PODCAST · society
Broke-ish®
by Amber Sims & Erika Brown
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.
Episodes
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Ep. 136 - Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot - The Book Report Part 1
Amber and Erika are kicking off Season 13 with the inaugural episode of the Broke-ish Book Club! Our first read is "Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America" by Michael Harriot. Harriot starts pre-America and methodically (and comedically) debunks all the foundational lies we are...
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Ep. 135 - Between A Rock and a Hard Place: What Nikole Hannah-Jones Teaches Us About Black AF History (by Michael Harriot)
Amber and Erika are jumping headfirst into Season 13 by applying the lessons learned in our first book club selection, Michael Harriot's "Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America", to Nikole Hannah-Jones's New York Times article reflecting on her choice to place her daughter in a...
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Ep. 134 - We Ready! Broke-ish Season 13 is Here!
Broke-ish is back, and she's officially a bratty teenager! Amber and Erika are back, and this season we're exploring all the "ish" that conspires to break Black people through the Broke-ish Book Club! We'll discuss a new book over two episodes, unpacking what we learned and how it connects to the...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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Ep. 123 - Farewell, Season 11!
They say, "all good things must come to an end"! On this episode, Amber and Erika bid farewell to Season 11. We start by reflecting on the last seven years and Broke-ish's journey to 11 seasons, including Delina's departure and Amber's journey from guest to co-host. Next, we discuss the looming...
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Ep: 122 - The U.S. and Facism: As American as Apple Pie - Part 2
On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika continue their discussion on the signs and implications of fascism and authoritarianism in the U.S., particularly its impact on Black people. Through current events such as Trump's unilateral decision to initiate renovations to the White House, the...
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Ep. 121 - The U.S. and Facism: As American as Apple Pie - Part 1
On this episode of Broke-ish, the discussion centers on the signs and implications of fascism and authoritarianism in the U.S., particularly its impact on Black people. Amber and Erika explore the cultural shifts towards nationalism, the politicization of institutions, and the removal of neutral...
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Ep. 120 - In God We Trust?: Race and Religious Extremism
This payday, Amber and Erika are joined by their guest, Pastor Kristian A. Smith, a pastor and public theologian, to discuss the rise of radical American religiopolitics and the insidious racism that fuels it. Malcolm X once said, "The greatest single reason for the Christian church's failure . .…
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Ep. 119 - Chickens Coming Home to Roost: Lessons on Political Violence from Malcolm X
This payday, Erika and her guest, Dr. Kehinde Andrews, discuss political violence and the political theory of Malcolm X. We use the death of Ch@rlie K1rk as a springboard to interrogate the role liberals and Black leaders play in stifling political organization and outrage to ultimately act as...
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Ep. 118 - The Pitfalls of Black Capitalism: Lessons from Uncle Nearest and Target
This payday Amber and Erika are discussing Black capitalism and why money isn't enough to save us from the pitfalls of the system. Using two hot-button current events - the Uncle Nearest lawsuit and receivership and Target boycott - we breakdown why capitalism is inherently anti-black and an...
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Ep. 117 - The Ugly Truth About Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill
On this episode, Amber and Erika are unpacking the details of the "One Big Beautiful Bill", the legislative centerpiece of President Trump's presidential agenda. We take a deep dive into who the tax cuts and who benefits from them, and we also explore the areas, such as military and immigration...
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Ep. 116 - Community Conversation: The Brokers' Comment on the ADOS Debate
On this episode—a Broke-ish first—Amber and Erika are diving into the comments and responding directly to what the Brokers have to say. Many of you had strong opinions about Episode 114, where we did a deep dive into the ADOS movement and Black unity across the diaspora. Community accountability…
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Ep. 115 - Make it Make (Dollars and) Sense: What Malcolm X Taught Us About Money
On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Calvin Schermerhorn, author of "The Plunder of Black America: How the Racial Wealth Gap Was Made", to discuss the economic status of Black Americans. Despite the propaganda that Black people have less wealth due to poor choices, laziness, and...
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Ep. 114 - U.N.I.T.Y. - Black Politics Beyond America
On this episode, Amber and Erika are discussing Black politics and how the fight for liberation of descendants of enslaved people here in the United States is connected to the fight of other African people in the diaspora. We are joined by journalist and teacher, Salifu Mack, and Broke-ish...
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Ep. 113 - Do You Want a Revolution?: What Malcolm X Taught Us About Liberation
On this payday, Amber and Erika are joined by Broke-ish all-star, Dr. Kehinde Andrews, to discuss his latest book, "Nobody Can Give You Freedom: The Real Mission of Malcolm X". Malcolm X, the foundational inspiration of Season 11, articulated a vision of Black radicalism and liberation that…
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Ep. 112 - Welcome B(l)ack!!
Season 11 of Broke-ish is here! Amber and Erika are back for a new season, and they're kicking things off by bringing the Brokers up to speed about what went down during the break. After the shenanigans, the duo laid out their vision for Season 11 and how Season 10 inspired its format. Season…
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Ep. 111 - It's Over Now: Goodbye Season 10!
Well, it's over now! Amber and Erika have officially said, "Farewell" to Season 10. What was supposed to be a single episode featuring John Hope Bryant turned into a rundown of financial literacy's "greatest hits", which we spent the season debunking one at a time. In this final episode, we recap...
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Ep: 110 - Myth Buster #7: Poverty is a Mindset
On this payday, Amber and Erika explore the impact of generational poverty on Black communities and the systemic barriers to wealth accumulation. Joined by Taylor Darks, a PhD candidate at Florida State University, who studies reparations policies, we lay out the evidence that poverty is more…
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Ep. 109 - Myth Buster #6: "Racism exists, but I've proven it's a barrier you can get over"
On the first payday of Black History Month 2025, Amber and Erika find themselves yet again debunking John Hope Bryant's foolish, false assertion that "racism is a barrier that Black people can get over." The second Trump presidency has people questioning that contention, but this episode...
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Ep. 108 - Myth Buster #5: Black Americans Didn't Get the Memo
On this payday, Amber and Erika discuss the concept of "model minorities" and how it relates to the expectations placed upon Black descendants of enslaved people to use tools like financial literacy to "pull themselves up by the bootstraps". They highlight the challenges faced by Black Americans...
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Ep. 107 - Myth Buster #4: The Computer Doesn't Know What Race You Are
On this New Year's Payday, Amber and Erika are busting another myth from our interview with John Hope Bryant. Bryant casually remarked, "If you go to the computer at midnight, the computer doesn't know what race you are." The evidence, however, suggests that that is false, and technology and AI…
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Ep. 106 - Myth Buster #3: Banks Don't Care What Color you Are
On this payday, Amber and Erika are continuing the "Myth Busters" series, debunking the erroneous statement that banks are race neutral and "don't care about color". Dr. Justene Hill-Edwards, University of Virginia professor and author of "Savings and Trust: The Rise and Betrayal of the…
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Ep. 105 - Myth Buster #2: Slavery and Race Neutrality
Amber and Erika are back on this payday debunking another one of John Hope Bryant's false statements. During his interview, Bryant contended that slavery as an institution was race neutral and existed long before the colonized iteration primarily rooted in anti-Blackness. Dr. Kehinde Andrews,...
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Ep. 104 - Myth Buster #1: Financial Literacy is the Civil Rights Issue of this Generation
Amber and Erika promised to spend the remainder of Season 10 debunking the financial literacy myths you heard in Episode 1. Well, we're making good on that promise by interrogating John Hope Bryant's claim that "financial literacy is the civil rights issue of this generation"…whatever that means....
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Ep. 103 - Financial Literacy Myths: The Greatest Hits
Whew, chile! Broke-ish is starting Season 10 with a bang - literally and figuratively. John Hope Bryant, chairman and CEO of Operation Hope, the nation's largest nonprofit provider of financial literacy resources, joins us to discuss the ins and outs of financial literacy. But the conversation…
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Ep. 102 - Still Ten Toes Down!
Broke-ish is ten and officially a preteen! And like most prepubescent knuckleheads, we're still a (mostly) delightful mix of unserious, curious, determined, and ever-evolving. We open Season 10 by recapping some of the notable shenanigans that occurred during our break, including Diddy being...
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Ep. 101 - Sayonara Season 9!!
And just like that, it's a wrap on Season 9! Amber and Erika pause to look back on the highs, lows, and in-betweens of Season 9 and muse about what we've learned, our hopes for the future, and what you can expect in Season 10! America is still Broke-ish, but we are we resolved, determined, and...
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Ep. 100 - Sistas, Y'all Alright?: Sonya Massey, Kamala Harris, and the Black Woman's Rollercoaster
In this episode, Amber and Erika pause to reflect on the horrific murder of Sonya Massey and the ascendance of Kamala Harris to the Democratic presidential nominee - all in the same week. We discuss how both women reflect different, yet ugly truths, about the unjust American police state. And we...
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Ep. 99.5 - Objection! Broke-ish Examines the Judicial Branch
On this payday, Amber and Erika are examining America's third branch of government, the judiciary, and its often overlooked role in upholding the unjust systems at the base of this country. We examine three recent rulings - the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Chevron Doctrine and expand...
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Episode Replay - Broke-ish University: Civics 101 (They Don't Really Care About Us)
On this payday, Amber and Erika are throwing it back to an oldie but goodie: Civics 101! So many of us are disturbed, angered, and concerned about the state of our current political affairs - especially after the first presidential debate. But this episode reminds us that our focus needs to go...
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Ep. 99 - The Case Against White Jesus - "Christian" Consumerism, Capitalism, and Exploitation
On this payday, Amber and Erika discuss America's hijacking of Jesus and the church's complicity with inequity, exploitative capitalism, and anti-blackness. We are joined by Stephanie M. House-Niamke, a sociologist whose work centers on power, access, and choice, across the areas of race, gender,...
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Ep. 98 - The Miseducation of the Negro Continues
On this payday, Amber and Erika are talking about the unprecedented attack on America's public schools by conservative Republicans seeking to ban DEI efforts and replace fact-based curricula with ideological propaganda. Joined by Mike Hixenbaugh, investigative journalist behind the podcast series...
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Ep. 97 - The Call is Coming from Inside the House: Anti-Blackness in Black Face
On this payday, Amber and Erika deep dive into anti-blackness propagated by other Black people. Although we usually focus on whiteness and white agents of anti-blackness, this episode looks at the unique harms to our community when Black leaders and influencers peddle in anti-blackness. From...
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Ep. 96 - Millionaire Myths Debunked
On this payday, Amber and Erika are debunking millionaire myths. Despite what we see on social media and television, most people will never ascend to the status of millionaire. But even for those who do, it doesn't always equate to a life flush with cash and no financial worries. And this is, of...
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Ep. 95 - Financial Literacy Awareness Month: What Every Black Person Needs to Know
On this payday, Amber and Erika are "celebrating" Financial Literacy Awareness Month. We discuss what financial literacy looks like and how it is distinct from and related to financial education. Although, the Brokers know that financial literacy is not the antidote to the racism and inequitable...
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Ep. 94 - Here We Go Again: The "Secure DC" Crime Bill and Oppressive Policing
On this payday, Amber and Erika discuss "Secure DC", the new crime bill recently enacted in the nation's capital that harkens back to the "tough on crime" approach of the 80s and 90s. Despite history and data overwhelmingly demonstrating that increased policing and carcareal punishment do not...
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Ep. 93 - Scratching and Surviving: Evictions and the Affordable Housing Crisis
On this payday, Amber and Erika are talking housing insecurity, poverty, and how a lack of access to affordable housing disproportionately impacts Black people. Joined by Bill Holston, the Chief Operations Officer of the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, we discuss the nationwide inconsistency in...
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Ep. 92 - "We're Baaaack…and Earth is Still Ghetto"
Broke-ish is back for Season 9!! Amber and Erika are so excited to kick off a new season. We start off by catching up and pouring the tea on what we've been up to during the break. Next, we recap the hottest current events, a sobering reminder that Earth is still really ghetto and there's so much...
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Ep. 91 - Wealth, Power, and Communal Accountability
On the final episode of this season, Amber and Erika grapple with the quandary of Black billionaires. Can we root for those who have found success at the highest levels while still calling out their harm? Is it ever acceptable to publicly call out Black elites in front of the White gaze? Is it...
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Ep. 90 - Silence, Violence, and Toxic Celebrity Culture: Lessons from Cassie's Lawsuit against Diddy
On this Payday, Amber and Erika are discussing the explosive sexual misconduct lawsuits against some of today's most iconic celebrities, including Diddy, Jamie Foxx, Jimmy Iovine, Russell Simmons and Aaron Hall. Cassie, a singer and Diddy's former girlfriend, seemingly opened the floodgates with...
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Ep. 89 - Protecting What's Mine: A Creative's Fight for Intellectual Property
On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by platinum-selling R&B diva Nicci Gilbert of the iconic trio Brownstone. Nicci is a singer, songwriter, and film and stage producer who created the stage play "Soul Kittens Cabaret" in 2003. Nicci subsequently filed suit against the Starz network and...
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ABOUT THIS 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.
HOSTED BY
Amber Sims & Erika Brown
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Broke-ish® have?
Broke-ish® currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Broke-ish® about?
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...
How often does Broke-ish® release new episodes?
Broke-ish® has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Broke-ish®?
You can listen to Broke-ish® on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Broke-ish®?
Broke-ish® is created and hosted by Amber Sims & Erika Brown.
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