Brown Ambition

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’s Super Bowl performance—because when culture and artistry collide on the biggest stage, you know we have thoughts! We break down why moments like this matter and how they tie into the broader fight for representation and equity.And if you’ve ever wondered whether you really need a prenup (or a post-nup), divorce attorney Aaron Thomas joins us to drop some serious gems. We talk about why financial transparency in relationships is non-negotiable and how to protect your money, no matter your relationship status.Tune in for another honest, insightful, and necessary conversation on Brown Ambition! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 parenting with his first full year of entrepreneurship. Marc keeps it real on managing money as an entrepreneur, and Mandi reminds us why resilience (and a good budget) can carry us through life’s wildest transitions.RESOURCES MENTIONED: Watch: My Money Mentors (PBS)Read: Financial Literacy 101 for College StudentsWork with Chris: Your Debt-Free DegreeFree Investing Guide:DOWNLOAD: financesincheck.com/checklist Free Passive Investing Class: financesincheck.com/registration-page  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comUntil next time, keep stacking that paper and living your best life! 💅🏾 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 impact on Black-owned brands. Will boycotting work? What's the bigger picture here? How can we best support the brands we love without feeding into companies that don't love us? How can new entrepreneurs stay motivated when funding is drying up and Voldemort is bullying corporations into dropping commitments to diversity?--Send us your questions if you want to be featured on the show! @brownambitionpodcast on IGor email us brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to follow us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brownambitionpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OK BA Fam, in this episode of the BA Q&A Mandi gets personal, opening up about the emotional toll of job uncertainty and how recent executive orders have directly impacted her husband and other family members. She takes us on a deep dive into the realities of over-employment, especially for women of color, and sheds light on why so many Black women are juggling multiple jobs just to stay afloat.The tea:  The emotional toll of commuting, job uncertainty, and workplace inflexibility. The hard truths about over-employment and why Black women are out here doing the most just to make ends meet. Salary negotiation tips for all our nonprofit baddies trying to get that bag. A reminder that you don’t have to carry your struggles alone—community is everything. Why You’ll Love This Episode:It’s real, relatable, and packed with practical gems. Whether you’re navigating work-life chaos or just need a reminder to breathe, Mandi’s here to let you know you’re not alone. Plus, we’re flipping the script on the “strong Black woman” trope and reclaiming our joy.Let’s Keep It Going:Feeling this one? Share it with your crew! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tag us with your favorite takeaways. Let’s keep building each other up, one episode at a time.Your support means everything to us! Please share this episode with a friend, peer or colleague and don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Okay, BA fam—the same week you-know-who was sworn in for another term in office, we are doing what we do best — giving the 92% a platform where we can stand tall, be proud and lift one another up! This is a heartfelt, funny, and real conversation featuring BA host Mandi Woodruff-Santos along with guests Deesha Dyer and Errin Haines. This episode is giving: The tea on gatekeeping in corporate America. Lessons on owning your identity unapologetically. Why finding joy and laughter is a radical act of self-care. Deesha shares highlights from her time as a White House social secretary (yes, she was running things for the Obama Administration) and the challenges of transitioning to life post-White House. Errin reflects on her career as a trailblazing journalist and her mission to amplify marginalized voices through her work with The 19th. Why You’ll Love This Episode:It’s inspiring, empowering, and straight-up hilarious at times. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the world on your shoulders, this one’s for you. Mandi, Deesha, and Errin remind us why community, authenticity, and joy are everything.Let’s Keep It Going:If you’re feeling this episode, share it with your squad! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tag us with your takeaways. Let’s keep lifting each other up. ✨ Laugh more. Stress less. Win big. ✨ Follow the Guests: Deesha Dyer: @DeeDyer267 Errin Haines: @emarvelous and The 19th Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA QA. This week, Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal and Chris Brown to tackle everything from auto refinancing, work-life balance, and credit card debt. Get the lowdown on shopping around for the best financial options, the complexities of managing debt versus investments, and more!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/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA roundtable. Chris Browning of Popcorn Finance andYanely Espinal of MissBeHelpful are back and this week, we’re diving into everything from the burnout of multitasking to the impacts of California wildfires and shady home insurance practices. We tackle economic disparities, climate change’s effect on vulnerable communities, and pop culture drama—like Bad Bunny’s authenticity and Hollywood’s ongoing Me Too reckoning.Plus, we explore journaling for mental health, the magic of minimalism, and frustrations with AI in customer service. Don’t miss our take on financial literacy education and navigating gender dynamics in the workplace. It’s real talk, fresh insights, and a sprinkle of inspiration—don’t sleep on this one!HELP BLACK & BROWN HOMEOWNERS IMPACTED BY LA WILDFIRE:This spreadsheet is going around with a list of funds for Altadena's Black families. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pK5omSsD4KGhjEHCVgcVw-rd4FZP9haoijEx1mSAm5c/htmlview?usp=sharing#GoFundMe for Altadena residents: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-adonis-coach-ad-and-denise-jones-rebuild-after-fire?attribution_id=sl:e4229917-dd65-4e81-a0e9-7fa7d69440fa&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kanoa Greene, the founder of Nakoa Adventure, a travel company dedicated to creating inclusive adventure experiences for the plus-size community is in the studio today, BA fam!Kanoa shares her personal journey from corporate recruiter to entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. The discussion delves into the importance of representation in adventure sports, the need for better gear and resources for plus-size individuals, and the transformative power of movement and fitness. Kanoa emphasizes the significance of finding joy in physical activity and the importance of self-care in entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating their own journey of self-acceptance and empowerment.Chapters01:43 Nakoa: A Plus-Size Adventure Community03:34 Overcoming Barriers in Adventure Sports06:34 The Impact of Body Image on Adventure08:45 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship14:50 Embracing Adventure as a Visually Impaired Person26:56 Mental Health and Movement32:57 Navigating Leadership Challenges34:56 The Balance of Compassion and Directness35:33 Building a Sustainable Business ModelSubscribe to The Brown Ambition Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@brownambitionpodcast/videosKeep the party going with a visit to https://brownambitionpodcast.comFOLLOW KANOA GREENEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanoagreenehttps://nakoaadventure.com/FOLLOW THE BROWN AMBITION PODCASTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brown-ambition-759572334/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brownambition/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brownambitionFOLLOW MANDIInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandimoneyThreads: https://www.threads.net/@mandimoneyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maaandimoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.