In this raw, heartfelt episode, Mandi tackles listener questions about layoffs, debt, and rebuilding after financial mistakes – all while sharing her own reflections on friendship, motherhood, and weathering life’s storms.

Key Topics Covered

• Why showing up for friends matters (even in sleet!) + Mandi’s hilarious The Read live show recap

• Federal layoffs & corporate cuts: 75K+ gov jobs axed, Meta’s shady “performance review” purge

• Listener Q&A:

• “Should I abandon public health after a rescinded job offer?” → Transferable skills, LLC tips & side hustle tax hacks (featuring listener Bri’s Pilates pivot!)

• “I’m drowning in debt from my 20s!” → Debt negotiation tips, credit counseling resources & mindset shifts for new moms

• Mandi’s unfiltered take: Why no job is safe + protecting yourself with “receipts”

Actionable Takeaways

• 🛑 For laid-off workers: Document praise emails, save performance reviews, explore adjacent industries

• 💸 For debt payoff: Prioritize newer debts, negotiate settlements, avoid credit repair scams

• 💡 For everyone: Build a “financial parachute” via side gigs

Mentioned Resources

• National Foundation for Credit Counselors (nfcc.org)

• National Debt Relief (nationaldebtrelief.com)

CALL TO ACTION

• 🎧 Subscribe for weekly career/finance therapy

• 💌 Submit your Q: DM @brownambitionpodcast or email [email protected]

• 🌟 Rate & review if this episode helped you – it fuels our mission!

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Mandi Woodruff hosts Dr. Key Hallmon (founder of The Village Market) and Renae Bluitt (creator of She Did That) for a candid conversation about empowering Black and minority-owned businesses through community, intentionality, and economic liberation. They explore systemic challenges, the power of collaboration, and practical strategies for entrepreneurs to thrive in uncertain times.

Purchase Dr. Key's book >

The Village Market Atlanta >

Follow Dr. Key on IG @DrKeyHallmon

Check out Renae's upcoming She Did That events >

Follow Renae on IG @IamRenaeBluitt

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It's BA QA Time! This week, Mandi is joined by Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional to get real about the messy, beautiful, and sometimes awkward conversations we need to have about money and love.

We’re talking about why early financial convos are a must (yes, even before the wedding bells), how to merge finances without losing your mind, and why transparency is the key to avoiding money drama down the line. Plus, we’re answering listener questions on everything from prenups to handling different money mindsets in a relationship.

If you’ve ever side-eyed your partner’s spending habits or wondered how to raise financially savvy kids, this one’s for you. Tap in for real talk, practical tips, and a few laughs along the way!

Check out Naseema's podcast, Financially Intentional >

Read The Prenup Prescription by Aarron Thomas >

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https://mandimoney.com/reboot

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On this episode of Brown Ambition, we’re getting real about everything from navigating the healthcare system as a Black woman to securing your financial future—whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between.

Mandi, Naseema, and Yanely kick things off with a deep dive into Naseema’s experience as a labor and delivery nurse, unpacking the harsh realities of maternal healthcare for Black women and why financial literacy is a critical tool for empowerment.

Then, we get into Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance—because when culture and artistry collide on the biggest stage, you know we have thoughts! We break down why moments like this matter and how they tie into the broader fight for representation and equity.

And if you’ve ever wondered whether you really need a prenup (or a post-nup), divorce attorney Aaron Thomas joins us to drop some serious gems. We talk about why financial transparency in relationships is non-negotiable and how to protect your money, no matter your relationship status.

Tune in for another honest, insightful, and necessary conversation on Brown Ambition!

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Hey BA fam! For this edition of the BA QA, Mandi highlights her conversations with best friend duo Marc Russell and Chris Corinthian. Chris shares how he teaches families how to land scholarships, while Marc keeps it real on managing money as an entrepreneur and investing in 2025.

We want to hear from you! Drop us a note at [email protected] or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast

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Mandi is joined at the Brown Table by best friend duo Marc Russell and Chris Corinthian. Marc is an investing expert @ BetterWallet and Chris is a college scholarships and grants expert @ Your Debt-Free Degree. Together, we're diving deep into their journeys with money—tackling student debt, making that scary leap from corporate to entrepreneurship, and why community support is EVERYTHING.

Chris shares how he leveled up his finances, teaches families how to land scholarships and juggles parenting with his first full year of entrepreneurship. Marc keeps it real on managing money as an entrepreneur, and Mandi reminds us why resilience (and a good budget) can carry us through life’s wildest transitions.

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

Watch: My Money Mentors (PBS)

Read: Financial Literacy 101 for College Students

Work with Chris: Your Debt-Free Degree

Free Investing Guide:

DOWNLOAD: financesincheck.com/checklist 

Free Passive Investing Class: financesincheck.com/registration-page 

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S/o to Teal, the AI resume builder and cover letter writer that will simplify your job search! Use our link to check 'em out and let em know Brown Ambition sent you!

Q: “How do I set and stick to financial goals?”
Listen up, Unicorn! 

Q: “Help me find a financial planner!”
Solange, we got you! Here’s how to find your money match.

Don’t forget to:

• Share your favorite BA episodes

• Follow us @BrownAmbitionPodcast on IG

• Send your questions to [email protected]

Until next time, keep stacking that paper and living your best life! 💅🏾

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Is it STILL January? 

On today's show: 

Mandi and Chris are at the Brown Table talking about his new move to SF, how he navigated dating after divorce (babe!) and we quickly cover the stock market tumble for tech giants and how bird flu is decimating our wallets. 

Then...we're joined by the curl queen herself, Kim Lewis, the founder of CurlMix, to share an insider's POV on the retail rollercoaster: With big retailers like Target rolling back their DEI initiatives, Kim’s keeping it real about the impact on Black-owned brands. Will boycotting work? What's the bigger picture here? How can we best support the brands we love without feeding into companies that don't love us?

How can new entrepreneurs stay motivated when funding is drying up and Voldemort is bullying corporations into dropping commitments to diversity?

--

Send us your questions if you want to be featured on the show! 

@brownambitionpodcast on IG

or email us [email protected]. 

Don't forget to follow us on YouTube: 

https://youtube.com/@brownambitionpodcast

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OK BA Fam, in this episode of the BA Q&A Mandi gets personal, opening up about the emotional toll of job uncertainty and how recent executive orders have directly impacted her husband and other family members. She takes us on a deep dive into the realities of over-employment, especially for women of color, and sheds light on why so many Black women are juggling multiple jobs just to stay afloat.

The tea: 

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

It’s real, relatable, and packed with practical gems. Whether you’re navigating work-life chaos or just need a reminder to breathe, Mandi’s here to let you know you’re not alone. Plus, we’re flipping the script on the “strong Black woman” trope and reclaiming our joy.

Let’s Keep It Going:

Feeling this one? Share it with your crew! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tag us with your favorite takeaways. Let’s keep building each other up, one episode at a time.

Your support means everything to us! Please share this episode with a friend, peer or colleague and don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube!

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