CNN anchor and political correspondent Abby Phillip joins Deborah Joy Winans Williams on Choosing Joy for an unfiltered and deeply human conversation on identity, motherhood, ambition, and letting go of perfection.

From her roots in Trinidad and the DMV to her journey through Harvard and into the national spotlight, Abby opens up about what it means to live with purpose, protect your peace, and embrace the unknown. She shares the highs and lows of working in political media during chaotic times, and why truth, even when hard to hold onto, is still worth chasing.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, clarity, and joy. Abby reveals how motherhood has reshaped her priorities, what it takes to recharge in a demanding world, and how she learned to choose herself, even when it meant walking away from expectations.

✨ Whether you're navigating your own dualities, striving for balance in work and life, or figuring out how to hold onto joy in a world full of noise—this conversation is your permission to slow down, listen inward, and stay grounded in who you really are.

Chapters 

00:00 – Sponsored Message: Wellness for Kids & Parents
01:00 – Why Abby Phillip is That Woman
02:00 – Childhood in Trinidad & the DMV
04:00 – Memory Loss as a Coping Mechanism
06:00 – The Joy of Family, Even from a Distance
08:00 – College Years & Feeling Lost at Harvard
10:00 – The Trip That Changed Her Career Path
12:00 – Why Journalism Still Matters
14:00 – The Struggle to Find Truth in the Chaos
16:00 – Letting Go of Internet Clashes
18:00 – Learning to Recharge as an Introvert
20:00 – Intentional Joy & Small Daily Rituals
22:00 – The Power of Knowing Yourself
24:00 – Constantly Becoming & Purpose Over Perfection
26:00 – Pushing Through Self-Doubt & Expectations
28:00 – Why Perseverance Is Her Superpower
30:00 – Joy as a Choice, Affirmations & Boundaries
33:00 – How Traveling Solo Rekindled Her Power
35:00 – Becoming a Mother Changed Everything
38:00 – Redefining What It Means to “Be Ready”
41:00 – The Lie of the “Perfect Time” to Have Kids
44:00 – Building a Life That Will Be There for You
47:00 – Choosing Joy in Relationships
50:00 – Final Reflections on Joy, Power & Self-Knowledge
54:00 – Deborah Joy’s Reflection & Close

💬 What resonated with you most in Abby’s story—her motherhood journey, her honesty about self-doubt, or her commitment to telling the truth?
🔔 Download episode now!

#AbbyPhillip #ChoosingJoyPodcast #DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #WomenInMedia #BlackWomenInJournalism #AuthenticityMatters #MotherhoodAndCareer #TruthInJournalism #PowerOfJoy #PurposeOverPerfection

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.