Brown Ambition

Happy New Year, BA Fam! In our most popular episode of 2025, Mandi was joined by two of our faves in the finance space: Chris Browning of “Popcorn Finance” and Berna Anat, author of the amazing book “Money Out Loud”. If you’re looking to level up your money game and feel good doing it, this episode’s for you. 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

It’s time for another BA Q&A, where we answer your money and career questions straight from the inbox! This week, we're rewinding to a couple of our favorite questions from this year.

Thinking about switching careers but not sure where to start? In this episode, Mandi Money breaks down what it really takes to make a successful career pivot in 2026 — without burning yourself out or making impulsive moves. 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 throu

What's up BA Fam! Mandi's back with a new BA QA, taking listener Tina's question about managing credit card debt, specifically focusing on balance transfers. She explains the benefits and risks associated with transferring balances to 0% interest cards, the importance of comparing offers, and the potential pitfalls of deferred interest. Mandi emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to debt management, encouraging listeners to take charge of their finances while also being mindful of their mental health during challenging financial times. 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.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s solo episode, Mandi Money invites the BA Fam into a deeply personal, deeply revealing moment of reflection. After attending an intimate one-day mastermind retreat hosted by friend of the show Amina Altai, Mandi found herself sitting with something she rarely lets linger: discomfort. 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 ou

In this BAQA episode, Mandi Money is joined by legendary money expert and Money Coach, Lynnette Khalfani‑Cox, to answer a powerful question from listener Raquel: “I’m 56, I like my paralegal job, I love my podcast, and I know I can’t afford to fully retire… so what does my next act even look like?” 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 t

This week on the show, we’re getting real about the holiday season at the Brown Table because as much as we love the food, the vibes, and a good family kiki, the holidays can bring up a lot. From navigating messy family dynamics to redefining traditions, the hosts open up about what it means to protect your peace, your energy, and yes…your bank account, during one of the most emotionally loaded times of the year. 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 enteri

Hi BA Fam - I hope you had the loveliest, peaceful Thanksgiving week and weekend. I will be back with a brand new Brown Table this Weds, and I am recording new BA Q&A episodes as well! So please submit any questions to brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM me on IG @brownambitionpodcast.  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!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Thanksgiving week, beloved BA Fam! As a special treat, I wanted to share a crossover episode with Nerdwallet's SmartMoney Podcast, featuring their incredible hosts Sean Piles and Elizabeth Ayoola.  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 BASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Mandi Money sits down with powerhouse executive coach and host of Ambition Without Compromise, Monique R. Shields a woman whose mission is simple but profound: to liberate the professional imaginations of women of color. 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 conversat

Hey, hey BA fam! This week we're revisiting two intense listener questions:  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 @brownambi

This week, Mandi Money  brings the BAFAM a special “Best Of” mash-up episode featuring two powerhouse women who’ve carved out space in the C-suite and beyond. From boldly leaving corporate America to building whole new tables (not just getting a seat at one), these conversations are all about self-belief, wealth-building, and trusting your gut—even when everyone else thinks you’re wild for betting on yourself. 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 ther

In this week’s episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi Money sits down with author C.J. Farley to unpack his new book Who Knows You by Heart  a story that hits right at the intersection of ambition, identity, and the harsh realities of working in big tech. 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. Wh

On today's BA QA, where I take your questions about life, money, career and everything in between (!), we're revisiting past questions on managing debt as a couple, navigating military benefits during a cross-country move, and figuring out whether high-deductible health plans are actually worth it . 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.

Hey BA Fam! As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, Mandi Money is keeping it real about what this season can bring emotionally, financially, and politically. In this episode, she dives into how seasonal changes can impact our moods and motivation, why planning ahead for the holidays can save both your sanity and your wallet, and how collective action like economic boycotts can actually shift power back into our communities. 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

In this week’s Washday Woosah episode, Mandi Money sits down with executive coach and author Muriel Wilkins for a powerful conversation about leadership, self-efficacy, and the internal work required to truly step into your power. 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.  

Hey BA Fam! this week Mandi Money is flying solo with a heart-to-heart about what it really looks like to find peace in uncertain times. 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.  

In this powerful conversation, Mandi Woodruff-Santos sits down with writer and speaker Jodi-Ann Burey to unpack what it truly means to be authentic in the workplace—especially for women of color. Together, they explore how authenticity evolves over time and the ways mental health, disability, and capitalism intersect to shape our professional and personal identities. Jodi-Ann opens up about her experiences with depression and chronic pain, shedding light on the importance of self-reflection, storytelling, and community in the journey toward healing and resilience. This episode reminds listeners that authenticity isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, purpose, and connection. 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 crea

This week, Mandi opens up about her healing journey—sharing how slowing down, softening up, and getting real rest have transformed her mental health and daily rhythm. From battling depression and anxiety to finally finding peace through sleep, nourishment, and support. 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.  

This week, Mandi sits down with leadership and inclusion strategist Ruchika T. Malhotra — author of Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Radical Success. In a world obsessed with winning, Ruchika’s message is a breath of fresh air: true success comes from rest, collaboration, and community not from constant competition. 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.