Brown Ambition

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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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5 Aug

How to Use Money to Buy Back Your Life [Summer Money Reboot Week #5]

Mandi Money continues the Summer Money Reboot series by exploring what happens when your finances look good on paper but your life no longer feels like it fits. If you've ever found yourself questioning a career that once excited you, wondering whether your spending reflects what you actually value, or feeling like you're chasing goals that no longer belong to you, this episode is your invitation to press pause and realign. Drawing from her own journey through burnout, motherhood, health challenges, and career transitions, Mandi shares why your money's purpose should evolve alongside your life. She explains how to recognize when you're in an "alignment season," why financial security alone isn't enough, and how to use your resources to create more peace, flexibility, and fulfillment instead of simply accumulating more. Whether you're considering a career pivot, investing in your health, setting stronger boundaries, or simply trying to make your budget reflect the person you've become, this episode offers practical exercises to help you reconnect your finances with your current values. From creating an Alignment Fund and auditing your spending to making intentional financial trade-offs that support your next chapter, Mandi shares approachable strategies to help you build a life that feels just as good as it looks. Summer Money Reboot Week 5 Workbook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
31 Jul

Tomi Adeyemi, Amanda Seales & The Cost of Telling the Truth

In this solo episode, Mandi digs into the messy, public fallout around Children of Blood and Bone author Tomi Adeyemi and Insecure alum Amanda Seales — two Black women who chose to speak openly about mistreatment tied to projects that should have been “safe” for them. Using their stories as a lens, Mandi explores how misogynoir shows up when Black women tell the truth at work, why our first reaction is often tone policing instead of empathy, and what a practical (if imperfect) framework for speaking up can look like when protection is not guaranteed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Trailer

[Bonus] Join The Brown Ambition 2025 Career Reboot Challenge!

Hey, BA Fam! Are you ready to level up your career and make 2025 your most ambitious year yet? If you’re nodding along, I’ve got something amazing for you! It’s called the Career Reboot Challenge. This 5-day challenge kicks off on January 15, and it’s packed with strategies to help you tackle the job market like a pro. Here’s the part I’m most excited about: this challenge includes daily emails with exclusive video lessons from me, Mandi! Every day, I’ll walk you through actionable steps to make your career reboot a success. It’s like having your personal coach cheering you on every step of the way. And, you’ll also get two live group coaching calls with me, where we’ll dive deeper into your questions and challenges so you can get personalized advice. So, if you’re ready to transform your career, don’t wait. Head over to mandimoney.com/career-reboot to sign up today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mandi Woodruff

Host
Tiffany Aliche

Host

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.

Channel

iHeartPodcasts
Creator

iHeartPodcasts
Years Active

2015 - 2026
Episodes

895
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