In this episode of Brown Buzz, Mandi Money is breaking down the latest headlines, from the 2026 midterm elections and what comes next for voters to the online showdown between political commentator Angela Rye and influencer Brandi the Millennial Manager. Who gets a seat at the political table, and when does expertise turn into straight-up gatekeeping? Mandi has some thoughts!

Then, we're talking about money, careers, and corporate accountability. Canva and Block are making major workforce cuts, but some of the severance benefits might surprise you. Mandi dives into what companies owe employees when layoffs happen and why a little humanity in corporate America can go a long way.

Plus, Affordable Care Act premiums are on the rise AGAIN! With open enrollment underway, Mandi breaks down the reported increases, what they could mean for your wallet, and why shopping around for healthcare coverage matters more than ever. And of course, we're closing things out with a Brown Boost or Brown Break! Mandi is still recovering from the Atlanta Dream's heartbreaking WNBA Finals loss, but she's finding a little joy in the political wins coming out of Georgia.

In This Episode, We're Talking About:

• The 2026 Midterms: Celebrating election victories while asking the bigger question: What's next, and how do we hold elected officials accountable?
• Angela Rye vs. Brandi the Millennial Manager: The viral political feud sparking conversations about expertise, elitism, and who deserves a voice.
• Canva & Block Layoffs: Major corporate restructuring, severance packages, and what workers should expect when companies make cuts.
• AI & Wall Street: How the election results could impact AI companies, data centers, and the stock market.
• Healthcare Costs Are Climbing: ACA premium increases, open enrollment, and what consumers should consider before choosing coverage.
• Brown Boost or Brown Break: Mandi's emotional roller coaster as an Atlanta Dream fan and her excitement over Georgia politics.

BA Fam, Let's Talk!

Are you feeling hopeful about the election results? What do you think about the Angela Rye and Brandi controversy? And if rising healthcare premiums are hitting your pockets, Mandi wants to hear from you!

Email brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or connect with us on Instagram @BrownAmbitionPodcast.

And don't forget to share this episode with a friend, leave a review, and keep the conversation going!

Pre-order Mandi's book: Brown Ambition: How to Reboot Your Career and Money When Life Knocks You Off Track at BrownAmbitionBook.com.

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The blue tsunami came. Democrats took the House and the Senate, and Georgia elected Keisha Lance Bottoms, the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history. So we’re bringing back Mandi’s conversation with one of the architects of this moment: Stacey Abrams.

In a new intro recorded the morning after the 2026 midterms, Mandi explains why this one couldn’t wait. Then we go back to January 26, 2026, when Mandi and Stacey talked in the middle of the ICE raids in Minneapolis and a federal shutdown fight. A lot has changed since then. What Stacey says about power, money and not letting fear make you small hits even harder now.

In this episode:

• Stacey’s 10 Steps framework: how to recognize authoritarianism, and her 10 Steps to Freedom for fighting it

• Why “nonviolent” doesn’t mean “passive”

• “We don’t all have to do the same thing, but we all have to do something”

• Why status is not safety, and why our safety is in our numbers

• How Stacey handled six-figure debt in the public eye

• Her unsexy money systems: two side-by-side budgets and a “freedom fund” she can’t touch

• What she looks for before investing in a friend’s business

• Her comfort watch, and why joy is a form of resistance

Winning isn’t the finish line. The folks we just elected work for us now. Pick one action from the toolkit and do it this week.

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This week, Mandi Money is breaking down everything from a three-year-old soccer star making headlines for all the wrong reasons to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders finally making moves toward getting the respect (and compensation!) they deserve. Because let's be clear: exposure doesn't pay the bills, and prestige isn't a benefits package!

We're also talking about some major corporate shakeups. With Microsoft offering employee buyouts and DoorDash making a multibillion-dollar move to acquire Instacart, Mandi is sharing what workers need to know before making their next career move. Whether you're considering a severance package or wondering if your position might be on the chopping block, the message is simple: Don't panic. Prepare. And always have your receipts ready.

Plus, we're getting into the conversation surrounding The Lip Bar, founder Melissa Butler, and the pressure Black-owned businesses face when trying to grow without alienating the communities that helped build them. Can we hold corporations accountable while still giving Black entrepreneurs the grace they deserve? Mandi has thoughts!

And before we wrap, we're talking about the importance of showing up at the polls, celebrating the Atlanta Dream, and making sure our voices are heard both on and off the court.Because around here, we're not just keeping up with the headlines. We're figuring out what they mean for our money, our careers, and our communities.

In This Episode, We're Talking About:

• When Being Too Good Becomes a Problem: Three-year-old soccer standout Nevada Pierre goes viral after police are called to his game, sparking a bigger conversation about race, fairness, and protecting young Black talent.
• The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Know Their Worth: Why their push toward unionization is about more than a paycheck, and what every working woman can learn from their fight.
• Microsoft Buyouts: Take the Money or Stay Put? Mandi breaks down why a voluntary exit package isn't always the golden ticket it appears to be and what to consider before signing.
• DoorDash, Instacart & Corporate Shakeups: What a $17 billion acquisition could mean for employees and why now is the time to update your résumé, reconnect with your network, and document your wins.
• The Lip Bar Controversy: Melissa Butler responds to criticism surrounding the brand's relationship with Target, and Mandi weighs in on why Black-owned businesses deserve room to grow, evolve, and succeed.
• Brown Boost of the Week: A reminder to make your voice count at the polls and a whole lot of love for the Atlanta Dream!

Mandi's Money & Career Gems

💰 Know your value. Loving your job doesn't mean you should accept less than you deserve.

💼 A buyout is a financial decision, not an emotional one. Read the fine print, understand your benefits, and run the numbers before making your move.

📈 Stay ready so you don't have to get ready. Keep your résumé updated, build your professional network, and document the impact of your work.

💸 Protect your financial future. An emergency fund and a solid career backup plan can make all the difference when corporate changes come knocking.

🖤 Support Black-owned businesses with intention. Accountability matters, but so does recognizing the realities of entrepreneurship and what it takes to keep a business alive.

Join the Conversation!

BA Fam, we want to hear from you!

Have you ever accepted a voluntary buyout? Did it turn out to be a blessing or a decision you regretted? And where do you stand on the conversation surrounding The Lip Bar?

Pre-order Mandi's book, Brown Ambition: How to Reboot Your Career and Money When Life Knocks You Off Track, at BrownAmbitionBook.com

📲 Instagram: @BrownAmbitionPodcast

📧 Email: BrownAmbitionPodcast@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.