Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA QA. This week, Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal and Chris Brown to tackle everything from auto refinancing, work-life balance, and credit card debt. Get the lowdown on shopping around for the best financial options, the complexities of managing debt versus investments, and more!




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






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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA QA. This week, Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal and Chris Brown to tackle everything from auto refinancing, work-life balance, and credit card debt. Get the lowdown on shopping around for the best financial options, the complexities of managing debt versus investments, and more! 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.

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

Work-Life Balance and Credit Card Debt Dilemma

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fafdde4b-3d14-4bc0-9c48-b2aa010d4223/transcript

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with therapist and bestselling author Oludara Adeeyo, creator of Self-Care for Black Women. Oludara shares her powerful journey from working in New York’s magazine industry to becoming a mental health advocate focused on the wellness of Black women. After years of caregiving for her mother and navigating toxic workplace dynamics, she began to rethink what self-care really means and why it’s essential for long-term health.

Mandi and Oludara talk about the hidden impact of stress, the pressure many women feel to always be “the strong one,” and how cultural expectations can shape the way we show up for others—often at the expense of ourselves. Oludara also opens up about learning to set boundaries, pivoting careers, and balancing meaningful work without burning out.

Plus, she shares practical self-care strategies from her book and new card deck, offering simple ways to reconnect with yourself, manage stress, and prioritize your well-being even on the busiest days.

 

Stay Connected  

-Get a copy of Self-Care for Black Women by Oludara Adeeyo
- Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast 

This week on Brown Ambition, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/">Mandi </a>sits down with therapist and bestselling author<a href="https://www.instagram.com/oludaraadeeyo/"> Oludara Adeeyo</a>, creator of Self-Care for Black Women. Oludara shares her powerful journey from working in New York&rsquo;s magazine industry to becoming a mental health advocate focused on the wellness of Black women. After years of caregiving for her mother and navigating toxic workplace dynamics, she began to rethink what self-care really means and why it&rsquo;s essential for long-term health.
Mandi and Oludara talk about the hidden impact of stress, the pressure many women feel to always be &ldquo;the strong one,&rdquo; and how cultural expectations can shape the way we show up for others&mdash;often at the expense of ourselves. Oludara also opens up about learning to set boundaries, pivoting careers, and balancing meaningful work without burning out.
Plus, she shares practical self-care strategies from her book and new card deck, offering simple ways to reconnect with yourself, manage stress, and prioritize your well-being even on the busiest days.
&nbsp;
Stay Connected &nbsp;
-Get a copy of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oludaraadeeyo.com/books">Self-Care for Black Women by Oludara Adeeyo</a> - Email your questions: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com. - Send a voice note or DM on IG: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcast">@brownambitionpodcast&nbsp;</a>

Self-Care for Black Women with Oludara Adeeyo [WASHDAY WOOSAH] 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c8602f6d-9fa4-4555-bf5e-b40d018458bc/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

Work-Life Balance and Credit Card Debt Dilemma

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