In this fun and fast-moving minisode, Mandi and Amani take us behind the scenes of one of the most influential events in pop culture: South by Southwest (SXSW). What started as a 700-person music festival in 1987 has grown into a global platform for innovation, entertainment, and ideas. Now, Amani is part of it.

Tune in to hear how his topic, “The Extinction of R&B Groups: A Cautionary Tale for Artists,” was accepted into the SXSW Panel Picker and why it is so much more than just a music discussion. From reinventing your brand to understanding the real-life business lessons artists miss, this episode offers actionable insight for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone working to get their message out to a wider audience.

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Have you ever felt totally overwhelmed by the news – so overwhelmed that you decided to disconnect completely from it? You’re not alone, and this is exactly what Ashlyn Lipori-Russie is working to change. 

Ashlyn Lipori-Russie is a career journalist turned entrepreneur, yoga teacher, and founder of Ask Ashlyn. On this episode of Adventures in Business, she’s chatting with Amani about how she’s built a business that accomplishes her core mission: helping people connect with the news in a way that feels safe, grounded, and meaningful. 

🔗 Subscribe to Ask Ashlyn

Happy 51st birthday to Mandi! As her birthday approaches, Mandi and Amani are reflecting on a goal setting exercise that has been effective for her: setting birthday resolutions. In this mini episode of Adventures in Business, Amani and Mandi look at what resolutions Mandi set for her 50th birthday, what great results she got, and why birthday resolutions can be even more impactful than the ones we set at the start of a new year.

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts!

🔗Click here to check out this week's show notes!

Want to prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia, and be better at your job? Arts, music, and creativity might be the secret ingredient. If you’ve ever wondered how music, leadership, and neuroscience could fit together in one inspiring conversation, meet Genein Letford – keynote speaker, trainer, and founder of the Lyrics and Leadership Institute. Amani and Mandi spoke with Genein on this episode of Adventures in Business to talk about creativity, brain health, and how the arts can benefit you in every area of life.

🔗Click here to check out the show notes for this week's episode!

🔗 Follow Genein Letford at the Lyrics'n'Leadership Institute and on LinkedIn

In this episode of Adventures in Business, Amani and Mandi chat with Lyndal Larkin, Executive Coach, Speaker, Strategic Offsite Facilitator, and Founder of Larkin Leadership. A longtime friend of Amani’s, Lyndal has been coaching before coaching was a buzzword, helping leaders align their words, actions, and rewards to create lasting transformation. Today, Lyndal shares her journey, her approach to leadership development, and the mindset shifts that make the biggest difference for executives and teams.

🔗Check out this week's show notes!

🔗 Connect with Lyndal Larkin on LinkedIn and her website

On this episode of Adventures in Business, Amani and Mandi sit down with Leslee Owen, marketing consultant, mom of four, and co-founder of Movement Maker Web Design. In this candid conversation, Leslee shares how she built her business, how she balances ambition with motherhood, and what makes a website actually work in today’s digital world.

🔗 Connect with Leslee Owen on LinkedIn and take her 5-minute website audit

Our celebration of 200 episodes and 3 years of podcasting continues with this mini episode! In this minisode of Adventures in Business, Mandi interviews Jeremi Duru, professor of law, lawyer, and Amani’s friend. From awkward middle school days at Tacoma Park Middle School in Maryland to professional careers in academia and beyond, this episode is funny, heartfelt, and full of appreciation for Amani.

Check out the show notes for this minisode!

🔗 Connect with Jeremi Duru on LinkedIn

Welcome to a special milestone episode of Adventures in Business! Amani and Mandi are celebrating 200 episodes and three amazing years of podcasting with a fun twist – Amani turns the mic on Mandi for an interview that dives deep into her journey, quirky stories, and what she’s learned along the way. Tune in to hear about her next book, what she’s learned from 200 episodes, and how she’s giving back to the next generation of hospitality workers.

Check out the show notes for episode 200!

🔗 Connect with Mandi on her website and check out the California Hotel & Lodging Association

This minisode of Adventures in Business marks a special milestone: 3 years of our live show and 200 episodes! To celebrate, Amani is interviewing one of Mandi’s friends, Lori Keim, on all things Mandi. This conversation is a tribute to friendship, fun, and the woman who brings both to everything she does.

🔗 Connect with Lori Keim on LinkedIn or email her at [email protected] 

In this episode of Adventures in Business, Mandi and Amani chat with Liberty Bernal, franchise expert, wellness leader, author, mom, and all-around powerhouse. Liberty shares her fascinating journey from teenage franchisee to fitness founder, her take on celebrating life’s "mini graduations," and the surprising reason she went back to college decades later. She also gives us all the details on her book and The Strong Body Collective, a program designed to help preteen girls navigate the world.

Whether you're a business owner looking to scale or someone navigating your next big life chapter, this conversation is full of inspiration, practical insight, and a refreshing dose of real talk.

🔗 Connect with Liberty Bernal on her website and Instagram