Brown Ambition

iHeartPodcasts
iHeartPodcasts

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.

  1. 2 days ago

    Brown Buzz: What the Fed, Ed Sheeran, and Jasmine Crockett Have in Common

    In this special Friday episode, Mandi celebrates the BA Fam, shares the origin story behind Brown Ambition, and introduces Brown Buzz—your new end-of-week roundup of the headlines shaping your money, career, culture, and life. This week on Brown Buzz:•    The Federal Reserve raised interest rates. What does that mean for credit-card debt, variable-rate loans, savings accounts, and your investments?•    More job seekers are getting interviewed by AI bots instead of actual humans. Mandi shares how to navigate the robot-filled hiring process—and why your real-life network matters more than ever.•    Ed Sheeran’s tour drama: Macklemore was removed from the tour after speaking out for Palestine, other artists walked away, and the controversy raises bigger questions about neutrality, power, and who gets to speak.•    Rep. Jasmine Crockett is facing backlash after honoring Chris Brown at a Texas concert. Mandi unpacks the difference between fandom, Black joy, public recognition, and accountability.•    Plus, a Brown Boost for Rep. Joyce Beatty after her response to President Donald Trump.Join the BA Book ClubThe Brown Ambition Book Club is back! Our September/October pick is Love, Me: A Letter to Black Women in a Toxic Country, Career, and Relationship by Tiffany D. Cross.Join the book club here:  https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/r77pw75z5qSign up to receive details about the virtual October book-club meetup. The invitation and event details will go to BA Fam who join through the link.Stay connectedHave a headline, question, or topic you want on a future Brown Buzz? Email brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com, tag @brownambitionpodcast on Instagram, or send a DM @brownambitionpodcastFollow and subscribe to Brown Ambition, and come back every Wednesday for guest conversations and every Friday for Brown Buzz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 4 days ago

    Rituals To Help You Heal When Life is Too Much ft. Koya Webb

    What happens when the ambition that helped you build your life starts costing you your well-being? For many ambitious women, especially women of color, success can come with a hidden cost: saying yes when we’re exhausted, pushing through when our bodies are asking us to slow down, and measuring our worth by how much we can accomplish. But wellness isn’t just about massages and self-care days. Sometimes it looks like setting boundaries, asking for help, knowing what you actually need, and giving yourself permission to come back to yourself. In this episode, Koya Webb joins Mandi Money to talk about the connection between wellness, ambition, money, and leadership. She opens up about losing her mother while writing her latest book, how grief changed the way she thinks about success and family, and why she’s learning to embrace a new version of herself. Koya also shares the entrepreneurial lessons she learned building her wellness business—from hiring and structuring a team to finding mentors and creating a financial design that helps her determine what she actually needs to earn and how much her time is worth. Plus, we talk about the rituals that can help us manage stress, process difficult experiences, and stop abandoning ourselves in the name of ambition. In this episode: Why ambition can sometimes lead to self-abandonment What grief taught Koya about success, family, and living authentically Building a wellness business from the ground up Why you don’t need a huge team to build a successful business The importance of structure, mentorship, and knowing when to ask for help Koya’s approach to financial well-being and “financial design” How to determine what you actually need to earn Using breathwork, affirmations, and other rituals to regulate stress Why women of color need tools to navigate difficult workplaces and relationships Learning to process pain instead of carrying it How to recognize when you’re self-abandoning for the sake of success Why sometimes the goal isn’t to leave—it’s to learn how to stay without losing yourself Finding the wisdom in your wounds and remembering that you can always come back Connect With KoyaFollow Koya Webb on Instagram: @koyawebb  Learn more about Koya’s work and get her new book, Well-Being Rituals: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394387229?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Connect With Brown AmbitionFollow us on Instagram: @brownambitionpodcast  Follow Mandi: @mandimoney If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend who is building a big life — and needs permission to protect her peace while she does it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 2 Sept

    The September Hiring Bump Is Here—Here’s How to Use It.

    September can be a powerful time to get visible, activate your network, and pursue the next role—but smart career strategy is not just about landing a new job. It is also about protecting your options before year-end budget decisions and possible restructurings. In this solo episode, Mandi shares how to use the fall hiring window, make yourself easier to hire, and create a no-panic layoff-readiness plan for your career and your money.   In this episode, Mandi covers: • How to get specific about the role and work you want next • Why real conversations can be more useful than online salary data alone • A simple outreach script to reconnect with your network • How to refresh your résumé and LinkedIn without overthinking either one • Why 2–5 strong-fit applications can beat dozens of random ones • How to prepare for possible reorgs or layoffs without spiraling • Why you cannot afford to be the best-kept secret in your industry   Get the free September Career Reset Toolkit https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/september   Want every script and checklist from this episode in one place? Download Mandi’s free September Career Reset Toolkit, including the target-role Mad Lib, networking and reconnect-message templates, résumé and LinkedIn refresh checklist, job-search pipeline tracker, raise and promotion conversation prompts, and layoff-readiness plan.   >>> Start here: two scripts from today’s episode   Define your target role     “I am targeting [role] opportunities in [industry or type of company] where I can use [two to three skills] to help solve [a specific business problem].”   Reconnect with someone in your network     “Hey [Name], I hope you had a good summer. I’ve been thinking about the work I want to focus on next, and I’m exploring [target role or field]. I’ve always respected your perspective on [specific reason]. If you have 20 minutes this month, I’d love to catch up and hear what you’re seeing in the industry. No pressure at all if your calendar is packed.”   The 15-second LinkedIn test:   If a hiring manager saw your LinkedIn profile for 15 seconds, could they tell what you do, who you help, and what results you create?   Stay connected • Download Mandi’s Nail Your Negotiation Toolkit for 25+ scripts to help you negotiate compensation and advocate for yourself.: https://www.mandimoney.com/shop/p/nail-the-negotiation-17-word-for-word-scripts-to-help-you-negotiate-like-a-boss-without-ever-leaving-money-on-the-table-again   • Subscribe to the Brown Ambition newsletter. • Watch full-length Brown Ambition video episodes on YouTube. • Follow Brown Ambition on Instagram: @brownambitionpodcast • Follow Mandi on Instagram:  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. 28 Aug

    REWIND: 27 Years Old And Starting Over — Where Do I Begin? [BA QA]

    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. 🔑 Highlights: Why failing fast is essential to the entrepreneurial journey How to build your business by owning your story and defining your niche 📚 Book rec: Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley (as recommended by Naseema) 💌 Got a question for the show?Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us on IG @brownambitionpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. 21 Aug

    My mom's $36,000 retirement [BA QA]

    Mandi responds to a listener trying to help her 59-year-old mother recover from a costly retirement mistake after medically retiring from a job she held for 19 years. After discovering her mom had just $36,000 left and had accidentally withdrawn her retirement balance instead of rolling it into an IRA   the listener is left figuring out how to protect what's left without creating an even bigger tax or benefits problem. What starts as a question about a 401(k) withdrawal turns into a bigger conversation about helping aging parents navigate retirement. Mandi breaks down the 60-day rollover window, taxes, income-based assistance, and the questions they need to ask Fidelity before making another move. She also explains why the "perfect" financial advice doesn't always fit real life. Sometimes the goal isn't keeping every retirement dollar untouched it's creating a plan that balances accessible cash, benefits, taxes, and long-term security without putting the entire responsibility on one person's shoulders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. 19 Aug

    Health, Healing, and Knowing Your Worth ft. Dr. Uche Blackstock [Rewind]

    Hey BA fam, it’s Mandi Money! Today I’m bringing you a Brown Ambition Rewind featuring my conversation with physician, author, entrepreneur, and health equity advocate Dr. Uché Blackstock. We get real about burnout, identity, ambition, and what it takes to walk away from spaces that no longer serve you. Uché shares why she left a prestigious academic career, the emotional cost of feeling unseen, and how grief, motherhood, caregiving, and entrepreneurship have reshaped her definition of success. We also talk about the backlash against DEI, what patients should know about AI in healthcare, and why listening to your body, prioritizing rest, and making room for joy and community are just as important as chasing the next accomplishment.   Resources & Links Dr. Uché Blackstock’s memoir: Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine Follow Dr. Uché Blackstock on Instagram: @ucheblackstockmd Learn more about Dr. Uché Blackstock: Uche Blackstock Official Website Keep Up With Brown Ambition Follow Brown Ambition on Instagram: Brown Ambition Podcast Listen to more episodes: Brown Ambition Official Website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. 14 Aug

    How to Network With Purpose — Plus, Nolan Wells' Parents Speak Out

    This week, Mandi is reporting live from the National Association of Black Journalists convention with reflections, real talk, and a reminder that the best opportunities at a conference rarely come from simply being in the room.First, she breaks down how to turn conferences, industry events, and professional gatherings into meaningful networking opportunities. From preparing before you arrive to making authentic connections in the moment—and actually following up afterward—Mandi shares practical ways to leave an event with more than a tote bag and a stack of business cards.Then, the episode shifts to excerpts from the powerful Nolan Wells plenary at NABJ, featuring comments from his courageous mother, Christine, attorney Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton. The conversation is a moving reflection on community, advocacy, grief, and the importance of telling the stories that matter.In This Episode•    A recap of Mandi’s experience at NABJ•    How to approach networking without feeling transactional or awkward•    Why preparation matters before you step into a conference•    How to introduce yourself in a way people remember•    The follow-up strategy that can turn a quick conversation into a real relationship•    Why community is one of the most valuable things you can build in your career•    Excerpts from the Nolan Wells plenary and reflections from the room Mandi’s Networking Reminders•    Go in with a goal: Know who you want to meet, what you want to learn, and how you can be useful to others•    Lead with genuine curiosity, not a pitch•    Make your introduction clear: Say who you are, what you do, and what you’re interested in•    Do not wait for the “perfect” moment to introduce yourself•    Follow up within a few days, and give people a reason to remember the conversation•    Focus on building relationships, not collecting contacts Listener NoteThis episode includes excerpts from a conversation involving Nolan Wells’s family and themes that may be emotionally difficult for some listeners. Please take care while listening. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. 12 Aug

    How to Reboot Your Ambition [Summer Money Reboot Week #6]

    Mandi Money closes out the Summer Money Reboot series by rethinking what ambition looks like when the goals you once chased no longer fit the life you're living today. If you've ever reached a milestone and wondered, Is this still what I want?, this episode is your invitation to redefine success on your own terms. Mandi explores the difference between Brown Ambition and toxic ambition, sharing why changing direction doesn't mean you're giving up. Through the story of a coaching client navigating divorce, financial pressure, and a career crossroads, she breaks down what can happen when you stop chasing bigger titles and start prioritizing flexibility, creativity, financial stability, and peace. Mandi also opens up about her own ambition reboot and the decision to rewrite her book from scratch when she realized the original version no longer reflected who she had become. Whether you're considering a career pivot, letting go of an old goal, or simply questioning what success means in this season, this episode is a reminder that changing the plan doesn't make you less ambitious. Sometimes it means your ambition is finally working for you. Summer Money Reboot: Week 6 — Ambition Reboot See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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.

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  • Channel
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    896
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Brown Ambition

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