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.

Mandi shares how motherhood keeps her grounded (and off the doomscroll), and Yanely drops gems on supporting immigrant parents while building wealth. Plus, we get into that National Urban League report on the state of Black America (spoiler: it’s giving dumpster fire), break down the dangers of digital misinformation, and talk about the future of DEI.

 

In This Episode:
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
Yanely 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

We&rsquo;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&mdash; and we&rsquo;ve got a lot to say.
Mandi shares how motherhood keeps her grounded (and off the doomscroll), and Yanely drops gems on supporting immigrant parents while building wealth.&nbsp;Plus, we get into that National Urban League report on the state of Black America (spoiler: it&rsquo;s giving dumpster fire), break down the dangers of digital misinformation, and talk about the future of DEI.
&nbsp;
In This Episode:
<ul>
<li>Mandi talks about parenting through anxiety and the power of staying present</li>
<li>We dissect the State of Black America report (yes, literally a flaming trash can was involved)</li>
<li>Why same-day voter registration and digital literacy matter</li>
<li>Yanely shares how her family went from cash-only to investment-ready</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
🔗 Stuff We Mentioned
<ul>
<li>📄 National Urban League&rsquo;s <a href="https://nul.org/state-of-black-america">State of Black America Report</a></li>
<li>🧠 Grumpy Monkey &mdash; kids' book that hits a little too close to home</li>
<li>📚 Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall</li>
<li>💰 High-yield savings accounts &mdash; why they matter more than ever</li>
<li>📺 A Different World is streaming &mdash; do with that info what you will</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
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.&nbsp;👉 <a href="https://patreon.com/brownambition">patreon.com/brownambition</a>

The Brown Ambition Podcast helps you unapologetically build wealth by saving, investing and making smart career choices — on your own d@mn terms! New episodes Wednesdays and Fridays.

Money and career advice for women of color, by women of color

Brown Ambition

When Will This Dumspter Fire End?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c9b1c31e-4e73-455f-bcbb-b32300b602b0/transcript

This week on Brown Buzz, Mandi Money is breaking down the headlines shaping our money, careers, culture, and everyday lives. First up, LeBron James’s reported $15 million partnership with Polymarket raises questions about the growing popularity of prediction markets and how these platforms are marketed to people who may already feel financially behind. Mandi explains how prediction markets work, why the line between trading and gambling deserves a closer look, and what you should know about protecting your money if you use these apps.

Then, Mandi celebrates some major Black business wins, including Carol’s Daughter founder Lisa Price returning to an ownership role in the brand she built from her Brooklyn kitchen. She also dives into the Ebony Power 100 list and shares a reminder for anyone who has ever felt overlooked: someone else’s recognition is not evidence that your work is small.

Plus, Mandi breaks down what rising home heating costs could mean for your winter budget, gives CultureCon founder Imani Ellis her flowers for responding to attendee feedback, and celebrates authors Tayari Jones and Julie Leung for their literary accomplishments.

 

In this episode, we discuss:


LeBron James and the prediction market boom: What Polymarket is, how these platforms work, and why celebrity endorsements can make risky financial products feel more legitimate.


When betting gets dressed up as investing: The potential risks of prediction markets, crypto security concerns, and why these apps should never be treated as a savings plan or side hustle.


Lisa Price and the return to Carol’s Daughter: What her return to an ownership role means for the founder of a pioneering Black beauty brand and the legacy she built.


The Ebony Power 100 list: Celebrating Black excellence without allowing industry awards and recognition to determine your sense of accomplishment.


Winter heating costs: What projected increases in home heating expenses could mean for your household budget, plus practical ways to reduce energy costs.


CultureCon and founder accountability: Why Mandi is giving Imani Ellis and her team credit for listening to attendee feedback and making changes.


A Brown Boost for Black and women authors: Celebrating Tayari Jones’s literary achievement with Kin and Julie Leung’s work as a children's book author.

Resources and reminders:


If you use prediction market apps, enable two-factor authentication, use unique passwords, and never keep rent money or emergency savings in a betting account.


Explore ways to lower your winter energy bills, including weatherstripping doors and windows, sealing drafts, and improving attic insulation.


Remember: your work matters even when the spotlight hasn't found you yet.

Listener question CTA

Have a money or career question for a future Brown Buzz? Email brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or send a DM to @brownambitionpodcast.

This week on&nbsp;Brown Buzz, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/">Mandi Money</a> is breaking down the headlines shaping our money, careers, culture, and everyday lives. First up, LeBron James&rsquo;s reported $15 million partnership with Polymarket raises questions about the growing popularity of prediction markets and how these platforms are marketed to people who may already feel financially behind. Mandi explains how prediction markets work, why the line between trading and gambling deserves a closer look, and what you should know about protecting your money if you use these apps.
Then, Mandi celebrates some major Black business wins, including Carol&rsquo;s Daughter founder Lisa Price returning to an ownership role in the brand she built from her Brooklyn kitchen. She also dives into the Ebony Power 100 list and shares a reminder for anyone who has ever felt overlooked: someone else&rsquo;s recognition is not evidence that your work is small.
Plus, Mandi breaks down what rising home heating costs could mean for your winter budget, gives CultureCon founder Imani Ellis her flowers for responding to attendee feedback, and celebrates authors Tayari Jones and Julie Leung for their literary accomplishments.
&nbsp;
In this episode, we discuss:
<ul>
<li>
LeBron James and the prediction market boom: What Polymarket is, how these platforms work, and why celebrity endorsements can make risky financial products feel more legitimate.
</li>
<li>
When betting gets dressed up as investing: The potential risks of prediction markets, crypto security concerns, and why these apps should never be treated as a savings plan or side hustle.
</li>
<li>
Lisa Price and the return to Carol&rsquo;s Daughter: What her return to an ownership role means for the founder of a pioneering Black beauty brand and the legacy she built.
</li>
<li>
The Ebony Power 100 list: Celebrating Black excellence without allowing industry awards and recognition to determine your sense of accomplishment.
</li>
<li>
Winter heating costs: What projected increases in home heating expenses could mean for your household budget, plus practical ways to reduce energy costs.
</li>
<li>
CultureCon and founder accountability: Why Mandi is giving Imani Ellis and her team credit for listening to attendee feedback and making changes.
</li>
<li>
A Brown Boost for Black and women authors: Celebrating Tayari Jones&rsquo;s literary achievement with Kin and Julie Leung&rsquo;s work as a children's book author.
</li>
</ul>
Resources and reminders:
<ul>
<li>
If you use prediction market apps, enable two-factor authentication, use unique passwords, and never keep rent money or emergency savings in a betting account.
</li>
<li>
Explore ways to lower your winter energy bills, including weatherstripping doors and windows, sealing drafts, and improving attic insulation.
</li>
<li>
Remember: your work matters even when the spotlight hasn't found you yet.
</li>
</ul>
Listener question CTA
Have a money or career question for a future Brown Buzz? Email brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or send a DM to @brownambitionpodcast.

Brown Buzz:  Prediction Markets, Black Business Wins & Rising Heating Costs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f138e4ad-dad1-4afc-8226-b4de00a379e3/transcript

What happens when you grow up knowing what it feels like to not have enough money?

For La La Anthony, that feeling became part of the fuel behind her ambition. Raised by a single mom, La La learned early that she wanted to build a life where she could take care of herself and never have to feel guilty about asking for money. That independent spirit eventually took her from an unpaid radio internship at 16 to a career spanning radio, acting, producing, entrepreneurship, fashion, and philanthropy.

In this episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi Money sits down with La La to talk about the money lessons she had to learn the hard way, from spending her first paychecks on things that made her look successful to negotiating an $80,000 salary at just 18 without a lawyer or agent. La La gets candid about what it took to understand her worth, why she believes you have to stay involved in your finances even when you have financial professionals managing your money, and why asking questions is a critical part of becoming financially literate.

Mandi and La La also talk about building wealth as a Black entrepreneur, the importance of access and capital for Black and brown founders, and La La's growing interest in supporting innovative businesses. Plus, La La opens up about raising her son Kiyan to understand the importance of paying attention to his money from a young age, and the ongoing challenge of learning how to balance a relentless work ethic with rest, family, and actually enjoying the life she's worked so hard to build.

In this episode, we get into:

• How growing up without much money shaped La La's entrepreneurial spirit
• The lessons she learned from her first paychecks and early money mistakes
• Why knowing your worth matters when negotiating your salary and contracts
• The importance of being actively involved in your finances, even when you have a financial team
• Why financial literacy also means being willing to admit what you don't know
• Supporting Black and brown founders who don't have easy access to startup capital
• Teaching the next generation about saving, investing, and financial responsibility
• The tension between ambition, work ethic, motherhood, and making time to actually live
• Learning to give yourself grace when you're figuring it all out

La La's biggest money lesson? Give yourself grace. None of us get a roadmap for being an entrepreneur, a parent, an employee, or simply trying to build a life that feels good. We're all learning as we go.

What happens when you grow up knowing what it feels like to not have enough money?
For <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lala/">La La Anthony</a>, that feeling became part of the fuel behind her ambition. Raised by a single mom, La La learned early that she wanted to build a life where she could take care of herself and never have to feel guilty about asking for money. That independent spirit eventually took her from an unpaid radio internship at 16 to a career spanning radio, acting, producing, entrepreneurship, fashion, and philanthropy.
In this episode of Brown Ambition, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/">Mandi Money</a> sits down with La La to talk about the money lessons she had to learn the hard way, from spending her first paychecks on things that made her look successful to negotiating an $80,000 salary at just 18 without a lawyer or agent. La La gets candid about what it took to understand her worth, why she believes you have to stay involved in your finances even when you have financial professionals managing your money, and why asking questions is a critical part of becoming financially literate.
Mandi and La La also talk about building wealth as a Black entrepreneur, the importance of access and capital for Black and brown founders, and La La's growing interest in supporting innovative businesses. Plus, La La opens up about raising her son Kiyan to understand the importance of paying attention to his money from a young age, and the ongoing challenge of learning how to balance a relentless work ethic with rest, family, and actually enjoying the life she's worked so hard to build.
In this episode, we get into:
&bull; How growing up without much money shaped La La's entrepreneurial spirit &bull; The lessons she learned from her first paychecks and early money mistakes &bull; Why knowing your worth matters when negotiating your salary and contracts &bull; The importance of being actively involved in your finances, even when you have a financial team &bull; Why financial literacy also means being willing to admit what you don't know &bull; Supporting Black and brown founders who don't have easy access to startup capital &bull; Teaching the next generation about saving, investing, and financial responsibility &bull; The tension between ambition, work ethic, motherhood, and making time to actually live &bull; Learning to give yourself grace when you're figuring it all out
La La's biggest money lesson? Give yourself grace. None of us get a roadmap for being an entrepreneur, a parent, an employee, or simply trying to build a life that feels good. We're all learning as we go.

La La Anthony on Money, Motherhood, and Making Ends Meet

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1fc18e51-a86d-40ec-a2b9-b4dc0097123e/transcript

This week on Brown Buzz, we’re cutting through the headlines and getting into the stories that affect our money, careers, and lives.

First, Mandi discusses the allegations involving Cornell and LSU, why Title IX is not the same thing as a criminal investigation, and what students and survivors should know if they want to explore a report to law enforcement.

TW: From  02:21 - 11:05 this episode includes discussion of SA.

Then, we get practical:

• The career skill employers say matters most in an AI-powered workplace

• Why more buyers are considering adjustable-rate mortgages—and the questions to ask before you sign

• A listener inherits more than $100,000 from her great-aunt: Should she pay debt, save it, invest it, or spend a little to honor her aunt?

• Why $100,000 invested at a hypothetical 7% annual return could grow to nearly $1.5 million over 40 years, before taxes, fees, inflation, or investment volatility

Plus, Mandi gives Alexis Nikole Nelson—the Black Forager—her Brown Boost after Alexis’s cookbook, Happy Snacking, Don’t Die!, lands on the New York Times bestseller list.

In this episode

• Cornell and LSU: What the reporting raises about campus accountability and Title IX

• How a Title IX process differs from reporting to campus or local police

• RAINN resources for support and reporting options

• IBM’s survey on critical thinking and discernment in the AI workplace

• Fixed-rate mortgages vs. adjustable-rate mortgages

• How to handle a $100,000 inheritance without rushing into a decision

• Emergency funds, high-interest debt, investing, and getting flat-fee financial advice

• Brown Boost: Alexis Nikole Nelson, the Black Forager

Resources mentioned

• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)

• RAINN: rainn.org

• Alexis Nikole Nelson / The Black Forager: Happy Snacking, Don’t Die!

• Listen to Mandi’s interview with Alexis Nikole Nelson in the previous Brown Ambition episode.

Listener question CTA

Have a money or career question for a future Brown Buzz? Email brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or send a DM to @brownambitionpodcast.

This week on Brown Buzz, we&rsquo;re cutting through the headlines and getting into the stories that affect our money, careers, and lives.
First, Mandi discusses the allegations involving Cornell and LSU, why Title IX is not the same thing as a criminal investigation, and what students and survivors should know if they want to explore a report to law enforcement.
TW: From&nbsp; 02:21 - 11:05 this episode includes discussion of SA.
Then, we get practical:
&bull; The career skill employers say matters most in an AI-powered workplace
&bull; Why more buyers are considering adjustable-rate mortgages&mdash;and the questions to ask before you sign
&bull; A listener inherits more than $100,000 from her great-aunt: Should she pay debt, save it, invest it, or spend a little to honor her aunt?
&bull; Why $100,000 invested at a hypothetical 7% annual return could grow to nearly $1.5 million over 40 years, before taxes, fees, inflation, or investment volatility
Plus, Mandi gives Alexis Nikole Nelson&mdash;the Black Forager&mdash;her Brown Boost after Alexis&rsquo;s cookbook, Happy Snacking, Don&rsquo;t Die!, lands on the New York Times bestseller list.
In this episode
&bull; Cornell and LSU: What the reporting raises about campus accountability and Title IX
&bull; How a Title IX process differs from reporting to campus or local police
&bull; RAINN resources for support and reporting options
&bull; IBM&rsquo;s survey on critical thinking and discernment in the AI workplace
&bull; Fixed-rate mortgages vs. adjustable-rate mortgages
&bull; How to handle a $100,000 inheritance without rushing into a decision
&bull; Emergency funds, high-interest debt, investing, and getting flat-fee financial advice
&bull; Brown Boost: Alexis Nikole Nelson, the Black Forager
Resources mentioned
&bull; RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
&bull; RAINN: <a href="https://rainn.org">rainn.org</a>
&bull; Alexis Nikole Nelson / The Black Forager: Happy Snacking, Don&rsquo;t Die!
&bull; Listen to Mandi&rsquo;s <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-joy-big-dreams-being-fully-yourself-ft-alexis/id1039708229?i=1000792368009">interview with Alexis Nikole Nelson</a> in the previous Brown Ambition episode.
Listener question CTA
Have a money or career question for a future Brown Buzz? Email brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or send a DM to @brownambitionpodcast.

Brown Buzz: Can $100K Become $1.5 Million? Plus Cornell, AI Career Skills & Risky Mortgages

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2c2ee5f8-bdfc-4280-a191-b4d700083104/transcript

When Will This Dumspter Fire End?

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