Brown Ambition

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

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 front desk clerk to building a million-dollar creative agency and why giving yourself permission to fail might be the key to your best work.   What You’ll Hear in This Episode: -The real-life microaggression that inspired the title *Sky Full of Elephants* -What it’s like to grow up biracial in a 98% white town—and how that shows up in fiction -The power of water, lavender, and legacy in Black storytelling -Cebo’s career pivot from college football to creative strategy to publi

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 yourself in the doctor’s office. These two trailblazing women break down the myths around hormone replacement therapy, open up about their personal journeys in medicine, and don’t hold back when it comes to calling out the racial and gender disparities baked into our healthcare system. From fighting bias in exam rooms to why representation in medicine literally saves lives, this episode is packed with truth bombs and takeaways you don’t want to miss. Whether you&

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 like Mindy Kaling and Kevin Hart and performing for sold-out audiences around the country. In this candid interview, Zarna gets real about the highs and lows of juggling motherhood, cultural expectations, and a career in the pressure cooker of New York City. She shares hard-earned wisdom on self-acceptance, resilience, and why women should never be afraid to think big. Follow Zarna:  https://www.tiktok.com/@zarnagarg https://www.instagram.com/zarnagarg  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 on building confidence, tackling fear head-on, and leaving a legacy for the next generation. Plus, she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the wild world of home renovations—what really goes down when family needs, budgets, and dreams collide. If you’re ready for a dose of inspiration with a side of real talk, this one’s for you. Watch Love It or List It Mondays at 10/9c on HGTV or stream it on Max.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Here’s what we’re unpacking: -

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 market and how AI is already shifting the game especially for new grads and folks trying to break in. The tea? Relationships matter more than ever. Chris is dreaming up a new show (spoiler: it might put you to sleep—in the best way, and Yanely is out here living her best life… and finally seeing Beyoncé live in her hometown.  And of course, we round it all out with a good ol’ Brown Boost / Brown Break—featuring a Pulitzer Prize-winning book and a sobering reminder that