Episodes

  • Should She Take the $25K Raise or Protect Her Peace?

    Should She Take the $25K Raise or Protect Her Peace?
    Feb 28 2025
    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 sacrifice her sanity for that extra cheddar? Then Sasha comes clean about how she let lifestyle inflation wreck her finances. Despite doubling her income to $90K, she’s drowning in $34K of credit card debt. Got a question you want us to answer? Hit is up! • Slide into our DMs: @brownambitionpodcast • Email your tea: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Pigeons & Pink Slips

    Pigeons & Pink Slips
    Feb 26 2025
    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 finances Media shake-ups and what the cancellation of Joy Reid’s show means for representation The rise of TikTok creators and how digital media is shifting The realities of entrepreneurship and why collaboration beats going solo Financial literacy and wealth-building strategies for uncertain times Marvel’s new Captain America movie and whether it lived up to the hype Boosts and Breaks of the week—because life keeps life-ing Hit play and join the conversation. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Follow BA at @brownambitionpodcast Follow Yanely @missbehelpful Follow Chris @popcornfinance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • The Government Rescinded My Job Offer — Now What? Plus, Coping With The Shame of Money Mistakes

    The Government Rescinded My Job Offer — Now What? Plus, Coping With The Shame of Money Mistakes
    Feb 21 2025
    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 a rescinded job offer?” → Transferable skills, LLC tips & side hustle tax hacks (featuring listener Bri’s Pilates pivot!) • “I’m drowning in debt from my 20s!” → Debt negotiation tips, credit counseling resources & mindset shifts for new moms • Mandi’s unfiltered take: Why no job is safe + protecting yourself with “receipts” Actionable Takeaways • 🛑 For laid-off workers: Document praise emails, save performance reviews, explore adjacent industries • 💸 For debt payoff: Prioritize newer debts, negotiate settlements, avoid credit repair scams • 💡 For everyone: Build a “financial parachute” via side gigs Mentioned Resources • National Foundation for Credit Counselors (nfcc.org) • National Debt Relief (nationaldebtrelief.com) CALL TO ACTION • 🎧 Subscribe for weekly career/finance therapy • 💌 Submit your Q: DM @brownambitionpodcast or email brownambitionpodcasts@gmail.com • 🌟 Rate & review if this episode helped you – it fuels our mission! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • No One Is Self-Made: How to Build Villages (Not Networks)

    No One Is Self-Made: How to Build Villages (Not Networks)
    Feb 19 2025
    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 upcoming She Did That events > Follow Renae on IG @IamRenaeBluitt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • My Husband's Parents Pay His Credit Card — Help! [BA QA]

    My Husband's Parents Pay His Credit Card — Help! [BA QA]
    Feb 14 2025
    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 different money mindsets in a relationship. If you’ve ever side-eyed your partner’s spending habits or wondered how to raise financially savvy kids, this one’s for you. Tap in for real talk, practical tips, and a few laughs along the way! Check out Naseema's podcast, Financially Intentional > Read The Prenup Prescription by Aarron Thomas > Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Game Over

    Game Over
    Feb 12 2025
    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/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Real Talk on Investing in 2025

    Real Talk on Investing in 2025
    Feb 7 2025
    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
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    29 mins
  • Breaking Up with Corporate ft Chris Corinthian & Marc Russell

    Breaking Up with Corporate ft Chris Corinthian & Marc Russell
    Feb 5 2025
    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 Students Work with Chris: Your Debt-Free Degree Free Investing Guide: DOWNLOAD: financesincheck.com/checklist Free Passive Investing Class: financesincheck.com/registration-page Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr