What does choosing joy really mean when you’re living through pain, pressure, or exhaustion? In this deeply personal solo episode, Choosing Joy host Deborah Joy Winans Williams sits down—not as an actress or celebrity, but as herself—to answer your questions, share her heart, and reflect on what joy looks like when it’s uncomfortable, spiritual, and hard-won.

Deborah opens up about motherhood, mental health, faith, grief, self-worth, and how she learned (and is still learning) to choose joy daily—not just on stage, but in real life. From the lessons of her Winans family legacy to her girls' trip epiphany with Merle Dandridge to the quiet prayers that sustain her, this episode is a soulful, grounding invitation to go deeper.

Whether you’re a woman of faith, an artist in progress, a mother in motion, or just someone trying to pour from a not-so-full cup—Deborah’s raw honesty and wisdom remind us that joy isn’t a mood... it’s a decision.

Chapters

00:00 – What Choosing Joy Means to Me
01:00 – Unpacking My Relationship with Joy
03:00 – What Life Has Taught Me About Grace
05:00 – The Power of Choosing Yourself
07:00 – A Girls' Trip That Changed Everything
09:00 – How My Faith Guides My Work
11:00 – My Morning Routine of Gratitude
13:00 – 6AM Prayer, Grandma Winans, and Simplicity
15:00 – Staying Grounded in a Chaotic World
17:00 – What My Family’s Legacy Taught Me
19:00 – How My Uncle Bebe Changed My Perspective
21:00 – Seeing People as Ministry
23:00 – Navigating Motherhood, Germs & Balance
25:00 – Rest, Vitamins, Vaseline & Olly Multis
27:00 – Playing Charity on Greenleaf
29:00 – Grace for Imperfection & Finding Your Way
31:00 – Advice for Young Women in Music & Acting
33:00 – Final Reflections & Your Invitation to Joy

#DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #ChoosingJoyPodcast #GreenleafCharity #BlackWomenInFaith #JoyIsAChoice #FaithAndMotherhood #ChristianWomenPodcast #WomenInEntertainment #HealingWithGod #SoulfulStorytelling

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What happens when your purpose feels too heavy to carry? When the grief, burnout, or self-doubt start whispering louder than your confidence?

In this heart-centered and life-giving episode of Choosing Joy, Emmy-nominated journalist, media personality, and host of Healed Girl Era Gia Peppers sits down with Deborah Joy Winans Williams for one of the most raw, uplifting, and spiritually rooted conversations of the season.

From growing up immersed in Black excellence in D.C. and Maryland to navigating loss, therapy, and self-reinvention, Gia shares the full spectrum of her journey. She opens up about losing her grandmother, surviving depressive episodes, and how therapy and faith helped her find joy again.

Whether she’s talking about being on 106 & Park, the inspiration behind Healed Girl Era, or why joy must be an intentional daily choice—Gia reminds us: healing is possible, even in the middle of the storm.

✨ This episode is a love letter to every woman figuring it out in real-time. To every woman choosing herself, one sacred step at a time.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Sponsor Message
00:46 – Why Gia Peppers is That Girl
02:00 – Growing Up in the DMV & Black Excellence
04:00 – Howard University Influence & Community Impact
06:00 – Her Dad’s Legacy in Journalism
08:00 – Early Dreams of Hosting & Performing
10:00 – Inspired by Free on 106 & Park
11:30 – Interning with Donnie Simpson & Black Radio Roots
13:00 – Navigating the Cutthroat Industry with Kindness
14:30 – The Power of Representation for Black Girls
16:00 – Teen Girlhood, Beauty, and Identity Today
18:30 – Choosing Joy in the Midst of Transition
20:30 – Letting Go of Self-Doubt with Therapy
23:00 – Choosing Grace Over Pressure
25:00 – Joy as a Choice, Not a Feeling
26:30 – How the Pandemic Revealed Deep Emotional Shifts
29:00 – Grief, Loss & Losing Her Grandmother
31:00 – Breaking Generational Silence Around Mental Health
33:00 – Creating the Healed Girl Era Podcast
35:00 – Finding Purpose in Her Own Voice
37:00 – Vulnerability, Impact & Stepping Out in Faith
39:00 – Learning to Rest and Rebuild
41:00 – What Choosing Joy Looks Like Now
43:00 – Final Reflections & A Prayer for Joy

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What does it mean to thrive in your skin—not just as an artist, but as a woman, a mother, and a soul who’s lived many lives before the world even saw her?

In this soul-nourishing episode of Choosing Joy, genre-bending singer-songwriter ROE joins Deborah Joy Winans Williams for an honest and vibrant conversation about identity, motherhood, music, and trusting divine timing. Known for her songwriting with Mary J. Blige, Usher, and more, ROE is now stepping boldly into her own spotlight.

From her Crenshaw roots to navigating motherhood and music as an independent artist, ROE shares how she learned to pause, reflect, and create art that feels as true as her own breath. With a warm spirit and razor-sharp creativity, she invites us into her world—and even blesses us with a live snippet of her upcoming single, “In My Skin.”

✨ This episode is for anyone figuring it out in real time. Anyone who’s put a dream on hold. Anyone choosing presence over pressure and joy over perfection.

📌 Chapters

00:00 – Wellness Sponsor Message
00:36 – Meet ROE: The Voice Behind the Hits
01:30 – Musical Roots in South LA & Crenshaw Sundays
03:00 – From Theater to Singing to Songwriting
05:00 – ROE’s Genre-Bending Identity
07:00 – Writing for Others vs. Finding Her Story
09:00 – Melody First: ROE’s Creative Process
10:30 – Motherhood & Pivot to Songwriting
12:00 – Wellness, Balance, and Priorities
14:00 – Faith, Family & Trusting the Timing
16:00 – Living to Write vs. Writing to Live
18:30 – Choosing Joy as an Independent Artist
21:00 – Stage Mishaps & Letting Go of Perfection
23:00 – Social Media & Holding Mystery
25:00 – On Balance, Presence & Purpose
26:30 – ROE’s Favorite Song: “In My Skin” (Live Snippet!)
29:00 – “This or That” Game & Final Reflections
33:00 – Closing from Deborah Joy

#ROE #ChoosingJoyPodcast #DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #BlackWomenInMusic #InMySkin #WomenInEntertainment #SongwriterToSinger #AuthenticArtist #HealingThroughMusic #FaithAndMotherhood

💬 What part of ROE’s journey moved you most—her motherhood pivot, her genre-bending honesty, or her stunning live performance?
Let us know in the comments below!

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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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