Choosing Joy

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

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In this heartfelt and joy-filled episode of Choosing Joy, beloved actress, author, and entrepreneur Tabitha Brown joins Deborah Joy Winans Williams for a deeply inspiring conversation about obedience, surrender, motherhood, and trusting the voice of God.

With her signature warmth and radiant spirit, Tabitha opens up about how illness shifted her faith, why she gave up on her dream temporarily, and how radical obedience led her to the life she was always meant to live. From walking away from fashion school to becoming a breakout star after 30, Tabitha shares how she stopped trying to control everything and started letting God guide her steps.

She also reflects on her early marriage, raising a family, and how motherhood didn’t block her dreams — it stretched her into someone even more prepared to succeed.

Whether you're an aspiring creative, a parent trying to juggle it all, or someone waiting for your “breakthrough,” Tabitha’s journey reminds us that joy is not the result of having it all — it’s choosing to trust when the plan doesn’t make sense yet.

📌 Chapters (Timestamps)

00:00 – Wellness Sponsor (Olly)
00:33 – Welcome + Deborah Joy on Tabitha’s Impact
02:30 – Where Tabitha’s Joy Comes From
05:00 – Setting Boundaries Without Losing Your Light
08:00 – Moving for the Dream, Returning for Love
10:30 – Tabitha’s Divine Wake-Up Call
12:00 – How Obedience Changed Everything
14:00 – Motherhood & Acting: Slowing Down With Purpose
17:00 – Why Tabitha Left Fashion School
19:00 – How Motherhood Made Her a Better Actor
21:00 – Would She Change Anything?
22:30 – On Losing Her Mother and Carrying Her Legacy
24:00 – The Moment She Surrendered to God
26:00 – Lightning Round: Joy, Regret, Obedience
29:00 – Final Reflections & Best Friend Energy

#TabithaBrown #ChoosingJoyPodcast #DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #ObedienceAndFaith #TrustGodsTiming #BlackWomenInFaith #TabTime #GodsPlan #MotherhoodAndPurpose #FaithDriven #SurrenderedLife #FromDreamToDestiny #SpiritualEncouragement #ChristianPodcast

What part of Tabitha’s story inspired you the most — her obedience, her motherhood journey, or her faith through sickness?

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How do you forgive what feels unforgivable? How do you reclaim parts of yourself the world told you to hide? In this powerful and emotional episode of Choosing Joy, actress, singer, and Broadway icon Merle Dandridge sits down with Deborah Joy Winans Williams to talk about life beyond Greenleaf, the power of grace, and the joy of becoming whole.

From discovering an entire side of her Korean heritage to navigating identity in Hollywood, Merle opens up about family, faith, and how therapy, truth, and curiosity helped her reconnect with lost pieces of herself. This heartfelt conversation explores sisterhood, the role of forgiveness, and how she’s learning to live boldly in her purpose — whether that’s on stage, on screen, or in service to others through her work with Harvest Home LA.

✨ If you’ve ever struggled to release old narratives, heal generational pain, or believe your fullness is enough — this episode is your invitation to choose joy, anyway.

Chapters

00:00 – Greenleaf Memories & Character Truths
01:00 – Deborah Joy’s Tribute to Merle
04:00 – Saying Yes to Purpose (Through Tears!)
06:00 – How Greenleaf Opened Healing Conversations
08:30 – Humanity, Church & Breaking the Rules
10:30 – Why Charity Was Misunderstood
13:00 – Merle’s Hidden Korean Family Story
16:00 – Forgiveness, Grace & Asking Better Questions
18:30 – Seeing Your Parents as People
21:00 – Living Lit Up & Overflowing with Joy
23:00 – Broadway, Film, and Finding Her Voice
26:00 – “My Fullness is Perfect”
27:00 – Harvest Home: Serving Unhoused Mothers
30:00 – Choosing Joy Through Service
32:00 – This or That: Stage or Screen, Quiet or Loud
35:00 – Final Reflections & Sisterhood

#MerleDandridge #ChoosingJoyPodcast #DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #GreenleafCast #ForgivenessAndHealing #FaithAndFamily #KoreanAmericanStory #BroadwayActress #HarvestHomeLA #LiveInYourFullness #WomenSupportingWomen #BlackAndAsianIdentity #HealingThroughConversation #ChooseJoy

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How do you find joy when life has handed you pain, trauma, and public scrutiny? In this powerful episode of Choosing Joy, award-winning journalist, author, and cultural commentator Jemele Hill joins host Deborah Joy Winans Williamsfor an unfiltered, heart-centered conversation about identity, purpose, and resilience.

From her Detroit roots to national headlines, Jemele Hill has never been afraid to speak truth to power. She opens up about growing up with two parents battling addiction, discovering her voice in a white male-dominated industry, and the real work behind protecting her peace, her marriage, and her platform. With honesty and grace, she reveals how joy is not just a destination — it's a choice we make in every moment.

✨ Whether you're redefining your career, healing from trauma, or trying to figure out what joy looks like for you, this episode offers a beautiful reminder: you are allowed to design a life that brings you joy.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Jemele Hill
02:00 – From NAACP Awards to Real Friendship
05:00 – Building Community in LA
07:45 – Detroit Roots & Black Identity
11:00 – Detroit Food, Culture & Joy
14:00 – Jemele’s Love for Sports & Journalism
19:00 – Starting at the Detroit Free Press
22:00 – How Suzette Saved Her Career
24:00 – Speaking Truth in Media
26:30 – Growing Up with Addicted Parents
29:00 – The Power of Boundaries & Marriage
33:00 – Finding Joy Without the Savior Complex
36:00 – Why Timing Made Marriage Work
38:00 – Joy Is the Journey
39:00 – Falling in Love with the Process
41:00 – Designing a Life You Actually Love
43:00 – Final Reflections on Choosing Joy

#JemeleHillInterview #DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #ChoosingJoyPodcast #BlackWomenInMedia #DetroitStrong #AddictionRecovery #ChoosingJoy #BlackExcellence #BoundariesAndHealing #FaithAndResilience #WomenInJournalism #HealingThroughStory #JoyIsAChoice #DesignYourLife

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What does it really mean to choose joy in a world full of pressure, expectations, and setbacks? Actress and producer Novi Brown, best known for her breakout role on Sistas, sits down with Deborah Joy Winans Williams for an intimate and soul-nourishing conversation about grounding yourself in purpose, navigating Hollywood with authenticity, and building a life rooted in freedom, love, and intentional joy.

In this inspiring episode of Choosing Joy, Novi shares powerful insights on protecting your peace, finding success on your own terms, and showing up consistently — not just as an artist, but as a fully aligned human being. From mental wellness and mentorship to walking into rooms before you feel “ready,” this conversation is a masterclass in staying true to who you are, no matter what the world expects.

(pink heart emoji)Whether you're an aspiring creative, an entrepreneur, or simply looking for more meaning in your day-to-day, this episode will lift your spirit and challenge you to trust your gut, protect your light, and boldly choose joy.

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome & Introduction
01:15 - Why Novi Brown Shines in Every Room
03:00 - Staying Grounded in Hollywood
06:00 - Navigating Fame & Friendship
08:00 - Relationship Balance & Starting a Production Company
10:45 - Mentorship, Therapy & Mental Health
13:30 - Breaking Down, Choosing Wellness
16:10 - Power of Movement & Getting in the Room
18:40 - Building Community Through Connection
20:45 - Becoming a Broadway Producer
22:00 - Freedom to Travel & Embrace Life
23:30 - Deborah Joy on Motherhood & Joy
25:00 - Quickfire Game: Growing Up, Comedy vs. Drama
28:00 - Final Reflections & Joy That Can’t Be Taken

#NoviBrown #DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #ChoosingJoyPodcast #BlackWomenInHollywood #FaithAndWellness #HollywoodHealing #AuthenticLiving #ActressInterview #MentalHealthMatters #WomenInFilm #BroadwayProducer #JoyIsAChoice #GodIsLove

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Welcome to Choosing Joy, a heart-forward podcast hosted by the radiant Deborah Joy Winans Williams. Every day brings new challenges—but also new chances to choose yourself, your peace, your hope, and your joy. In this empowering new show, Deborah Joy opens up about the daily decision to seek joy amidst life’s complexities.

Through personal reflections, faith-centered conversations, and powerful storytelling, she invites listeners to explore what it truly means to choose joy—even when it’s hard. Whether you're in need of inspiration, seeking inner peace, or just want to start your day with a spark of light, Choosing Joy will meet you where you are and lift you higher.

✨ Because choosing joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice.

🕊️ Listen now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

#ChoosingJoyPodcast #DeborahJoyWinans #FaithAndWellness #JoyIsAChoice #MindfulLiving #HopeAndHealing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.