What does it look like to redefine family and build a support system rooted in friendship? In this episode of Brown Ambition, host Mandi Woodruff-Santos sits down with NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe and her best friend Jasmin Melvin Hudson to talk about their bold decision to buy a home together and raise their five children under one roof.

From meeting as young journalists to becoming inseparable best friends, Ayesha and Jasmin share how their bond evolved into a life partnership centered on co-parenting, financial teamwork, and unconditional support. They open up about navigating shared responsibilities, creating stability for their kids, and what it means to build a family outside of traditional norms.

This inspiring conversation dives into:

• The origin of their friendship and how it deepened over time
• Deciding to co-purchase a home and their approach to ownership & finances
• Parenting five kids together and creating a loving, stable household
• Balancing personal dating lives while keeping their family core strong
• Handling assumptions from outsiders about their unique arrangement
• Why building your own “village” can be the key to surviving today’s economic and social pressures

Whether you’re a parent, considering alternative paths to homeownership, or just curious about how two best friends are rewriting the rules of family, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on love, community, and resilience.

Links & Resources:

• Follow Ayesha & Jasmin’s journey on Instagram: @under1roofff
• Keep up with Mandi on IG/Twitter: @mandimoney

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