BA Q&A: How do I career pivot in my 50s?

In this week's  BA Q&A  Mandi is getting real about reinvention, risk, and responsibility. A listener in her 50s is ready to pivot careers but she’s not trying to blow up her financial “safety” to do it. In this economy? Whew. The fear is valid. But as Mandi reminds us, a pivot doesn’t have to be r…

The Gifts of Grief: Tiffany Aliche on Love, Loss and What Came After

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi is joined by the one & only Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Alicheand it feels like a homecoming. Tiffany is back to catch us up on everything happening behind the scenes. From exciting updates about the evolution (and new name!) of the Live Richer Academy to the relea…

BA Q&A: Are Company Background Checks Legit?

In this week’s BA Q&A Mandi answers a listener question that gets straight to the point: How do employers actually verify where we’ve worked and what information are they collecting about us behind the scenes. We dive into the world of work verification and big data, including platforms like WorkM…

How to Turn a Layoff into Your Full‑Time Creative Career ft. Kaisha Huguley

In this episode of Brown Ambition, MandiMoney sits down with actor, content creator, and entrepreneur Kaisha Huguley (aka Kaisha Creates) for a real conversation about layoffs, self-belief, and choosing yourself—especially when the plan falls apart. Kaisha  opens up about being laid off from her 9–…

BA Q&A: Should I Keep Paying My Student Loans While PSLF?

Mandi is back for a solo BA Q&A, answering a juicy listener question about balancing student loans, grad school, a possible home move, and a new car payment—all while chasing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). She breaks down how PSLF *actually* works, why “qualifying payments” matter so much,…

How We Protect Our Freedom in an Authoritarian America ft. Stacey Abrams

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi is joined by author, activist, and democracy defender Stacey Abrams for a powerful, timely, and deeply grounding conversation about where we are as a country and what we can actually do about it. Recorded during a moment of collective grief, fear, and exhaustion,…

How to Heal Burnout Through Breathwork ft. Jasmine Marie of Black Girls Breathing

This week, I'm revisitng my interview 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 cul…

4 Strategies to Save Your Money from Inflation, AI & Student Loans in 2026

In this episode of Brown Ambition, host Mandi Woodruff-Santos dives into the pressing financial trends of 2026, focusing on inflation, interest rates, the job market, and student loans. Mandi emphasizes the importance of understanding these trends and how they impact personal finances, encouraging …

BA Q&A: Should I Sell My Shares of Target ($TGT) Stock?

This week on Brown Ambition’s Friday BA QA, Mandi answers a listener question that hits right at the intersection of money, values, and activism. A listener asks: If we’re boycotting a company, should we also sell the stock? Using Target as a real-life example, Mandi breaks down what it really mea…

How "Reasonable Doubt" Rebooted My Acting Career ft. Kiah Clingman

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with award-winning producer, filmmaker, and breakout actress Kiah Clingmanfor a powerful conversation about rejection, reinvention, and trusting the long game. From getting rejected by Howard’s theater program to becoming a Howard alum who quietly built…