Brown Ambition

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

Happy BA Wednesday! I hope you enjoy this throwback episode, one of the most popular of 2026 so far. I'm taking some much-needed time to work on the manuscript for my book. See you with a brand new show next week! -Mandi

This week on Brown Ambition, MandiMoney is back with a simple, shame‑free money reset for 2026: 3 wealthy habits you can actually stick with, even when life is lifing. Instead of overhauling your entire financial l...

This week, on Brown Ambition Mandi Money is joined by financial educator and “Your Rich BFF” Vivian Tu for a real, unfiltered conversation about money, mistakes, and the financial lessons most of us were never taught. From navigating layoffs and economic uncertainty to unlearning toxic money habits, this episode is a reminder that financial literacy isn’t about perfection it’s about resilience, resourcefulne...

Tax season is here, and this week BA QA, Mandi sits down with TurboTax expert Lisa Green-Lewis to break down what you need to know before the filing deadline. From updated tax credits and deductions to changes that could impact your refund, this episode helps you understand how to navigate this year’s taxes without the stress.

They cover key updates like the increased child tax credit, new deductions for tips and overtime, ex...

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi is joined by Kiersten Saunders and Yanely Espinal for an honest conversation about the real cost of adulting in 2026. From a surprise $2,000 Tesla repair to rising rent and major life decisions, they break down how even the “right” financial choices can come with unexpected expenses.

The episode dives into renting vs. homeownership, IVF and fertility costs, and navigating layoffs inclu...

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with returning guest Naseema McElroy, founder of Financially Intentional, for a powerful and transparent conversation about money, survival, and transformation.

Naseema opens up about her journey from nearly $1 million in debt including student loans, real estate losses, IRS debt, and the financial aftermath of an abusive marriage to becoming a millionaire. She breaks down exactly how sh...

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with therapist and bestselling author Oludara Adeeyo, creator of Self-Care for Black Women. Oludara shares her powerful journey from working in New York’s magazine industry to becoming a mental health advocate focused on the wellness of Black women. After years of caregiving for her mother and navigating toxic workplace dynamics, she began to rethink what self-care really means and...

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with award-winning producer, filmmaker, and breakout actress Kiah Clingman for a real conversation about rejection, reinvention, and trusting the long game.

From getting rejected by Howard’s theater program to becoming a proud Howard alum who quietly built a producing career… from balancing a demanding corporate job at Deloitte while producing projects at night… to no...

Hey BA fam! We're digging back in the BA vault for a classic Q&A. Pregnant Penny needs advice on how to ask for a raise while pregnant. From breaking down the importance of standing up for oneself to how to plan ahead of maternity leave, your financial sisters have it covered.

We want to hear from you! Drop us a note at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast

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Happy Women’s History Month, BA Fam! 🎉

In this powerful roundtable, Mandi Money sits down with money expert Bernadette Joy (author of Crush Your Money Goals) and financial freedom advocate Kiersten Saunders of Rich & Regular for an honest, layered conversation about what it really looks like to build wealth as women—especially women of color—in today’s economy.

They break down:

• The gap between entr...

In this episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi Money welcomes Dr. Judith Joseph, a psychiatrist and author of 'High Functioning'. They discuss the concept of high functioning depression, the importance of reclaiming joy in mental health, and Dr. Judith's 5 Vs framework for healing. Mandi shares her personal experiences with depression and anxiety, emphasizing the need for emotional well-being amidst productivity. 

The conversation h...

In this Brown Table chat, Mandi sits down with Kiersten Saunders co‑author of “Cashing Out” and co‑host of Rich & Regular to talk about what it really looks like to walk away from corporate in 2026 without blowing up your life. They get into why the message of “cashing out” hits different now that layoffs, Trump‑era uncertainty, and AI chaos have Black women rethinking their careers all over again.

Kiers...

In this week’s  BA Q&A, Mandi answers a listener question about student loan deferment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), emergency savings, and navigating major life transitions without blowing up your financial stability.

Sydney, a 34-year-old nurse, is three years away from qualifying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). While pursuing her master’s degree, her loans are currently in in-scho...

On this episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with Lauren Wesley Wilson, founder of ColorComm, for a powerful conversation on career advancement, entrepreneurship, and building a recession-resistant business. Lauren breaks down what it really takes to secure major corporate partnerships  and why brands like Google  and Delta Air Lines partnered with her not just because of a great idea, but because of consistent exec...

In this week's  BA Q&A  Mandi is getting real about reinvention, risk, and responsibility. A listener in her 50s is ready to pivot careers but she’s not trying to blow up her financial “safety” to do it. In this economy? Whew. The fear is valid. But as Mandi reminds us, a pivot doesn’t have to be reckless to be powerful.

She breaks down how to make bold moves without making jarring ones:

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi is joined by the one & only Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche and it feels like a homecoming.

Tiffany is back to catch us up on everything happening behind the scenes. From exciting updates about the evolution (and new name!) of the Live Richer Academy to the release of the paperback edition of her New York Times bestselling book Get Good With Money, she shares what this current sea...

In this week’s BA Q&A Mandi answers a listener question that gets straight to the point: How do employers actually verify where we’ve worked and what information are they collecting about us behind the scenes.

We dive into the world of work verification and big data, including platforms like WorkMarket, and unpack how employers confirm employment history, income, and background details in today’s digital-first...

In this episode of Brown Ambition, MandiMoney sits down with actor, content creator, and entrepreneur Kaisha Huguley (aka Kaisha Creates) for a real conversation about layoffs, self-belief, and choosing yourself—especially when the plan falls apart. Kaisha  opens up about being laid off from her 9–5, navigating seasonal depression, and the mindset shifts that helped her bet on herself and build multiple income...

Mandi is back for a solo BA Q&A, answering a juicy listener question about balancing student loans, grad school, a possible home move, and a new car payment—all while chasing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). She breaks down how PSLF *actually* works, why “qualifying payments” matter so much, and when it can make sense to pause extra payments and redirect cash toward savings and other priorities instead.