Episodes

  • Time to Stop Romanticizing The Struggling Black Woman (BA QA)

    Time to Stop Romanticizing The Struggling Black Woman (BA QA)
    Jan 24 2025
    OK BA Fam, in this episode of the BA Q&A Mandi gets personal, opening up about the emotional toll of job uncertainty and how recent executive orders have directly impacted her husband and other family members. She takes us on a deep dive into the realities of over-employment, especially for women of color, and sheds light on why so many Black women are juggling multiple jobs just to stay afloat. The tea: The emotional toll of commuting, job uncertainty, and workplace inflexibility. The hard truths about over-employment and why Black women are out here doing the most just to make ends meet. Salary negotiation tips for all our nonprofit baddies trying to get that bag. A reminder that you don’t have to carry your struggles alone—community is everything. Why You’ll Love This Episode: It’s real, relatable, and packed with practical gems. Whether you’re navigating work-life chaos or just need a reminder to breathe, Mandi’s here to let you know you’re not alone. Plus, we’re flipping the script on the “strong Black woman” trope and reclaiming our joy. Let’s Keep It Going: Feeling this one? Share it with your crew! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tag us with your favorite takeaways. Let’s keep building each other up, one episode at a time. Your support means everything to us! Please share this episode with a friend, peer or colleague and don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    28 mins
  • We All We Got

    We All We Got
    Jan 22 2025
    Okay, BA fam—the same week you-know-who was sworn in for another term in office, we are doing what we do best — giving the 92% a platform where we can stand tall, be proud and lift one another up! This is a heartfelt, funny, and real conversation featuring BA host Mandi Woodruff-Santos along with guests Deesha Dyer and Errin Haines. This episode is giving: The tea on gatekeeping in corporate America. Lessons on owning your identity unapologetically. Why finding joy and laughter is a radical act of self-care. Deesha shares highlights from her time as a White House social secretary (yes, she was running things for the Obama Administration) and the challenges of transitioning to life post-White House. Errin reflects on her career as a trailblazing journalist and her mission to amplify marginalized voices through her work with The 19th. Why You’ll Love This Episode: It’s inspiring, empowering, and straight-up hilarious at times. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the world on your shoulders, this one’s for you. Mandi, Deesha, and Errin remind us why community, authenticity, and joy are everything. Let’s Keep It Going: If you’re feeling this episode, share it with your squad! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tag us with your takeaways. Let’s keep lifting each other up. ✨ Laugh more. Stress less. Win big. ✨ Follow the Guests: Deesha Dyer: @DeeDyer267 Errin Haines: @emarvelous and The 19th Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Work-Life Balance and Credit Card Debt Dilemma

    Work-Life Balance and Credit Card Debt Dilemma
    Jan 17 2025
    Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA QA. This week, Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal and Chris Brown to tackle everything from auto refinancing, work-life balance, and credit card debt. Get the lowdown on shopping around for the best financial options, the complexities of managing debt versus investments, and more! 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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    25 mins
  • Burnout, Bad Bunny, and Breaking Barriers: BA Roundtable

    Burnout, Bad Bunny, and Breaking Barriers: BA Roundtable
    Jan 15 2025
    Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA roundtable. Chris Browning of Popcorn Finance and Yanely Espinal of MissBeHelpful are back and this week, we’re diving into everything from the burnout of multitasking to the impacts of California wildfires and shady home insurance practices. We tackle economic disparities, climate change’s effect on vulnerable communities, and pop culture drama—like Bad Bunny’s authenticity and Hollywood’s ongoing Me Too reckoning. Plus, we explore journaling for mental health, the magic of minimalism, and frustrations with AI in customer service. Don’t miss our take on financial literacy education and navigating gender dynamics in the workplace. It’s real talk, fresh insights, and a sprinkle of inspiration—don’t sleep on this one! HELP BLACK & BROWN HOMEOWNERS IMPACTED BY LA WILDFIRE: This spreadsheet is going around with a list of funds for Altadena's Black families. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pK5omSsD4KGhjEHCVgcVw-rd4FZP9haoijEx1mSAm5c/htmlview?usp=sharing# GoFundMe for Altadena residents: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-adonis-coach-ad-and-denise-jones-rebuild-after-fire?attribution_id=sl:e4229917-dd65-4e81-a0e9-7fa7d69440fa&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Travel Should Be Safe and Sexy for Big Girls, Too ft. Kanoa Greene

    Travel Should Be Safe and Sexy for Big Girls, Too ft. Kanoa Greene
    Jan 13 2025
    Kanoa Greene, the founder of Nakoa Adventure, a travel company dedicated to creating inclusive adventure experiences for the plus-size community is in the studio today, BA fam! Kanoa shares her personal journey from corporate recruiter to entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. The discussion delves into the importance of representation in adventure sports, the need for better gear and resources for plus-size individuals, and the transformative power of movement and fitness. Kanoa emphasizes the significance of finding joy in physical activity and the importance of self-care in entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating their own journey of self-acceptance and empowerment. Chapters 01:43 Nakoa: A Plus-Size Adventure Community 03:34 Overcoming Barriers in Adventure Sports 06:34 The Impact of Body Image on Adventure 08:45 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 14:50 Embracing Adventure as a Visually Impaired Person 26:56 Mental Health and Movement 32:57 Navigating Leadership Challenges 34:56 The Balance of Compassion and Directness 35:33 Building a Sustainable Business Model Subscribe to The Brown Ambition Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@brownambitionpodcast/videos Keep the party going with a visit to https://brownambitionpodcast.com FOLLOW KANOA GREENE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanoagreene https://nakoaadventure.com/ FOLLOW THE BROWN AMBITION PODCAST Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcast Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brown-ambition-759572334/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brownambition/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brownambition FOLLOW MANDI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mandimoney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maaandimoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Should You Get Life Insurance? Here Are Your Options

    Should You Get Life Insurance? Here Are Your Options
    Jan 10 2025
    Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA QA. This week, Mandi is joined by special guest, Popcorn Finance's Chris Browning, to navigate all of your burning financial questions. Wondering if you really need life insurance? We're breaking down what you should consider first, and the best options to look into. Plus, a look at the importance of understanding one's financial needs and the value of experience in the workplace. 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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    31 mins
  • Introducing... The BA Fam Roundtable!

    Introducing... The BA Fam Roundtable!
    Jan 8 2025
    Hey Hey BA fam! Mandi here. This week, I'm joined by Chris Browning of Popcorn Finance and Yanely Espinal of MissBeHelpful for the first ever BA Fam Roundtable. During roundtables, I'm going to bring in a mix of friends, experts and maaaaybe a celeb or two(!?) and catch up on the latest topics in finance, career, pop culture, news and, yes, our real lives out here tryna survive in 2025 OK! I am SO excited for this new era of BA and can't thank BA Fam enough for sticking by me! Moving forward, you can still expect to hear solo episodes from me, as well as episodes featuring one guest who can share their personal finance and career journeys. I'm gonna keep it fresh and keep mixing it up. SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR BA Q&A:The 2025 mailbag is EMPTY! Ahhh... send us your questions e-mail us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast SUPPORT OUR SHOW: Check out our partners: Squarespace (Get 10% off your purchase of a website or domain) Teal Resume AI Builder - Create an incredible, customized resume faster than ever before with the free AI Resume Builder. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/BROWNAMBITION today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Creative Ways to Advance Your Career (How-To Monday)

    Creative Ways to Advance Your Career (How-To Monday)
    Jan 6 2025
    Hey BA fam! It's time for another throwback! In this week's How-To Monday, learn how to advance in your industry with a live career coaching call. In this episode, Mandi is joined by her cousin, Anna, a full-time college student with dreams of working in the med-spa industry. Listen in for some expert tools on how to set yourself apart in your field -- a key strategy for success. This is a great episode for anyone who are looking for creative ways to move up in your industry. Give it a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins