Hey BA fam — this week, Mandi is back at the Brown Table with two of her favorite mama podcasters: Jessica Norwood from The Sugar Daddy Podcast and Rana Campbell, from Dreams and Drive. We’re getting real about what it means to be a mom, a creative, and a corporate baddie in 2025 all at the same time. From burnout and baby wipes to balancing big dreams and meal prep, this is a love letter to every woman out here trying to do it all (and keep her edges intact). No fluff, no filters — just honest ...
May 07, 2025•55 min
This week, Mandi sits down with the brilliant Jasmine Marie breathwork practitioner, founder of Black Girls Breathing, and author of Black Girls Breathing: Heal from Trauma, Combat Stress, and Find Your Freedom. From surviving the corporate grind to creating wellness spaces rooted in cultural relevance, Jasmine gets real about her journey into entrepreneurship, healing work, and what it truly takes to hold space for Black women’s mental and emotional wellbeing. We talk about everything from the ...
May 02, 2025•57 min
BA Fam, we’re back at the Brown Table! This week, Mandi is joined by our faves Yanely and Naseema for a good ol' catch-up and trust, it’s been a minute. We're talking about all things mental health, money moves, and why Naseema’s plotting a mini-retirement (yes, you heard that right). Plus, we dive deep into the messy student loan situation (spoiler alert: the bills are coming due) and what you actually need to know before you freak out. We also show love to some brilliant Black authors and entr...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In this week’s episode, we’re getting real about navigating career highs, lows—and everything in between. Mandi hosts a live coaching session with LaKesha J., a member of the Mandi MoneyMakers community , who is trying to figure out how to position herself for career growth after she was laid off by her company and narrowly escaped unemployment by finding a role on a different team. Next up, we get into the messy, grown-up decision-making that comes with a career crossroads. Do you take the seve...
Apr 25, 2025•44 min
This week on Brown Ambition, we’re joined by none other than HGTV’s powerhouse duo, Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson , stars of “ Married to Real Estate ” and hosts of the Marriage & Money podcast. 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:...
Apr 23, 2025•49 min
This week, we’re sitting down with Raye Shurice, an amazing member of the MandiMoney Makers community, who went from juggling two jobs to landing a major salary bump and leveling up her entire career. She’s breaking down her journey, from tough interviews to tough decisions, and how community, clarity, and confidence helped her boss up and get what she deserved. We’re also digging into one of the trickiest parts of the professional world: salary negotiation especially when you're trying to level...
Apr 18, 2025•38 min
This week on the show, we’re bringing you a powerful mix of money talk, passion projects, and straight-up sisterhood. Jamila Souffrantt yes,Jamila from Journey to Launch pulls up to share how she turned her financial freedom dreams into reality and how you can too. She drops gems from her book and reminds us all that reclaiming our financial futures is not just possible, it's necessary. She’s joined by her sisters, Shaina McGregor and Imani Manning , for a soulful catch-up that’s long overdue (l...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr
This week, we’re joined by Latham Thomas , founder of Mama Glow and a true trailblazer in reproductive justice. She takes us on the journey that started with her own birth experience and led her to build a movement that’s transforming how we care for Black women and birthing people. From expanding doula care for Medicaid families in NYC to training the next wave of advocates and healers, Latham breaks down how Mama Glow went from a personal mission to a global platform. And y’all, she keeps it r...
Apr 11, 2025•51 min
BA Fam, I'm excited to share a new show from my friends at Higher Ground, hosted by thee Michelle Obama, called IMO. On IMO, Michelle and her big brother Craig Robinson aim to bring you the same: Candid perspectives on the everyday questions shaping our lives, relationships and the world around us. Each week, they’re joined by a guest to tackle real questions from real folks just like you offering practical advice, personal storytelling, and plenty of laughs. And a lot of their questions are abo...
Apr 10, 2025•44 min
We’re back BA Fam with a whole lot to celebrate! Joining us are 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 -Lizzo’s redemption tour -Are sol...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 22 min
This week, we’re talking all things sales—breaking barriers, building wealth, and securing the bag. Mandi is joined by two powerhouse guests: Chantel George , founder of Sistas in Sales , and her brother Alex Woodruff , Sales Director at Fiddler, an AI software firm . They dive into the unique challenges women of color face in the sales industry, why representation matters, and how to carve out a thriving career in this space. Chantel shares how Sistas in Sales is creating opportunities and supp...
Apr 04, 2025•48 min
BA Fam, she’s back! In this episode We’re joined once again by the one and only Morgan DeBaun CEO of Blavity , serial entrepreneur, and now a FOUR-time guest on the show! Morgan has been making big moves, and this time, she’s here to talk about her new book, “Rewrite Your Rules”, and how she’s navigating life and business on her own terms. We get into the real about entrepreneurship! what it actually takes to build a business from the ground up, the sacrifices no one talks about, and why staying...
Apr 02, 2025•37 min
In this heartfelt and hilarious live BA QA session, Mandi Woodruff-Santos sits down with Emily Esquivel , a therapist-turned-entrepreneur who’s navigating the highs and lows of launching her own private practice. Together, they dive into the messy middle of entrepreneurship, from battling imposter syndrome to redefining what it means to run an ethical and sustainable business. Emily opens up about her journey, including the pivotal moment that pushed her to leave toxic work environments, the emo...
Mar 28, 2025•37 min
Mandi, Yanely, and Chris are celebrating milestones, unpacking celebrity controversies, and diving deep into the relationship between ambition and self-worth. WHEW. Yep. We go there! BTW, why is Jonathan Majors all over our feeds and how is Meagan Good single-handedly holding up his career rn? We explore the fine line between talent appreciation and moral responsibility in entertainment. Finally, we dive into ambition and self-worth. Through personal stories and therapy insights, we reflect on h...
Mar 26, 2025•52 min
BA Fam Tiffany is BACK!!!, and we’re celebrating in a big way! She shares the excitement of her new PBS special, “Get Good With Money”, and the unforgettable premiere party at the historic Kruger Scott Mansion. From reconnecting with Mandi to navigating last-minute challenges—like prepping for a teleprompter with 20/50 vision—Tiffany gives us an inside look at this milestone moment. That’s not all—we also dive into real financial challenges many are facing today, including managing consumer debt...
Mar 21, 2025•36 min
Hey BA Fam! Join us for an inspiring conversation with Tomara Watkins President of Buttah Skin and Dr. Kristian Edwards Founder of BLK+GRN , two visionary entrepreneurs reshaping the beauty and wellness industry. They share their journeys of building brands that cater to the unique needs of Black consumers while challenging industry norms and creating spaces for empowerment. From breaking barriers to redefining success, Tomara and Dr. Edwards discuss the privilege and responsibility of entrepren...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 3 min
🔥 In this episode of Brown Ambition , Mandi sits down with Jessica Cruel, the powerhouse Editor-in-Chief of Allure and SELF magazines, to talk about her journey to the top of the beauty media world and how she’s building wealth through real estate investing as a single woman. 👑 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 tip...
Mar 14, 2025•39 min
Hey BA Fam! This week, Mandi is joined by two powerhouse women who are shaking things up in their industries. Get ready for a fun, insightful, and inspiring conversation with Lisa Beasley, the comedic genius behind the viral character “Corporate Erin,” and Kenya Parham, the Chief Growth Officer of Spill, the Black-owned social media platform that’s changing the game. What We’re Talking About: • Lisa’s Journey from Gary to Greatness: Lisa takes us through her path from growing up in Gary, Indiana...
Mar 12, 2025•46 min
Hey BA Fam! Mandi, Yanely, and Chris tackle a listener’s dilemma about whether to stay at her “dream company” despite a brutal 90-minute commute and no work-from-home flexibility. Plus, hot takes on corporate America’s return-to-office demands and the recent shopping boycott! The crew debates whether any job requiring three hours of daily commuting can truly be called a “dream,” especially when promotion opportunities are 2-3 years away. Yanely shares Jamie Dimon’s leaked anti-WFH rant (“If you ...
Mar 07, 2025•34 min
The Brown Table is BACK with all the tea! Mandi, Yanely, and Chris break down the Oscar highlights, Women's History Month, Bloody Sunday's 60th anniversary, the Retail Boycott, and a special first-time Brown Boost interview with Alencia Johnson, author of Flip The Tables: The Everyday Disruptor's Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change. Don't forget to RATE and REVIEW the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! It's essential to keep us growing and let everyone know how they can join the BA Fam. ...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Listen up, BA Fam! Mandi’s bringing the 🔥 with special guests Yanely (Miss Be Helpful) and Chris (Popcorn Finance) for a no-holds-barred Q&A that’ll have you nodding, laughing, and maybe feeling a little called out (in the best way). First up: Kerry’s caught between a rock and a hard place. Her husband’s unemployed after dragging the family across the country, and now she’s staring down a $75K job offer that sounds like a chaotic nightmare compared to her current $50K gig. Should she sacrif...
Feb 28, 2025•27 min
We’re back at the Brown Table with Yanely & Chris, BA Fam! And we cover everything from unexpected pigeon encounters to major shifts in the job market, media, and entrepreneurship. This week, we dive into: Elon Musk’s proposed job cuts to federal agencies and what it could mean for the workforce and economy Navigating job loss and career transitions, plus how to bounce back and build new opportunities Why civic engagement matters, especially in local elections and policies that impact your f...
Feb 26, 2025•50 min
In this raw, heartfelt episode, Mandi tackles listener questions about layoffs, debt, and rebuilding after financial mistakes – all while sharing her own reflections on friendship, motherhood, and weathering life’s storms. Key Topics Covered • Why showing up for friends matters (even in sleet!) + Mandi’s hilarious The Read live show recap • Federal layoffs & corporate cuts: 75K+ gov jobs axed, Meta’s shady “performance review” purge • Listener Q&A: • “Should I abandon public health after...
Feb 21, 2025•30 min
Mandi Woodruff hosts Dr. Key Hallmon (founder of The Village Market) and Renae Bluitt (creator of She Did That) for a candid conversation about empowering Black and minority-owned businesses through community, intentionality, and economic liberation. They explore systemic challenges, the power of collaboration, and practical strategies for entrepreneurs to thrive in uncertain times. Purchase Dr. Key's book > The Village Market Atlanta > Follow Dr. Key on IG @DrKeyHallmon Check out Renae's ...
Feb 19, 2025•46 min
It's BA QA Time! This week, Mandi is joined by Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional to get real about the messy, beautiful, and sometimes awkward conversations we need to have about money and love. We’re talking about why early financial convos are a must (yes, even before the wedding bells), how to merge finances without losing your mind, and why transparency is the key to avoiding money drama down the line. Plus, we’re answering listener questions on everything from prenups to handling d...
Feb 14, 2025•40 min
On this episode of Brown Ambition , we’re getting real about everything from navigating the healthcare system as a Black woman to securing your financial future—whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between. Mandi, Naseema, and Yanely kick things off with a deep dive into Naseema’s experience as a labor and delivery nurse, unpacking the harsh realities of maternal healthcare for Black women and why financial literacy is a critical tool for empowerment. Then, we get into Kendrick Lamar’...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Hey BA fam! For this edition of the BA QA, Mandi highlights her conversations with best friend duo Marc Russell and Chris Corinthian. Chris shares how he teaches families how to land scholarships, while Marc keeps it real on managing money as an entrepreneur and investing in 2025. We want to hear from you! Drop us a note at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listene...
Feb 07, 2025•24 min
Mandi is joined at the Brown Table by best friend duo Marc Russell and Chris Corinthian. Marc is an investing expert @ BetterWallet and Chris is a college scholarships and grants expert @ Your Debt-Free Degree. Together, we're diving deep into their journeys with money—tackling student debt, making that scary leap from corporate to entrepreneurship, and why community support is EVERYTHING. Chris shares how he leveled up his finances, teaches families how to land scholarships and juggles parentin...
Feb 05, 2025•54 min
S/o to Teal, the AI resume builder and cover letter writer that will simplify your job search! Use our link to check 'em out and let em know Brown Ambition sent you! Q: “How do I set and stick to financial goals?” Listen up, Unicorn! Q: “Help me find a financial planner!” Solange, we got you! Here’s how to find your money match. 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 ...
Jan 31, 2025•24 min
Is it STILL January? On today's show: Mandi and Chris are at the Brown Table talking about his new move to SF, how he navigated dating after divorce (babe!) and we quickly cover the stock market tumble for tech giants and how bird flu is decimating our wallets. Then...we're joined by the curl queen herself, Kim Lewis, the founder of CurlMix, to share an insider's POV on the retail rollercoaster: With big retailers like Target rolling back their DEI initiatives, Kim’s keeping it real about the im...
Jan 29, 2025•44 min
