Brown Ambition

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 secrets of the world’s most successful managers and an important set of tools for managing yourself, others, and being able to navigate working relationships. Follow Sabina Nawaz! Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabinacoaching/?hl=en Have a Question for the show?Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast! We launched a Patreon!

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.

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 misinformation, and talk about the future of DEI.   In This Episode: Mandi talks about parenting through anxiety and the power of staying present We dissect the State of Black America report (yes, literally a flaming trash can was involved) Why same-day voter registration and digital literacy matter Yanely shares how her family went from cash-only to investment-ready  

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 speaking up, setting boundaries, or navigating relationships in high-stakes environments, this conversation is for you. Highlights!: Why trust (not talent), is the real currency of leadership How to communicate your value and protect your peace  What inspired Minda's seven trust languages  The connection between storytelling and equity in film and media

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.

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 fun, heartfelt convo about choosing rest, redefining success, and making room for what really matters.

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:

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

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 crossed paths. Gabrielle is a multi-hyphenate who's lead communications at technology giants like Disney ABC, Comcast NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation and Amazon. She's a college professor at NYU and Columbia and a proud wife and mother of two. Today, I got to dive deep with Gabrielle who shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to becoming the Chief Communications Officer at Hachette Book Group. She discusses the importance of mentorship, the impact of her upbringing on her career, and the si

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:

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!)) ...maybe we're on our way to spend 5 hours at the African braiding salon getting our summer buss-down boho braids installed... whatever it is, Sunday's the day when we're all looking for something to tune into that doesn't drag us down but rather rejuvenates, reinvigorates, and resets us for the week ahead.  So, here we go. Every Sunday, we're bringing you our Washday Woosahs, which are inspiring, uplifting conversations from a roster of incredible guests. For today, I hope you enjoy this conv

BA fam, we’re diving deep into the world of credit cards this week! Mandi, Yaneli (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.

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 icky real quick. We wrap with some NYC political tea and why we keep picking trash mayors. It’s giving heart, humor, and hella perspective—like we do.

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—and thrive—in today’s America. Mikki also gives a sneak peek at her next project, Autopsy of the American Dream, and shares a much-needed reality check about the potential for America to head for its next Civil War.  Get ready for real talk on redemption, resilience, and the revolutionary strength of Black womanhood. Follow Mikki!:  https://www.instagram.com/karnythia/  https://bsky.app/profile/karnythia.bsky.social  https://x.com/karnythia?lang=en New here?Join us three times

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 marketed—and why we need more diverse storytelling for us, by us. We also chat about: What it really means to be "financially free" in your 30s The evolving landscape of Black journalism in a post-DEI world How social media impacts our timelines—literal and emotional Why storytelling is political, and who gets to shape the narrative Plus, Elizabeth breaks down how she got into personal finance with no journalism degree—and why she wants you to start investing (even if it’s just \$5). And Han

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.

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 yes, ugly tears were shed. -Trump and Elon’s billionaire beef… is it all just a stunt? -ICE raids, National Guard in LA, and why peaceful protests keep being met with force. -Why Black women are *still* expected to be the mature ones and what happens when we just want to clap back. -From Coco Gauff to Simone Biles to a teenage track star with flaming feet (literally): why the world can’t handle confident Black girls. Plus: The Tonys, the audacity of Patti LuPone,

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 latest in healthcare news and why it’s critical to raise your voice and contact your reps about upcoming legislation. She wraps the episode with listener feedback (thank you for showing up, BA Fam!) and gratitude for the unwavering support from this amazing community. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Mandi’s hype for Beyoncé in London The struggle (and strategy) of packing light Why our new cover art is a glow-up Details on the BA Book Club