In this heartwarming and hilarious episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi is joined by Alexa Claire and first-time guest Mia Brabham Nolan for a vibrant conversation full of career advice, pop culture takes, and real talk on entrepreneurship and Black excellence.

The three dive into everything from half-birthdays and pop culture dry spells to the real challenges facing today’s job market. They celebrate Black-owned businesses like The Lip Bar, Black Girl Sunscreen, and Cloudy Donut Co. and unpack what happens when Black brands get bought out.

 

Plus, they get candid about:
The emotional toll of job hunting in a tough market
Why side hustles deserve more respect
How to market yourself and keep creating even when you’re unemployed
And yes… some Love Island fanfic might be involved 👀

If you're looking for a mix of professional gems, cultural commentary, and friendship goals—this episode’s for you.

 

💼 Resources & Mentions:
Mandi’s Career Coaching Program
Mia’s Substack: In Deep
Alexa’s site: Moments with Alexa Claire

 

💌 Connect with the Hosts:
Mandi Woodruff-Santos | @mandimoney
Mia Brabham Nolan | @yourstrulymia
Alexa Claire | @momentswac

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

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi is joined by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/momentswac/?hl=en">Alexa Claire</a> and first-time guest <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yourstrulymia/?hl=en">Mia Brabham Nolan</a> for a vibrant conversation full of career advice, pop culture takes, and real talk on entrepreneurship and Black excellence.
The three dive into everything from half-birthdays and pop culture dry spells to the real challenges facing today&rsquo;s job market. They celebrate Black-owned businesses like The Lip Bar, Black Girl Sunscreen, and Cloudy Donut Co. and unpack what happens when Black brands get bought out.
&nbsp;
Plus, they get candid about:
<ul>
<li>The emotional toll of job hunting in a tough market</li>
<li>Why side hustles deserve more respect</li>
<li>How to market yourself and keep creating even when you&rsquo;re unemployed</li>
<li>And yes&hellip; some Love Island fanfic might be involved 👀</li>
</ul>
If you're looking for a mix of professional gems, cultural commentary, and friendship goals&mdash;this episode&rsquo;s for you.
&nbsp;
💼 Resources &amp; Mentions:
<ul>
<li>Mandi&rsquo;s Career Coaching Program</li>
<li><a href="https://indeepsubstack.com/">Mia&rsquo;s Substack: In Deep</a></li>
<li><a href="https://momentswithalexaclaire.com/">Alexa&rsquo;s site: Moments with Alexa Claire</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
💌 Connect with the Hosts:
<ul>
<li>Mandi Woodruff-Santos | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/?hl=en">@mandimoney</a></li>
<li>Mia Brabham Nolan | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yourstrulymia/?hl=en">@yourstrulymia</a></li>
<li>Alexa Claire | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/momentswac/?hl=en">@momentswac</a></li>
</ul>
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

How to Tell If That “Black-Owned” Brand Is Still for Us

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a0819200-231f-47d2-93e3-b33100c20300/transcript

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with award-winning producer, filmmaker, and breakout actress Kiah Clingman for a real conversation about rejection, reinvention, and trusting the long game.

From getting rejected by Howard’s theater program to becoming a proud Howard alum who quietly built a producing career… from balancing a demanding corporate job at Deloitte while producing projects at night… to not booking an acting role for four years before landing a major role on Reasonable Doubt on Hulu — Kiah’s story is a masterclass in patience, persistence, and betting on yourself when the timeline doesn’t make sense.

And the timing couldn’t be better. The hit series Reasonable Doubt recently took home Outstanding Drama Series at the 57th NAACP Image Awards (2026) — proof that the long road sometimes leads exactly where you’re meant to be.

From hotel-room self tapes to Hollywood sets, Kiah shares what it really looks like to build a creative career behind the scenes and in front of the camera.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you started too late, pivoted too many times, or took the “wrong” path this episode is for you.

Spoiler: you didn’t.

 

What We Get Into
Why Kiah almost didn’t submit the audition that changed everything
The reality of going years without booking acting work
How a hotel-room self tape (trash can + ring light included) helped land Reasonable Doubt
Being rejected from Howard’s theater program — and why it became a blessing
How Howard University and Delta Sigma Theta shaped her identity and confidence
Working a demanding corporate role while producing films on the side
What producers actually do — and why the role is often misunderstood
Quitting Deloitte two weeks after buying a home and the fear that followed
Losing a series regular role after betting everything on acting

 

Key Takeaways
Rejection can be redirection — even when it stings
A pivot isn’t failure — it’s strategy
You don’t need constant wins to be on the right path
Corporate skills can help fund and strengthen creative dreams
Seeds planted today may take years to bloom — and that’s okay
Betting on yourself often feels reckless before it feels rewarding

 

👉 Want more Brown Ambition?

• Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and deeper dives into money, career, and entrepreneurship: Join the BA Fam!
• Follow us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations.

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with award-winning producer, filmmaker, and breakout actress Kiah Clingman for a real conversation about rejection, reinvention, and trusting the long game.
From getting rejected by Howard&rsquo;s theater program to becoming a proud Howard alum who quietly built a producing career&hellip; from balancing a demanding corporate job at Deloitte while producing projects at night&hellip; to not booking an acting role for four years before landing a major role on Reasonable Doubt on Hulu &mdash; Kiah&rsquo;s story is a masterclass in patience, persistence, and betting on yourself when the timeline doesn&rsquo;t make sense.
And the timing couldn&rsquo;t be better. The hit series Reasonable Doubt recently took home Outstanding Drama Series at the 57th NAACP Image Awards (2026) &mdash; proof that the long road sometimes leads exactly where you&rsquo;re meant to be.
From hotel-room self tapes to Hollywood sets, Kiah shares what it really looks like to build a creative career behind the scenes and in front of the camera.
If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered whether you started too late, pivoted too many times, or took the &ldquo;wrong&rdquo; path this episode is for you.
Spoiler: you didn&rsquo;t.
&nbsp;
What We Get Into
<ul>
<li>Why Kiah almost didn&rsquo;t submit the audition that changed everything</li>
<li>The reality of going years without booking acting work</li>
<li>How a hotel-room self tape (trash can + ring light included) helped land Reasonable Doubt</li>
<li>Being rejected from Howard&rsquo;s theater program &mdash; and why it became a blessing</li>
<li>How Howard University and Delta Sigma Theta shaped her identity and confidence</li>
<li>Working a demanding corporate role while producing films on the side</li>
<li>What producers actually do &mdash; and why the role is often misunderstood</li>
<li>Quitting Deloitte two weeks after buying a home and the fear that followed</li>
<li>Losing a series regular role after betting everything on acting</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Key Takeaways
<ul>
<li>Rejection can be redirection &mdash; even when it stings</li>
<li>A pivot isn&rsquo;t failure &mdash; it&rsquo;s strategy</li>
<li>You don&rsquo;t need constant wins to be on the right path</li>
<li>Corporate skills can help fund and strengthen creative dreams</li>
<li>Seeds planted today may take years to bloom &mdash; and that&rsquo;s okay</li>
<li>Betting on yourself often feels reckless before it feels rewarding</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
👉 Want more Brown Ambition?
&bull; Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and deeper dives into money, career, and entrepreneurship: Join the BA Fam! &bull; Follow us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations.

The Long Game: Rejection, Reinvention & Landing Reasonable Doubt [Replay]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c77d778b-ae1c-4d91-b0b3-b4090173787c/transcript

Hey BA fam! We're digging back in the BA vault for a classic Q&A. Pregnant Penny needs advice on how to ask for a raise while pregnant. From breaking down the importance of standing up for oneself to how to plan ahead of maternity leave, your financial sisters have it covered.

We want to hear from you! Drop us a note at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey BA fam! We're digging back in the BA vault for a classic Q&amp;A. Pregnant Penny needs advice on how to ask for a raise while pregnant. From breaking down the importance of standing up for oneself to how to plan ahead of maternity leave, your financial sisters have it covered.
We want to hear from you! Drop us a note at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>
See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

BA QA: How to Negotiate a Raise While Pregnant [Replay]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/abe4a3d8-d63a-4cb4-a181-b40500cf2bad/transcript

Happy Women’s History Month, BA Fam! 🎉

In this powerful roundtable,Mandi Money sits down with money expert Bernadette Joy(author of Crush Your Money Goals) and financial freedom advocateKiersten Saunders of Rich & Regular for an honest, layered conversation about what it really looks like to build wealth as women—especially women of color—in today’s economy.

They break down:
The gap between entrepreneurship growth and actual funding
Why traditional wealth advice doesn’t always work for us
The pressure women face to overwork, over-explain, and over-give
How to stop overanalyzing and start executing

From angel investing to paying off debt, this episode is about rejecting average outcomes and creating a new playbook.

One takeaway: Do something today.
Move $10. Sell something. Update your budget. Just start.

Because building wealth isn’t about perfection,t’s about momentum.

 

Stay Connected  

- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

Happy Women&rsquo;s History Month, BA Fam! 🎉
In this powerful roundtable,<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/"> Mandi Money</a> sits down with money expert <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bernadebtjoy/">Bernadette Joy </a>(author of Crush Your Money Goals) and financial freedom advocate<a href="https://www.instagram.com/richandregular/"> Kiersten Saunders</a> of Rich &amp; Regular for an honest, layered conversation about what it really looks like to build wealth as women&mdash;especially women of color&mdash;in today&rsquo;s economy.
They break down:
<ul>
<li>The gap between entrepreneurship growth and actual funding</li>
<li>Why traditional wealth advice doesn&rsquo;t always work for us</li>
<li>The pressure women face to overwork, over-explain, and over-give</li>
<li>How to stop overanalyzing and start executing</li>
</ul>
From angel investing to paying off debt, this episode is about rejecting average outcomes and creating a new playbook.
One takeaway: Do something today. Move $10. Sell something. Update your budget. Just start.
Because building wealth isn&rsquo;t about perfection,t&rsquo;s about momentum.
&nbsp;
Stay Connected &nbsp;
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com. - Send a voice note or DM on IG: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcast">@brownambitionpodcast&nbsp;</a>

How Women of Color Build Wealth in a Broken System Ft. Bernadette Joy & Kiersten Saunders

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a8a61fa0-6986-40f9-bd18-b40300bebcd4/transcript

How to Tell If That “Black-Owned” Brand Is Still for Us

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