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, this episode centers honesty over platitudes and action over despair. Stacey breaks down her 10 Steps Campaign, explains how authoritarianism takes root in real time, and offers a clear framework for resistance, resilience, and rebuilding without pretending this moment isn’t heavy.

Together, Mandi and Stacey talk about protecting your peace without disengaging, finding joy as an act of resistance, navigating financial shame and career disruption, and why your power doesn’t disappear just because your platform changes.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, frozen, or unsure where to start this conversation is for you.

 

What We Get Into
Why this moment feels heavier and why that feeling is by design
Stacey Abrams’ 10 Steps to Autocracy and how to recognize them in real time
The 10 Steps to Freedom & Power and how everyday people can activate them
Why we can’t return to “how things were” and must demand something better
How to talk to your kids about what’s happening without passing down fear
What to do when you’re exhausted, caregiving, working, and barely holding it together
Why joy is not escapism — it’s resistance
Financial shame, job loss, and why debt is not a moral failure
Stacey’s unsexy but life-changing money habits
Building freedom funds, changing lanes, and investing in yourself and others
Government shutdowns, budgets, and why “business as usual” no longer applies
Why status is no longer safety and what collective action really looks like

 

Key Takeaways
You don’t have to do everything — but you do have to do something
Your position may change, but your power stays with you
Nonviolent resistance is effective — and it’s not the same as being passive
Financial setbacks don’t cancel your dreams; they may redirect them
Democracy isn’t abstract — it’s about our ability to thrive

 

Resources Mentioned
Stacey Abrams’ 10 Steps Campaign 
Assembly Required podcast
Level Up by Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams’ children’s book series (Stacey Speaks Up)

This week on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcast/">Brown Ambition</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/">Mandi</a> is joined by author, activist, and democracy defender <a href="https://www.instagram.com/staceyabrams/">Stacey Abrams</a> 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, this episode centers honesty over platitudes and action over despair. Stacey breaks down her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/10stepscampaign">10 Steps Campaign</a>, explains how authoritarianism takes root in real time, and offers a clear framework for resistance, resilience, and rebuilding without pretending this moment isn&rsquo;t heavy.
Together, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/">Mandi</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/staceyabrams/">Stacey</a> talk about protecting your peace without disengaging, finding joy as an act of resistance, navigating financial shame and career disruption, and why your power doesn&rsquo;t disappear just because your platform changes.
If you&rsquo;ve been feeling overwhelmed, frozen, or unsure where to start this conversation is for you.
&nbsp;
What We Get Into
<ul>
<li>Why this moment feels heavier and why that feeling is by design</li>
<li><a href="https://10stepscampaign.org/?refcode=LOC_Ad_Search_20250923_GS_Traffic_10Steps&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23042320725&amp;gbraid=0AAAABBYotvhYo1SRZIeROFi_wmJFkVqXv&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA4eHLBhCzARIsAJ2NZoLwDIQeCr03c8IXvzqfjMN207L0djMcXzTenn1IEliKAQhslCO2oksaAr-bEALw_wcB#10">Stacey Abrams&rsquo; 10 Steps to Autocracy </a>and how to recognize them in real time</li>
<li>The <a href="https://10stepscampaign.org/?refcode=LOC_Ad_Search_20250923_GS_Traffic_10Steps&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23042320725&amp;gbraid=0AAAABBYotvhYo1SRZIeROFi_wmJFkVqXv&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA4eHLBhCzARIsAJ2NZoLwDIQeCr03c8IXvzqfjMN207L0djMcXzTenn1IEliKAQhslCO2oksaAr-bEALw_wcB#freedom">10 Steps to Freedom &amp; Power</a> and how everyday people can activate them</li>
<li>Why we can&rsquo;t return to &ldquo;how things were&rdquo; and must demand something better</li>
<li>How to talk to your kids about what&rsquo;s happening without passing down fear</li>
<li>What to do when you&rsquo;re exhausted, caregiving, working, and barely holding it together</li>
<li>Why joy is not escapism &mdash; it&rsquo;s resistance</li>
<li>Financial shame, job loss, and why debt is not a moral failure</li>
<li>Stacey&rsquo;s unsexy but life-changing money habits</li>
<li>Building freedom funds, changing lanes, and investing in yourself and others</li>
<li>Government shutdowns, budgets, and why &ldquo;business as usual&rdquo; no longer applies</li>
<li>Why status is no longer safety and what collective action really looks like</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Key Takeaways
<ul>
<li>You don&rsquo;t have to do everything &mdash; but you do have to do something</li>
<li>Your position may change, but your power stays with you</li>
<li>Nonviolent resistance is effective &mdash; and it&rsquo;s not the same as being passive</li>
<li>Financial setbacks don&rsquo;t cancel your dreams; they may redirect them</li>
<li>Democracy isn&rsquo;t abstract &mdash; it&rsquo;s about our ability to thrive</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Resources Mentioned
<ul>
<li><a href="https://10stepscampaign.org/#10">Stacey Abrams&rsquo; 10 Steps Campaign&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/assembly-required-with-stacey-abrams/id1760004996">Assembly Required podcast</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706859/level-up-by-stacey-abrams-and-lara-hodgson-with-heather-cabot/?ref=PRH3F5F421F4DF6&amp;aid=11459&amp;linkid=PRH3F5F421F4DF6">Level Up by Stacey Abrams</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/stacey-speaks-up-stacey-abrams?variant=41515813437474">Stacey Abrams&rsquo; children&rsquo;s book series (Stacey Speaks Up)</a></li>
</ul>

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Brown Ambition

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2fe0d396-0512-43e7-a6c2-b3df015a50a7/transcript