Best The First Gen Mentor Podcasts (2025)

1
How to Plan Financially When You're Living With a Chronic Illness ft. Gigi The First Gen Mentor 30:35

15d ago30:35

30:35

BA Fam, send us your financial, career and everything-in-between questions! Submit via email at [email protected] or DM us @brownambitionpodcast on IG. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Reclaiming My Space, Speaking My Truth [Solo BA QA] 42:32

1d ago42:32

42:32

Hey BA Fam! This week I’m coming to you from Cleveland, where I’m soaking up all the love (and ALL the nostalgia) at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention. It’s been a full-circle moment walking back into this space, not as a reporter for a big outlet, but as Mandi Woodruff-Santos, aka Mandi Money, host of Brown Ambition! We’re t…

1
Ep 20: Is entrepreneurship right for you? 43:58

2d ago43:58

43:58

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 2 of the Cultura & Cash! Today I’m answering all your entrepreneurship questions! After 4 years of entrepreneurship, I have lots of gems to share.🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: •Phoenix author stop on 9/11/25•HHM: Still booking speaking ev…

1
How to Tell If That “Black-Owned” Brand Is Still for Us 1:00:29

3d ago1:00:29

1:00:29

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode of Brown Ambition, Mandi is joined by Alexa Claire and first-time guest Mia Brabham Nolan for a vibrant conversation full of career advice, pop culture takes, and real talk on entrepreneurship and Black excellence. The three dive into everything from half-birthdays and pop culture dry spells to the real ch…

1
The Safe Option – Building Gluten-Free Confidence with Sonny Wells, Founder of Sonny’s 37:05

4d ago37:05

37:05

In this episode, Chris Fletcher sits down with Sonny Wells, founder of Sonny’s – the soon-to-launch fast-casual food brand with a mission to make eating out safer and more inclusive for people with allergies, especially coeliacs. Sonny shares his personal journey through a difficult diagnosis, what sparked the idea for Sonny’s in Dubai, and how a c…

1
How Ambitious Women Can Find (and Keep) True Love ft. Francesca Hogi & Spicy Mari [Washday Woosah] 1:10:21

6d ago1:10:21

1:10:21

Hey BA Fam! On today's Washday Woosah, we’re sitting down with two amazing, talented, and intelligent women: author of How to Find True Love: Unlock your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships, relationship coach, podcast host, TED speaker, and certified matchmaker Francesca Hogi, and relationship coach, host of Netflix's Sneaky Links, and …

1
Cyber Security in the Age of AI with Naveed Islam CISO at Dojo 33:33

9d ago33:33

33:33

Cybersecurity with Naveed Islam, CISO at Dojo In this special edition of the Tech on Toast Podcast, host Chris Fletcher sits down with Naveed Islam, Chief Information Security Officer at Dojo, to unpack the state of cybersecurity in today’s AI-powered, hyper-digital world. From phishing scams and data breaches to quantum threats and ransomware-as-a…

1
Solo Show: How Mandi's Coaching Women Through This Incredibly Competitive Job Market 38:56

10d ago38:56

38:56

Hey BA Fam! Mandi is flying solo this week, and whew—she came with heart, and hard truths. She’s breaking down what’s really going on in today’s job market beyond the headlines, and what she’s learning from working 1:1 with high-achieving women who are stuck in the “I have the résumé, but why can’t I get the offer?” cycle. Spoiler: It’s not your ré…

1
Leadership Lounge: From Firefighting to Future-Building: How Leaders Can Master Perpetual Transformation 21:41

10d ago21:41

21:41

Transformation is no longer a project with a distinct beginning, middle, and end—it's the water leaders swim in. For leaders, the ability to lead through perpetual transformation has become mission critical. In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to four of our trusted advisors—Bob Marcus, Hetty Pye, Sean Dineen, and Alain Ishak—who share th…

1
Built in Minutes, Made for Mobile | Tech On Toast x 24social 33:07

11d ago33:07

33:07

Guest: Gab Lopez, MD at 24social (MVG Media) Host: Chris Fletcher Series: Tech on Toast Season Sponsored by Deliverect This Week’s Slice: What if building a pub website took less time than pouring a pint? Chris sits down with Gab Lopez, MD of 24social, to talk about making websites work for hospitality – not the other way around. From their AI-powe…

1
Ep. 19 Update- life in Spain 3 months in 41:30

11d ago41:30

41:30

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 2 of the Cultura & Cash! Today I’m sharing how life has been since I moved to Spain 3 months ago.🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: •2025 book tour stops coming to a city near you•HHM: Still booking speaking event for HHM•An update on the Span…

1
How to Be The Kind of Boss Your Team Needs ft. Sabina Nawaz! 38:51

13d ago38:51

38:51

Hey BA fam! For this Washday Woosah episode, we are welcomed by CEO Coach, keynote speak, and author of “YOU'RE THE BOSS: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)”, Sabina Nawaz! During this episode, Sabina discusses being able to understand the complex connection between power and pressure as a workplace manager, and how to turn the hid…

1
When Will This Dumspter Fire End? 1:09:39

17d ago1:09:39

1:09:39

We’re back, BA Fam! After surviving a morning of tech chaos (and some truly humbling camera angles), your favorite financial BFFs are back at the brown table— and we’ve got a lot to say. Mandi shares how motherhood keeps her grounded (and off the doomscroll), and Yanely drops gems on supporting immigrant parents while building wealth. Plus, we get …

1
From Bacon Butties to Brand Building – Le Swine x 93FT 53:28

18d ago53:28

53:28

This week, Chris Fletcher is joined by two guests with serious flavour and flair: James Packham, founder of cult bacon sandwich brand Le Swine, and Nick Clark, founder and MD of Sheffield-based creative studio 93FT. What starts with a bacon butty turns into a masterclass in brand building, creative bravery, and how friendship can drive business suc…

1
The 7 Trust Languages of Work ft. Minda Harts [Washday Woosah] 43:56

20d ago43:56

43:56

This week’s BA Q&A, Mandi is joined by powerhouse author, filmmaker, and workplace equity consultant Minda Harts to talk about how we build trust, advocate for ourselves, and demand more from the spaces we show up in—especially as women of color. Minda opens up about her latest book, Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace…

1
27 Years Old And Starting Over — Where Do I Begin? [BA QA] 24:48

22d ago24:48

24:48

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 Influenc…

1
How Mandi Fell for a $700 Beyoncé Bait 'n Switch 42:17

24d ago42:17

42:17

This week, Mandi is joined at the Brown Table by friend of the show, nurse and financial educator Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional. The two get real about motherhood, love, career breaks, and all the chaos in between—from co-parenting struggles to Beyoncé ticket drama. Naseema shares an update on her mini retirement and an upcoming mommy-…

1
From Chaos to Clarity: How Bain Capital’s John Connaughton Leads Through Volatility 36:46

24d ago36:46

36:46

While the terms “uncertainty” and “volatility” get thrown around a lot, they certainly describe what’s going on now in global markets, especially when it comes to private equity. In this episode of Redefiners, Clarke Murphy and Marla Oates talk with Bain Capital Co-Managing Partner John Connaughton to get his take on leading through change. As some…

1
From Parties to Payments: How TripleSeat Is Fixing Events Tech 29:41

25d ago29:41

29:41

In this episode, Chris is joined by Nikki Perry, VP of Product at TripleSeat, who flew in from Boston for her very first visit to London. They dive into Nikki’s journey from bussing tables at 13 to leading product strategy at one of the most exciting events platforms in hospitality tech.Expect a brilliant blend of real-world hospitality experience …

1
Dr. Jatali Bellanton: From Med School Dreams to Big Bank Moves, Kids Who Bank—and Finding Her Washday Woosah 1:00:08

27d ago1:00:08

1:00:08

🎙️ Hey BA Fam! We’re back with a brilliant BA Q&A! Mandi sits down with Dr. Jatali Bellanton—Angel Investor, financial literacy powerhouse, and founder of Kids Who Bank—to talk about the game-changing power of mentorship and building teams that actually work. Whether you’re dreaming up your first business or scaling your empire, this convo is a mus…

1
How- to Choose the Right Business Bank Account [BA QA] 20:08

29d ago20:08

20:08

Hey BA Fam! We’re back with a classic BA Q&A. Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal (aka MissBeHelpful) and Marc Russell from BetterWallet to answer Amber’s question: What should I look for when opening a business bank account—and what are the red flags? Whether you’re launching a side hustle or running a full-on business, this convo breaks down what r…

1
Baby Bonds, Tax Confusion & Essence Fest Mayhem 1:27:42

1M ago1:27:42

1:27:42

In this week’s Brown Table, Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal (@missbehelpful) and Marc Russell from Better Wallet to break down the new “baby bonds” launching in 2025 (if your baby’s already here... sorry, you missed the cutoff 😅).We also get into the mess around the so-called “Social Security tax credit” (spoiler: it’s not a credit), and why that…

1
Radio Voice, Rebrands & Really Good POS – With Jamie White from WRS 30:19

1M ago30:19

30:19

What do Isle of Wight ferries, dirty tables, and KFC at midnight have in common? This episode. Chris is joined by the silky-voiced Jamie White, Head of Business Development at WRS, fresh off the back of a brand revamp (RIP “Systems”) and full of stories from hospitality, media, and SaaS trenches. 🧠 Whether you’re a single-site pub or a 100-venue gr…

1
Media Maven Gabrielle Gambrell, Hachette Book Group's Chief Communications Officer [Washday Woosah] 1:00:41

1M ago1:00:41

1:00:41

Welcome to Washday Woosah, BA Fam! It's the Sunday slow-down you need, something to listen to while you're doing the laundry, deep conditioning, or simply enjoying a nice quiet moment of relaxation before the Sunday scaries start to hit. If you needed a sign to play matchmaker for your friends, this episode is it! Gabrielle and I were "set up" by a…

1
How to Deal With Tr*mp Tax Cuts & A Crazy Competitive Job Market 29:09

1M ago29:09

29:09

Hey BA Fam! Mandi's riding solo today for the brown table and sharing insights on the biggest headlines that impact your wallet. New here? Join us three times a week: 💼 Washday Woosah (Sunday interviews with inspiring guests) 🪑 Brown Table Wednesdays (group chat energy, always) 🎤 BA Q&A Fridays + Conversations! (your money + career questions answer…

1
Banking on AI: How Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti Is Rewriting the AI Playbook 41:34

1M ago41:34

41:34

The world has gone through several technology transformations in the past 30+ years. From the launch of the Internet to the rise of mobile, cloud computing, digital transformation, and now AI transformation. In our second live recording of Redefiners, Clarke Murphy goes in-studio at Goldman Sachs to talk with someone who’s been through it all and c…

1
Building the Standard: How Marka is Changing Sustainability in Hospitality 37:58

1M ago37:58

37:58

In this episode of the Tech on Toast Podcast, Chris chats with Rob Bowie, co-founder of Marker, the UK’s first standardised sustainability rating for hospitality. Rob shares the journey behind launching Marka with co-founder Chiara, and how their gamified platform is helping restaurants, pubs and cafés take tangible steps toward sustainability—with…

1
How to Reclaim Rest and Finally Burn The Cape ft. Dr. Raquel Martin [Washday Woosah] 48:02

1M ago48:02

48:02

Hey Ba Fam! It's Mandi — yes, human me! And yes, I use em-dashes in real life! This ain't Chatgpt! Ok, so you might be surprised (hopefully delighted!) to see new episode of the show in your feed on a Sunday. I used to reserve my one-on-one guest interviews for our Monday show, but you know what....Sundays make so much more sense. It's wash day. Fo…

1
How to Avoid Reward Credit Card Honey Traps [BA QA] 24:22

1M ago24:22

24:22

BA fam, we’re diving deep into the world of credit cards this week! Mandi, Yanely (aka MissBeHelpful), and Chris Browning break down the newest updates to premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, and Capital One Venture X. From new streaming perks to rising annual fees (hi, $795!), they weigh in on what’s actually worth it and …

1
How Are We Supposed to Parent Our Parents? 1:24:12

2M ago1:24:12

1:24:12

BA Fam! We’re back at the Brown Table with your faves—Yanely Espinal (aka MissBeHelpful) and Chris Browning catching up on all the things. Mandi shares some big news: her dad got a kidney (!!) and the story behind it will have you in your feels and thinking hard about health in our communities. Then we get into the heavy stuff—yes, the U.S. bombed …

1
Level Up: How On-Demand Pay is Changing Hospitality for Good 30:09

2M ago30:09

30:09

In this episode of the Tech on Toast Podcast, Chris Fletcher chats with Archie Heaton, Head of Commercial at Level, the salary-linked financial wellbeing platform that’s making waves in hospitality. We dive into: Archie’s journey from Microsoft and Xbox to startup life What on-demand pay really is—and why it’s not a debt trap How Level compares to …

1
How to Brace For America's Next Civil War ft. Hood Feminism Author Mikki Kendall 58:45

2M ago58:45

58:45

Hey BA Fam! Things are about to get juicy! In this episode, Mandi sits down with the fearless author and activist Mikki Kendall, whose groundbreaking work Hood Feminism is reshaping how we think about feminism, community, and survival. Mikki dives deep into her journey navigating personal growth, relationships, and the challenges of confronting whi…

1
No More Black Momma Struggle P*rn (ft. Elizabeth Ayoola & Haniyah Philogene) 1:06:43

2M ago1:06:43

1:06:43

At the Brown Table this week, Mandi is joined by first-time BA guests Elizabeth Ayoola, host of Smart Money by NerdWallet, and Haniyah Philogene, lifestyle reporter at TheGrio. They dive into the chaotic beauty of career pivots, being Black women in media, and the emotional labor of storytelling. We talk motherhood, dating, the cost of protective s…

1
Leadership Lounge: Generation Collaboration: How Leaders Can Harness the Power of Multi-Generational Teams 18:20

2M ago18:20

18:20

Today, leaders are working side-by-side with up to five different generations. This creates both significant challenges and unique opportunities for building cohesive, high-performing teams. In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—Kat Armstrong, Paco Ruiz-Maza, and Michelle Mion—who share their perspectives on…

1
Joe Heather – From OMP to Puppies, Scaling Deliverect Across Europe 41:57

2M ago41:57

41:57

This week on the Tech on Toast Podcast, Chris sits down with the always-insightful Joe Heather, Regional General Manager for Northern Europe at Deliverect, the Order Management Platform powering thousands of digital orders across hospitality and retail.From deep dives into the ever-evolving world of kiosk tech, third-party logistics, and marketplac…

1
How Do I Tell My Roommate She's Got to Pay Rent or GTFOH? ft. Alexa Claire and Jonquilyn Hill 18:23

2M ago18:23

18:23

Brace yourselves, BA fam—this week’s Brown Table gets deep into the dollars and the drama. Mandi is joined by not one, not two, but three first-time Brown Table guests: Alexa Claire from The Financial Diet, JQ (aka Jonquilyn Hill) from Vox’s Explain It To Me podcast, and Yvie Saint-Louis from Blavity. They’re diving into the news, the nonsense, and…

1
How Does Beyoncé Do It? 1:35:53

2M ago1:35:53

1:35:53

Whew… this week’s Brown Table is packed, y’all. Mandi is joined by not one, not two, but three first-time Brown Table guests: Alexa Claire from The Financial Diet, JQ (aka Jonquilyn Hill) from Vox’s "Explain It To Me" podcast, and Yvie Saint-Louis from Blavity. We dive into the news, the nonsense, and everything in between from pop culture and poli…

1
From Flat Whites to Founders: Bustle’s Journey Serving the Creatives of Hospitality 36:08

2M ago36:08

36:08

In this episode of the Tech on Toast Podcast, Chris Fletcher sits down with Jonny McKenzie, co-founder and CEO of Bustle, the cafe management platform built by operators for operators. Jonny flew all the way from Auckland, New Zealand, for this conversation—and it shows in the insights shared.Jonny’s story is anything but ordinary. From launching c…

1
Why Black People Need a New Blueprint for Capitalism ft. Dr. Rachel Laryea 29:03

2M ago29:03

29:03

🎙️ BA Fam, Let’s Talk Black Capitalism (w/ Dr. Rachel Laryea) This week’s episode is full of truth, power, and possibility. Mandi sits down with Dr. Rachel Laryea, author of Black Capitalists: A Blueprint for What is Possible, to unpack what it really means to build wealth, create impact, and hold onto your identity as a Black entrepreneur in corpo…

1
Beyoncé, Book Club & "Big Beautiful Bill" Sh*t 20:23

2M ago20:23

20:23

BA Fam, Let’s Go! This week’s episode is all vibes and real talk. Mandi is Beyoncé-bound, and she’s bringing the energy! As she preps for her London trip (yes, packing for a quick getaway is a whole production), she shares exciting updates from the Brown Ambition universe. We’re talking brand-new cover art, a book club (yes, you’re invited!), and d…

1
Imagining a World Without White People ft. Sky Full of Elephants Author Cebo Campbell 1:11:24

2M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

BA Fam, Buckle up! This week’s episode is a ride. Mandi sits down with author Cebo Campbell to talk about his debut novel “Sky Full of Elephants”, a bold, emotional story that begins with every white person in North America vanishing and unfolds into a layered exploration of Blackness, identity, and healing. Cebo opens up about the personal roots o…

1
Quizmaster Tech: Mark Walsh on Making Pubs Fun (Again with Kwizzbit!) 38:55

2M ago38:55

38:55

Ready to get quizzical? 🧠🍻 In this laugh-out-loud episode of the Tech on Toast Podcast, Chris Fletcher sits down with ✨ Mark Walsh ✨ – the fashion-journo-turned-tech-founder behind Kwizzbit, the interactive quiz platform shaking up the pub game across the globe! From loading up fashion mags in the 90s to loading quizzes into over 47 countries, Mark…

1
Leading with a North Star: Former Decathlon CEO Barbara Martin Coppola’s Blueprint for Bold Change 41:57

2M ago41:57

41:57

Born in France almost 50 years ago, Decathlon has grown into the world’s largest sporting goods retailer with over 1,700 stores in more than 70 countries. On today’s episode of Redefiners, Simon Kingston is joined by our new co-host, Marla Oates, as they sit down with former CEO of Decathlon Barbara Martin Coppola. Barbara takes us through her glob…

1
How to Overcome Healthcare Bias in Your 30s, 40s and Beyond ft. Dr. Uché Blackstock & Dr. Jessica M. Shepherd 55:31

2M ago55:31

55:31

Hey BA Fam! This week, Mandi is diving into a conversation that every woman needs to hear. She’s joined by two powerhouse doctors—Dr. Uché Blackstock, author of the New York Times Bestselling book, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons With Racism in Medicine, and Dr. Jessica M. Shepherd, author of Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause —for a raw,…

1
How Zarna Garg Transformed from SAHM to Comedy Superstar In Her 40s 56:21

2M ago56:21

56:21

Hey BA Fam! In this episode, Mandi sits down with the unstoppable comic genius and *Official!* New York Times Bestselling author Zarna Garg to unpack her remarkable journey from stay-at-home mom to comedy superstar in her mid-40s. Less than a decade ago, Zarna was packing snacks for her kids' sports teams and tracking down missing socks in the laun…

1
Flex Appeal: Reinventing Hospitality Staffing with YoungOnes COO James Medd 34:06

2M ago34:06

34:06

🎧 Flex Appeal: How YoungOnes Is Flipping Hospitality Staffing Guest: James Medd, COO, YoungOnes Host: Chris Fletcher, Tech on Toast Podcast Recorded at BrewDog Waterloo, this episode explores how flexible staffing is reshaping hospitality. Chris sits down with James Medd to uncover how YoungOnes, the freelance staffing platform, is empowering opera…

1
From Single Mom to TV Host: Page Turner Is the Queen of the Pivot 46:52

3M ago46:52

46:52

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with the powerhouse that is Page Turner—real estate broker, single mom, and the magnetic new host of HGTV’s Love It or List It. Page opens up about her incredible journey from hustling as a single mom to owning her spotlight on national TV. She gets real about what it takes to bounce back from life’s cur…

1
Student Loans Got You Stressed? Here’s How to Navigate the Chaos [BA QA] 17:38

3M ago17:38

17:38

Student loan repayments are officially back, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just plain confused, you’re not alone. This week on Brown Ambition, we’re diving deep into the chaos with two of our favorite money minds: Yanely Espinal, author of Mind Your Money, and Chris Browning from Popcorn Finance. We break down what’s really going …

1
How to Navigate the Chaos of Life, Leveraging AI and Personal Growth 55:14

3M ago55:14

55:14

BA Fam we’re back at the Brown Table! It’s been a minute, but the original crew Mandi, Yanely, and Chris are together again and catching up on everything. From West Coast travels and birthday plans to coaching updates and sleep podcast dreams (yes, really), this episode is full of laughs, life, and hard-earned lessons. Mandi shares the behind-the-s…

1
Leadership Lounge: The Art of Succession: How to Identify Tomorrow's Leaders Today 21:52

3M ago21:52

21:52

Identifying and developing the next generation of leadership talent is critically important. No decision will have a bigger impact on the performance of an organization and its enduring legacy. Yet, many leaders struggle with effective succession planning. In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—James Diggines…

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