Okay, BA fam—the same week you-know-who was sworn in for another term in office, we are doing what we do best — giving the 92% a platform where we can stand tall, be proud and lift one another up! This is a heartfelt, funny, and real conversation featuring BA host Mandi Woodruff-Santos along with guests Deesha Dyer and Errin Haines.

This episode is giving:

• The tea on gatekeeping in corporate America.
• Lessons on owning your identity unapologetically.
• Why finding joy and laughter is a radical act of self-care.
• Deesha shares highlights from her time as a White House social secretary (yes, she was running things for the Obama Administration) and the challenges of transitioning to life post-White House.
• Errin reflects on her career as a trailblazing journalist and her mission to amplify marginalized voices through her work with The 19th.

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

It’s inspiring, empowering, and straight-up hilarious at times. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the world on your shoulders, this one’s for you. Mandi, Deesha, and Errin remind us why community, authenticity, and joy are everything.

Let’s Keep It Going:

If you’re feeling this episode, share it with your squad! Don’t forget to rate, review, and tag us with your takeaways. Let’s keep lifting each other up.

• ✨ Laugh more. Stress less. Win big. ✨
• 
  

Follow the Guests:

• Deesha Dyer: @DeeDyer267
• Errin Haines: @emarvelous and The 19th

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Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA QA. This week, Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal and Chris Brown to tackle everything from auto refinancing, work-life balance, and credit card debt. Get the lowdown on shopping around for the best financial options, the complexities of managing debt versus investments, and more!

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

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Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA roundtable. Chris Browning of Popcorn Finance and

Yanely Espinal of MissBeHelpful are back and this week, we’re diving into everything from the burnout of multitasking to the impacts of California wildfires and shady home insurance practices. We tackle economic disparities, climate change’s effect on vulnerable communities, and pop culture drama—like Bad Bunny’s authenticity and Hollywood’s ongoing Me Too reckoning.

Plus, we explore journaling for mental health, the magic of minimalism, and frustrations with AI in customer service. Don’t miss our take on financial literacy education and navigating gender dynamics in the workplace. It’s real talk, fresh insights, and a sprinkle of inspiration—don’t sleep on this one!

HELP BLACK & BROWN HOMEOWNERS IMPACTED BY LA WILDFIRE:

This spreadsheet is going around with a list of funds for Altadena's Black families. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pK5omSsD4KGhjEHCVgcVw-rd4FZP9haoijEx1mSAm5c/htmlview?usp=sharing#

GoFundMe for Altadena residents:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-adonis-coach-ad-and-denise-jones-rebuild-after-fire?attribution_id=sl:e4229917-dd65-4e81-a0e9-7fa7d69440fa&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

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Kanoa Greene, the founder of Nakoa Adventure, a travel company dedicated to creating inclusive adventure experiences for the plus-size community is in the studio today, BA fam!

Kanoa shares her personal journey from corporate recruiter to entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. The discussion delves into the importance of representation in adventure sports, the need for better gear and resources for plus-size individuals, and the transformative power of movement and fitness. Kanoa emphasizes the significance of finding joy in physical activity and the importance of self-care in entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating their own journey of self-acceptance and empowerment.

Chapters

01:43 Nakoa: A Plus-Size Adventure Community

03:34 Overcoming Barriers in Adventure Sports

06:34 The Impact of Body Image on Adventure

08:45 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

14:50 Embracing Adventure as a Visually Impaired Person

26:56 Mental Health and Movement

32:57 Navigating Leadership Challenges

34:56 The Balance of Compassion and Directness

35:33 Building a Sustainable Business Model

Subscribe to The Brown Ambition Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@brownambitionpodcast/videos

Keep the party going with a visit to https://brownambitionpodcast.com

FOLLOW KANOA GREENE

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanoagreene

https://nakoaadventure.com/

FOLLOW THE BROWN AMBITION PODCAST

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcast

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brown-ambition-759572334/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brownambition/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brownambition

FOLLOW MANDI

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mandimoney

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maaandimoney

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Hey BA fam! It's time for another BA QA. This week, Mandi is joined by special guest, Popcorn Finance's Chris Browning, to navigate all of your burning financial questions. Wondering if you really need life insurance? We're breaking down what you should consider first, and the best options to look into. Plus, a look at the importance of understanding one's financial needs and the value of experience in the workplace.

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

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Hey Hey BA fam! Mandi here. This week, I'm joined by Chris Browning of Popcorn Finance and

Yanely Espinal of MissBeHelpful for the first ever BA Fam Roundtable.

During roundtables, I'm going to bring in a mix of friends, experts and maaaaybe a celeb or two(!?) and catch up on the latest topics in finance, career, pop culture, news and, yes, our real lives out here tryna survive in 2025 OK!

I am SO excited for this new era of BA and can't thank BA Fam enough for sticking by me! Moving forward, you can still expect to hear solo episodes from me, as well as episodes featuring one guest who can share their personal finance and career journeys. I'm gonna keep it fresh and keep mixing it up.

SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR BA Q&A:The 2025 mailbag is EMPTY! Ahhh... send us your questions e-mail us at [email protected] or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast

SUPPORT OUR SHOW:

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Hey BA fam! It's time for another throwback! In this week's How-To Monday, learn how to advance in your industry with a live career coaching call. In this episode, Mandi is joined by her cousin, Anna, a full-time college student with dreams of working in the med-spa industry. Listen in for some expert tools on how to set yourself apart in your field -- a key strategy for success. This is a great episode for anyone who are looking for creative ways to move up in your industry. Give it a listen!

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Hey, BA Fam! Are you ready to level up your career and make 2025 your most ambitious year yet? If you’re nodding along, I’ve got something amazing for you!

It’s called the Career Reboot Challenge. This 5-day challenge kicks off on January 15, and it’s packed with strategies to help you tackle the job market like a pro.

Here’s the part I’m most excited about: this challenge includes daily emails with exclusive video lessons from me, Mandi! Every day, I’ll walk you through actionable steps to make your career reboot a success. It’s like having your personal coach cheering you on every step of the way. And, you’ll also get two live group coaching calls with me, where we’ll dive deeper into your questions and challenges so you can get personalized advice.

So, if you’re ready to transform your career, don’t wait. Head over to mandimoney.com/career-reboot to sign up today.

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Happy New Year BA fam! It's time for another BA QA. To start the year off, we're offering key career advice that tackles everything from staffing changes to department uncertainty, and how to always take full control of your position within a company. Give it a listen!

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

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Hey BA fam! To start the new year with a bang, Mandi is tackling debt head on. Special guests Dasha Kennedy & Natalia Brown of National Debt Relief are hear to talk you through everything you need to know about debt relief. From the misconceptions surrounding debt relief services, and the emotional states of those seeking help, to the various options available for managing debt -- the discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding one's financial situation, recognizing fraudulent practices, and knowing when to seek professional assistance.

For more information on a variety of debt topics, feel free to visit National Debt Relief’s Resource page for more information on individual debt situations: https://www.nationaldebtrelief.com/resources/

Note: These show notes may contain link to affiliate products, from which we derive revenue.

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

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Hey BA fam! It's time for another How-To Monday. This week we're featuring Lacey Robinson, president and CEO of UnboundEd. UnboundEd is an education organization that offers standards-aligned resources and immersive Professional Learning for teachers and leaders seeking equity. Hear all about Lacey's book "Justice Seekers" and learn the key ways leaders can use the education system to create an environment where everyone succeeds.

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

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