Broke-ish®

Hosted by Amber Sims & Erika Brown

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

In the Broke-ish space, we talk about being broke—broke and Black in America. We talk about all the unbelievable *ish that America has done to black people to keep us in this Broke-ish state. We've been bamboozled in ways that personal finance tips and traditional financial literacy can't fix. Our co-hosts, Amber and Erika, are grown @ss women sharing candidly about money, wealth-building and the financial urban legends that need to die. You'll hear them draw from research, statistics and personal insights to create an engaging podcast whose mission is to be a part of changing the narrative around money. Broke-ish is for those who still persevere, in spite of all the things that America, capitalism & white supremacy, have done to Black people. We're Broke-ish. Let's talk about it.

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 1331 hr 0 min

Ep. 133 - So Long, Season 12!

In this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika bid a fond farewell to Season 12! Of course, there's plenty of shenanigans and cutting up, but most importantly, we look back at the "legacy" of Season 12. This season's focus on Black legacy includes the Black family, the church, electoral politics, activism, and representation - just to name a few. We highlight our favorite parts and key takeaways from each episode as well as our hopes for the legacy of this season. And finally, we preview what you can expect from Season 12. Press play and listen in!

June 1, 2026Episode 1291 hr 11 min

Ep. 132 - Kinfolk v. Skinfolk: The Legacy of Black Representation

In this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika sit down with activist and political educator, Renee Johnston, to unpack one of the most difficult tensions in Black political life: whether representation alone can ever deliver liberation. Using themes from Carter G. Woodson's "The Mis-Education of the Negro" and contemporary political debates, the conversation explores how Black politics has shifted from collective uplift and political education toward symbolic representation, celebrity influence, and "Black excellence" narratives. Renee reminds us that liberation requires political alignment and accountability, not racial symbolism alone. We conclude that "rooting for everybody Black" when some Black political figures uphold policies or ideologies that work against collective freedom is not a legacy worth preserving. Listen in and tell us what you think!

May 15, 2026Episode 1311 hr 8 min

Ep. 131 - The Legacy of Black Voting: Lessons from the Voting Rights Act and Jesse Jackson

On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are joined by political strategist and longtime friend of the show, Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, to discuss the Supreme Court's recent decision eroding the Voting Rights Act against the backdrop of Jesse Jackson's historical presidential runs in 1984 and 1988 and what those events reveal about the legacy of Black voting. We start with the history of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and lay the foundation for why the Voting Rights Act was still necessary almost a century later. Then, we look at the impact of the VRA in both affirming the right of Black people to vote and in increasing the number of elected Black representatives. Through Jesse Jackson's presidential runs in 1984 and 1988, Dedrick connects the dots between Black enfranchisement and Black political power. But alas, we also acknowledge the limitations of Black voting power and Black representatives to work within a system intentionally designed to keep us subjugated. Press play to join the conversation!

May 1, 2026Episode 1301 hr 6 min

Ep. 130 - We're Marching Up to Zion: the Legacy of the Black Church

In this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika dive into one of the most influential—and complicated—institutions in Black life: the Black church. Joined by Rev. Mia McClain, Senior Pastor of Riverside Baptist Church, the conversation explores how the faith, politics, and culture of the Black church has created a legacy that is both powerful and problematic. Together, we unpack what the Black church has historically given to the community—collective care, activism, spiritual grounding—and what parts of that legacy may need to be challenged or left behind. We explore what a decolonized, liberation-centered, Black Christian praxis looks like and what can be done to achieve it. Press play to hear the conversation!

April 15, 2026Episode 61 hr 21 min

Ep. 129 - Stupid Games, Stupid Prizes: The Legacy of Black Capitalism

This payday, Amber and Erika explore the legacy of Black capitalism through a historical and political lens with longtime Broke-ish all-star, Dr. Jared Ball. The conversation centers on whether Black capitalism is a viable path to liberation or whether it ultimately reinforces the same systems of inequality it claims to solve. Using the examples of Pinky Cole of Slutty Vegan; Fawn Weaver of Uncle Nearest; and Jay-Z's recent interview with GQ, we highlight how capitalism consistently fails most Black people and only benefits a select few. These stories remind us that entrepreneurship and business ownership alone cannot the close racial wealth gap, and we must critically examine capitalism as a structure and its prolific failures. Tune in to join the conversation!

April 1, 2026Episode 1281 hr 4 min

Ep. 128 - Black Faces Capitulating in High Spaces: The Legacy Of Black Politics

On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are joined by community organizer and lawyer, Kamau Franklin, to discuss the legacy of Black politics and what the past teaches us about leveraging our collective activism. Kamau highlights the systemic and interpersonal reasons that electoral politics and Black politicians have consistently failed to move beyond political theater to substantive, liberatory change. And most importantly, we discuss how to combine electoral engagement with community activism and self-determination to forge a new political path that results in true liberty and justice for all. Press play to get in on the conversation!

March 15, 2026Episode 1271 hr 18 min

Ep. 127 - For the Culture: The Legacy of Cultural Workers vs. Celebrities and Creatives with Musa Springer

On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are joined by journalist and cultural worker, Musa Springer, to discuss the legacy of Black culture - the good, bad, and ugly. Musa illuminates the ways that Black cultural workers can serve as powerful forces of resistance, with art as a source of education and activism. But we also acknowledge the downside of Black culture: the appropriation, the commercialization, and the insidious separation of the artist from their labor. Musa reminds us to critically interrogate the pursuit of "mainstream" validation and profit and work towards a culture that centers liberation, artistic expression, and community. Tune in and get the scoop!

March 1, 2026Episode 31 hr 1 min

Ep. 126 - Reflection as Resistance: What We Learned From Conversing With Our Mothers

On this payday, Amber and Erika pause to reflect on the season opening conversation with their mothers. We discuss the wisdom we gleaned while also noting the parts of their legacy that felt unacknowledged or minimized. Our hope for this conversation is to speak the truth while illuminating how our own entrenchment in patriarchy, white supremacy, and capitalism often prevents us from fully recognizing their impacts on our actions and the normalization of harm. Through interrogating the legacies our mothers left to us, we endeavor to carry on with the good while courageously discarding actions and mindsets that no longer serve us or lead to liberation. Listen in to join the conversation!

February 15, 2026Episode 1251 hr 10 min

Ep. 125 - Family Legacy: Mamas, Daughters, and Black Womanhood

It's a special episode of Broke-ish! Amber and Erika are kicking off the season on Legacy with both their mothers as guests. Amber's mom, Eleanor Webb, and Erika's mom, Thelma Taylor, join their daughters to discuss what legacy means to them. We start with their joyful recollection of one of segregation's few benefits - thriving, loving Black communities - and then glean their insights on church, faith, marriage, and relationships. They recount the legacies of their families and the ones they sought to forge for themselves. Finally, the Queen Mothers leave us with their hopes for the legacies they wish to leave in this life. You don't want to miss this episode, so press play!

February 1, 202642 min

Ep 124 - It's a New Season(12)! It's a New Day!

It's a new season! Amber and Erika are back for Season 12, and it feels surreal to be kicking off a new journey of Broke-ish. This season our theme is "Legacy,, and we're exploring key areas of Black life - such as media, the church, civic organizations, and financial literacy - and the things we appreciate and hope to preserve while also acknowledging the problem areas that we need to leave behind. We open the season examining Broke-ish's legacy and how we hope to impact the lived reality of Black Americans with this work. Press play and join the conversation. Welcome back!