Hey BA fam! 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 secr...
Jul 27, 2025•39 min
BA Fam, send us your financial, career and everything-in-between questions! Submit via email at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast on IG. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 25, 2025•31 min
We’re back, BA Fam! After surviving a morning of tech chaos (and some truly humbling camera angles), your favorite financial BFFs are back at the brown table— and we’ve got a lot to say. 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 misinform...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 10 min
This week’s BA Q&A , Mandi is joined by powerhouse author, filmmaker, and workplace equity consultant Minda Harts to talk about how we build trust, advocate for ourselves, and demand more from the spaces we show up in—especially as women of color. 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 spe...
Jul 20, 2025•44 min
This week's BA Q&A , Mandi is joined by friend of the show Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional to answer a question from Serena, a 28-year-old multi-passionate entrepreneur torn between beauty and holistic health. 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. 🔑 ...
Jul 18, 2025•25 min
This week, Mandi is joined at the Brown Table by friend of the show, nurse and financial educator Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional . The two get real about motherhood, love, career breaks, and all the chaos in between—from co-parenting struggles to Beyoncé ticket drama. 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 fu...
Jul 16, 2025•42 min
🎙️ Hey BA Fam! 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...
Jul 13, 2025•1 hr
Hey BA Fam! We’re back with a classic BA Q&A. Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal (aka MissBeHelpful) and Marc Russell from BetterWallet to answer Amber’s question: What should I look for when opening a business bank account—and what are the red flags? 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 b...
Jul 11, 2025•20 min
In this week’s Brown Table, Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal ( @missbehelpful ) and Marc Russell from Better Wallet to break down the new “baby bonds” launching in 2025 (if your baby’s already here... sorry, you missed the cutoff 😅).We also get into the mess around the so-called “Social Security tax credit” (spoiler: it’s not a credit), and why that distinction matters—especially for those of us managing our parents’ finances. Plus: Mandi gets real about possibly saying goodbye to NYC for good...
Jul 09, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Welcome to Washday Woosah, BA Fam! It's the Sunday slow-down you need, something to listen to while you're doing the laundry, deep conditioning, or simply enjoying a nice quiet moment of relaxation before the Sunday scaries start to hit. If you needed a sign to play matchmaker for your friends, this episode is it! Gabrielle and I were "set up" by a mutual friend during the pandemic when he realized we were two media mavens juggling our careers and motherhood in New York and somehow had never cro...
Jul 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Hey BA Fam! Mandi's riding solo today for the brown table and sharing insights on the biggest headlines that impact your wallet. 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 to ad-free video recordings, the BA book club, and even get a chance to be LIVE in the stu...
Jul 02, 2025•29 min
Hey Ba Fam! It's Mandi — yes, human me! And yes, I use em-dashes in real life! This ain't Chatgpt! Ok, so you might be surprised (hopefully delighted!) to see new episode of the show in your feed on a Sunday. I used to reserve my one-on-one guest interviews for our Monday show, but you know what... .Sundays make so much more sense. It's wash day. For our bodies, our hair, our dishes, that overflowing pile of laundry that's been accumulating on the side of our bed all week (I know it aint just me...
Jun 29, 2025•48 min
BA fam, we’re diving deep into the world of credit cards this week! Mandi, Yanely (aka MissBeHelpful), and Chris Browning break down the newest updates to premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, and Capital One Venture X. 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 pe...
Jun 27, 2025•24 min
BA Fam! We’re back at the Brown Table with your faves—Yanely Espinal (aka MissBeHelpful) and Chris Browning catching up on all the things. Mandi shares some big news: her dad got a kidney (!!) and the story behind it will have you in your feels and thinking hard about health in our communities. Then we get into the heavy stuff—yes, the U.S. bombed Iran and what that could mean for your wallet (gas, inflation, cyberattacks... fun times). Plus, why financial content during global messes can feel i...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Hey BA Fam! Things are about to get juicy! In this episode, Mandi sits down with the fearless author and activist Mikki Kendall, whose groundbreaking work Hood Feminism is reshaping how we think about feminism, community, and survival. Mikki dives deep into her journey navigating personal growth, relationships, and the challenges of confronting white feminism. Together, they unpack the power of collective action, the importance of building strong communities, and what it truly means to survive—a...
Jun 23, 2025•59 min
At the Brown Table this week, Mandi is joined by first-time BA guests Elizabeth Ayoola, host of Smart Money by NerdWallet, and Haniyah Philogene, lifestyle reporter at TheGrio. They dive into the chaotic beauty of career pivots, being Black women in media, and the emotional labor of storytelling. We talk motherhood, dating, the cost of protective styles (spoiler: $400 braids are wild), and the complex feelings around Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix hit. The convo gets real on how Black trauma is ma...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Brace yourselves, BA fam—this week’s Brown Table gets deep into the dollars and the drama. Mandi is joined by not one, not two, but three first-time Brown Table guests: Alexa Claire from The Financial Diet , JQ (aka Jonquilyn Hill) from Vox’s Explain It To Me podcast, and Yvie Saint-Louis from Blavity . They’re diving into the news, the nonsense, and the real-life mess of navigating finances, friendships, and fairness—especially when rent’s due and tensions are high. 💰 This week on the BA Q&...
Jun 13, 2025•18 min
Whew… this week’s Brown Table is packed, y’all. Mandi is joined by not one, not two, but three first-time Brown Table guests: Alexa Claire from The Financial Diet, JQ (aka Jonquilyn Hill) from Vox’s "Explain It To Me" podcast, and Yvie Saint-Louis from Blavity. We dive into the news, the nonsense, and everything in between from pop culture and politics to the real-life messiness of being Black, brilliant, and bold in America. This week, we get into: -Beyoncé in London: the rain, the glow, and ye...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 36 min
🎙️ BA Fam, Let’s Talk Black Capitalism (w/ Dr. Rachel Laryea) This week’s episode is full of truth, power, and possibility. Mandi sits down with Dr. Rachel Laryea, author of Black Capitalists: A Blueprint for What is Possible , to unpack what it really means to build wealth, create impact, and hold onto your identity as a Black entrepreneur in corporate and capitalist America. From identity crises to boardroom power moves, this convo is all vibes and real talk. We get into the nuances of Black ...
Jun 09, 2025•29 min
BA Fam, Let’s Go! This week’s episode is all vibes and real talk. Mandi is Beyoncé-bound , and she’s bringing the energy! As she preps for her London trip (yes, packing for a quick getaway is a whole production), she shares exciting updates from the Brown Ambition universe. We’re talking brand-new cover art , a book club (yes, you’re invited!), and deeper community engagement through Patreon . But it’s not all glitter and passport stamps—we also get into the serious stuff. Mandi breaks down the ...
Jun 06, 2025•20 min
BA Fam, Buckle up! This week’s episode is a ride. Mandi sits down with author Cebo Campbell to talk about his debut novel “ Sky Full of Elephants ”, a bold, emotional story that begins with every white person in North America vanishing and unfolds into a layered exploration of Blackness, identity, and healing. Cebo opens up about the personal roots of the story, the inspiration behind its unforgettable characters, and how fiction helps us imagine freedom. He also shares his journey from broke fr...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Hey BA Fam! This week, Mandi is diving into a conversation that every woman needs to hear. She’s joined by two powerhouse doctors—Dr. Uché Blackstock, author of the New York Times Bestselling book, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons With Racism in Medicine , and Dr. Jessica M. Shepherd, author of Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause —for a raw, real, and eye-opening talk all about women’s health, with a special focus on menopause, healthcare equity, and what it really means to advocate for ...
Jun 02, 2025•56 min
Hey BA Fam! In this episode, Mandi sits down with the unstoppable comic genius and *Official!* New York Times Bestselling author Zarna Garg to unpack her remarkable journey from stay-at-home mom to comedy superstar in her mid-40s. Less than a decade ago, Zarna was packing snacks for her kids' sports teams and tracking down missing socks in the laundry. Today, she's celebrating the release of her new book, "This American Woman: A One in a Billion Memoir ", helming a sitcom pilot with comedy icons...
May 28, 2025•56 min
This week on Brown Ambition , Mandi sits down with the powerhouse that is Page Turner —real estate broker, single mom, and the magnetic new host of HGTV’s Love It or List It . Page opens up about her incredible journey from hustling as a single mom to owning her spotlight on national TV. She gets real about what it takes to bounce back from life’s curveballs, trust your gut, and pivot with purpose. We talk motherhood, money moves, and why it’s never too late to bet on yourself. Page drops gems o...
May 26, 2025•47 min
Student loan repayments are officially back, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just plain confused, you’re not alone. This week on Brown Ambition, we’re diving deep into the chaos with two of our favorite money minds: Yanely Espinal , author of Mind Your Money, and Chris Browning from Popcorn Finance. We break down what’s really going on inside the federal student loan system from glitchy portals to a laundry list of repayment plans and why so many borrowers are left in the dark. H...
May 23, 2025•18 min
BA Fam we’re back at the Brown Table! It’s been a minute, but the original crew Mandi , Yanely , and Chris are together again and catching up on everything. From West Coast travels and birthday plans to coaching updates and sleep podcast dreams (yes, really), this episode is full of laughs, life, and hard-earned lessons. Mandi shares the behind-the-scenes of launching her new 12-week VIP coaching program and why one-on-one coaching needs more than just one call. We also get real about the job ma...
May 21, 2025•55 min
This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with the incredible Monique Rodriguez, founder of the powerhouse haircare brand Mielle Organics and author of the new book, The Glory in Your Story: Activating a Fearless Faith to Change Your Life, Your Career, and the World . From her kitchen table to a billion-dollar acquisition by P&G, Monique's journey is a masterclass in faith, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. This episode is for anyone who's ever faced adversity and dared to dream big...
May 19, 2025•50 min
BA Fam, we’re back with a classic BA Q&A, and this week’s episode is all about the kind of debt that just hits different credit cards with sky-high interest rates. A listener wrote in with a heartfelt message and a tough reality: nearly $12K in credit card debt spread across multiple cards, with APRs climbing over 30 percent. Mandi breaks down: When debt consolidation actually makes sense How to avoid the trap of solving a short-term problem without fixing the root issue What happens to your...
May 16, 2025•19 min
BA Fam, we’ve got a good one for you today! Mandi is joined by licensed financial therapist Aja Evans for an eye opening convo about something we all deal with but rarely talk about money feelings. From stress-spending and avoiding your inbox to doom-scrolling at 6 a.m., Aja breaks down how our emotions drive financial behavior and why learning to sit with discomfort might just be your most powerful money move yet. We also talk about getting dressed just to open your laptop, journaling out your ...
May 14, 2025•51 min
BA Fam, we’re in our investing bag today—and who better to guide us through this unpredictable market than Racquel Oden, Head of U.S. Wealth and Personal Banking for HSBC (yes, that HSBC)? With 30 years of experience under her belt, Racquel breaks it all the way down: why now *isn’t* the time to panic, how to pivot smartly, and what staying “active” with your money really means (spoiler: it’s not staring at your account every five minutes). Mandi gets personal about her own portfolio (yes, she o...
May 09, 2025•50 min
