View area, creating an outdoor destination designed for people of all ages.

The newly opened site includes playground equipment, landscaped pathways, seating areas, porch-style swings, and open spaces intended for neighborhood events and everyday use. Located on elevated terrain overlooking the bay, the park offers panoramic views while serving as a central gathering place for residents living in and around the Hunters View community.

City officials and community stakeholders marked the opening as another milestone in ongoing neighborhood improvements. The public space was designed to provide recreation opportunities while strengthening connections among residents through accessible outdoor amenities and shared spaces.

Hunters View Park Adds New Recreation Space to Neighborhood

The park occupies a prominent location within the Hunters View redevelopment area, one of San Francisco’s major long-term community revitalization efforts. The project introduces a variety of amenities intended to accommodate different age groups and interests, reflecting a broader approach to public space design.

Children can access dedicated play areas equipped with modern playground structures, while adults and seniors can make use of seating zones, walking paths, and porch swings positioned to take advantage of the surrounding views. Open lawns and gathering areas provide additional flexibility for neighborhood activities, informal recreation, and community events.

Design elements emphasize accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring the space can be enjoyed by a diverse range of visitors. The combination of active recreation features and quieter relaxation areas reflects efforts to create a park that serves multiple functions within the community.

The opening also increases access to outdoor amenities in a part of the city that has undergone significant changes in recent years. Residents now have a new destination within walking distance that supports both recreation and social interaction.

Community-Centered Design Reflects Resident Input

Development of the park incorporated feedback from neighborhood residents and local stakeholders throughout the planning process. Community engagement played a role in shaping features intended to reflect the needs and preferences of people living in the area.

One of the most distinctive elements is the inclusion of porch swings, which offer a setting for relaxation while overlooking the bay. The swings were designed to appeal not only to children but also to adults seeking a comfortable place to spend time outdoors.

Gathering spaces throughout the park support informal meetings, celebrations, and community activities. These areas were incorporated to encourage interaction among neighbors and help strengthen social connections within the surrounding community.

Landscape features were selected to complement the natural setting while creating a welcoming environment. Trees, plantings, and open green spaces contribute to the park’s overall character and provide opportunities for visitors to enjoy the outdoors in different ways.

The project reflects a growing emphasis on creating public spaces that balance recreation, accessibility, and community engagement rather than focusing exclusively on traditional playground facilities.

Bayfront Views Create a Distinctive Public Destination

One of the defining characteristics of the new park is its elevated location, which provides expansive views of San Francisco Bay and surrounding areas. The vantage point offers visitors an opportunity to experience the city’s natural landscape from a unique perspective.

Observation points and seating areas were positioned to maximize visibility of the waterfront scenery. Visitors can take in views of the bay while using the swings, walking through the park, or participating in community gatherings.

The integration of scenic overlooks into the overall design contributes to the site’s identity as both a neighborhood amenity and a destination for visitors from other parts of the city. The combination of recreational facilities and visual access to the waterfront distinguishes the park from many traditional urban green spaces.

Public parks that incorporate natural views often become focal points for community activity, and planners sought to create a setting where residents could enjoy both outdoor recreation and the surrounding environment. The location provides opportunities for walking, relaxation, and informal social interaction throughout the day.

As San Francisco continues to invest in public infrastructure and neighborhood improvements, projects that connect communities with natural features remain an important component of urban planning efforts.

Part of Broader Hunters View Redevelopment Efforts

The park’s opening comes amid continuing work associated with the Hunters View redevelopment initiative. The broader effort has focused on replacing aging housing, improving infrastructure, and expanding community resources within the neighborhood.

Over the years, redevelopment projects have introduced new residential buildings, streetscape improvements, and public amenities aimed at supporting current and future residents. The addition of a new recreational space represents another step in that process.

Community facilities and open spaces are often considered important components of neighborhood revitalization because they provide shared environments where residents can gather and engage with one another. The park contributes to that goal by offering accessible outdoor space designed for daily use.

Officials involved in redevelopment efforts have emphasized the importance of creating amenities that support quality of life alongside housing and infrastructure investments. Parks, playgrounds, and gathering spaces play a role in establishing neighborhoods that meet a variety of community needs.

The Hunters View area has experienced significant changes over the past decade, and the new public space reflects continued investment in long-term neighborhood development.

Katie Augustine on Collective Vision and a More Regenerative Future

San Francisco Post Staff on June 9, 2026

By Victoria Mosby

As artificial intelligence accelerates and global uncertainty continues to rise, many leaders are asking a deeper question: how do we move forward without losing sight of what matters most?

For Katie Augustine, international bestselling author and Earth advocate, the answer is not choosing between innovation and sustainability, but learning how to hold both at once.

Augustine says, “We’re finding ourselves moving into an era where technology backed by stewardship for the planet, can be a great tool for planetary restoration. However, currently the unconscious use of energies to source technology is the challenge. The urgent appeal is to be more innovative as we move forward, including alternative energies to fuel technology, so we can use the technology to create new regenerative systems.”

That perspective reflects a broader tension among leaders. While technologies are unlocking new levels of efficiency and scale, they are also raising questions about environmental and other societal impact, responsibility, and long-term consequences.

Rather than rejecting or blindly embracing these changes, Augustine advocates for a more intentional path forward. One that considers humanity in harmony with a thriving planet and natural ecosystems, and one that integrates innovation with accountability.

A Leader Bridging Strategy and Stewardship

Augustine’s advocacy is shaped by decades of experience advising leaders and organizations. As a director in regulatory compliance, she spent more than 20 years in governance, compliance, and risk management, guiding financial institution executives through complex decision-making environments.

Since 2018, Augustine has coached clients as a Senior Coach with the Brave Thinking(R) Institute, guiding thousands of individuals toward more purpose-driven work they love, while also training coaches to build and scale heart-centered businesses.

Today, through ECS Evolve Consulting Services, she works with nonprofit and mission-driven leaders supporting their alignment of strategy with values to create a measurable impact. Her EVOLVE 6-Phase Framework provides a structured path from vision and mission to execution, by combining strategic planning, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Recognized among Cleveland’s top coaches in recent years and having supported thousands of clients globally, Augustine brings a blend of values, vision, and strategy to her work. Her clients are supported in reflecting on what really matters, and how to serve the mission from this viewpoint, instead of only trying to meet the day-to-day needs of the Board or other task-driven expectations. The latter creates burn out and attrition for leaders and team members, which also creates undue stress and frustration. Augustine aims to change that.

A Different Kind of Leadership Conversation

Augustine’s work is also shaped by a less conventional path. As an ordained Minister of Walking Prayer, her perspective has been influenced by years of study with Indigenous elders, grounding her approach in presence and a deep connection to the Earth.

That foundation shapes how she approaches her work today. In many circles, innovation is driven by speed, scale and competitive advantage. While those factors may remain relevant, she argues they are no longer sufficient on their own.

Augustine says, “We are being asked to lead at a different level now. It’s not just about what works in the short term, but what holds up over time.”

This shift expands leadership beyond execution and into a broader understanding of how decisions impact not only organizations, but the very systems they operate within.

Leading with Awareness in a Time of Change

As new technologies continue to evolve, leaders are navigating a landscape that is changing faster than ever. The challenge is no longer just understanding what tools are available, but how to fuel and use them responsibly.

It takes a practical approach to navigating rapid change. Rather than positioning herself as having all the answers, Augustine focuses on supporting leaders to start with their own values and vision for what they would love, and aligning those with their organization’s mission.

Augustine says, “When we come from an integrated energy and know what truly matters most, the noise of this fast-paced time begins to quiet. When my clients align with their truth, they move out of the overwhelm and become more aware of the choices available to them. Ultimately, their decisions become easier and more purposeful.”

That mindset shifts leadership from reactive to “on purpose.” It centers decision-making on clear priorities: what is being built, why it matters, and how it affects people, communities, and the broader environment.

From Sustainability to Stewardship

While sustainability has traditionally focused on reducing harm, Augustine sees the conversation evolving into something more expansive.

Augustine says, “We are not separate from the systems we operate within. The decisions we make ripple outward, affecting far more than we often realize. This is a sling-shot moment.

Though current regulatory structures are loosening to allow for greater environmental impact, we must stay aligned with our values and our planet’s future. Beyond often form-over-substance sustainability policies, a new movement toward regeneration is emerging, one focused on innovative systems that support both humanity and thriving natural resources. Leaders who embrace these approaches now will help shape a more positive future for both people and the planet.”

This philosophy is also reflected in her co-authorship of Cracking the Rich Code, Vol. 12, alongside Jim Britt and co-sponsored by Tony Robbins. She emphasizes the importance of holding a collective vision for humanity and the planet during a time of evolutionary change.

Stewardship, in this context, becomes less about compliance and more about discernment, and in choosing paths that support both progress and planetary well-being.

Holding Complexity Without Losing Direction

One of the defining challenges for leaders today is managing competing priorities. Growth and responsibility, innovation and impact, and speed and sustainability. The energy usage for data centers is a perfect example of this.

Rather than seeing these as trade-offs, Augustine believes they can coexist when guided by a clear vision. For instance, regional and community leaders can insist that alternative energies are used to support the growing energy demand.

Augustine explains, “When leaders are grounded in what matters most, it becomes easier to navigate complexity without losing direction or stalling progress. I’m reminding leaders we don’t have to act like we are disempowered and simply accept what is put in front of us. Leaders can begin to use their leverage, boycott or say “no” to growth if it is not in alignment with their values. Once a collaboration of leaders start standing up this way, progress will adjust backed by aligned and innovative energies and systems.”

This clarity allows leaders to move forward with confidence, even in uncertain conditions, while staying aligned with long-term outcomes.

Shaping What Comes Next

Augustine views this moment as more than disruption, but part of a larger shift. She describes this as an “evolutionary birthing,” where new systems and ways of leading are emerging.

She says, “We have an opportunity to shape a future where innovation and responsibility to the planet and her ecosystems are both included, so humanity can move forward with potentiality and possibility, versus the current creation of climate crisis and other societal concerns.”

That future is not built through sweeping changes alone, but through everyday decisions, how leaders think, what they prioritize and demand, how they collaborate, and the vision they choose to hold and take action on.

For Augustine, the path forward is not about perfection, but clarity of direction. She sees leadership aligned with a broader vision for both organizational success and planetary well-being.

As organizations navigate a rapidly changing world, one thing is becoming clear, the future will not be defined by innovation alone, but by how thoughtfully it is applied.

To explore Katie Augustine’s work further, visit ECSevolveconsultingservices.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Day: June 9, 2026