Brown Ambition

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  When Ambition Leads to Self-Abandonment with Koya Webb 16.09.2026 1t 11min

  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.
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  Build a Life You Can Fall Madly in Love With ft. Tiffany D. Cross 09.09.2026 1t 7min

  What happens when you spend years pouring everything into your career, relationships, and success only to realize they aren’t pouring the same love back into you? In this episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with journalist and author Tiffany D. Cross to talk about her new book, Love, Me: A Letter to Black Women in a Toxic Country, Career, and Relationship. Tiffany opens up about her very public exit from MSNBC, rebuilding her life after career heartbreak, and the difficult process of learning to recognize her own value. Together, Mandi and Tiffany explore the parallels between toxic workplaces and toxic relationships—and why so many of us chase validation through promotions, titles, money, and other people’s approval. They also talk about financial security, building your own table instead of waiting for a seat, the power of community, and why Black women need to think differently about career success, wealth, and what we’re building for the next generation. Plus, Tiffany makes a passionate case for putting down the phone, picking up a book, and remembering that the algorithm is not the blueprint. In this episode: Tiffany Cross on leaving MSNBC and starting over Career burnout, workplace validation, and knowing your worth Toxic relationships and toxic workplaces Financial security and building wealth Creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for a seat Community, Black women, and building for the next generation Why reading and learning still matter in the age of social media BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT: Also, we're thrilled to announce the Brown Ambition Book Club is back! And Tiffany's book is our September/October selection. We're giving 5 lucky listeners a FREE copy -- be sure to listen to the full episode to find out how to get yours!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The September Hiring Bump Is Here—Here’s How to Use It. 02.09.2026 41min

  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.
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  REWIND: 27 Years Old And Starting Over — Where Do I Begin? [BA QA] 28.08.2026 22min

  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 [email protected] or DM us on IG @brownambitionpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Karen Attiah's Huge Win vs Washington Post, plus a Single Mother's $1 Million Debt Payoff 26.08.2026 59min

  Hey BA Fam! Mandi Money is back with a Brown Boost, Brown Break because there’s simply too much happening to stay quiet. First, Mandi turns her attention to Gary, Indiana, where tens of thousands of residents were left without power following severe storms. She talks about what the crisis reveals about racial inequity, the communities that too often get overlooked by mainstream media, and why voices like Keith Lee and other independent creators have become so important in bringing attention to stories that deserve national coverage. Then, it’s time for a much-needed Brown Boost. Mandi celebrates journalist Karen Attiah’s arbitration victory against The Washington Post after challenging her firing with the support of her union. Her win opens up a bigger conversation about Black women in media, workplace power, racial double standards, press freedom, unions, and what can happen when workers have the resources to fight back. And because we could all use a little inspiration, Mandi closes things out with a Brown Ambition rewind featuring Nassima McElroy and her incredible journey of paying off nearly $1 million in debt as a single mother. It’s a reminder that sometimes the system fails us, sometimes fighting back works, and sometimes the comeback story is exactly what we need to hear.   Resources Mentioned in This Episode If you’d like to support Gary, Indiana residents impacted by the August storms or find assistance: Greater Gary Storm Recovery and Relief Fund: Donate through Legacy Foundation — Donations support emergency relief and disaster response for Gary residents. The Salvation Army — August 2026 Indiana Disaster Response: Donate and find disaster relief information — Supporting food, shelter, supplies, and other emergency assistance across affected Indiana communities. Indiana August 2026 Disaster Resource Hub: Apply for assistance and find recovery resources — Includes information on the State Disaster Relief Fund and emergency aid grants of up to $5,000 for eligible residents. Indiana 211: Call 211 or 866-211-9966 for assistance and to report storm damage. (Indiana Government) Support Karen Attiah:Mandi also recommends supporting independent journalism by following Karen Attiah’s reader-supported newsletter, The Golden Hour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  My mom's $36,000 retirement [BA QA] 21.08.2026 24min

  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.
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  Health, Healing, and Knowing Your Worth ft. Dr. Uche Blackstock [Rewind] 19.08.2026 48min

  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.
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  How to Network With Purpose — Plus, Nolan Wells' Parents Speak Out 14.08.2026 27min

  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.
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  How to Reboot Your Ambition [Summer Money Reboot Week #6] 12.08.2026 24min

  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 RebootSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How to Use Money to Buy Back Your Life [Summer Money Reboot Week #5] 05.08.2026 32min

  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.
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  Tomi Adeyemi, Amanda Seales & The Cost of Telling the Truth 31.07.2026 24min

  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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  How to Invest in Your 30s and 40s When You’re Not Debt-Free Yet [Summer Money Reboot Week #4] 29.07.2026 43min

  MandiMoney continues the Summer Money Reboot series by shifting the focus from getting out of debt to making your money work harder through investing. If you've been contributing to your 401(k), opened a retirement account years ago, or simply wondered whether your investment strategy still fits the life you're living today, this episode is your invitation to stop investing on autopilot and start investing with intention. Mandi shares how her own financial life has evolved from a 24-year-old with a target-date fund to a business owner, parent, and entrepreneur with completely different priorities. She explains why your investment strategy should grow alongside your life, how to evaluate your risk tolerance, avoid paying unnecessary fees, and make sure your portfolio reflects your current goals instead of the person you were a decade ago. Whether you're investing through a traditional 401(k), building wealth as a solopreneur, or preparing to open your first taxable brokerage account, Mandi breaks down practical ways to level up without making investing feel intimidating. From maximizing retirement contributions and understanding HSAs to creating a "Spicy 5%" for individual stock picks, this episode is filled with approachable strategies designed to help you build wealth consistently while keeping risk in perspective. Summer Money Reboot Week 4 Workbook  -https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/hvbru7gmkx See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Is My Promoted Coworker Playing the Parent Card? [BA Q&A] 24.07.2026 28min

  Mandi responds to a listener who feels increasingly frustrated by a newly promoted coworker who still comes in late, leaves early, and seems to get more grace because she has kids. What starts as a question about fairness turns into a deeper conversation about working parents, workplace stigma, professional branding, and why resentment at work is often pointing to something bigger underneath. Mandi makes the case for compassion, but also pushes the listener to look at what this situation is revealing about visibility, recognition, and career growth.   Join the Summer Money Reboot! Mandi’s six‑week Summer Money Reboot series, designed to help you name your financial season, rebuild financial safety, and then move toward growth and alignment.  Download the workbooks for weeks 1:https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/summermoneyreboot week 2https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/vr4mxs90xk  And week 3 https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/kfb44793u2  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How to Finally Reach Debt Freedom [Summer Money Reboot Week #3] 22.07.2026 40min

  MandiMoney continues the Summer Money Reboot series by tackling one of the most emotionally charged topics in personal finance: debt. Whether your balances grew because of rising costs, inconsistent income, a family emergency, or simply trying to keep life moving when your paycheck couldn't keep up, this episode is a reminder that debt isn't a character flaw, it's a financial challenge that deserves a plan, not shame. Mandi gets candid about her own experience navigating five-figure credit card debt and why even financial experts sometimes find themselves back at square one. She walks through the exact system she's using to regain control from organizing every account and choosing a payoff strategy to negotiating lower interest rates, cutting recurring expenses, creating healthier spending habits, and finding practical ways to increase cash flow. If you've been avoiding your credit card statements, feeling overwhelmed by minimum payments, or wondering where to even begin, this episode offers the structure, encouragement, and actionable steps to help you stop spiraling and start making progress one decision at a time. Resources Mentioned Debt Freedom Tracker Spreadsheet Rocket Money Monarch Money You Need A Budget (YNAB) Grab the Week 3 Workbook here: https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/kfb44793u2 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Stock Trading and Vending Machine Businesses — Worth The Risk or Nah? [BA QA] 17.07.2026 24min

  In this BA Q&A, Mandi kicks off a brand‑new listener clinic for the Summer Money Reboot series and answers a letter from a listener she calls “Erin,” who is juggling Walmart shifts, side hustles, vending machine dreams, and plans to become a single mom by choice.   Mandi shares why she’s finally ready to try stock trading after attending Teri Ijeoma’s New York City book launch and breaks down the real numbers behind vending machines as a business—so you’re not accidentally living life on hard mode in your financial safety season. Listener letter: Erin’s storyErin is 36, divorced, and living in a small town in Texas. She’s transferred to Walmart full‑time, applied to jobs with almost no luck, put a successful vintage booth on pause, and is now working toward her notary license while researching vending machines and planning for single motherhood. Join the Summer Money Reboot! This BA Q&A is part of Mandi’s six‑week Summer Money Reboot series, designed to help you name your financial season, rebuild financial safety, and then move toward growth and alignment.  Download the workbooks for weeks 1:https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/summermoneyreboot and week 2https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/vr4mxs90xk  Other Resources and mentions•    Teri Ijeoma – The Risk Worth Taking•    Thinkorswim practice trading account (paper trading for beginners) •    SCORE small‑business mentorship See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How to Regain Financial Safety After a Setback [Summer Money Reboot Week #2] 15.07.2026 30min

  MandiMoney continues the Summer Money Reboot series by tackling one of the hardest financial seasons to navigate: rebuilding after life knocks you off course. Whether it was a layoff, medical emergency, divorce, caregiving, or simply an economy that changed faster than your paycheck could keep up, this conversation is about letting go of shame and creating a realistic path forward. Grab the Week 2 Workbook here: https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/vr4mxs90xk Special guest: Jaspreet Singh, founder of https://theminoritymindset.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Which Financial Season Are You In? [Summer Money Reboot Week #1] 08.07.2026 25min

  Hey BA fam, Mandi is back (!) in the studio and kicking off a brand new Summer Money Reboot series.  In this kickoff episode, Mandi shares why she rewrote her book into Brown Ambition: How to Reboot Your Career and Money After Life Throws You Off Track and introduces a new framework for thinking about your finances when life is life‑ing: the four financial seasons. You’ll learn:•    Why “I did everything right” and still feel stuck is more common than you think.•    The four financial seasons: Safety, Growth, Alignment, and Protection—and the main job of each.•    Why you cannot and should not try to be in all four seasons at once.•    How to start naming your current season (without shaming it) using real questions about your debt, savings, income, and stress level.•    Why it’s taking so many of us years, not months, to bounce back from layoffs, caregiving, and health challenges—and why the old “3‑month emergency fund” advice doesn’t match reality anymore.Instead of trying to fix your whole financial life by Labor Day, this series will help you figure out which season you’re in right now and what that season actually needs from your money over the next 90 days. You don’t need a perfect budget or a 37‑step plan this summer; you need a truthful starting point.<<GET THE FREE SUMMER MONEY REBOOT WORKBOOK>>Mandi also created a free Summer Money Reboot companion workbook to use alongside this series.The workbook will help you:•    Identify which of the four seasons your financial life is in right now.•    Reflect on how you got here without spiraling into shame •    Start mapping out a simple, realistic 90‑day plan aligned with your current season. Download the free Summer Money Reboot Workbook via the link in the show notes and follow along week by week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Power Doesn't Corrupt Leaders — Pressure Does [Encore] 01.07.2026 38min

  Hey BA fam, it’s Mandi. Today I’m bringing you a Brown Ambition Rewind that feels so on‑time for where a lot of us are in our careers right now. This conversation is with executive coach and author Sabina Nawaz, whose book You’re the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need is all about helping high‑achieving leaders avoid the traps that come with success.  We talk about why promotions are actually the riskiest moments in your career, how pressure — not power — can corrupt even the best bosses, and what it really looks like to be the kind of manager your team needs without losing your values or your identity as a woman of color.If you’ve been feeling stretched, misunderstood, or like you’re constantly in a pressure cooker, this one will hit. Let’s get into ‘How to Be the Kind of Boss Your Team Needs’ with Sabina Nawaz.”Follow Sabina Nawaz! Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabinacoaching/?hl=en Have a Question for the show?Email us at [email protected] or DM us @brownambitionpodcast!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Roxane Gay on Safety and Standing Her Ground (Encore) 24.06.2026 46min

  Hey BA fam! We’re bringing back one of our most powerful conversations with writer, editor, and cultural critic Roxane Gay — just in time as we come out of Pride Month and Juneteenth, and as I celebrate finishing the 12th and final chapter of my manuscript ahead of my July 1 deadline. Even though I had to give up my spot at Roxane’s Black writers convention last weekend because of surgery, I’m grateful we get to sit with her voice again in this feed. Brown Ambition will be back with brand‑new episodes starting July 8, and I can’t wait to update you more on this book journey and what’s next for BA. In this encore episode, Tiffany and I sit down with Roxane to talk about what it means to stand your ground as “a Black, queer, fat woman” in America — her words — and how she thinks about safety, gun ownership, and the reality that no one is coming to save us but us. Roxane walks us through years of threats against her, the decision to buy a gun during the pandemic, and what she learned when she realized Black women are the fastest‑growing group of gun owners in the U.S. We also get into the heart of Brown Ambition: Black women’s ambition, entrepreneurship, education, and generational wealth. Roxane talks about multiple income streams, negotiating her worth in publishing and media, and why she still has to fight for her value even with a “media empire” and a team of top‑tier agents and lawyers behind her. Tiffany shares her own journey selling hundreds of thousands of books and doing 90% of her own marketing, and I ask Roxane for advice as I write my first book with Legacy Lit. Along the way, we discuss:•    Roxane’s book Hunger and how it cracked me open and helped me love myself.[Attachment]•    Growing up in gun‑saturated environments and raising Black boys in a country obsessed with guns.•    Sonya Massey, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, and why police violence remains a constant threat no matter what we do to protect ourselves.•    Black women’s dominance in degrees, entrepreneurship, and readership — and what that means for wealth‑building.•    The importance of Black editors, hiring independent publicists, and insisting that your book still sounds like you.•    The power of “living in the gray” instead of pretending life is black‑and‑white.[Attachment] Content note: This episode includes discussion of gun violence, police killings, and anti‑Semitic threats. Please listen when you feel emotionally ready and take care of yourself as you do. Resources & mentions:•    Roxane Gay – Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body and Bad Feminist (essay collection). •    Roxane’s essay series on gun ownership and power on Everand (formerly Scribd).  If you enjoy this encore, please share it with a friend, grab Roxane’s books, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so more BA fam can find the show. Supporting our living legends — and the storytellers in progress — matters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Solo Mandi Update + Building Mielle Organics and a Billion‑Dollar Legacy with Monique Rodriguez (Replay) 17.06.2026 56min

  Mandi pops in with a quick life and book update, shares details about the upcoming Brown Ambition Career Reboot Challenge, and then re‑airs one of the most powerful conversations in the BA archive: her interview with Mielle Organics CEO and founder, Monique Rodriguez. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to turn grief into purpose, build a global brand from your kitchen, and navigate the backlash that comes with selling your company as a Black woman, this episode is for you.You’ll hear:•    How Monique went from nursing to experimenting with hair oils in her kitchen after the devastating loss of her infant son, Milan—and how that grief became the seed for Mielle Organics.•    The story behind Mielle’s sale to Procter & Gamble, why Monique chose to stay on as CEO, and what has and hasn’t changed since the deal.•    The criticism Black women founders face when they sell to big conglomerates, and how Monique handles assumptions about “selling out,” formula changes, and being “just the face” of the brand.•    How she uses faith, submission, and feminine energy in ways that actually support her as a CEO, wife, and mom—and why she wanted to tell a more nuanced story than social media soundbites allow.•    The legacy work she and her husband are doing now, including angel investing in other Black‑owned brands. Mandi also shares why this conversation hits differently now as she writes her own book about ambition, grief, and career reboots—and why Monique’s story is such a powerful example of turning “why me?” into “what now?.”🎉Brown Ambition Career Reboot Challenge Kicks off June 22-26!Feeling stuck in your job, underpaid, bhttps://instagram.com/brownambitionpodcasturned out, or just unsure what’s next for your career? Mandi is hosting the Brown Ambition Career Reboot Challenge—a 5‑day, guided experience to help you:•    Get honest about where you are in your career right now•    Gather your receipts so you can clearly see your value•    Explore what a true “reboot” could look like (raise, role change, new field, or better boundaries)•    Build a simple 90‑day experiment to start making moves, not just dreaming about themThe challenge includes daily prompts and trainings, a reusable workbook, and two live coaching calls with Mandi on Day 1 and Day 5, plus replays.👉 Learn more and grab your spot here: https://www.mandimoney.com/career-reboot-2026If you enjoyed this episode•    Share it with a friend who’s building something from a hard season•    Tag @brownambitionpodcast and @mandimoney with your takeaways•    Leave a rating or review—it helps other Brown Ambition fam find the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.