BA Q&A: Are Company Background Checks Legit?

Hey BA fam! We're digging back in the BA vault for a classic Q&A. Pregnant Penny needs advice on how to ask for a raise while pregnant. From breaking down the importance of standing up for oneself to how to plan ahead of maternity leave, your financial sisters have it covered. We want to hear from you! Drop us a note at [email protected] or hit us up on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Women’s History Month, BA Fam! 🎉 In this powerful roundtable, Mandi Money sits down with money expert Bernadette Joy (author of Crush Your Money Goals) and financial freedom advocate Kiersten Saunders of Rich & Regular for an honest, layered conversation about what it really looks like to build wealth as women—especially women of color—in today’s economy. They break down: The gap between entrepreneurship growth and actual funding Why traditional wealth advice doesn’t always work for us The pressure women face to overwork, over-explain, and over-give How to stop overanalyzing and start executing From angel investing to paying off debt, this episode is about rejecting average outcomes and creating a new playbook. One takeaway: Do something today.Move $10. Sell something. Update your budget. Just start. Because building wealth isn’t about perfection,t’s about momentum.   Stay Connected   - Email your questions: [email protected] Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi Money welcomes Dr. Judith Joseph, a psychiatrist and author of 'High Functioning'. They discuss the concept of high functioning depression, the importance of reclaiming joy in mental health, and Dr. Judith's 5 Vs framework for healing. Mandi shares her personal experiences with depression and anxiety, emphasizing the need for emotional well-being amidst productivity.  The conversation highlights the difference between happiness and joy, encouraging listeners to identify small moments of joy in their daily lives. In this conversation, the speakers explore the concept of joy and its significance in mental health. They discuss practical strategies for cultivating joy, including tracking points of joy, the importance of sleep, and the impact of social media. The conversation also delves into the biopsychosocial model of well-being, the challenges of perimenopause, and the importance of meaningful relationships. The RESET method is introduced as a tool for managing digital well-being, and the speakers highlight the unique struggles of women of color with high functioning depression. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and community support in achieving happiness.   Stay Connected   -Get a copy of High Functioning by Dr. Judith Joseph,- Email your questions: [email protected] Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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   - 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.

In this week’s BA Q&A Mandi answers a listener question that gets straight to the point: How do employers actually verify where we’ve worked and what information are they collecting about us behind the scenes. We dive into the world of work verification and big data, including platforms like WorkMarket, and unpack how employers confirm employment history, income, and background details in today’s digital-first hiring process.    In this episode, we cover: How employers verify past employment What WorkMarket is and how it fits into the hiring ecosystem The role of big data in background checks How to review, protect, and correct your employment data Because being financially informed also means being data-aware.   Stay Connected  - Email your questions: [email protected] Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Brown Ambition, MandiMoney sits down with actor, content creator, and entrepreneur Kaisha Huguley (aka Kaisha Creates) for a real conversation about layoffs, self-belief, and choosing yourself—especially when the plan falls apart. Kaisha  opens up about being laid off from her 9–5, navigating seasonal depression, and the mindset shifts that helped her bet on herself and build multiple income streams. From acting and content creation to brand deals and financial planning with a partner, this episode is packed with honesty, strategy, and encouragement for anyone moving through an uncertain career season. Whether you’ve been laid off, are considering entrepreneurship, or just need a reminder that your worth isn’t tied to a job title this one’s for you.   What We Get Into 00:00 – Introduction & personal reflections 00:37 – Welcome to Brown Ambition 00:47 – Meet today’s guest: Kaisha Huguley 01:01 – Kisha’s journey & career coaching work 02:06 – A word for listeners navigating layoffs 03:13 – Celebrating Brown Ambition’s renewal 04:14 –Kaisha s layoff story 07:18 – Choosing full-time entrepreneurship 09:43 – Balancing acting & content creation 16:12 – Seasonal depression & career uncertainty 24:20 – Teaching, social media, and staying afloat 28:52 – Pitching yourself & securing brand deals 40:47 – Corporate burnout & workplace realities 42:03 – Choosing entrepreneurship every day 43:39 – Financial uncertainty & faith in the process 44:30 – Podcasting, debt payoff & money transparency 45:21 – Financial planning as a couple 55:31 – Managing money as an entrepreneur 57:17 – Retirement, investing & long-term planning 01:09:32 – Reflecting on the entrepreneurial journey 01:13:42 – Gratitude, community & paying it forward 01:16:30 – Final thoughts & wrap-up   Key Takeaways A layoff can be an ending and a beginning Self-belief is a muscle—you build it through action Multiple income streams don’t mean chaos when you plan intentionally Mental health and financial health go hand in hand Entrepreneurship is a daily choice, not a one-time leap Stay Connected  - Email your questions: [email protected] Send a voice note or DM on IG: @brownambitionpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.