Brown Ambition

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 trul...

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 b...

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 differ...

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...

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 diggin...

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. She&...

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 advocate...

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 of...

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&n...

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...

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.   &nbs...

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...

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. &nbs...

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 mi...

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 brea...

🔥 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...

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: • Li...

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 pr...

The Brown Table is BACK with all the tea! Mandi, Yanely, and Chris break down the Oscar highlights, Women's History Month, Bloody Sunday's 60th anniversary, the Retail Boycott, and a special first-time Brown Boost interview with Alencia Johnson, author of Flip The Tables: The Everyday Disruptor's Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change. Don't forget to RATE and REVIEW the show on Apple Podcasts...

Listen up, BA Fam! Mandi’s bringing the 🔥 with special guests Yanely (Miss Be Helpful) and Chris (Popcorn Finance) for a no-holds-barred Q&A that’ll have you nodding, laughing, and maybe feeling a little called out (in the best way). First up: Kerry’s caught between a rock and a hard place. Her husband’s unemployed after dragging the family across the country, and now she’s staring down a $75...

We’re back at the Brown Table with Yanely & Chris, BA Fam! And we cover everything from unexpected pigeon encounters to major shifts in the job market, media, and entrepreneurship. This week, we dive into: Elon Musk’s proposed job cuts to federal agencies and what it could mean for the workforce and economy Navigating job loss and career transitions, plus how to bounce back and build new oppor...

In this raw, heartfelt episode, Mandi tackles listener questions about layoffs, debt, and rebuilding after financial mistakes – all while sharing her own reflections on friendship, motherhood, and weathering life’s storms. Key Topics Covered • Why showing up for friends matters (even in sleet!) + Mandi’s hilarious The Read live show recap • Federal layoffs & corporate cuts: 75K+ gov jobs axed,...

Mandi Woodruff hosts Dr. Key Hallmon (founder of The Village Market) and Renae Bluitt (creator of She Did That) for a candid conversation about empowering Black and minority-owned businesses through community, intentionality, and economic liberation. They explore systemic challenges, the power of collaboration, and practical strategies for entrepreneurs to thrive in uncertain times. Purchase Dr. K...

It's BA QA Time! This week, Mandi is joined by Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional to get real about the messy, beautiful, and sometimes awkward conversations we need to have about money and love. We’re talking about why early financial convos are a must (yes, even before the wedding bells), how to merge finances without losing your mind, and why transparency is the key to avoiding money dr...

On this episode of  Brown Ambition , we’re getting real about everything from navigating the healthcare system as a Black woman to securing your financial future—whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between. Mandi, Naseema, and Yanely kick things off with a deep dive into Naseema’s experience as a labor and delivery nurse, unpacking the harsh realities of maternal healthcare for Black w...