BA Fam, send us your financial, career and everything-in-between questions! Submit via email at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast on IG.

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We’re back, BA Fam! After surviving a morning of tech chaos (and some truly humbling camera angles), your favorite financial BFFs are back at the brown table— and we’ve got a lot to say.

Chris gets vulnerable about his childhood kidney surgery, Mandi shares how motherhood keeps her grounded (and off the doomscroll), and Yaneli drops gems on supporting immigrant parents while building wealth.

Plus, we get into that National Urban League report (spoiler: it’s giving dumpster fire), break down the dangers of digital misinformation, and talk about the future of DEI.

In This Episode:

• The tech struggle bus is real
• Chris opens up about being a “kidney kid” and what that taught him
• Mandi talks about parenting through anxiety and the power of staying present
• We dissect the State of Black America report (yes, literally a flaming trash can was involved)
• Why same-day voter registration and digital literacy matter
• Yaneli shares how her family went from cash-only to investment-ready

🔗 Stuff We Mentioned

• 📄 National Urban League’s State of Black America Report
• 🧠 Grumpy Monkey — kids' book that hits a little too close to home
• 📚 Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
• 💰 High-yield savings accounts — why they matter more than ever
• 📺 A Different World is streaming — do with that info what you will

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

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This week’s BA Q&A, Mandi is joined by powerhouse author, filmmaker, and workplace equity consultant Minda Harts to talk about how we build trust, advocate for ourselves, and demand more from the spaces we show up in—especially as women of color.

Minda opens up about her latest book, Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace, and why understanding how we give and receive trust is essential—not just at work, but in every area of life.

If you’ve ever struggled with speaking up, setting boundaries, or navigating relationships in high-stakes environments, this conversation is for you.

Highlights!:

• Why trust (not talent), is the real currency of leadership
• How to communicate your value and protect your peace
• What inspired Minda's seven trust languages
• The connection between storytelling and equity in film and media

💌 Got a question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us on IG @brownambitionpodcast

🎉 Join our Patreon!
Get ad-free video episodes, early access, exclusive book club invites, and a chance to sit in live during tapings:
👉 patreon.com/brownambition

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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

🎉 Join our Patreon!
Get ad-free video episodes, early access, exclusive book club invites, and a chance to sit in live during tapings:
👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Mandi is joined at the Brown Table by friend of the show, nurse and financial educator Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional. The two get real about motherhood, love, career breaks, and all the chaos in between—from co-parenting struggles to Beyoncé ticket drama.

Naseema shares an update on her mini retirement and an upcoming mommy-daughter retreat in Colombia, while Mandi recounts her wild Atlanta trip, complete with StubHub headaches and a soul-stirring church visit. It’s a fun, heartfelt convo about choosing rest, redefining success, and making room for what really matters.

💌 Have a question?

Send it in to: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or slide into our DMs @brownambitionpodcast on IG.

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

Looking to apply for Mandi's VIP 1-on-1 Job Coaching program? Here's the link >

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

🎙️ Hey BA Fam!

We’re back with a brilliant BA Q&A! Mandi sits down with Dr. Jatali Bellanton—Angel Investor, financial literacy powerhouse, and founder of Kids Who Bank—to talk about the game-changing power of mentorship and building teams that actually work.

Whether you’re dreaming up your first business or scaling your empire, this convo is a must-listen for leveling up your money mindset and your people skills.

We get into:
🤝 Why finding a mentor (or being one), is essential for growth
🪜 How to create real partnerships instead of dragging “dead weight”
💡 The moment that inspired Dr. Jatali to launch Kids Who Bank
🌍 Teaching kids financial literacy from New York to Ghana and beyond
💰 Her journey from investment banking and forensic accounting to empowering future moguls
✨ And the secret sauce behind helping businesses boost profits by 40%+

Want to follow Dr. Jatali and tap into her world of money wisdom?
📲 IG & Twitter: @jatalibellanton

Have a question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast!

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey BA Fam!
We’re back with a classic BA Q&A. Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal (aka MissBeHelpful) and Marc Russell from BetterWallet to answer Amber’s question: What should I look for when opening a business bank account—and what are the red flags?

Whether you’re launching a side hustle or running a full-on business, this convo breaks down what really matters when choosing where to bank.

We get into:
💼 Why keeping business and personal funds separate is a must
🏦 Traditional vs. digital banks—what works best for your biz
💸 Fees, features, and must-haves (like QuickBooks integration)
🔌 How local banks and credit unions can come through
📍And yes, why Mandy’s low-key ready to move back to ATL...

Banks we mention: BlueVine, PNC, Amex Business, TD Bank, and more.

Have a Question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast!

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s Brown Table, Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal (@missbehelpful) and Marc Russell from Better Wallet to break down the new “baby bonds” launching in 2025 (if your baby’s already here... sorry, you missed the cutoff 😅).We also get into the mess around the so-called “Social Security tax credit” (spoiler: it’s not a credit), and why that distinction matters—especially for those of us managing our parents’ finances.

Plus: Mandi gets real about possibly saying goodbye to NYC for good, the crew recaps the Essence Fest scheduling nightmare (Lauryn Hill at 3:37 AM!?), and we talk about what it truly means to feel safe, seen, and at home.

✨ Brown Boosts & Brown Breaks

• Yanely celebrates Delaware becoming the 30th state to require financial literacy for high schoolers!
• Marc shouts out the book Die with Zero and challenges the “save everything” mindset

🎧 Quick Hits

• What baby bonds actually are—and who qualifies
• Why mixing up deductions vs. credits is a big financial fail
• The fear, facts, and pressure around gun ownership in the South
• Essence Fest recap: sound issues, late starts, and why some fans were not having it

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.