In this episode, I got to sit down with the amazing Mandi Woodruff Santos—host and executive producer of the award-winning Brown Ambition podcast and the powerhouse behind Mandi Money Media. We talk about everything from humble beginnings and financial trauma to building a multi-six-figure career and helping other women of color do the same.

Mandi’s story is real, raw, and deeply inspiring. From growing up with a single mom and tight finances to getting laid off just three months into her "dream" job in NYC, she shares how she turned those challenges into fuel for creating financial security—and eventually, financial freedom. Now, with nearly a decade of podcasting and millions of listeners behind her, she's using her voice and experience to empower others.

What we cover in this episode:

• How Mandi turned her love of books and storytelling into a journalism career
• The financial trauma that shaped her drive to build wealth
• Why getting laid off early in her career was a blessing in disguise
• The myth of stability and how it keeps women stuck
• Mandi’s journey from $35K to $300K a year—and how she helps others do the same
• The importance of negotiating, pivoting, and betting on yourself
• Why now, more than ever, women of color need financial autonomy

This isn’t your typical finance chat. Mandi keeps it 100% real about the emotional weight of money, how to take back your power, and how she’s creating generational change—not just for herself, but for her kids and her community. Whether you're mid-pivot, dreaming of more, or just tired of feeling stuck, this conversation will light a fire under you.

Mandi Woodruff-Santos is sought after personal finance expert and career coach. Most famously, she is the Host and Executive Producer of the very popular and award winning podcast Brown Ambition, the first money and career podcast for women of color by women of color. She is also the founder of the growing Mandi Money Media LLC which provides coaching and training on careers and negotiating those paychecks. Her mission with both is to empower women of color through financial and career education.

Before all of this, Mandi started off as a journalist, but it was being laid off her job three months in trying to make ends meet that led her to vow to really teach herself about building a financial safety net and personal wealth and that was the beginning of a personal and professional journey that led her to the businesses she runs today.

Need career coaching or help negotiating your salary for a new job or raise? https://www.mandimoney.com/

And if you somehow haven't check out Brown Ambition podcast on Apple/Spotify and major streaming platforms. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brown-ambition/id1039708229