Brown Ambition

What happens when you spend years pouring everything into your career, relationships, and success only to realize they aren’t pouring the same love back into you?
In this episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with journalist and author Tiffany D. Cross to talk about her new book, Love, Me: A Letter to Black Women in a Toxic Country, Career, and Relationship.
Tiffany opens up about her very public exit from MSNBC, rebuilding her life after career heartbreak, and the difficult process of learning to recognize her own value. Together, Mandi and Tiffany explore the parallels between toxic workplaces and toxic relationships—and why so many of us chase validation through promotions, titles, money, and other people’s approval.
They also talk about financial security, building your own table instead of waiting for a seat, the power of community, and why Black women need to think differently about career success, wealth, and what we’re building for the next generation.
Plus, Tiffany makes a passionate case for putting down the phone, picking up a book, and remembering that the algorithm is not the blueprint.
In this episode:
Tiffany Cross on leaving MSNBC and starting over

Career burnout, workplace validation, and knowing your worth

Toxic relationships and toxic workplaces

Financial security and building wealth

Creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for a seat

Community, Black women, and building for the next generation

Why reading and learning still matter in the age of social media

BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT: Also, we're thrilled to announce the Brown Ambition Book Club is back! And Tiffany's book is our September/October selection. We're giving 5 lucky listeners a FREE copy -- be sure to listen to the full episode to find out how to get yours!
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September can be a powerful time to get visible, activate your network, and pursue the next role—but smart career strategy is not just about landing a new job. It is also about protecting your options before year-end budget decisions and possible restructurings. In this solo episode, Mandi shares how to use the fall hiring window, make yourself easier to hire, and create a no-panic layoff-readiness plan for your career and your money.

In this episode, Mandi covers:
• How to get specific about the role and work you want next
• Why real conversations can be more useful than online salary data alone
• A simple outreach script to reconnect with your network
• How to refresh your résumé and LinkedIn without overthinking either one
• Why 2–5 strong-fit applications can beat dozens of random ones
• How to prepare for possible reorgs or layoffs without spiraling
• Why you cannot afford to be the best-kept secret in your industry

Get the free September Career Reset Toolkit
https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/september

Want every script and checklist from this episode in one place? Download Mandi’s free September Career Reset Toolkit, including the target-role Mad Lib, networking and reconnect-message templates, résumé and LinkedIn refresh checklist, job-search pipeline tracker, raise and promotion conversation prompts, and layoff-readiness plan.

>>> Start here: two scripts from today’s episode

Define your target role

“I am targeting [role] opportunities in [industry or type of company] where I can use [two to three skills] to help solve [a specific business problem].”

Reconnect with someone in your network

“Hey [Name], I hope you had a good summer. I’ve been thinking about the work I want to focus on next, and I’m exploring [target role or field]. I’ve always respected your perspective on [specific reason]. If you have 20 minutes this month, I’d love to catch up and hear what you’re seeing in the industry. No pressure at all if your calendar is packed.”

The 15-second LinkedIn test:
If a hiring manager saw your LinkedIn profile for 15 seconds, could they tell what you do, who you help, and what results you create?

Stay connected
• Download Mandi’s Nail Your Negotiation Toolkit for 25+ scripts to help you negotiate compensation and advocate for yourself.: https://www.mandimoney.com/shop/p/nail-the-negotiation-17-word-for-word-scripts-to-help-you-negotiate-like-a-boss-without-ever-leaving-money-on-the-table-again

• Subscribe to the Brown Ambition newsletter.
• Watch full-length Brown Ambition video episodes on YouTube.
• Follow Brown Ambition on Instagram: @brownambitionpodcast
• Follow Mandi on Instagram:
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This week's BA Q&A, Mandi is joined by friend of the show Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional to answer a question from Serena, a 28-year-old multi-passionate entrepreneur torn between beauty and holistic health.
Naseema drops gems on the power of niching down, embracing your unique story, and positioning yourself as a Key Person of Influence. If you’re feeling stuck between passions and need clarity on how to turn your ideas into a purposeful business, this episode is for you.
🔑 Highlights:
Why failing fast is essential to the entrepreneurial journey

How to build your business by owning your story and defining your niche

📚 Book rec: Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley (as recommended by Naseema)

💌 Got a question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us on IG @brownambitionpodcast
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Hey BA Fam! Mandi Money is back with a Brown Boost, Brown Break because there’s simply too much happening to stay quiet.
First, Mandi turns her attention to Gary, Indiana, where tens of thousands of residents were left without power following severe storms. She talks about what the crisis reveals about racial inequity, the communities that too often get overlooked by mainstream media, and why voices like Keith Lee and other independent creators have become so important in bringing attention to stories that deserve national coverage.
Then, it’s time for a much-needed Brown Boost. Mandi celebrates journalist Karen Attiah’s arbitration victory against The Washington Post after challenging her firing with the support of her union. Her win opens up a bigger conversation about Black women in media, workplace power, racial double standards, press freedom, unions, and what can happen when workers have the resources to fight back.
And because we could all use a little inspiration, Mandi closes things out with a Brown Ambition rewind featuring Nassima McElroy and her incredible journey of paying off nearly $1 million in debt as a single mother.
It’s a reminder that sometimes the system fails us, sometimes fighting back works, and sometimes the comeback story is exactly what we need to hear.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
If you’d like to support Gary, Indiana residents impacted by the August storms or find assistance:
Greater Gary Storm Recovery and Relief Fund: Donate through Legacy Foundation — Donations support emergency relief and disaster response for Gary residents.

The Salvation Army — August 2026 Indiana Disaster Response: Donate and find disaster relief information — Supporting food, shelter, supplies, and other emergency assistance across affected Indiana communities.

Indiana August 2026 Disaster Resource Hub: Apply for assistance and find recovery resources — Includes information on the State Disaster Relief Fund and emergency aid grants of up to $5,000 for eligible residents.

Indiana 211: Call 211 or 866-211-9966 for assistance and to report storm damage. (Indiana Government)

Support Karen Attiah:
Mandi also recommends supporting independent journalism by following Karen Attiah’s reader-supported newsletter, The Golden Hour.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mandi responds to a listener trying to help her 59-year-old mother recover from a costly retirement mistake after medically retiring from a job she held for 19 years. After discovering her mom had just $36,000 left and had accidentally withdrawn her retirement balance instead of rolling it into an IRA the listener is left figuring out how to protect what's left without creating an even bigger tax or benefits problem.
What starts as a question about a 401(k) withdrawal turns into a bigger conversation about helping aging parents navigate retirement. Mandi breaks down the 60-day rollover window, taxes, income-based assistance, and the questions they need to ask Fidelity before making another move.
She also explains why the "perfect" financial advice doesn't always fit real life. Sometimes the goal isn't keeping every retirement dollar untouched it's creating a plan that balances accessible cash, benefits, taxes, and long-term security without putting the entire responsibility on one person's shoulders.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.