Brown Ambition

Brown Ambition

The Brown Ambition Podcast helps you unapologetically build wealth by saving, investing and making smart career choices — on your own d@mn terms! New episodes Wednesdays and Fridays.

Episodes

May 9, 2025 49 mins

BA Fam, we’re in our investing bag today—and who better to guide us through this unpredictable market than Racquel Oden, Head of U.S. Wealth and Personal Banking for HSBC (yes, that HSBC)? With 30 years of experience under her belt, Racquel breaks it all the way down: why now *isn’t* the time to panic, how to pivot smartly, and what staying “active” with your money really means (spoiler: i...

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Hey BA fam — this week, Mandi is back at the Brown Table with two of her favorite mama podcasters: Jessica Norwood from The Sugar Daddy Podcast and Rana Campbell, from Dreams and Drive.

We’re getting real about what it means to be a mom, a creative, and a corporate baddie in 2025 all at the same time. From burnout and baby wipes to balancing big dreams and meal prep, this is a love letter to every woman out here trying ...

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This week, Mandi sits down with the brilliant Jasmine Marie breathwork practitioner, founder of Black Girls Breathing, and author of Black Girls Breathing: Heal from Trauma, Combat Stress, and Find Your Freedom. From surviving the corporate grind to creating wellness spaces rooted in cultural relevance, Jasmine gets real about her journey into entrepreneurship, healing work, and what it truly takes to hold space for Black wome...

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BA Fam, we’re back at the Brown Table!  This week, Mandi is joined by our faves Yanely and Naseema for a good ol' catch-up and trust, it’s been a minute. We're talking about all things mental health, money moves, and why Naseema’s plotting a mini-retirement (yes, you heard that right).  

Plus, we dive deep into the messy student loan situation (spoiler alert: the bills are coming due) and what you a...

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In this week’s episode, we’re getting real about navigating career highs, lows—and everything in between.

Mandi hosts a live coaching session with LaKesha J., a member of the Mandi MoneyMakers community, who is trying to figure out how to position herself for career growth after she was laid off by her company and narrowly escaped unemployment by finding a role on a different team.

Next up, we get into the me...

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This week on Brown Ambition, we’re joined by none other than HGTV’s powerhouse duo, Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson, stars of “Married to Real Estate” and hosts of the Marriage & Money podcast.

Together, we dive into what it really looks like to build a business, raise a family, and keep a marriage strong—all while staying true to themselves. From juggling show tapings to managing their growing...

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This week, we’re sitting down with Raye Shurice, an amazing member of the MandiMoney Makers community, who went from juggling two jobs to landing a major salary bump and leveling up her entire career. She’s breaking down her journey, from tough interviews to tough decisions, and how community, clarity, and confidence helped her boss up and get what she deserved.

We’re also digging into one of the trickiest parts o...

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This week on the show, we’re bringing you a powerful mix of money talk, passion projects, and straight-up sisterhood.

Jamila Souffrantt yes,Jamila from Journey to Launch pulls up to share how she turned her financial freedom dreams into reality and how you can too. She drops gems from her book and reminds us all that reclaiming our financial futures is not just possible, it's necessary.

...

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This week, we’re joined by Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow and a true trailblazer in reproductive justice. She takes us on the journey that started with her own birth experience and led her to build a movement that’s transforming how we care for Black women and birthing people.  

From expanding doula care for Medicaid families in NYC to training the next wave of advocates and healers, Latham breaks down ho...

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BA Fam, I'm excited to share a new show from my friends at Higher Ground, hosted by thee Michelle Obama, called IMO. On IMO, Michelle and her big brother Craig Robinson aim to bring you the same: Candid perspectives on the everyday questions shaping our lives, relationships and the world around us. Each week, they’re joined by a guest to tackle real questions from real folks just like you offering practical advice, personal s...

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We’re back BA Fam with a whole lot to celebrate! Joining us are two of our faves in the finance space: Chris Browning of “Popcorn Finance” and Berna Anat, author of the amazing book “Money Out Loud”. If you’re looking to level up your money game and feel good doing it, this episode’s for you.

We get into:

- The highs and lows of aggressively saving money  

- Gen Z’s "we&rsqu...

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This week, we’re talking all things sales—breaking barriers, building wealth, and securing the bag. Mandi is joined by two powerhouse guests: Chantel George, founder of Sistas in Sales, and her brother Alex Woodruff, Sales Director at Fiddler, an AI software firm. They dive into the unique challenges women of color face in the sales industry, why representation matters, and how to carve out a thriving career in this spa...

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BA Fam, she’s back! In this episode We’re  joined once again by the one and only Morgan DeBaun CEO of Blavity, serial entrepreneur, and now a FOUR-time guest on the show! Morgan has been making big moves, and this time, she’s here to talk about her new book, “Rewrite Your Rules”, and how she’s navigating life and business on her own terms.  

 

We get into the real about entrep...

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In this heartfelt and hilarious live BA QA session, Mandi Woodruff-Santos sits down with Emily Esquivel, a therapist-turned-entrepreneur who’s navigating the highs and lows of launching her own private practice. Together, they dive into the messy middle of entrepreneurship, from battling imposter syndrome to redefining what it means to run an ethical and sustainable business.

Emily opens up about her journey, including the pi...

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March 26, 2025 52 mins

Mandi, Yanely, and Chris are celebrating milestones, unpacking celebrity controversies, and diving deep into the relationship between ambition and self-worth. WHEW. Yep. We go there!

BTW, why is Jonathan Majors all over our feeds and how is Meagan Good single-handedly holding up his career rn? We explore the fine line between talent appreciation and moral responsibility in entertainment.  

Finally, we dive into ambition a...

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March 21, 2025 36 mins

BA Fam Tiffany is BACK!!!, and we’re celebrating in a big way! She shares the excitement of her new PBS special, “Get Good With Money”, and the unforgettable premiere party at the historic Kruger Scott Mansion. From reconnecting with Mandi to navigating last-minute challenges—like prepping for a teleprompter with 20/50 vision—Tiffany gives us an inside look at this milestone moment.  

 

...

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Hey BA Fam! Join us for an inspiring conversation with Tomara Watkins President of Buttah Skin and Dr. Kristian Edwards Founder of BLK+GRN, two visionary entrepreneurs reshaping the beauty and wellness industry. They share their journeys of building brands that cater to the unique needs of Black consumers while challenging industry norms and creating spaces for empowerment. 

 

From breaking barriers to redefining success,...

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    🔥 In this episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with Jessica Cruel, the powerhouse Editor-in-Chief of Allure and SELF magazines, to talk about her journey to the top of the beauty media world and how she’s building wealth through real estate investing as a single woman.

     

    👑 We dive into:

     

    ✔️ How Jessica climbed the ranks in the magazine industry

     

    ✔️ Her journey to financial independence & the FIRE ...

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    Hey BA Fam! This week, Mandi is joined by two powerhouse women who are shaking things up in their industries. Get ready for a fun, insightful, and inspiring conversation with Lisa Beasley, the comedic genius behind the viral character “Corporate Erin,” and Kenya Parham, the Chief Growth Officer of Spill, the Black-owned social media platform that’s changing the game.


    What We’re Talking About:


    • Lisa’s Journey from Gary to Gr...

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    Hey BA Fam! Mandi, Yanely, and Chris tackle a listener’s dilemma about whether to stay at her “dream company” despite a brutal 90-minute commute and no work-from-home flexibility. Plus, hot takes on corporate America’s return-to-office demands and the recent shopping boycott!


    The crew debates whether any job requiring three hours of daily commuting can truly be called a “dream,” especially when promotion opportunities are 2-3 ye...

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    Mandi Woodruff-Santos

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