Drawing from her own journey through burnout, motherhood, health challenges, and career transitions, Mandi shares why your money's purpose should evolve alongside your life. She explains how to recognize when you're in an "alignment season," why financial security alone isn't enough, and how to use your resources to create more peace, flexibility, and fulfillment instead of simply accumulating more.

Whether you're considering a career pivot, investing in your health, setting stronger boundaries, or simply trying to make your budget reflect the person you've become, this episode offers practical exercises to help you reconnect your finances with your current values. From creating an Alignment Fund and auditing your spending to making intentional financial trade-offs that support your next chapter, Mandi shares approachable strategies to help you build a life that feels just as good as it looks.

Summer Money Reboot Week 5 Workbook 

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Mandi shares how her own financial life has evolved from a 24-year-old with a target-date fund to a business owner, parent, and entrepreneur with completely different priorities. She explains why your investment strategy should grow alongside your life, how to evaluate your risk tolerance, avoid paying unnecessary fees, and make sure your portfolio reflects your current goals instead of the person you were a decade ago.

Whether you're investing through a traditional 401(k), building wealth as a solopreneur, or preparing to open your first taxable brokerage account, Mandi breaks down practical ways to level up without making investing feel intimidating. From maximizing retirement contributions and understanding HSAs to creating a "Spicy 5%" for individual stock picks, this episode is filled with approachable strategies designed to help you build wealth consistently while keeping risk in perspective.

• Summer Money Reboot Week 4 Workbook  -https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/hvbru7gmkx

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Join the Summer Money Reboot! 
Mandi’s six‑week Summer Money Reboot series, designed to help you name your financial season, rebuild financial safety, and then move toward growth and alignment. 

Download the workbooks for weeks 1:
https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/summermoneyreboot

week 2
https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/vr4mxs90xk 

And week 3

https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/kfb44793u2

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Whether your balances grew because of rising costs, inconsistent income, a family emergency, or simply trying to keep life moving when your paycheck couldn't keep up, this episode is a reminder that debt isn't a character flaw, it's a financial challenge that deserves a plan, not shame.

Mandi gets candid about her own experience navigating five-figure credit card debt and why even financial experts sometimes find themselves back at square one. She walks through the exact system she's using to regain control from organizing every account and choosing a payoff strategy to negotiating lower interest rates, cutting recurring expenses, creating healthier spending habits, and finding practical ways to increase cash flow.

If you've been avoiding your credit card statements, feeling overwhelmed by minimum payments, or wondering where to even begin, this episode offers the structure, encouragement, and actionable steps to help you stop spiraling and start making progress one decision at a time.

Resources Mentioned

• Debt Freedom Tracker Spreadsheet

• Rocket Money

• Monarch Money

• You Need A Budget (YNAB)

• Grab the Week 3 Workbook here: https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/kfb44793u2

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Mandi shares why she’s finally ready to try stock trading after attending Teri Ijeoma’s New York City book launch and breaks down the real numbers behind vending machines as a business—so you’re not accidentally living life on hard mode in your financial safety season.

Listener letter: Erin’s story
Erin is 36, divorced, and living in a small town in Texas. She’s transferred to Walmart full‑time, applied to jobs with almost no luck, put a successful vintage booth on pause, and is now working toward her notary license while researching vending machines and planning for single motherhood.

Join the Summer Money Reboot! 
This BA Q&A is part of Mandi’s six‑week Summer Money Reboot series, designed to help you name your financial season, rebuild financial safety, and then move toward growth and alignment. 

Download the workbooks for weeks 1:
https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/summermoneyreboot

and week 2
https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/vr4mxs90xk 

Other Resources and mentions
•    Teri Ijeoma – The Risk Worth Taking
•    Thinkorswim practice trading account (paper trading for beginners) 
•    SCORE small‑business mentorship 

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Grab the Week 2 Workbook here: https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/vr4mxs90xk

Special guest: Jaspreet Singh, founder of https://theminoritymindset.com/

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In this kickoff episode, Mandi shares why she rewrote her book into Brown Ambition: How to Reboot Your Career and Money After Life Throws You Off Track and introduces a new framework for thinking about your finances when life is life‑ing: the four financial seasons.

You’ll learn:
•    Why “I did everything right” and still feel stuck is more common than you think.
•    The four financial seasons: Safety, Growth, Alignment, and Protection—and the main job of each.
•    Why you cannot and should not try to be in all four seasons at once.
•    How to start naming your current season (without shaming it) using real questions about your debt, savings, income, and stress level.
•    Why it’s taking so many of us years, not months, to bounce back from layoffs, caregiving, and health challenges—and why the old “3‑month emergency fund” advice doesn’t match reality anymore.
Instead of trying to fix your whole financial life by Labor Day, this series will help you figure out which season you’re in right now and what that season actually needs from your money over the next 90 days. You don’t need a perfect budget or a 37‑step plan this summer; you need a truthful starting point.

<<GET THE FREE SUMMER MONEY REBOOT WORKBOOK>>

Mandi also created a free Summer Money Reboot companion workbook to use alongside this series.

The workbook will help you:

•    Identify which of the four seasons your financial life is in right now.
•    Reflect on how you got here without spiraling into shame 
•    Start mapping out a simple, realistic 90‑day plan aligned with your current season. 
Download the free Summer Money Reboot Workbook via the link in the show notes and follow along week by week 

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This conversation is with executive coach and author Sabina Nawaz, whose book You’re the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need is all about helping high‑achieving leaders avoid the traps that come with success. 

We talk about why promotions are actually the riskiest moments in your career, how pressure — not power — can corrupt even the best bosses, and what it really looks like to be the kind of manager your team needs without losing your values or your identity as a woman of color.

If you’ve been feeling stretched, misunderstood, or like you’re constantly in a pressure cooker, this one will hit. Let’s get into ‘How to Be the Kind of Boss Your Team Needs’ with Sabina Nawaz.”Follow Sabina Nawaz!

• Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabinacoaching/?hl=en

Have a Question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast!

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Even though I had to give up my spot at Roxane’s Black writers convention last weekend because of surgery, I’m grateful we get to sit with her voice again in this feed. Brown Ambition will be back with brand‑new episodes starting July 8, and I can’t wait to update you more on this book journey and what’s next for BA.

In this encore episode, Tiffany and I sit down with Roxane to talk about what it means to stand your ground as “a Black, queer, fat woman” in America — her words — and how she thinks about safety, gun ownership, and the reality that no one is coming to save us but us. Roxane walks us through years of threats against her, the decision to buy a gun during the pandemic, and what she learned when she realized Black women are the fastest‑growing group of gun owners in the U.S.

We also get into the heart of Brown Ambition: Black women’s ambition, entrepreneurship, education, and generational wealth. Roxane talks about multiple income streams, negotiating her worth in publishing and media, and why she still has to fight for her value even with a “media empire” and a team of top‑tier agents and lawyers behind her. Tiffany shares her own journey selling hundreds of thousands of books and doing 90% of her own marketing, and I ask Roxane for advice as I write my first book with Legacy Lit.

Along the way, we discuss:
•    Roxane’s book Hunger and how it cracked me open and helped me love myself.[Attachment]
•    Growing up in gun‑saturated environments and raising Black boys in a country obsessed with guns.
•    Sonya Massey, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, and why police violence remains a constant threat no matter what we do to protect ourselves.
•    Black women’s dominance in degrees, entrepreneurship, and readership — and what that means for wealth‑building.
•    The importance of Black editors, hiring independent publicists, and insisting that your book still sounds like you.
•    The power of “living in the gray” instead of pretending life is black‑and‑white.[Attachment]

Content note: This episode includes discussion of gun violence, police killings, and anti‑Semitic threats. Please listen when you feel emotionally ready and take care of yourself as you do.

Resources & mentions:
•    Roxane Gay – Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body and Bad Feminist (essay collection). 
•    Roxane’s essay series on gun ownership and power on Everand (formerly Scribd). 

If you enjoy this encore, please share it with a friend, grab Roxane’s books, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more BA fam can find the show. Supporting our living legends — and the storytellers in progress — matters. 

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👑 We dive into:

✔️ How Jessica climbed the ranks in the magazine industry

✔️ Her journey to financial independence & the FIRE movement

✔️ The ups and downs of being a single woman in real estate

✔️ Smart investing tips for first-time buyers

✔️ The power of mentorship, executive coaching, and community

💰 Jessica shares the exact team she built to succeed in real estate:

✔️ A real estate agent who understands investment properties

✔️ A reliable general contractor & trusted repair professionals

✔️ A financial team to maximize tax benefits & long-term wealth

🔑 Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to start investing—learn as you go!

2️⃣ Build a strong team to support your real estate journey.

3️⃣ Wealth-building is possible at any stage of your career.

📌 Follow Jessica Cruel:

📸 Instagram: @JCruel

🌟 Allure: allure.com

🌟 SELF: self.com

💡 Subscribe for more career, wealth, and entrepreneurship insights and don't forget to leave us a review! It's a huge help to get the show seen by more listeners.

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In this throwback Brown Ambition Q&A, I break down:
•    Why your current job (yes, even nannying) can be a powerful bridge and not a dead end when you’re pivoting careers
•    How to decide if an MBA is actually worth the time and 50K+ price tag for the kind of business or career you want
•    Alternatives to grad school: continuing education, mentorship, networking, and learning directly from working entrepreneurs
•    How to reframe “this is all that’s left for me” into “this is how I’m planting seeds for my future self” as a young immigrant woman building a new life in the Stats

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Lacy may not always be in front of the camera, but you’ve definitely seen her work. From red carpets to fashion campaigns and TV and film, she’s shaping the way Black women show up on screen and in the culture.

In this episode, we get into:

•    Growing up as a Jamaican immigrant, being the “foreign kid,” and learning to do her own hair after a bad relaxer left it broken and damaged
•    Braiding classmates’ hair for $5–$10 in middle and high school and realizing, in hindsight, that she was already a young entrepreneur
•    How she transitioned from doing hair in school to assisting in salons, working on photo shoots, and building a real portfolio in the pre‑Instagram era
•    The behind‑the‑scenes reality of being one of the few Black stylists backstage at fashion week—and why Black models would literally wait in line for Lacy to do their hair
•    What it actually looks like to take yourself seriously as a business: investing back into your craft, getting representation, and positioning yourself for bigger brand and editorial work
•    How rates really work in fashion and celebrity styling, why there’s no union protecting hair and makeup artists in her lane, and how that impacts pay and job security
•    The power and pressure of being an “image maker” for Black women, and why getting the hair right can make or break a character or campaign
We also talk about the evolution of Black hair care, the shift from relaxers to curls and coils, and how much access to education and products has changed since the 90s.
If you’re a creative, service provider, or anyone trying to turn a skill into a sustainable business, this conversation will give you both inspiration and a real look at the money and power dynamics behind the glam.

Tune in to hear how Lacy built her career, claimed her value, and continues to advocate for herself and other artists in an industry that doesn’t always see their worth.

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Then they dig into Erica’s inheritance and walk through the tradeoffs between paying off a low‑rate mortgage versus using that cash for an investment property or other investments. They talk through landlord realities, using home equity to scale a real estate portfolio, and why parking a windfall in cash for a few months while you build a plan with a financial pro can be the smartest move.

Send your money, career, and business questions via DM to @brownambitionpodcast on Instagram or email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.

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We unpack the emotional weight of debt, from shame and secrecy to the very real health impacts of chronic financial stress, and we walk through practical options—from DIY payoff and consolidation loans to credit counseling, debt relief programs, and bankruptcy.  You’ll hear exactly what happens when you call a company like National Debt Relief, how settlements actually get negotiated, and the red flags to watch for so you don’t fall for scammy debt collectors.If debt is stealing your sleep, this is your permission slip to put the shame down and pick up a plan.

For more information on a variety of debt topics, feel free to visit National Debt Relief’s Resource page for more information on individual debt situations: https://www.nationaldebtrelief.com/resources/

Note: These show notes may contain link to affiliate products, from which we derive revenue.

We want to hear from you! Drop us a note at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast

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Together, we dive into what it really looks like to build a business, raise a family, and keep a marriage strong—all while staying true to themselves. From juggling show tapings to managing their growing empire (hello, new furniture line Indigo Road!), Egypt and Mike don’t hold back.

We talk about: 

- The honest truth about therapy, teamwork, and choosing love on the hard days  

- How they navigate marriage without competition just collaboration  

- The power of understanding your partner’s strengths in life and in business  

- Their journey raising daughters while modeling a healthy, ambitious partnership  

- What it takes to build a financial dream team and break the mold on outdated gender roles  

We also get personal about the importance of communication, leaning on trust, and setting boundaries that protect your peace—drawing inspiration from Michelle Obama, Tabitha Brown, and the many women redefining relationship goals on their own terms.

This one’s for anyone balancing love, legacy, and leveling up

🎧 Tap in and don’t forget to check out Egypt and Mike on YouTube and follow Egypt's newest venture, Indigo Road, for more of her signature style and vision.

Links + Resources:

📲 Follow Egypt on [Instagram https://www.instagram.com/egyptsherrod/ ]

📲 Follow Mike on [Instagram https://www.instagram.com/djfadelf/ ]

LET’S STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: @brownambitionpodcast 

Website: https://www.brownambitionpodcast.com

Subscribe & leave us a review—because we love hearing from our BA fam!

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First, we coach Nicole, whose mid-700s scores have plateaued, through a method that uses everyday subscriptions, strategic statement-date timing, and automatic payments to show consistent, responsible card usage that can gently nudge scores higher over time.

We also break down what credit “mix” really means, how much weight it carries, and how to safely use tools like credit-builder loans from credit unions instead of taking on unnecessary new debt.

Next, we help Shalise think through the impact of consolidating credit card balances into a personal loan—and whether to close those old cards for good—explaining how closing accounts can affect utilization, account age, and overall score. 

Follow Brown ambition @Brownambitionpodcast on Instagram

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Together, Mandi and Uché talk about:

• The emotional cost of staying in environments where you feel unseen
• Why Black women are often taught to tolerate misalignment for too long
• Navigating the backlash against DEI work in corporate America and healthcare
• The pressure of caregiving, entrepreneurship, and “holding it all together”
• Learning to listen to your body before burnout forces you to stop
• Motherhood, ambition, grief, and redefining success on your own terms
• AI in healthcare and what patients should know before their next doctor’s appointment
• Why joy, rest, creativity, and community are all part of wellness too

Dr. Blackstock also reflects on the legacy of her late mother, becoming older than the age her mother was when she passed away, and how that experience reshaped the way she thinks about health, purpose, and living fully.

Resources & Links

• Dr. Uché Blackstock’s memoir: Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine
• Follow Dr. Uché Blackstock on Instagram: @ucheblackstockmd
• Learn more about Dr. Uché Blackstock: Uche Blackstock Official Website

Keep Up With Brown Ambition

• Follow Brown Ambition on Instagram: Brown Ambition Podcast
• Listen to more episodes: Brown Ambition Official Website

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Sheinelle shares how her journey as a working mom of three shifted while writing her book, and how she continues to show up professionally while processing personal grief after the loss of her husband.

This episode explores the realities of:

• Motherhood and career balance in high-pressure environments
• Grief and healing while maintaining professional responsibilities
• Building a career in journalism and media without a clear roadmap
• The importance of community, support systems, and “the village”
• Navigating mom guilt, burnout, and emotional overwhelm
• Why there’s never a perfect time to pursue your goals

Drawing from her book Through Mom’s Eyes, Sheinelle also reflects on lessons from mothers of icons like Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Durant, and more, highlighting themes of resilience, faith, parenting, and personal growth.

Key takeaway:
Tomorrow isn’t promised. Do the thing.

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First up, we’re unpacking the Emma Grede controversy  from her “three-hour mom” comments to her take on working from home being a career killer for women. As a working mom without billionaire resources, Mandi Money breaks down what’s actually realistic, what feels out of touch, and what ambitious women can really take from the conversation without spiraling into guilt or anxiety.

Then we shift into a deeply personal listener question from a woman who, on paper, looks like she’s thriving  multi-six-figure business, speaking gigs, “that girl” energy. But behind the scenes? She’s carrying overwhelming debt, financial stress, and the constant fear of being “found out.”

And if that hits a little too close to home… you’re not alone.

Key Takeaways:

• The quality of time matters more than the quantity especially in motherhood
• You can be successful and struggling at the same time
• Debt is a situation, not an identity
• Transparency builds trust with yourself first, then others
• You don’t have to maintain an image that’s costing you your peace

Join the Conversation:

Got a question you want answered on the show?
DM us @brownambitionpodcast or @mandimoney, or email brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com

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Together, they get honest about navigating burnout, layoffs, and career pivots as women of color—especially when the stakes are higher and the margin for risk feels smaller. From redefining ambition to untangling your identity from your job title, this conversation is about building a career that actually supports your life, your health, and your peace.

If you’ve been feeling frozen, overlooked, or unsure of your next move, consider this your reminder: you don’t have to blow everything up but something does need to shift.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Why career “reboots” feel harder at more senior stages of life
• The difference between painful ambition vs. purposeful ambition
• How burnout, boredom, and misalignment show up (and what to do next)
• The role of core wounds (rejection, betrayal, abandonment) in career decisions
• Why your “messy middle” is actually part of the process not failure
• How to rebuild your career one “right action” at a time
• Letting go of shame and rewriting your career story with confidence
• Why you’re not meant to navigate big transitions alone

Key Takeaways:

• Your career is allowed to evolve, even if it doesn’t make sense on paper.
• Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing, it may mean you’re outgrowing something.
• You don’t need a perfect plan just your next right step.
• Healing your relationship with ambition is key to sustainable success.
• The way you tell your story can open (or close) doors.

Connect With Us:
We want to hear from you, BA Fam. Have you been navigating a career pivot or feeling the pull to start over? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast or email brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.

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Next up, we get into the messy, grown-up decision-making that comes with a career crossroads. Do you take the severance and walk away clean—or stay for the long game, with perks like full vesting, pension benefits, and even a company-covered master’s degree? We’re breaking down the pros and cons, talking real numbers, and helping you think through how to align your career moves with your long-term goals.

And to close things out, we’re diving into two fields where the future is already here: data analytics and cybersecurity. Whether you’re eyeing a new lane or looking to level up where you are, we’re talking certifications, AI trends, and the skills that’ll keep your résumé future-proof. It’s a reminder that learning is a lifelong flex and staying curious is the best career insurance out there.

This episode is a celebration of courage, clarity, and the power of making moves—even when it’s scary. Tap in for real talk, big insights, and a whole lot of motivation to keep betting on yourself

LET’S STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: [@brownambitionpodcast](https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcast)  

Website: [brownambitionpodcast.com](https://www.brownambitionpodcast.com)  

Subscribe & leave us a review—because we love hearing from our BA fam!

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Rayne gets real about walking away from stability, navigating financial insecurity, and trusting her instincts even when the path didn’t make sense on paper. From quitting a steady job (twice) to applying to fellowships last minute, she shares how rejection, resourcefulness, and a whole lot of self-awareness helped her break into an industry that isn’t built for easy access especially for women of color.

This conversation is a masterclass in betting on yourself responsibly. Rayne breaks down how she funded her pivots, why being “frugal but fearless” mattered, and how mentorship, preparation, and authenticity opened doors she didn’t even know existed. If you’ve ever felt stuck between security and purpose, this episode will challenge you to rethink what’s actually possible.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t have to have it all figured out clarity often comes after you make the move
• Financial stability matters, but so does alignment find a balance that works for your risk tolerance
• Rejection isn’t a stop sign it’s part of the process (and sometimes the strategy)
• Mentorship doesn’t always come from where you expect—seek proximity, not perfection
• Being yourself is the advantage authenticity opens doors that performance can’t

Stay Connected  

- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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After a Monday that looked like being frozen in the car and glued to the couch, Mandi walks us through the emotional aftermath: the shame spiral, the self-talk, and the decision to reframe the entire day as a win instead of a failure. Because sometimes surviving the day is the victory.

She breaks down how she found her way back with three small but powerful “day after” wins:

• A body win  reconnecting with herself physically, even in the smallest way
• An environment win  shifting her space to support her energy
• A future-you win doing one thing that tomorrow’s version of her would be grateful for

If you’ve been dealing with long-term stress job searching, money worries, or just carrying too much for too long this episode is your reminder that you’re not broken… you’re overwhelmed. And there’s a way forward that doesn’t require you to have it all together.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Why “crash days” happen and what your body is trying to tell you
• How to interrupt the shame spiral with compassion and honesty
• Simple, realistic ways to start moving again when you feel stuck
• Permission to redefine productivity and celebrate small wins

Stay Connected  

- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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From new streaming perks to rising annual fees (hi, $795!), they weigh in on what’s actually worth it and what’s just hype. If you’re thinking about upgrading your card or just want to travel smarter, this one’s for you.

💳 What You’ll Learn:

• Which card perks are actually worth the fee
• Smart ways to use cards for travel, groceries, and rent
• The real cost of carrying a balance
• Tips for maximizing rewards with tools like Travel Freely

New here?
Join us three times a week:

• 💼 Washday Woosah (Sunday interviews with inspiring guests)

• 🪑 Brown Table Wednesdays (group chat energy, always)

• 🎤 BA Q&A Fridays + Conversations! (your money + career questions answered)

We launched a Patreon, too!
🎥 Get early access, video recordings, and exclusive book club perks:
👉 patreon.com/brownambition

Stay Connected:
🔗 @brownambitionpodcast
🌐 brownambitionpodcast.com
💌 Leave a review—your feedback fuels us, BA Fam!

Let’s keep rising, building, and showing out. 💼💰✊🏾

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This week on Brown Ambition, MandiMoney is back with a simple, shame‑free money reset for 2026: 3 wealthy habits you can actually stick with, even when life is lifing. Instead of overhauling your entire financial life by February, this episode walks you through small, repeatable moves that quietly build wealth in the background—whether you’re fighting inflation, juggling childcare, stuck in a “starter” home, or piecing together entrepreneurial income. 

👉 Want more Brown Ambition?

• Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind‑the‑scenes content and deeper dives into money, career and entrepreneurship: Join the BA Fam! 

• Follow us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations. 

This episode originally aired Jan. 26, 2026.

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Vivian opens up about her own journey from overspending in her early career to rebuilding her financial foundation and breaks down practical strategies like negotiating your salary, building credit early, and making smarter long-term decisions. She also challenges the pressure of social media comparison, asking the question we all need to sit with: do you actually want it, or do you just want people to see you have it?

Plus, the conversation goes deeper touching on the emotional side of money, the realities of working parenthood, community support, and the truth that even when things look successful on the outside, many of us are still figuring it out in real time. Because at the end of the day, wealth isn’t just about what’s in your account it’s about alignment, honesty, and building a life that actually feels good.

Key Takeaways:

• You can’t always “budget your way out” of systemic or economic hardship
• Financial literacy = being resourceful, not perfect
• Stop spending to impress—start spending with intention
• Build wealth early (credit, negotiation, education planning)
• Community and honesty matter just as much as money
• Everyone is figuring it out—even the people who look like they have it all together

Stay Connected  

- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They cover key updates like the increased child tax credit, new deductions for tips and overtime, expanded benefits for homeowners and seniors, and what entrepreneurs need to know about business write-offs and 1099 changes. Plus, a clear explanation of credits vs. deductions and how each impacts your bottom line.

Whether you’re self-employed, a parent, or just trying to avoid last-minute mistakes, this episode is your reminder to get organized, file on time, and make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.

Stay Connected  

- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The episode dives into renting vs. homeownership, IVF and fertility costs, and navigating layoffs including what it really means to accept (or رفض) a retention bonus after cuts at Block, Inc.. Plus, they unpack the risks of going viral in your career and why flexibility might be the ultimate financial goal.

We also celebrate a major win for women as salaries rise in the WNBA, highlighting the ongoing push for pay equity. If you’ve ever questioned your financial choices or wondered if there’s a “right” way to do adulthood this episode is for you.

Stay Connected  

- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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Naseema opens up about her journey from nearly $1 million in debt including student loans, real estate losses, IRS debt, and the financial aftermath of an abusive marriage to becoming a millionaire. She breaks down exactly how she used zero-based budgeting and the debt snowball method to take control of her finances, even as a single mom navigating one of the most challenging seasons of her life.

Beyond the numbers, this episode is about freedom. Naseema shares how financial literacy gave her the power to leave, rebuild, and create a different future for her daughters—and why financial empowerment, especially for women, is truly life-changing.

Stay Connected  

-Watch Naseem’s Accorns commercial                                                                                                     -Subscribe to The Financially Intentional Podcast
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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Mandi and Oludara talk about the hidden impact of stress, the pressure many women feel to always be “the strong one,” and how cultural expectations can shape the way we show up for others—often at the expense of ourselves. Oludara also opens up about learning to set boundaries, pivoting careers, and balancing meaningful work without burning out.

Plus, she shares practical self-care strategies from her book and new card deck, offering simple ways to reconnect with yourself, manage stress, and prioritize your well-being even on the busiest days.

Stay Connected  

-Get a copy of Self-Care for Black Women by Oludara Adeeyo
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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From getting rejected by Howard’s theater program to becoming a proud Howard alum who quietly built a producing career… from balancing a demanding corporate job at Deloitte while producing projects at night… to not booking an acting role for four years before landing a major role on Reasonable Doubt on Hulu — Kiah’s story is a masterclass in patience, persistence, and betting on yourself when the timeline doesn’t make sense.

And the timing couldn’t be better. The hit series Reasonable Doubt recently took home Outstanding Drama Series at the 57th NAACP Image Awards (2026) — proof that the long road sometimes leads exactly where you’re meant to be.

From hotel-room self tapes to Hollywood sets, Kiah shares what it really looks like to build a creative career behind the scenes and in front of the camera.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you started too late, pivoted too many times, or took the “wrong” path this episode is for you.

Spoiler: you didn’t.

What We Get Into

• Why Kiah almost didn’t submit the audition that changed everything
• The reality of going years without booking acting work
• How a hotel-room self tape (trash can + ring light included) helped land Reasonable Doubt
• Being rejected from Howard’s theater program — and why it became a blessing
• How Howard University and Delta Sigma Theta shaped her identity and confidence
• Working a demanding corporate role while producing films on the side
• What producers actually do — and why the role is often misunderstood
• Quitting Deloitte two weeks after buying a home and the fear that followed
• Losing a series regular role after betting everything on acting

Key Takeaways

• Rejection can be redirection — even when it stings
• A pivot isn’t failure — it’s strategy
• You don’t need constant wins to be on the right path
• Corporate skills can help fund and strengthen creative dreams
• Seeds planted today may take years to bloom — and that’s okay
• Betting on yourself often feels reckless before it feels rewarding

👉 Want more Brown Ambition?

• Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and deeper dives into money, career, and entrepreneurship: Join the BA Fam!
• Follow us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations.

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We want to hear from you! Drop us a note at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast

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In this powerful roundtable, Mandi Money sits down with money expert Bernadette Joy (author of Crush Your Money Goals) and financial freedom advocate Kiersten Saunders of Rich & Regular for an honest, layered conversation about what it really looks like to build wealth as women—especially women of color—in today’s economy.

They break down:

• The gap between entrepreneurship growth and actual funding
• Why traditional wealth advice doesn’t always work for us
• The pressure women face to overwork, over-explain, and over-give
• How to stop overanalyzing and start executing

From angel investing to paying off debt, this episode is about rejecting average outcomes and creating a new playbook.

One takeaway: Do something today.
Move $10. Sell something. Update your budget. Just start.

Because building wealth isn’t about perfection,t’s about momentum.

Stay Connected  

- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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The conversation highlights the difference between happiness and joy, encouraging listeners to identify small moments of joy in their daily lives. In this conversation, the speakers explore the concept of joy and its significance in mental health. They discuss practical strategies for cultivating joy, including tracking points of joy, the importance of sleep, and the impact of social media. The conversation also delves into the biopsychosocial model of well-being, the challenges of perimenopause, and the importance of meaningful relationships.

The RESET method is introduced as a tool for managing digital well-being, and the speakers highlight the unique struggles of women of color with high functioning depression. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and community support in achieving happiness.

Stay Connected  

-Get a copy of High Functioning by Dr. Judith Joseph,
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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Kiersten shares what surprised her most in six years of entrepreneurship, from detoxing corporate habits to riding out a brutal few years for creators and brand deals. She and Mandi get real about breadwinner fatigue, health insurance math, mom guilt, and the panic‑scrolling nights where LinkedIn starts looking a little too tempting.

They also dig into: how to tell the difference between burnout and “I need to quit today,” why your nervous system not just your budget has to be part of your exit plan, and the underrated power of hyper‑local community, borrowing, and free resources when you’re building a softer, more sustainable life. Plus, Mandi and Kiersten confess how they really use AI to talk themselves off the ledge on tough days.

If you’ve been side‑eyeing your 9‑to‑5, flirting with creator life, or just craving more freedom without losing your mind (or your money), this episode is your permission slip to rethink what “cashing out” looks like for you.

Stay Connected  

- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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Sydney, a 34-year-old nurse, is three years away from qualifying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). While pursuing her master’s degree, her loans are currently in in-school deferment. She’s also planning to sell her home, purchase a new one closer to work, and manage a $600 monthly car payment.

Her big question:
Should she continue making $500 student loan payments during deferment — or pause and focus on building savings?

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) actually works
• Whether payments made during in-school deferment count toward PSLF
• How to prioritize between student loans, emergency savings, and a car loan
• Why a 3-month emergency fund may not be enough in today’s economy
• How to prepare financially for buying and selling a home
• What to do if you’re worried about changes to federal student loan forgiveness

Stay Connected  
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We also unpack:

• How to navigate layoffs and take control of your job search
• The hidden politics of remote and hybrid work
• Corporate sponsorship strategy for entrepreneurs
• The realities Black women founders face when pivoting in today’s economic climate
• Why sustainability in business is not “selling out”

If you’re navigating a career transition, building a brand, or looking to grow a business in a shifting economy, this episode is your masterclass in playing the long game.

Gems from This Episode

• Visibility is strategic, not accidental.
• Influence inside companies is often hidden.
• Corporate partnerships are built on trust and execution.
• Sustainability is not betrayal.
• You can expand without abandoning your core.

Stay Connected  

-Get a copy of What Do You Need by Lauren-Wesley-Wilson 
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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She breaks down how to make bold moves without making jarring ones:

• Set a minimum salary floor so you know your non-negotiables

• Max out your retirement catch-up contributions (don’t play about your future)

• Build savings while creating a real plan to tackle debt strategically

• And most importantly, pivot in stages (you don’t have to leap without a net)

Then she dives into part two of the question: facing down $45,000 in debt. Mandi shares practical best practices for staying ahead of debt, the mindset shifts required, and the common obstacles that trip people up from lifestyle creep to inconsistent income to avoidance.

Take a listen. Take notes. And remember, BA Fam—we don’t panic pivot, we plan pivot.

Join The 5-Day Career Reboot Challenge  

Stay Connected  
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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Tiffany is back to catch us up on everything happening behind the scenes. From exciting updates about the evolution (and new name!) of the Live Richer Academy to the release of the paperback edition of her New York Times bestselling book Get Good With Money, she shares what this current season of life and business looks like.

But this conversation goes deeper than accolades and announcements. Mandi and Tiffany take a walk down memory lane, reflecting on the early days of Brown Ambition and the foundation that built the BA community we know today. Then the conversation shifts into something more personal and powerful. Tiffany opens up about her ongoing journey with grief, how it has reshaped her perspective, and what healing looks like in real time.

And because this is BA, we also get the tea on what’s next including what Tiffany is cooking up for her next book.This episode is heartfelt, reflective, and full circle. For the OG BA Fam, it truly feels like coming back home.

PS: Tiffany's perfume is Her by Burberry Brit!

Stay Connected  
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We dive into the world of work verification and big data, including platforms like WorkMarket, and unpack how employers confirm employment history, income, and background details in today’s digital-first hiring process.

 In this episode, we cover:

• How employers verify past employment
• What WorkMarket is and how it fits into the hiring ecosystem
• The role of big data in background checks
• How to review, protect, and correct your employment data

Because being financially informed also means being data-aware.

Stay Connected  
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

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Whether you’ve been laid off, are considering entrepreneurship, or just need a reminder that your worth isn’t tied to a job title this one’s for you.

What We Get Into

• 00:00 – Introduction & personal reflections
• 00:37 – Welcome to Brown Ambition
• 00:47 – Meet today’s guest: Kaisha Huguley
• 01:01 – Kisha’s journey & career coaching work
• 02:06 – A word for listeners navigating layoffs
• 03:13 – Celebrating Brown Ambition’s renewal
• 04:14 –Kaisha s layoff story
• 07:18 – Choosing full-time entrepreneurship
• 09:43 – Balancing acting & content creation
• 16:12 – Seasonal depression & career uncertainty
• 24:20 – Teaching, social media, and staying afloat
• 28:52 – Pitching yourself & securing brand deals
• 40:47 – Corporate burnout & workplace realities
• 42:03 – Choosing entrepreneurship every day
• 43:39 – Financial uncertainty & faith in the process
• 44:30 – Podcasting, debt payoff & money transparency
• 45:21 – Financial planning as a couple
• 55:31 – Managing money as an entrepreneur
• 57:17 – Retirement, investing & long-term planning
• 01:09:32 – Reflecting on the entrepreneurial journey
• 01:13:42 – Gratitude, community & paying it forward
• 01:16:30 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

Key Takeaways

• A layoff can be an ending and a beginning
• Self-belief is a muscle—you build it through action
• Multiple income streams don’t mean chaos when you plan intentionally
• Mental health and financial health go hand in hand
• Entrepreneurship is a daily choice, not a one-time leap

Stay Connected  
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What we dive into:

- How PSLF really works and what counts as a qualifying payment.
- Whether you should keep paying loans that are in in-school deferment.
- How to prioritize between:  
- Building a 3–6 month emergency fund.  
- Saving for moving and homebuying costs.  
- Paying down a high car note.
- Why three months of savings may no longer be enough in today’s economy.
- Practical next steps to confirm your PSLF status and get your paperwork right.

Listener Question Highlight  
Sydney, a 34‑year‑old nurse working toward PSLF, asks whether she should keep making a $500 monthly student loan payment while her loans are in deferment—or pause to focus on savings, a future move, and her car note.

Links:

Federal student aid and PSLF info: studentaid.gov

Stay Connected  
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded during a moment of collective grief, fear, and exhaustion, this episode centers honesty over platitudes and action over despair. Stacey breaks down her 10 Steps Campaign, explains how authoritarianism takes root in real time, and offers a clear framework for resistance, resilience, and rebuilding without pretending this moment isn’t heavy.

Together, Mandi and Stacey talk about protecting your peace without disengaging, finding joy as an act of resistance, navigating financial shame and career disruption, and why your power doesn’t disappear just because your platform changes.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, frozen, or unsure where to start this conversation is for you.

What We Get Into

• Why this moment feels heavier and why that feeling is by design
• Stacey Abrams’ 10 Steps to Autocracy and how to recognize them in real time
• The 10 Steps to Freedom & Power and how everyday people can activate them
• Why we can’t return to “how things were” and must demand something better
• How to talk to your kids about what’s happening without passing down fear
• What to do when you’re exhausted, caregiving, working, and barely holding it together
• Why joy is not escapism — it’s resistance
• Financial shame, job loss, and why debt is not a moral failure
• Stacey’s unsexy but life-changing money habits
• Building freedom funds, changing lanes, and investing in yourself and others
• Government shutdowns, budgets, and why “business as usual” no longer applies
• Why status is no longer safety and what collective action really looks like

Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to do everything — but you do have to do something
• Your position may change, but your power stays with you
• Nonviolent resistance is effective — and it’s not the same as being passive
• Financial setbacks don’t cancel your dreams; they may redirect them
• Democracy isn’t abstract — it’s about our ability to thrive

Resources Mentioned

• Stacey Abrams’ 10 Steps Campaign 
• Assembly Required podcast
• Level Up by Stacey Abrams
• Stacey Abrams’ children’s book series (Stacey Speaks Up)

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We talk about everything from the power of a deep breath and surviving burnout, to funding a business on your own terms and growing a team the *smart* way. Jasmine even leads us through a mini oceanic breath session at the end — don’t miss it

We talk about: 

- Jasmine’s transition from corporate beauty marketing to breathwork and mental wellness

- Why most wellness spaces *don’t* center Black women's lived experiences — and what she's doing about it

- Building a company without VC funding: how Jasmine bootstrapped and scaled BGB

- The importance of listening to your body (and your breath) when trauma speaks

- Balancing healing work with entrepreneurship and how not to burn out

- Tools in Jasmine’s toolkit: EMDR therapy, acupuncture, daily walks, and more

- Real talk on grief, generational trauma, and creating new blueprints for Black wellness

Join the Movement:

• Visit https://www.blackgirlsbreathing.com to learn more and access free mental health resources  

- Follow Jasmine on IG @blackgirlsbreathing  

- Subscribe to *Brown Ambition* and leave us a 5-star review if this episode gave you life!

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Mandi also discusses the challenges posed by rising interest rates and the cooling job market, particularly due to AI-driven layoffs. She advocates for a 'career resilience hour' where listeners can research industry trends and network to enhance their job security. Additionally, she addresses the looming issue of student loan wage garnishment, urging listeners to stay informed about their loan status and take proactive steps to manage their debt. By the end of the episode, listeners are equipped with actionable strategies to take control of their finances amidst these economic challenges.

WHAT WE GET INTO

•  Introduction and Overview of 2026 Financial Goals
•  Understanding Inflation and Its Impact
•  Interest Rates: What to Expect in 2026
• The Job Market and AI: Navigating Changes
• Student Loans: Preparing for Wage Garnishment
• Conclusion and Actionable Steps for Financial Control

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• "We want to get that money in what I love about the success of that episode is how simplistic a lot of what I discussed in that episode truly is."
• "You do control how you budget, how you save, how you prepare for your career and how you respond when the economy starts acting up."
• "Lifestyle creep is the biggest killer of wealth, okay?"
• "If you are lucky enough to see an increase in your income for 2026, look at how you are using those extra resources."
• "We have to bring it back to what those goals and that vision for ourselves in 2026 want and how can we actually feed those goals."

👉 Want more Brown Ambition?

• Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind‑the‑scenes content and deeper dives into money, career and entrepreneurship: Join the BA Fam! 

• Follow us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations. 

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Using Target as a real-life example, Mandi breaks down what it really means to invest during a boycott, the difference between individual stocks and index funds, and why long-term investing often requires emotional discipline. She also dives into the ethics of investing, socially responsible portfolios, and how to decide when holding — or selling — is the right move for you.

As always, this is not financial advice — but it is real talk about aligning your money with your values.

👉 Want more Brown Ambition?

• Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind‑the‑scenes content and deeper dives into money, career and entrepreneurship: Join the BA Fam! 

• Follow us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations. 

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From getting rejected by Howard’s theater program to becoming a Howard alum who quietly built a producing empire… from working a demanding corporate job at Deloitte to quitting two weeks after getting a mortgage… from not booking an acting role for four years to landing a nine-episode arc on Hulu’s Reasonable Doubt — Kiah’s story is a masterclass in resilience, patience, and betting on yourself even when the timeline doesn’t make sense.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered if they waited too long, started too late, or took the “wrong” path. Spoiler: you didn’t.

WHAT WE GET INTO

• Why Kiah almost didn’t submit the audition that changed her life
• The reality of going years without booking work as an actor
• How a hotel-room self tape (trash can + ring light included) landed her Reasonable Doubt
• Being rejected from Howard’s theater program — and why it turned out to be a blessing
• How Howard University and Delta Sigma Theta shaped her identity and confidence
• Working a high-pressure corporate job while producing films at night
• What it really means to be a producer (and why people misunderstand the role)
• Quitting Deloitte two weeks after buying a home — and the fear that followed
• Losing a series regular role after putting it all on the line

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Rejection can be redirection — even when it hurts
• Your “pivot” isn’t failure, it’s strategy
• You don’t need constant wins to be on the right path
• Corporate skills can fund and strengthen creative dreams
• Seeds planted today may not bloom for years — and that’s okay
• Betting on yourself often feels reckless before it feels rewarding

👉 Want more Brown Ambition?

• Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind‑the‑scenes content and deeper dives into money, career and entrepreneurship: Join the BA Fam! 

• Follow us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

👉 Want more Brown Ambition?

• Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind‑the‑scenes content and deeper dives into money, career and entrepreneurship: Join the BA Fam! 

• Follow us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Mandi welcomes back listener‑favorite board‑certified therapist, speaker, writer, and financial therapist Aja Evans, author of Feel Good Finance. Aja helps us rethink how we set money and career goals so they actually fit our real lives — kids, cold weather, surprise plumbing bills and all — instead of sending us into a shame spiral when we “fall off.”

You’ll hear Mandi and Aja talk about:

• Why January might not be the best time for your most ambitious goals, especially if you’re in hibernation mode and running on low energy. 

• How to get brutally honest about your time, energy, and responsibilities so your goals reflect the life you actually have, not the one Instagram says you should have. 

• The mindset shift from “I’m starting back at zero” to “I handled that emergency and I’m still on my path,” even when a surprise $1,000 home repair blows up your plans. 

• How “under‑promise and over‑deliver” with your money goals can quiet that inner “shitty committee” and help you feel proud of your progress instead of chronically behind. 

• Simple reminders from Aja — “be realistic and be nice” — and why it really isn’t that serious if your timeline moves from March to July. If you’ve ever looked at your accounts and thought, “I should be further along by now,” or felt like one unexpected bill erased all your progress, this conversation will help you reset your goals with more compassion, more honesty, and way less shame.

Stay tuned at the end of the episode for Mandi’s note about how to send in your juiciest money and career questions for upcoming BA Q&A Fridays in 2026.

--

Get listener perks and bonus content on our Patreon! Join the BA Fam here: https://www.patreon.com/c/brownambition/

Follow us on IG @brownambitionpodcast

Follow Aja on IG @ajaetherapy

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We get into:

- The highs and lows of aggressively saving money  

- Gen Z’s "we’re gonna have fun & save money" energy  

-Your financial strategy in the age of Tr*mp Tariffs

-Are solopreneurs heading back to Corporate America?

We also chat about what’s going on in the world—from economic uncertainty and tariffs to the importance of staying informed without losing your peace. And when it comes to career shifts, Berna talks about her transition from full-time solopreneurship back to the 9-5 life…and how she’s doing it on her own terms. 

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:04:49) - Financial Reflections and Regrets

(0:18:29) - Realigning Values and Money Habits

(0:26:21) - Navigating Economic Uncertainty and Tariffs

(0:34:07) - Community Building Through Thrift and Bartering

(0:45:56) - Investing Strategies and Debt Management

(0:48:58) - Transitioning to Stable Employment

(0:56:04) - Exploring Oakland's Black and Brown Community

(1:04:37) - Lizzo's Journey to Self-Love

(1:10:05) - Navigating Cancel Culture and Redemption

--

This episode is all about giving yourself grace, finding balance, and building the life you want—with your finances in check and your spirit intact.

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Don’t forget to:

• Share your favorite BA episodes

• Follow us @BrownAmbitionPodcast on IG

• Send your questions to BrownAmbitionPodcast@gmail.com

Until next time, keep stacking that paper and living your best life! 💅🏾

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We talk about why self-care and self-trust are non-negotiable during career transitions, how to investigate new paths without rushing the process, and the mindset shifts required to move with confidence. Mandi also walks us through a five-step framework for career pivots, helping you identify what’s holding you back, explore different types of pivots, and own your story as you move forward.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, curious, or ready for something more, this conversation will help you move strategically toward a career that actually aligns with your goals.

WHAT WE GET INTO

-Why 2026 is shaping up to be a major year for career change

-The role of self-care and self-trust in navigating career pivots

-How to identify your personal career blockers and work through them

-The three types of career pivots: quit pivots, micro pivots, and bridge pivots

-Why you don’t have to quit your job to pivot successfully

-How to own your narrative and build confidence during transitions

LINKS 

• Ready to start your own pivot? Access the free guide mentioned in the episode here:https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/pivot
• Join the Brown Ambition YouTube Community: Search Brown Ambition Podcast on YouTube
• Connect with guest mentor Amina Altai: Look up The Ambition Trap
• Follow Mandi Money on IG & TikTok for more career and money guidance
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — your feedback helps BA grow!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As always, these QA episodes are meant for edutainment purposes and are not a replacement for personalized financial advice. 

Have a question for the show? Email Mandi at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM her on IG @brownambitionpodcast. 

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What started as a simple business check-in turned into a powerful lesson on alignment, limiting beliefs, burnout, and trusting your gut—even when it feels like your whole body is screaming, “Girl, run!” From sharing vulnerably about juggling three major projects (the podcast, coaching, and her book), to getting an unexpected wake-up call during her very first Akashic Records reading, this episode is full of emotional clarity, honesty, and a reminder that sometimes the thing we’ve been treating like a side dish is actually the main meal.

Plus: Mandi breaks down the viral “3-hour drive” TikTok saga, celebrates Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s genius campaign ad, and calls out the infuriating news about national parks removing free-entry days for Juneteenth & MLK Day.

🧡 LINKS 

• Join the Brown Ambition YouTube Community: Search Brown Ambition Podcast on YouTube
• Connect with guest mentor Amina Altai: Look up The Ambition Trap
• Follow Mandi Money on IG & TikTok for more career and money guidance
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — your feedback helps BA grow!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Together, we talk honestly about purpose vs. profit, identity beyond your 9–5, and how to design a “second half” of your career that actually feels good—not like another grind.

In this episode:

• What to do when you can’t imagine not working—but also don’t want to die at your desk

• How to separate your identity from your job title 

• Ways to test an entrepreneurial or creative “next act” without blowing up your life

• Using a podcast or passion project as a door‑opener to paid opportunities • Frameworks for figuring out what you really want this next chapter to feel like

• The three key numbers to know before you pull back from your 9–5 (income, expenses, net worth)

• Why retirement doesn’t have to be all‑or‑nothing (and what flexible work can look like)

Connect with our guest

• @LynnetteKhalfaniCox on IG

• Grab her latest book Bounce Back: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience 

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We break down Black Friday and Cyber Monday (are we still doing this??) and how inflation is shifting the way we shop, save, and travel. We dive into the rise of going no-contact, the pressure social media puts on relationships, and why setting boundaries is becoming a form of self-care for this generation.

There’s also plenty of laughter, a little baking therapy, some real talk about parenting across generations, and a reminder that collaboration will always take you farther than competition—whether it’s in your career or your personal life.

If you’re entering the holidays with mixed feelings, if your family group chat is already on mute, or if you’re trying to grow into your best self while everyone else expects the “old you,” this episode is the one you’ll want to sit with.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• The holidays hit differently for everyone—and it’s okay to admit it.
• Traditions can evolve as you evolve.
• Inflation is real and your budget is allowed to reflect that.
• Baking is basically free therapy.
• Social media has changed how we view family and boundaries.
• Going no-contact is becoming a valid, empowered choice.
• Collaboration builds community; competition isolates.
• You’re allowed to protect your mental health, even from family.
• Self-reflection is the gateway to better relationships.
• Therapy helps you hear critique without shrinking.

🎧 Call to Action

• Follow Brown Ambition on your favorite podcast app
• Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show
• Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that slowing down is not giving up

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the meantime, enjoy this rewind episode of my conversation with THEE incredible Cebo Campbell, a creative director, author and entrepreneur who wrote the bestselling novel The Sky Full of Elephants. SFOE was my first-ever Brown Ambition Book Club Pick of 2025, and if you haven't had a chance to experience it yet, please grab a copy!

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We had SUCH a good conversation about career strategies, salary negotiations, and how to navigate this wild job market we’re in right now.

We talked about everything—from how I 10x’d my salary by quitting my way to the top, to why you need to stop being loyal to companies that won’t pay you what you’re worth. We even got into the power of storytelling in your career, building community, and why you should always be taking those recruiter calls even when you’re not looking.

I hope you enjoy this episode and that wherever you find yourself this holiday week, you're surrounded by loved ones and make time to take care of yourselves as well. 

Much love,

Mandi & Team BA

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From being a “lost English major” to coaching leaders across mental health, tech, and corporate spaces, Monique shares the honest, unfiltered truth about taking up space, transitioning careers, and surviving this messy middle season so many of us are navigating.

Together, Mandi and Monique dive deep into:

• The pressure high-achieving women feel to fix everything through achievement
• What it really looks like to slow down, pause, and rest — especially when the world feels on fire
• How motherhood becomes a catalyst for clarity and self-possession
• Moving through anxiety, identity shifts, and the comparison trap
• Why community and group coaching are lifelines, not luxuries
• The behind-the-scenes of building a coaching practice while keeping your peace

This conversation is the hug, the truth-telling, and the collective exhale you didn’t know you needed.

✨ About Monique R. Shields

Executive Coach • Podcast Host • Leadership Developer

• Instagram: @MoniqueRShields
• Website: moniquershields.com
• Podcast: Ambition Without Compromise

🎧 Call to Action

• Follow Brown Ambition on your favorite podcast app
• Leave us a review — it helps more listeners find the show
• Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that slowing down is not giving up

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Financial Infidelity: When Your Partner Invests Behind Your Back

Listener Robin's husband made an over $50,000 investment on credit cards without telling her—and lost it all. Mandi breaks down how to protect yourself: separate your finances, secure bank accounts with strong authentication, and get a family law attorney involved ASAP to understand spousal debt laws.

Workplace Sexual Harassment: When Do You Speak Up?

Our second listener is dealing with sexual harassment, an HR department that dropped the ball, and a toxic team at her financial services firm. She's ready to leave but wondering: should she put her grievances in her resignation letter? Mandi gets into documenting everything with dates and evidence, weighing career risks, and deciding if speaking up can create change for others.

Have a question you'd like me to answer on an upcoming episode? Email me at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM me on IG at @brownambitionpodcast. 

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This ep revisits conversations with:

✨ Christina Mancini, CEO of Black Girls Code [link to full EP]
✨ Gabrielle Gambrell, media executive at Hachette Book Group [link to full ep]

Both women share the real talk behind their boldest career pivots, what it takes to thrive in rare professional spaces, and why betting on yourself is the ultimate flex.

Quick reminder: if you want YOUR question featured on the show, head to brownambitionpodcast.com and submit it through our website, or slide into our DMs on Instagram at @BrownAmbitionPodcast.

And while you’re there, leave us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts—it seriously helps other people find the show and helps us climb back into that top ten for business podcasts.

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Farley takes us behind the curtain of corporate life through the journey of Octavia, a young Black woman navigating discrimination, mounting debt, and the emotional toll of trying to thrive in an industry where representation is still painfully lacking. From microaggressions (and yes, “technoaggressions”) to the weaponization of PIPs, this conversation gets real about what it actually means to succeed while marginalized.

Mandi and Farley also dig into the importance of mentorship, building community, and how responsible AI is reshaping creativity and career paths. And—because we’re all doing our best to stay sane while securing the bag—the episode highlights why self-care isn’t optional… it’s survival.

Whether you’re scaling the corporate ladder, considering a pivot, or searching for a network that gets it, this episode offers both heart and hard-earned wisdom.

Key Takeaways

• Financial & career empowerment remain at the core of Brown Ambition’s mission—this episode brings both.
• Octavia’s story exposes the realities of big tech, from discrimination to navigating massive student debt.
• Black talent is still underrepresented across the tech pipeline, highlighting systemic barriers.
• Mentorship is vital, especially for women of color facing uphill battles at work.
•  Microaggressions and “technoaggressions” continue to shape the everyday experience of marginalized employees.

Go pickup a copy of the book today ---> https://www.amazon.com/Who-Knows-You-Heart-Novel/dp/0063418630?ref_=ast_author_dp

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quick reminder: if you want YOUR question featured on the show, head to brownambitionpodcast.com and submit it through our website, or slide into our DMs on Instagram at @BrownAmbitionPodcast.

And while you’re there, leave us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts—it seriously helps other people find the show and helps us climb back into that top ten for business podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mandi also weighs in on the latest job market trends, from tech layoffs to nonprofit funding challenges, and reminds us that art and community engagement aren’t just “nice to have” they’re essential for keeping our spirits up during tough times. This episode blends real talk about finances with a call to reconnect with yourself, your family, and your neighborhood.

Key Takeaways:

• Seasonal changes can seriously impact mood and productivity, make space for rest and light.
• Create a cozy winter vibe to help ease the seasonal blues.
• Planning ahead for the holidays can prevent stress and financial strain.
• Boycotting major corporations can be a powerful act of community empowerment.
• Honest conversations about money can strengthen family bonds.
• Political and economic policies have real effects on our day-to-day lives.
• Support local artists and small businesses they keep culture alive.
• Job cuts are rising, especially in tech and nonprofit sectors stay informed and proactive.

Join the conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re embracing your calling! Drop us a note or tag us on social using #BrownAmbitionPodcastand let us know your biggest takeaway.

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Muriel host of Harvard Business Review’s Coaching Real Leaders podcast and author of Leadership Unblocked, pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to grow as a leader. Together, she and Mandi unpack the parallels between leadership and parenting, the challenges high achievers face when they transition into leadership roles, and why a true sense of belonging starts from within.

This conversation isn’t about titles or promotions. It’s about doing the inner work to unlock your confidence, confront your limiting beliefs, and embrace the magic that’s already in you.

💡 What You’ll Hear In This Episode:

• Why leadership starts with self-awareness and internal work
• How high achievers often struggle when they move into leadership roles
• The power of self-efficacy and how it builds confidence
• Why creating a sense of belonging begins with you
• How to handle feedback without losing confidence
• The importance of self-compassion through challenges and setbacks
• What great coaches and mentors really do (hint: it’s not giving all the answers)
• Why recognizing your own “magic” is key to personal empowerment

🎧 Tune in to hear Muriel’s refreshing take on leadership, belonging, and how to move through self-doubt with grace and don’t forget to grab her new book, Leadership Unblocked, for even more wisdom on stepping into your purpose with confidence.

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Between election night energy, economic anxiety, and personal challenges with depression and anxiety, I’ve been reminded how important it is to slow down, show yourself compassion, and stay connected to your people.I’m breaking down how I’m coping—from journaling and rest to making more mindful financial decisions as we head into the holidays. Plus, we’re celebrating some incredible election wins (shoutout to Zoran Mamdani in NYC and Mary Sheffield, Detroit’s first Black woman mayor!) and the release of our Brown Ambition Book Club pick, Uncompete by Ruchika Tulshyan.

And this week’s Brown Boost where I highlight Kim Lewis, founder of Curlmix, and how we can rally around her as she fights to keep her Black woman–owned business alive.

💬 Episode Gems

• “Uncertainty is a muscle—you can strengthen it with practice.”
• “You are worthy of community and love, exactly as you are.”
• “Be intentional with your dollars—spend in alignment with your values.”

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Book of the Month: Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success by Ruchika Tulshyan
• Support Curlmix: curlmix.com
• Join the Brown Ambition Patreon: patreon.com/BrownAmbition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll Learn:

• Why authenticity is fluid and constantly evolving
• How mental health and disability influence professional identity
• The role of community and connection in resilience
• The impact of capitalism on authenticity and well-being
• How storytelling can foster understanding and belonging
• Ways to create safe spaces for authenticity at work
• Why prioritizing your health and joy over job security matters

Key Quote:

“Authenticity isn’t static—it’s something we keep rediscovering as we heal, grow, and connect with others.” — Jodi-Ann Burey

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Plus, she gives updates on the Brown Ambition book (you can help pick the cover!), her new free mini course, and what’s next for the Mandi Moneymakers Community. Then Mandi dives into headlinesfrom SNAP benefits and Trump’s $300M ballroom to Target layoffs and AI at work.

🧠 You’ll Learn:

• How Mandi’s healing journey is transforming her mindset
• Why slowing down can make you more productive
• How to join the Mandi Moneymakers Community
• Where to grab the free Nail Your Negotiation mini course
• Mandi’s take on SNAP cuts, corporate greed, and AI in the workplace

🔗 Resources

• Nail Your Negotiation (Free Mini Course): nailyournegotiation.com
• Join the Mandi Moneymakers Community: mandymoney.com/community
• Vote on the Book Cover: patreon.com/brownambition
• Find Local Food Banks: feedingamerica.com

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Together, they unpack what it means to unlearn scarcity, how to resist burnout, and why rest is a radical act of self-preservation for women of color. Ruchika opens up about her own experiences balancing authorship, motherhood, and identity while challenging capitalism’s grip on our worth.

It’s an honest, hopeful, and much-needed reminder that we don’t have to play by the old rules to create abundance.

📘 About the Guest

Ruchika T. Malhotra (she/her) is a globally recognized inclusion strategist, speaker, and founder of CANDOR, a consulting practice helping organizations build equitable and inclusive workplaces. Her latest book, Uncompete, challenges the myth that success must come from rivalry and invites us to build from a place of joy, rest, and abundance.

Follow Ruchika:

• Instagram: @rtulshyan
• Website: ruchikatulshyan.com

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Radical Success — available November 4
• Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
• “Spoon Theory” — by Christine Miserandino

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Mandi opens up about her battle with depression and what it means to mother while navigating mental health challenges. Rana shares her journey through grief and juggling caregiving for both her children and her ailing mother. Jessica reflects on living with chronic pain, parenting through fatigue, and the gratitude that comes with having support.

Together, the trio talk about the silent struggles moms face—postpartum transitions, work-from-home pressures, and the impossible balance between self-care and survival—and how they’re each reclaiming small pockets of joy in their everyday lives.

💡 You’ll Learn

• Mandi opens up about living with depression and the complexity of being a mom in survival mode.
  -Rana on grief, caregiving, and trying to shield her kids from chaos.
  -Jessica shares how chronic pain impacts her motherhood and the value of having a supportive partner.
  -The invisible weight of motherhood—mental load, burnout, and the myth of “having it all.”
  -The guilt of “just surviving”—and redefining what thriving really means.
  - Finding joy in small ways: cooking, gardening, dancing, and laughter..                                           -The need for community, support, and sisterhood among mothers.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Depression is a liar: It tells you you’re alone, unworthy, or toxic—but speaking it aloud breaks its power.
• Moms need mothering too: Community care and physical presence matter as much as emotional support.
• Joy can be small and deliberate: A home-cooked meal, a dance break, or a solo coffee can change your day.
• Workplace empathy is survival: Corporate policies must evolve to support mothers’ well-being.
• Healing requires honesty: Naming what hurts opens space for connection, laughter, and growth.

 Episode Challenge

Take one small action this week that’s just for you—no kids, no chores, no guilt.
Cook, dance, nap, or call a friend who gets it. Because joy counts, even in the messy middle.

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Amina’s story takes us from burnout and near organ failure to a full-on breakthrough that reshaped her entire relationship with success. She shares how growing up as the daughter of immigrants shaped her drive, why so many high-achieving women fall into what she calls “painful ambition,” and the five core wounds that often hide beneath our hustle.

Together, Mandi and Amina unpack:
💡 The difference between purposeful vs. painful ambition
💡 How our cultural and family roots influence our drive for success
💡 Why burnout isn’t a badge of honor
💡 How scarcity and comparison feed into “the ambition trap”
💡 Practical steps for finding joy and balance in your work

Amina also opens up about her own health crisis that forced her to redefine ambition on her own terms — and how she now helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and firsts-of-their-kind women of color do the same.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a new lens on success — one that prioritizes purpose, wellness, and authenticity over constant hustle.

Guest: @aminaaltai
Book: The Ambition Trap — available wherever books are sold
Learn more: aminaaltai.com

Episode Highlights:

• (03:00) Amina’s health scare that changed everything
• (07:45) The five core wounds that fuel burnout
• (15:00) Leaving her business and rediscovering purpose
• (25:00) Coaching the “first, few, and only” women in corporate spaces
• (33:00) Navigating authenticity in today’s workplaces
• (41:30) The truth about scarcity and collaboration
• (46:00) What “The Ambition Trap” really means

If you loved this conversation, share it with a friend who’s redefining success on their own terms — and don’t forget to rate and review Brown Ambition on your favorite podcast app!

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In this week’s episode, Mandi gets real about something she’s been holding close for a long time her battle with depression.

After years of pushing through and showing up for everyone else, Mandi opens up about what it’s like to live with high-functioning depression, the pressure to keep performing, and the exhaustion that comes from pretending to be okay. She talks about losing her rhythm after Tiffany left the show, dealing with career setbacks, and the toll motherhood and burnout have taken on her mind and body.

this isn’t a “how I fixed it” story, it’s an honest look at what it means to stop hiding, ask for help, and start healing in real time.

🧠 What We Talk About

• Living with high-functioning depression and burnout
• How motherhood, career changes, and loss reshaped her mental health journey
• Letting go of perfection and showing up without the mask
• Finding small ways to prioritize rest, healing, and self-compassion

📬 Connect

Follow us on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com
Follow Mandi: @mandimoney

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From reporting on Trayvon Martin and Ferguson to confronting his own family’s legacy of gun violence, Trymaine opens up about what happens when decades of unprocessed trauma take a physical toll. After surviving a near-fatal heart attack, he was forced to reckon with the emotional weight of his work — and the generational pain carried by so many Black families.

Together, Mandi and Trymaine unpack what it means to be a storyteller, a parent, and a survivor in a world that often normalizes Black pain. They also explore the economic ripple effects of gun violence, the healing power of vulnerability, and how mindfulness, breathwork, and community have helped Trymaine reclaim peace.

📚 Resources Mentioned

• A Thousand Ways to Die: The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America — by Trymaine Lee
• Hope in High Water: A People’s Recovery 20 Years After Hurricane Katrina — streaming now on Peacock
• Trymaine’s podcast: Into America (MSNBC)
• bookshop.org — to support Black and independent bookstores

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Cultural Identity & Authenticity — Why staying true to yourself matters, and how artists like Bad Bunny are redefining representation.

• Career & Soft Skills — The rising importance of adaptability, emotional intelligence, and networking in today’s job market.

• Economic Realities — How inflation and job market shifts are impacting mental health and career choices.

•  Mental Health & Creativity — The challenges creatives face in uncertain times and how community support makes all the difference.

•  Parenting & Politics — How to talk to kids about complex political and social issues with care and clarity.

• Community & Connection — Listener shoutouts, book recommendations, and personal stories that remind us we’re all growing together.

• Travel & Perspective — How exploring new cultures deepens empathy and reinforces the power of connection.

This episode blends cultural commentary with practical advice and heartfelt storytelling — the perfect mix of real talk and inspiration. Whether you’re navigating career transitions, reflecting on your identity, or just need a reminder of the power of community, this one’s for you.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From her early beginnings in Washington, D.C. to her breakout roles in Hollywood, Edwina shares how her journey has been shaped by faith, surrender, and community. She opens up about her new book, The World Is Waiting For You, a guide for anyone ready to step into their calling and manifest the dreams that have been placed on their heart.

Together, we talk about:
✨ What it really means to wait—and grow—in a “season of surrender”
✨ The importance of surrounding yourself with people who speak life into you
✨ How to recognize divine signs when you’re being called to pivot or level up
✨ Why nurturing positivity (in yourself and the next generation) is a key to long-term success
✨ Building multiple streams of income and embracing entrepreneurship as a form of purpose

If you’ve ever felt like you’re in a holding pattern or you’re wondering how to turn your faith into forward motion, this conversation will remind you: the world is waiting for you to show up.

Join the conversation:
We’d love to hear how you’re embracing your calling! Drop us a note or tag us on social using #BrownAmbitionPodcastand let us know your biggest takeaway.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa shares how personal loss and self-discovery shaped her purpose, leading her to use storytelling as a tool for change—especially in women’s health. Through her documentary Me Period, she’s breaking down stigmas around menstruation and helping young women and their caregivers access the knowledge and confidence they deserve.

Together, Mandi and Lisa dive into what it really means to prioritize your health, wealth, and wellness—and how those three things are deeply connected. They discuss:
✨ The role women play as health advocates in their families
✨ Why accurate health information is key to empowerment
✨ How chronic disease prevention and epigenetics shape generational well-being
✨ Navigating career pivots with purpose and financial confidence
✨ The importance of community and partnership in personal growth

Mentioned on the show: 

Watch Me Period: https://kinema.com/

BA Fam, Let’s Connect!

• Join the conversation on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
• Share the episode and tag us — we love seeing your takeaways!
• Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & review to keep spreading the ambition.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the “lock-in effect” keeping homeowners stuck, to why renting may actually be more affordable than buying in many cities, Daryl offers insights grounded in both data and behavioral economics. She also shares practical advice for first-time buyers, discusses the hidden costs of homeownership, and explores how systemic challenges continue to impact Black and Brown communities.

And before she goes, Daryl gives us a sneak peek into her new book Hate the Game: Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love and Work — an empowering take on how to use economics to outsmart unfair systems and claim your wins.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why so many homeowners feel “stuck” with low-rate mortgages

• The growing affordability gap between buying and renting

• How return-to-office mandates are reshaping housing choices

• The hidden costs of owning a home (taxes, insurance, maintenance)

• Programs that can help first-time and minority buyers

• How zoning and local government decisions impact affordability

• Why Black households are seeing declining homeownership rates

• Insights from Daryl’s new book Hate the Game

BA Fam, Let’s Connect!

• Join the conversation on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
• Share the episode and tag us — we love seeing your takeaways!
• Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & review to keep spreading the ambition.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From meeting as young journalists to becoming inseparable best friends, Ayesha and Jasmin share how their bond evolved into a life partnership centered on co-parenting, financial teamwork, and unconditional support. They open up about navigating shared responsibilities, creating stability for their kids, and what it means to build a family outside of traditional norms.

This inspiring conversation dives into:

• The origin of their friendship and how it deepened over time
• Deciding to co-purchase a home and their approach to ownership & finances
• Parenting five kids together and creating a loving, stable household
• Balancing personal dating lives while keeping their family core strong
• Handling assumptions from outsiders about their unique arrangement
• Why building your own “village” can be the key to surviving today’s economic and social pressures

Whether you’re a parent, considering alternative paths to homeownership, or just curious about how two best friends are rewriting the rules of family, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on love, community, and resilience.

Links & Resources:

• Follow Ayesha & Jasmin’s journey on Instagram: @under1roofff
• Keep up with Mandi on IG/Twitter: @mandimoney

BA Fam, Let’s Connect!

• Join the conversation on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
• Share the episode and tag us — we love seeing your takeaways!
• Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & review to keep spreading the ambition.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this inspiring conversation, Cheryl shares:

• The journey behind her new book, The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissicks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers.

• How her mother courageously took over the family business after tragedy struck.

• Lessons from navigating a male- and white-dominated industry while building relationships and leading with integrity.

• The power of resilience, prayer, and community when starting from scratch in New York.

• Personal stories of overcoming health scares and why legacy and family history matter more than ever.

From stories of scrappy entrepreneurship in a Manhattan walk-up to multimillion-dollar projects like the Barclays Center and JFK Airport, Cheryl offers both blueprint and inspiration for anyone determined to build their own table—and their own legacy.

Key Takeaways:

• Legacy isn’t inherited, it’s built—brick by brick, generation by generation.

• Relationships and integrity are as valuable as technical skills in business.

• Women have always been at the forefront of resilience and innovation, even when history tries to erase them.

• Creating your own family tree can be a powerful way to honor where you’ve come from and inspire the next generation.

Resources & Mentions:

• Cheryl McKissick Daniel’s book: The Black Family Who Built America

• McKissick & McKissick projects: Barclays Center, Harlem Hospital Center, JFK Terminal One

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She celebrates 10 years of Brown Ambition (yes, 800+ episodes!), but the focus quickly shifts to the headlines: journalists, teachers, and professionals are losing their livelihoods for what they say online, with Karen Attiah (Washington Post) as just the latest in a chilling pattern.

SAVE THE DATE: sign up for Mandi’s free AI & Careers webinar (September 25, 8pm ET). This episode is a reminder: Your voice is power. Protect it, plan for it, and—when you can—use it.

Karen Attiah on Substack

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Together, Mandi and Jannese sit at the “Brown Table” to get real about:

• How motherhood reshapes entrepreneurship, boundaries, and time management

• Breaking free from people-pleasing and stepping fully into self-advocacy

• Why owning your platform (through blogging, newsletters, and websites) is still critical in 2025

• The truth about monetizing blogs: ads, SEO, and building passive income the right way

• Navigating social media overwhelm while protecting your mental health

• Jannese’s journey from six-figure engineer to six-figure food blogger and financial educator

You’ll hear candid reflections on the messy balance of career, family, and identity—and why building digital real estate can change your financial future.

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Jannese on IG: @YoQuieroDineroPodcast

• Learn more about Financially Lit and her courses: yoquierodineropodcast.com

• Sign up for her Blogging Bootcamp (open until Sept 22!)

👉 Don’t forget to check out BrownAmbitionPodcast.com for more career and money tips.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eboni opens up about her journey to becoming a solo mom by choice, navigating a 45-hour labor, and the support system that helped her through postpartum. She also shares hard truths about the maternal health crisis for Black women, the realities of egg freezing and fertility treatments, and why she named her daughter Liberty.

On the career side, Eboni breaks down how she runs her business like a CEO, why she’ll never take a W-2 job again, and how she leverages visibility from projects like The Real Housewives of New York to fuel her purpose-driven work.

From resilience in dark seasons to practical money lessons about multiple streams of income, this episode is a blueprint for building life — and wealth — on your own terms.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why Eboni chose solo motherhood and what her birth and postpartum journey looked like
• The realities of fertility treatments and egg freezing that most women don’t hear upfront
• How to navigate being a small business owner in media and beyond
• Why multiple streams of income are critical (no matter your salary level)
• The emotional cost and visibility gain of being the first Black Real Housewife of NYC
• How to reclaim cultural identity and patriotism on your own terms

Resources & Links

• 📖 Grab Eboni’s book: Bet on Black: The Good News About Being Black in America (now in paperback!)
• 🎧 Listen to Eboni’s podcast: Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams
• Follow Eboni on Instagram: @ebonikwilliams

BA Fam, Let’s Connect!

• Join the conversation on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
• Share the episode and tag us — we love seeing your takeaways!
• Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & review to keep spreading the ambition.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll hear:

• Why tax debt takes priority (because the IRS does NOT play, y’all)

• Smart ways to negotiate payment plans (and what “offer in compromise” means)

• Real talk on avoiding credit card traps, balance transfers, and why budgeting apps like Rocket Money and Monarch can help you see the whole mess clearly

• Which debt payoff method actually works for real people (snowball vs. avalanche, plus why momentum matters)

• How to keep your sanity and your community close—because shame and overwhelm are not welcome on this show

• Lifting each other up and why it’s ok to slow down, set boundaries, and put self-care first (even free self-care counts!)If you’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just wish you weren’t facing those numbers alone, this is the episode for you. Write in, DM, or leave us a voice memo with your story—we’ll show up, judgment free.

RSVP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR 9/25: How to Use AI To Master Your Money + Career In a Challenging Economy

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you

IRS PHONE DETAILS: 

Individuals
800-829-1040
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time

Businesses
800-829-4933
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time

https://www.rocketmoney.com/

https://www.monarchmoney.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to identify your personal “power hours” and use them for your most important goals
• The reality behind the labor market and why Black women are being hit hardest
• Sectors where job opportunities are growing despite the downturn
• How to balance pursuing in-demand fields with staying true to your own career path
• Practical ways to use AI to boost your job search and career strategy
• Why protecting your mental health is just as important as networking and applying

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Click here to Sign up for Mandi’s free workshop: How to Leverage AI for Your Career – September 25th, 8 p.m. EST 
• Join the Brown Ambition Book Club via Patreon:patreon.com/brownambition
• Learn more about the Loveland Foundation: thelovelandfoundation.org

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to build wealth after financial setbacks, this convo is for you. Tiffany opens up about her journey from foreclosure to financial freedom, and how she learned to let go of control and finally trust someone else with her money. (Spoiler: it wasn’t easy!)

Anjali breaks down the emotional side of money — especially for children of immigrants — and shares the tools she uses to help clients like Tiffany make smart financial moves. We get into everything from navigating money trauma, to building a solid financial foundation, to unlocking “cheat codes” the wealthy use (ever heard of a pledged asset line? 👀).

You’ll also hear:

• Why Tiffany interviewed nearly 20 advisors before landing on Anjali
• How financial planning goes way beyond investing (think: insurance, estate planning, and even grief support)
• The real talk about debt: when it’s dangerous and when it can actually be a wealth-building tool
• Tiffany’s behind-the-scenes stories of buying not one but TWO new properties — and the strategies that made it possible

This episode is equal parts financial glow-up and bestie therapy session. Whether you’re just starting out or already stacking assets, you’ll walk away with practical tips and a reminder that money is emotional and that’s okay.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anna breaks down the reality of the “double tax”  that compounded cost of racism + sexism that women of color know all too well. From hair discrimination to pay inequity, resume “whitening” to broken rungs on the career ladder, Anna shows us the data behind our lived experiences and, most importantly, offers solutions for economic justice.

We get real about:

• Why “diversity vs. merit” is a false narrative (spoiler: they’re complements, not competitors).

• The hidden financial and emotional toll of navigating workplaces as women of color.

• How Anna negotiated her first big offer (and walked away with $20K more 💅🏾).

• The role of allies — and why Chelsea Clinton writing her book’s foreword actually makes sense.

• Why Governor Lisa Cook’s fight matters for all of us, not just Black women.

Anna also shares her personal journey: from growing up Ghanaian-American to becoming a PhD candidate at Harvard, teaching future economists, and creating a pathway for the next generation of women of color in academia and beyond.

This isn’t just a convo about the problems — it’s about solutions, power moves, and creating change.

✨ Resources + Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Grab Anna’s book: The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid

• Follow Anna on IG: https://www.instagram.com/itsafronomics/?hl=en

• Learn more about the Sadie Collective: sadiecollective.org

• Show your support: #WeStandWithLisaCook

Let’s Connect:
IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoney
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com

We launched a Patreon! 🎉

🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Gigi shares the money moves and life decisions that made it possible for her and her husband to pack up and move abroad. We talk about:

• The financial planning behind her big move (and what she wishes she’d known sooner).
• How she turned her biggest regret—never studying abroad—into a mid-career dream come true.
• The not-so-sexy side of moving abroad: visas, taxes, and the Spanish version of the IRS (spoiler: don’t mess with Hacienda).
• What’s surprised her most about living in Spain (yes, even the credit cards work differently).
• Why she’s pushing for a Spanish-language version of her book to serve first-gen families across borders.

We also get real about career pivots, the rise and fall of DEI budgets, navigating relationships with neurodivergence, and why sometimes the real flex isn’t retiring early—it’s having the freedom to choose how and when you work.

Resources & Links:

• Follow Gigi on IG and TikTok: @thefirstgenmentor
• Grab her book Cultura en Cash wherever you get your books
• Join the BA Fam newsletter at brownambitionpodcast.com

Let’s Connect:
IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoney
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com

We launched a Patreon! 🎉

🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

-Why replaying past episodes feels so different from being in the interviewer’s chair

-The most popular and talked-about episode of the summer—and why it resonated

Let’s Connect:
IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoney
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com

We launched a Patreon! 🎉

🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since she founded the podcast in 2020, Victoria's expanded the brand into a thriving events business dedicated to providing spaces for anime fans from underrepresented communities to find community and let their inner kids fly free (See y'all at the Sailor Moon Day Party 2026, OK!). 

Follow Victoria on Twitter @missoldskool

Follow the Sailor Moon Fan Club podcast at @mooniesclub on Twitter and @moonies_club on Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yanely shares the systems she and her eight siblings built to cover their parents’ expenses, including:

• Setting up a joint family fund to automate bill payments.
• Creating a fair way for siblings to contribute different amounts without judgment.
• Why a high-yield savings account beats investment accounts for immediate needs.
• Balancing financial support with maintaining their parents’ dignity and independence.
• How to set allowance boundaries when one parent struggles with gambling.
• Tips for protecting elderly parents from scams and keeping finances transparent among siblings.

Let’s Connect:
IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoney
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Mandi kicks things off with a story about her busted laptop, a wild Apple Store experience, and how she stumbled onto a secret financing program for small business owners. From cracked screens to unexpected leases, we’re breaking down the ways solopreneurs can stretch their resources without drowning in debt.

But that’s not all — we go from tech fixes to life updates:

• Yanely is thinking about their next big move (Miami? Barcelona? Van life?)
• Chris gets a crash course in babysitting two kids under four — and gains a whole new respect for parents.
• Mandi opens up about stress, sleep struggles, and why she’s finally considering a CPAP machine.

Then, we shift gears and dig into the hard stuff happening in the world right now — including DC’s state of emergency, over-policing in Black and brown neighborhoods, and how authoritarian tactics abroad are starting to feel way too familiar here at home.

It’s equal parts personal, political, and practical — the way we always do on Brown Ambition.

Links + Resources Mentioned

• Apple’s hidden business leasing program
• Info on Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) numbers for small business credit

• • Defectors by Paola Ramos (recommended reading on Latinx politics + authoritarianism)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to join the BA Book Club? All you've got to do is become a free member of our Patreon >

Show recap:

• Mandi introduces Clarence and gets real about what inspired the Brown Ambition Book Club and her own book altar game. 
• Clarence shares how the powerful women of NYC—and some serious Shirley Chisholm style—sparked his creation of Gwendolyn Montgomery. 
• Dive deep into the book’s plot: a high-powered publicist with mystical secrets, a fashion event gone wild at the Brooklyn Museum, and a botanica in the South Bronx run by an Afro-Latine queer psychic
• Discussion on breaking generational trauma, mother wounds, fierce ambition, and why we’re all haunted by more than just ghosts. 
• A real talk about dating as a queer Black man in NYC—Clarence gets candid on finding intimacy in the big city and the sometimes wild, sometimes isolating dating scene.
• The realities of Black-centered speculative fiction—why it matters and what hustle it takes to get these stories out there.

Follow Clarence on IG @clarenceahaynes

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We break down what this actually means, why you probably won’t be adding a private equity fund to your plan tomorrow, and why you need to know exactly what’s in your portfolio before chasing shiny new investment options. Sharon drops gems on:

• The $12.2 trillion “nest egg” private firms have their eyes on — and what’s at stake.

• How to “stay on your mat” financially and focus on your own goals before getting distracted by market hype.

• The real risks of alternative investments: higher fees, less transparency, and lower liquidity.

• Why even she had an “oops” moment with her own 401k rollover (and how to avoid it).

• When it’s worth hiring a financial advisor — and how to find one that fits your needs and budget.

Whether you’re just starting your 401k journey or sitting on years of contributions, this convo is your reminder to slow down, check your allocations, and make sure your money is truly working toward your goals — not just Wall Street’s.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Subscribe to Sharon’s free CNBC Money 101 newsletter: CNBC.com/money101

• Follow Sharon on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for more money tips.

Let’s Connect:
IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoney
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get into:

• NABJ 2024 recap — from career fairs to that family reunion energy, and why you don’t need to hit every event to make it count.

• Networking tips that actually work — think conference apps, lateral connections, and the perfect follow-up email.

• Higher Heights wins — celebrating Black women making major political strides nationwide.

• Corporate card chaos — the jaw-dropping story of a media exec who racked up nearly $300K in personal expenses (yes, Botox included).

• Black-Owned Business Month shout-outs — from luxe candles to curl-defining gel you’ll want in your cart yesterday.

• Pop culture corner — why The Gilded Age is having a moment, and our collective side-eye at unnecessary reboots.

Plus, Mandi drops our latest Brown Ambition Book Club pick — The Ghost of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence Haynes — a spooky, stylish, and sexy read you’ll want to grab before next week’s author interview.

It’s laughs, lessons, and a little tea — just the way we like it at the Brown Table.

Let’s Connect:
IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoney
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s Washday Woosah episode, we’re joined by the intelligent, passionate, and powerhouse CEO of Black Girls Code, Cristina Mancini! 👩🏾‍💻✨

Cristina drops serious gems on everything from how to confidently promote yourself online and in person, to what it really means to be a hard worker in today’s world. We also dive into the art of networking with purpose, and why it’s so important to stay updated on emerging technologies, evolving industries, and the people shaping them.

If you’ve ever questioned how to level up your career, build your personal brand, or stay competitive in a fast-changing world—this episode is for you. 💼💡🚀

Tune in, take notes, and get inspired!

Follow Cristina!

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crisbmancini/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisbmancini/

Follow Black Girls Code!:

Website: https://www.wearebgc.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlscode/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-girls-code/

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re talking about:

• Why it’s okay to come back to spaces you’ve outgrown—just show up as your new self.
• How journalism and content marketing are more connected than you think.
• Setting BIG end-of-year money goals (even while paying down debt).
• My real talk convo with 

  Alexa Claire from The Financial Diet about saving goals for the life you want.

And yes—we’re also going there. I’m opening up about why I’ve been so vocal about Gaza and Sudan, how I navigate the fear of backlash, and why I believe using your voice for what matters is worth the risk. It gets emotional, BA Fam, but y’all know I’m here to keep it 100.

Links & Resources to learn more about the wars in Gaza and Sudan:

Sudan

• @sudan.updates
• @srcs.sd
• @ifrc

Gaza

• @thepcrf
• @savethechildren
• Boycott lists & resources – [https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalcampaigns/boycotts]
• Find/Contact your elected officials – [https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials]

Let’s Connect:
IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoney
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The three dive into everything from half-birthdays and pop culture dry spells to the real challenges facing today’s job market. They celebrate Black-owned businesses like The Lip Bar, Black Girl Sunscreen, and Cloudy Donut Co. and unpack what happens when Black brands get bought out.

Plus, they get candid about:

• The emotional toll of job hunting in a tough market
• Why side hustles deserve more respect
• How to market yourself and keep creating even when you’re unemployed
• And yes… some Love Island fanfic might be involved 👀

If you're looking for a mix of professional gems, cultural commentary, and friendship goals—this episode’s for you.

💼 Resources & Mentions:

• Mandi’s Career Coaching Program
• Mia’s Substack: In Deep
• Alexa’s site: Moments with Alexa Claire

💌 Connect with the Hosts:

• Mandi Woodruff-Santos | @mandimoney
• Mia Brabham Nolan | @yourstrulymia
• Alexa Claire | @momentswac

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Washday Woosah, we’re sitting down with two amazing, talented, and intelligent women: author of How to Find True Love: Unlock your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships, relationship coach, podcast host, TED speaker, and certified matchmaker Francesca Hogi, and relationship coach, host of Netflix's Sneaky Links, and founder of The Spicy Life, Spicy Mari!

We dive deep into all things love, connection, and personal growth, from how to be vulnerable in relationships, to how to balance a demanding career and a romantic partnership without losing yourself in the process. 💼❤️

They also share powerful insights on:

• How to stay true to yourself while building a healthy relationship

• How to recognize what you truly want versus what society tells you to want

• The importance of self-awareness when dating

• And how to know when someone is really meant for you

This convo is filled with gems that’ll help you navigate your love life with more clarity, confidence, and intention. Tune in, take notes, and get ready to feel seen. 💫

Follow Francesca Hogi!
📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearfranny/?hl=en

💼 LinkedIn: //www.linkedin.com/in/dearfranny/

🌐 Website: https://www.francescahogi.com/ 

Follow Spicy Mari!
📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spicymari?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spicymari/
🌐 The Spicy Life: https://www.thespicylife.com/

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode:

• Why her new 12-session VIP coaching model is shifting lives (and not just for her clients)
• Why LinkedIn visibility still matters (yes, even if you hate it)
• The power of internal referrals and how she leverages her own network to open doors
• What career growth has to do with gardening (yes, really—succession planting is the metaphor you didn’t know you needed)
• Why women in senior roles still need to sow new seeds and push past discomfort to make new career connections
• How to approach networking without being the “take-take-take” person

PLUS:
Mandi’s take on the U.S. fertility panic, RFK’s eugenics-adjacent policy ideas, the “Donate to Pay the National Debt” nonsense (yes, that’s real), and why even Fluffy and Fido are feeling the effects of inflation.

📚 And shoutout to the BA Book Club! She shares highlights from the first-ever live author chat with Cebo Campbell and gives us the scoop on our next read: The Ghost of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence Haynes.

TAKEAWAY CHALLENGE:
What did you do this week to form a new connection in your career? Mandi’s got marching orders, BA fam — it’s time to stop relying on the old network and plant something new.

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this Washday Woosah episode, we are welcomed by CEO Coach, keynote speak, and author of “YOU'RE THE BOSS: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)”, Sabina Nawaz!

During this episode, Sabina discusses being able to understand the complex connection between power and pressure as a workplace manager, and how to turn the hidden pressures you face, into astounding results created by hardworking and communicating!

During this interview, you will Discover the leadership secrets of the world’s most successful managers and an important set of tools for managing yourself, others, and being able to navigate working relationships.

Follow Sabina Nawaz!

• Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabinacoaching/?hl=en

Have a Question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast!

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mandi shares how motherhood keeps her grounded (and off the doomscroll), and Yanely drops gems on supporting immigrant parents while building wealth. Plus, we get into that National Urban League report on the state of Black America (spoiler: it’s giving dumpster fire), break down the dangers of digital misinformation, and talk about the future of DEI.

In This Episode:

• Mandi talks about parenting through anxiety and the power of staying present
• We dissect the State of Black America report (yes, literally a flaming trash can was involved)
• Why same-day voter registration and digital literacy matter
• Yanely shares how her family went from cash-only to investment-ready

🔗 Stuff We Mentioned

• 📄 National Urban League’s State of Black America Report
• 🧠 Grumpy Monkey — kids' book that hits a little too close to home
• 📚 Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
• 💰 High-yield savings accounts — why they matter more than ever
• 📺 A Different World is streaming — do with that info what you will

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minda opens up about her latest book, Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace, and why understanding how we give and receive trust is essential—not just at work, but in every area of life.

If you’ve ever struggled with speaking up, setting boundaries, or navigating relationships in high-stakes environments, this conversation is for you.

Highlights!:

• Why trust (not talent), is the real currency of leadership
• How to communicate your value and protect your peace 
• What inspired Minda's seven trust languages 
• The connection between storytelling and equity in film and media

💌 Got a question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us on IG @brownambitionpodcast

🎉 Join our Patreon!
Get ad-free video episodes, early access, exclusive book club invites, and a chance to sit in live during tapings:
👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Naseema drops gems on the power of niching down, embracing your unique story, and positioning yourself as a Key Person of Influence. If you’re feeling stuck between passions and need clarity on how to turn your ideas into a purposeful business, this episode is for you.

🔑 Highlights:

• Why failing fast is essential to the entrepreneurial journey

• How to build your business by owning your story and defining your niche

• 📚 Book rec: Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley (as recommended by Naseema)

💌 Got a question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us on IG @brownambitionpodcast

🎉 Join our Patreon!
Get ad-free video episodes, early access, exclusive book club invites, and a chance to sit in live during tapings:
👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Naseema shares an update on her mini retirement and an upcoming mommy-daughter retreat in Colombia, while Mandi recounts her wild Atlanta trip, complete with StubHub headaches and a soul-stirring church visit. It’s a fun, heartfelt convo about choosing rest, redefining success, and making room for what really matters.

💌 Have a question?

Send it in to: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or slide into our DMs @brownambitionpodcast on IG.

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

Looking to apply for Mandi's VIP 1-on-1 Job Coaching program? Here's the link > 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back with a brilliant BA Q&A! Mandi sits down with Dr. Jatali Bellanton—Angel Investor, financial literacy powerhouse, and founder of Kids Who Bank—to talk about the game-changing power of mentorship and building teams that actually work.

Whether you’re dreaming up your first business or scaling your empire, this convo is a must-listen for leveling up your money mindset and your people skills.

We get into:
🤝 Why finding a mentor (or being one), is essential for growth
🪜 How to create real partnerships instead of dragging “dead weight”
💡 The moment that inspired Dr. Jatali to launch Kids Who Bank
🌍 Teaching kids financial literacy from New York to Ghana and beyond
💰 Her journey from investment banking and forensic accounting to empowering future moguls
✨ And the secret sauce behind helping businesses boost profits by 40%+

Want to follow Dr. Jatali and tap into her world of money wisdom?
📲 IG & Twitter: @jatalibellanton

Have a question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast!

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you’re launching a side hustle or running a full-on business, this convo breaks down what really matters when choosing where to bank.

We get into:
💼 Why keeping business and personal funds separate is a must
🏦 Traditional vs. digital banks—what works best for your biz
💸 Fees, features, and must-haves (like QuickBooks integration)
🔌 How local banks and credit unions can come through
📍And yes, why Mandy’s low-key ready to move back to ATL...

Banks we mention: BlueVine, PNC, Amex Business, TD Bank, and more.

Have a Question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast!

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.