Brown Ambition

In this Brown Table chat, Mandi sits down with Kiersten Saunders co‑author of “Cashing Out” and co‑host of Rich & Regular to talk about what it really looks like to walk away from corporate in 2026 without blowing up your life. They get into why the message of “cashing out” hits different now that layoffs, Trump‑era uncertainty, and AI chaos have Black women rethinking their careers all over again.
Kiersten shares what surprised her most in six years of entrepreneurship, from detoxing corporate habits to riding out a brutal few years for creators and brand deals. She and Mandi get real about breadwinner fatigue, health insurance math, mom guilt, and the panic‑scrolling nights where LinkedIn starts looking a little too tempting.
They also dig into: how to tell the difference between burnout and “I need to quit today,” why your nervous system not just your budget has to be part of your exit plan, and the underrated power of hyper‑local community, borrowing, and free resources when you’re building a softer, more sustainable life. Plus, Mandi and Kiersten confess how they really use AI to talk themselves off the ledge on tough days.
If you’ve been side‑eyeing your 9‑to‑5, flirting with creator life, or just craving more freedom without losing your mind (or your money), this episode is your permission slip to rethink what “cashing out” looks like for you.

Stay Connected
-Get a copy of What Do You Need by Lauren-Wesley-Wilson
- Email your questions: [email protected].
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s BA Q&A, Mandi answers a listener question about student loan deferment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), emergency savings, and navigating major life transitions without blowing up your financial stability.
Sydney, a 34-year-old nurse, is three years away from qualifying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). While pursuing her master’s degree, her loans are currently in in-school deferment. She’s also planning to sell her home, purchase a new one closer to work, and manage a $600 monthly car payment.
Her big question:
Should she continue making $500 student loan payments during deferment — or pause and focus on building savings?

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) actually works
Whether payments made during in-school deferment count toward PSLF
How to prioritize between student loans, emergency savings, and a car loan
Why a 3-month emergency fund may not be enough in today’s economy
How to prepare financially for buying and selling a home
What to do if you’re worried about changes to federal student loan forgiveness
Stay Connected
- Email your questions: [email protected].
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with Lauren Wesley Wilson, founder of ColorComm, for a powerful conversation on career advancement, entrepreneurship, and building a recession-resistant business. Lauren breaks down what it really takes to secure major corporate partnerships and why brands like Google and Delta Air Lines partnered with her not just because of a great idea, but because of consistent execution, responsiveness, and results.
We also unpack:
How to navigate layoffs and take control of your job search
The hidden politics of remote and hybrid work
Corporate sponsorship strategy for entrepreneurs
The realities Black women founders face when pivoting in today’s economic climate
Why sustainability in business is not “selling out”
If you’re navigating a career transition, building a brand, or looking to grow a business in a shifting economy, this episode is your masterclass in playing the long game.

Gems from This Episode
Visibility is strategic, not accidental.
Influence inside companies is often hidden.
Corporate partnerships are built on trust and execution.
Sustainability is not betrayal.
You can expand without abandoning your core.

Stay Connected
-Get a copy of What Do You Need by Lauren-Wesley-Wilson
- Email your questions: [email protected].
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's BA Q&A Mandi is getting real about reinvention, risk, and responsibility. A listener in her 50s is ready to pivot careers but she’s not trying to blow up her financial “safety” to do it. In this economy? Whew. The fear is valid. But as Mandi reminds us, a pivot doesn’t have to be reckless to be powerful.
She breaks down how to make bold moves without making jarring ones:
Set a minimum salary floor so you know your non-negotiables

Max out your retirement catch-up contributions (don’t play about your future)

Build savings while creating a real plan to tackle debt strategically

And most importantly, pivot in stages (you don’t have to leap without a net)

Then she dives into part two of the question: facing down $45,000 in debt. Mandi shares practical best practices for staying ahead of debt, the mindset shifts required, and the common obstacles that trip people up from lifestyle creep to inconsistent income to avoidance.
Take a listen. Take notes. And remember, BA Fam—we don’t panic pivot, we plan pivot.
Join The 5-Day Career Reboot Challenge
Stay Connected
- Email your questions: [email protected].
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi is joined by the one & only Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche and it feels like a homecoming.
Tiffany is back to catch us up on everything happening behind the scenes. From exciting updates about the evolution (and new name!) of the Live Richer Academy to the release of the paperback edition of her New York Times bestselling book Get Good With Money, she shares what this current season of life and business looks like.
But this conversation goes deeper than accolades and announcements.Mandi and Tiffany take a walk down memory lane, reflecting on the early days of Brown Ambition and the foundation that built the BA community we know today. Then the conversation shifts into something more personal and powerful. Tiffany opens up about her ongoing journey with grief, how it has reshaped her perspective, and what healing looks like in real time.
And because this is BA, we also get the tea on what’s next including what Tiffany is cooking up for her next book.This episode is heartfelt, reflective, and full circle. For the OG BA Fam, it truly feels like coming back home.
Stay Connected
- Email your questions: [email protected].
- Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.