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Descubre un mundo infinito de historias

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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.

Brown Ambition

The U.S. housing market feels impossible to navigate — high prices, rising taxes, low inventory, and mortgage rates that just won’t budge. This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, to cut through the noise and explain what’s really going on.
 
From the “lock-in effect” keeping homeowners stuck, to why renting may actually be more affordable than buying in many cities, Daryl offers insights grounded in both data and behavioral economics. She also shares practical advice for first-time buyers, discusses the hidden costs of homeownership, and explores how systemic challenges continue to impact Black and Brown communities.
 
And before she goes, Daryl gives us a sneak peek into her new book Hate the Game: Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love and Work — an empowering take on how to use economics to outsmart unfair systems and claim your wins.
 
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
 
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Why so many homeowners feel “stuck” with low-rate mortgages
 • 
 • 

The growing affordability gap between buying and renting
 • 
 • 

How return-to-office mandates are reshaping housing choices
 • 
 • 

The hidden costs of owning a home (taxes, insurance, maintenance)
 • 
 • 

Programs that can help first-time and minority buyers
 • 
 • 

How zoning and local government decisions impact affordability
 • 
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Why Black households are seeing declining homeownership rates
 • 
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Insights from Daryl’s new book Hate the Game
 • 
 
BA Fam, Let’s Connect!
 
 • Join the conversation on IG: 
@brownambitionpodcast • Share the episode and tag us — we love seeing your takeaways!
 • Don’t forget to 
subscribe, rate & review • to keep spreading the ambition.
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Now The Time to Buy or Sell A Home? Ft. Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather [BAQA]

What does it look like to redefine family and build a support system rooted in friendship? In this episode of Brown Ambition, host Mandi Woodruff-Santos sits down with NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe and her best friend Jasmin Melvin Hudson to talk about their bold decision to buy a home together and raise their five children under one roof.
 
From meeting as young journalists to becoming inseparable best friends, Ayesha and Jasmin share how their bond evolved into a life partnership centered on co-parenting, financial teamwork, and unconditional support. They open up about navigating shared responsibilities, creating stability for their kids, and what it means to build a family outside of traditional norms.
 
This inspiring conversation dives into:
 
 • The origin of their friendship and how it deepened over time
 • Deciding to co-purchase a home and their approach to ownership & finances
 • Parenting five kids together and creating a loving, stable household
 • Balancing personal dating lives while keeping their family core strong
 • Handling assumptions from outsiders about their unique arrangement
 • Why building your own “village” can be the key to surviving today’s economic and social pressures
 
Whether you’re a parent, considering alternative paths to homeownership, or just curious about how two best friends are rewriting the rules of family, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on love, community, and resilience.
 
Links & Resources:
 
 • Follow Ayesha & Jasmin’s journey on Instagram: 
@under1roofff • Keep up with Mandi on IG/Twitter: 
@mandimoney 
BA Fam, Let’s Connect!
 
 • Join the conversation on IG: 
@brownambitionpodcast • Share the episode and tag us — we love seeing your takeaways!
 • Don’t forget to 
subscribe, rate & review • to keep spreading the ambition.
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to Buy a House With Your BFF (and Her Kids!) ft. Ayesha Rascoe & Jasmin Melvin Hudson

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with Cheryl McKissick Daniel — President and CEO of McKissick & McKissick, the oldest Black- and women-owned design and construction firm in the U.S. With five generations of legacy behind her, Cheryl has literally changed skylines while paving the way for women and people of color in an industry that wasn’t built for us.
 
In this inspiring conversation, Cheryl shares:
 
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The journey behind her new book, The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissicks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers.
 • 
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How her mother courageously took over the family business after tragedy struck.
 • 
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Lessons from navigating a male- and white-dominated industry while building relationships and leading with integrity.
 • 
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The power of resilience, prayer, and community when starting from scratch in New York.
 • 
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Personal stories of overcoming health scares and why legacy and family history matter more than ever.
 • 
 
From stories of scrappy entrepreneurship in a Manhattan walk-up to multimillion-dollar projects like the Barclays Center and JFK Airport, Cheryl offers both blueprint and inspiration for anyone determined to build their own table—and their own legacy.
 
Key Takeaways:
 
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Legacy isn’t inherited, it’s built—brick by brick, generation by generation.
 • 
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Relationships and integrity are as valuable as technical skills in business.
 • 
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Women have always been at the forefront of resilience and innovation, even when history tries to erase them.
 • 
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Creating your own family tree can be a powerful way to honor where you’ve come from and inspire the next generation.
 • 
 
Resources & Mentions:
 
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Cheryl McKissick Daniel’s book: The Black Family Who Built America
 • 
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McKissick & McKissick projects: Barclays Center, Harlem Hospital Center, JFK Terminal One
 • 
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legacy, Resilience, and Building America with Cheryl McKissick Daniel [WASHDAY WOOSAH]

Welcome back for a special episode 10 years in the making. Today, Mandi unpacks the real cost of speaking out in a climate where your voice can cost you your job, especially if you’re a Black woman.
 
She celebrates 10 years of Brown Ambition (yes, 800+ episodes!), but the focus quickly shifts to the headlines: journalists, teachers, and professionals are losing their livelihoods for what they say online, with Karen Attiah (Washington Post) as just the latest in a chilling pattern.
 
SAVE THE DATE: sign up for Mandi’s free AI & Careers webinar (September 25, 8pm ET). This episode is a reminder: Your voice is power. Protect it, plan for it, and—when you can—use it.
 
Karen Attiah on Substack

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karen Attiah Firing Explained + When Your Voice Can Cost You Your Job

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi welcomes back powerhouse guest Jannese Torres entrepreneur, author of Financially Lit, host of the award-winning Yo Quiero Dinero podcast, and now, a new mom.
 
Together, Mandi and Jannese sit at the “Brown Table” to get real about:
 
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How motherhood reshapes entrepreneurship, boundaries, and time management
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Breaking free from people-pleasing and stepping fully into self-advocacy
 • 
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Why owning your platform (through blogging, newsletters, and websites) is still critical in 2025
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The truth about monetizing blogs: ads, SEO, and building passive income the right way
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Navigating social media overwhelm while protecting your mental health
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Jannese’s journey from six-figure engineer to six-figure food blogger and financial educator
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You’ll hear candid reflections on the messy balance of career, family, and identity—and why building digital real estate can change your financial future.
 
Links and Resources:
 
 • 

Connect with Jannese on IG: @YoQuieroDineroPodcast
 • 
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Learn more about Financially Lit and her courses: yoquierodineropodcast.com
 • 
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Sign up for her Blogging Bootcamp (open until Sept 22!)
 • 
 
👉 Don’t forget to check out BrownAmbitionPodcast.com for more career and money tips.
 
 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to Launch & Monetize a Blog in 2025 Ft. Jannese Torres of Yo Quiero Dinero

This week’s listener, “Beth,” is stuck between tax debt and credit card debt—plus the anxiety that comes when you’re a little bit of a rebel, chasing that nonprofit art life immigrant parents never signed off on. (We see you, Beth!) Mandi shares lessons from her own contractor journey, breaks down why the IRS is no joke, and gets honest about how hard it is to face down those phone calls and official forms.
 
You’ll hear:
 
• Why tax debt takes priority (because the IRS does NOT play, y’all)
 
• Smart ways to negotiate payment plans (and what “offer in compromise” means)
 
• Real talk on avoiding credit card traps, balance transfers, and why budgeting apps like Rocket Money and Monarch can help you see the whole mess clearly
 
• Which debt payoff method actually works for real people (snowball vs. avalanche, plus why momentum matters)
 
• How to keep your sanity and your community close—because shame and overwhelm are not welcome on this show
 
• Lifting each other up and why it’s ok to slow down, set boundaries, and put self-care first (even free self-care counts!)If you’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just wish you weren’t facing those numbers alone, this is the episode for you. Write in, DM, or leave us a voice memo with your story—we’ll show up, judgment free.
 
RSVP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR 9/25: How to Use AI To Master Your Money + Career In a Challenging Economy
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED: 
 
https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you
 
IRS PHONE DETAILS: 
 
Individuals
800-829-1040
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time
 
Businesses
800-829-4933
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time
 
https://www.rocketmoney.com/
 
https://www.monarchmoney.com/
 
 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I Owe The IRS $5,000 and Have $11,000 of Credit Card Debt — Now What?

On this week’s episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi dives into the latest jobs report and how the government issued ANOTHER correction that shows we actually added 911,000 FEWER jobs than they calculated last year. That's half as many jobs as they reported. WTF?

She also digs into what the data really says about the state of the economy, especially for Black women. With over 300,000 Black women pushed out of the workforce this year, she breaks down why the numbers don’t always tell the full story and how systemic bias shows up in hiring trends. But it’s not all doom and gloom she highlights industries where jobs are still growing, from healthcare to IT, and offers perspective on pursuing career moves that align with your skills and passion rather than just chasing trends.
 
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
 
 • How to identify your personal “power hours” and use them for your most important goals
 • The reality behind the labor market and why Black women are being hit hardest
 • Sectors where job opportunities are growing despite the downturn
 • How to balance pursuing in-demand fields with staying true to your own career path
 • Practical ways to use AI to boost your job search and career strategy
 • Why protecting your mental health is just as important as networking and applying
 
Resources and Links Mentioned:
 
 Click here to Sign up for Mandi’s free workshop: How to Leverage AI for Your Career – September 25th, 8 p.m. EST • 
 • Join the 
Brown Ambition • Book Club via Patreon:
patreon.com/brownambition • Learn more about the Loveland Foundation: 
thelovelandfoundation.org 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Did The Government Get The Jobs Data So Damn Wrong? [Solo Ep]

BA Fam, we’ve got a special one for you today! 🎉 Tiffany is back in the studio and she didn’t come alone — she brought along her powerhouse financial advisor Anjali Jariwala.
 
If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to build wealth after financial setbacks, this convo is for you. Tiffany opens up about her journey from foreclosure to financial freedom, and how she learned to let go of control and finally trust someone else with her money. (Spoiler: it wasn’t easy!)
 
Anjali breaks down the emotional side of money — especially for children of immigrants — and shares the tools she uses to help clients like Tiffany make smart financial moves. We get into everything from navigating money trauma, to building a solid financial foundation, to unlocking “cheat codes” the wealthy use (ever heard of a pledged asset line? 👀).
 
You’ll also hear:
 
 • Why Tiffany interviewed nearly 
20 advisors • before landing on Anjali
 • How financial planning goes way beyond investing (think: insurance, estate planning, and even grief support)
 • The real talk about debt: when it’s dangerous and when it can actually be a wealth-building tool
 • Tiffany’s behind-the-scenes stories of buying not one but TWO new properties — and the strategies that made it possible
 
This episode is equal parts financial glow-up and bestie therapy session. Whether you’re just starting out or already stacking assets, you’ll walk away with practical tips and a reminder that money is emotional and that’s okay.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How The Budgetnista And Anjali Jariwala Became a Financial Planning Power Couple [WASHDAY WOOSAH]

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with the brilliant Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman award-winning researcher, speaker, and author of The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid.
 
Anna breaks down the reality of the “double tax” that compounded cost of racism + sexism that women of color know all too well. From hair discrimination to pay inequity, resume “whitening” to broken rungs on the career ladder, Anna shows us the data behind our lived experiences and, most importantly, offers solutions for economic justice.
 
We get real about:
 
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Why “diversity vs. merit” is a false narrative (spoiler: they’re complements, not competitors).
 • 
 • 

The hidden financial and emotional toll of navigating workplaces as women of color.
 • 
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How Anna negotiated her first big offer (and walked away with $20K more 💅🏾).
 • 
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The role of allies — and why Chelsea Clinton writing her book’s foreword actually makes sense.
 • 
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Why Governor Lisa Cook’s fight matters for all of us, not just Black women.
 • 
 
Anna also shares her personal journey: from growing up Ghanaian-American to becoming a PhD candidate at Harvard, teaching future economists, and creating a pathway for the next generation of women of color in academia and beyond.
 
This isn’t just a convo about the problems — it’s about solutions, power moves, and creating change.
 
✨ Resources + Links Mentioned in This Episode:
 
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Grab Anna’s book: The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid
 • 
 • 

Follow Anna on IG: https://www.instagram.com/itsafronomics/?hl=en
 • 
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Learn more about the Sadie Collective: sadiecollective.org
 • 
 • 

Show your support: #WeStandWithLisaCook
 • 
 
Let’s Connect:
IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoney
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com
 
We launched a Patreon! 🎉
 
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Double Tax & Why It’s So Damn Expensive to Be a Woman of Color Ft. Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman

BA Fam, today’s Wash Day Woosah is a treat. We’ve got our girl Giovanna “Gigi” Gonzalez aka The First Gen Mentor, author of Cultura & Cash, and three-time BA guest back on the mic. But this time, she’s not joining us from Chicago… she’s calling in from Spain!
 
In this episode, Gigi shares the money moves and life decisions that made it possible for her and her husband to pack up and move abroad. We talk about:
 
 • The financial planning behind her big move (and what she 
wishes • she’d known sooner).
 • How she turned her biggest regret—never studying abroad—into a mid-career dream come true.
 • The not-so-sexy side of moving abroad: visas, taxes, and the Spanish version of the IRS (spoiler: don’t mess with Hacienda).
 • What’s surprised her most about living in Spain (yes, even the credit cards work differently).
 • Why she’s pushing for a Spanish-language version of her book to serve first-gen families across borders.
 
We also get real about career pivots, the rise and fall of DEI budgets, navigating relationships with neurodivergence, and why sometimes the real flex isn’t retiring early—it’s having the freedom to choose how and when you work.
 
Resources & Links:
 
 • Follow Gigi on IG and TikTok: 
@thefirstgenmentor • Grab her book 
Cultura en Cash • wherever you get your books
 • Join the BA Fam newsletter at 
brownambitionpodcast.com 
Let’s Connect:
IG: @brownambitionpodcast | @mandimoney
Email: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com
 
We launched a Patreon! 🎉
 
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Digital Nomads Can Move to Spain in 2025 ft. The First Gen Mentor Gigi Gonzalez [WASHDAY WOOSAH]

BA Fam, we’re in our investing bag today—and who better to guide us through this unpredictable market than Racquel Oden, Head of U.S. Wealth and Personal Banking for HSBC (yes, that HSBC)? With 30 years of experience under her belt, Racquel breaks it all the way down: why now *isn’t* the time to panic, how to pivot smartly, and what staying “active” with your money really means (spoiler: it’s not staring at your account every five minutes).
 
 
 
Mandi gets personal about her own portfolio (yes, she opened the statement during the episode), and Racquel walks her—and all of us—through what to look for, what questions to ask, and why we all need to stop avoiding our finances like that dentist appointment we keep pushing back. If you've been wondering whether you should move money, sit tight, or finally talk to a pro—this episode is your sign.
 
What We Discuss :
 
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Why market dips can actually be buying opportunities (especially in sectors like AI, healthcare, and utilities).
 • 
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The real definition of “active investing” (and why it doesn’t mean day trading).
 • 
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Why diversification > putting all your eggs in one stock basket.
 • 
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How to figure out your risk tolerance and time horizon like a grown-up.
 • 
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Why now is the perfect time for a financial check-in, not a freak-out.
 • 
 

LET’S STAY CONNECTED
 
Instagram: [@brownambitionpodcast](https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcast) 
 
Website: [brownambitionpodcast.com](https://www.brownambitionpodcast.com) 
 
Subscribe & leave us a review—because we love hearing from our BA fam!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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