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!