Media trailblazer Jemele Hill and her fiancé Ian Wallace join Holiday AF for a warm, hilarious, and deeply personal conversation with hosts Deborah Joy Winans Williams and MAJOR.. From Detroit greetings to West Coast celebrations, Jemele and Ian break down how their holiday traditions have shifted since leaving the Midwest — and what they still hold on to.

Jemele opens up about Christmas memories with her late grandmother, the matriarch who shaped her holiday joy, and how being born on December 21st made her a self-proclaimed “holiday brat.” The couple also reflects on their engagement, family traditions, and the playful gift-giving politics that come with being a December baby.

The episode then takes a thoughtful turn as Jemele discusses her evolution from ESPN host to journalist, author, and outspoken cultural voice through The Atlantic and her podcast Jemele Hill Is Unbothered. She shares why journalism has always felt like a form of freedom fighting, the importance of truth-telling, and her commitment to elevating conversations about Black communities.

Things wrap with the fan-favorite game “What Bothers You More?” — tackling Christmas décor debates, bad gifts, spades versus charades, and a surprise showdown choosing between Carrie Champion and Michael Smith.

This episode blends humor, culture, love, and legacy — all the things that make the holidays meaningful.

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