Podcast
Choosing Joy
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts · EN
Each week, actor and singer Deborah Joy Winans Williams invites inspiring women into candid, heart-led conversations about joy—what it means, how they choose it daily, and why it matters. Through personal stories, shared insights, and warm humor, Choosing Joy creates a space where vulnerability meets strength and every episode offers encouragement to embrace joy intentionally—even in life’s uncertainties.
12episodes
Episodes
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Introducing: Cultivating H.E.R. Space Podcast | We Ride at Dawn: Ways We Show Up for Our Sisters with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford | Network Drop
1w ago00:55:16Tap to summarizeSis! With conversations of how we show up for our sisters running the news cycle, we thought we would share a nice throwback this week. Dr. Dom and Terri are thrilled to welcome Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, the force and founder of Therapy for Black Girls and author of Sisterhood Heals to discuss unique dynamics in Black sisterhood. Dr. Dom, Terri, and Dr. Joy share the importance of finding your tribe, cultivating real relationships, and address the prickly parts of growing and growing apart in friendships. Dr. Joy is a leading voice on mental health and emotional wellness, and she’s poured a lot of her wisdom into her new book, while also learning a lot about herself in the process. Lady, if you’re ready to transform your relationships so that they are deeper and more meaningful then this is the episode for you! Dr. Joy offers perspective on what building new friendships really entails (hint: rejection is a possibility) and why understanding your needs can help you call in your people. We want to hear from you! Tap in on Instagram and let us know how sisterhood has helped you along your journey. Quote of the Day:"That thing Black women feel when we gather is a kind of glue, a stabilizing force we actively created out of the pain and trauma of our lived experiences in order to hold us up and together." – Dr. Joy Where to find Dr. Joy Harden Bradford:Website: Dr. Joy Harden BradfordWebsite: Therapy for Black GirlsWebsite: Sisterhoodheals.comInstagram: @hellodrjoyInstagram: @therapyforblackgirlsInstagram: @sisterhoodhealsTikTok: @hellodrjoyTikTok: @therapyforblackgirlsX: @hellodrjoyX: @therapy4bgirlsYouTube: Therapy for Black Girls Wisdom Wednesdays with TerriCultivating H.E.R. Space Sanctuary Resources:Dr. Dom’s Therapy PracticeBranding with TerriMelanin and Mental HealthTherapy for Black Girls Psychology TodayTherapy for QPOC Where to find us: Podcast InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Introducing : Laugh With Me Podcast | How I got Crohns Disease (Network Drop)
Apr 1900:21:18Tap to summarizeHost Jeremy Odem is BACK with a brand new episode of the chart topping, world wide sensation, Laugh with Me Podcast! This week, Jeremy tells the story of how he likely got crohns disease. In this episode: -Jeremy saw a tweet -How Jeremy got Crohns -What to do with nose hair -AND SO MUCH MORE Join the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s largest, most impactful fundraising event Take Steps as we come together to raise funds to accelerate research, advance treatments, and provide programs and support to improve the quality of life for those living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Team Laugh with Me Podcast will be walking June 21, 2025 in Papillon, Nebraska Follow us on our socials: X @LaughwithmePod & @JOfromNebraska Instagram @laughwithmepodcast TikTok @JeremyOdem0 YouTube 'Laugh with Me Podcast' Facebook 'Laugh with Me Podcast' Apple Podcasts : Laugh With MeOur Sponsors:* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/LAUGHWITHMESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Introducing: Born To The Game Podcast | Growing Up as Part of the Winans Family - Deborah Joy Winans
Apr 1401:07:07Tap to summarize🎙️ Born to the Game — Deborah Joy Winans Faith, Legacy & Choosing Your Own Path | The Winans Family Story What does it mean to come from one of the most influential families in gospel history—and still carve your own identity? In this powerful episode of Born to the Game, Deborah Joy Winans—actress (Greenleaf), storyteller, and daughter of gospel legend Carvin Winans—opens up about growing up inside the iconic Winans dynasty and the pressure, purpose, and responsibility that comes with legacy. From being raised in a family rooted in faith and music, to boldly choosing acting over tradition, Deborah Joy shares how she found her voice, navigated expectations, and stepped into her own calling—without losing the foundation that shaped her. This is a deeply moving conversation about faith, identity, purpose, and the courage it takes to honor legacy while becoming your own person. 🔑 In This Episode: Growing up in the legendary Winans family and gospel music dynasty The pressure and responsibility of carrying a powerful legacy Choosing acting over music—and breaking family expectations The role of faith in navigating uncertainty and rejection Behind the scenes of landing Greenleaf and working with Oprah Balancing personal identity with family legacy What it truly means to “choose joy” in life’s hardest moments 💬 Key Takeaway:Legacy isn’t just something you inherit—it’s something you define. And sometimes, honoring where you come from means having the courage to go your own way. Subscribe, share, and join the journey. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Follow Born to the Game: INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE https://borntothegamepodcast.com/ Apple Podcast: Born To The GameSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Elise Osafo (@eltheegg) on Creativity, Courage, and Choosing Joy in Real Life
Dec 600:31:12Tap to summarizeContent creator, beauty enthusiast, and multihyphenate creative Elise Osafo (@eltheegg) joins Deborah Joy Winans Williams for her first-ever podcast interview — and it’s overflowing with joy, wisdom, and creative inspiration. Elise opens up about growing up in a Ghanaian household rooted in education, earning her law degree, and still choosing to follow her passion for creativity, beauty, travel, food, and storytelling. She shares how skating, music, curiosity, and her “Why Not?” philosophy help her stay grounded and joyful while building a loyal online community. This conversation is for anyone who’s ready to try something new, reclaim their creativity, or simply find more joy in the everyday moments that make life beautiful. 💜 “Make yourself the through line of your content — people come back because of YOU.”💜 “Life is too short not to have fun. Why not?” If you’re craving inspiration, joy, and permission to show up fully as yourself, you will love this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Forgiveness, Family & Freedom: Deborah Joy Winans Williams on Letting Go for Joy
Nov 2900:17:37Tap to summarizeForgiveness sounds simple… until life asks you to practice it with real people and real pain. In this heartfelt solo episode of Choosing Joy, Deborah Joy Winans Williams opens up about one of the most difficult—and most freeing—parts of her own journey: learning how to forgive others, forgive herself, and release the resentment that keeps us bound. Deborah shares the story of her parents’ divorce, how childhood wounds shaped her understanding of forgiveness, and the moment her grandmother gave her a piece of wisdom that changed her life forever. She talks about shame, grace, reconciliation, and why forgiveness isn’t a one-time event, but a process that comes in waves. With honesty and compassion, Deborah reminds us that forgiveness is not about excusing someone else’s behavior—it's about choosing freedom, healing, and joy for your own life. If you’re holding onto hurt, wrestling with disappointment, or trying to heal old family pain, this episode will meet you right where you are. 💜 “Forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciliation. But it always means freedom.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Bresha Webb on Motherhood, Faith, and the Miracle That Changed Her Life
Nov 2200:39:33Tap to summarizeActress, comedian, and new mom Bresha Webb joins host Deborah Joy Winans Williams for a deeply personal and joy-filled conversation about marriage, motherhood, healing, faith, and navigating Hollywood with grace. Bresha opens up about her high-risk pregnancy, discovering a genetic heart condition while carrying her daughter Brave, and the frightening moments that tested her faith. She talks candidly about grief after losing her father, the miracle she experienced in postpartum recovery, and how becoming a wife and mother changed her understanding of love and purpose. With her signature humor and honesty, Bresha shares what it means to protect your peace, why saying “no” matters, how gospel and Cardi B coexist in her self-care routine, and why she believes joy must be chosen over and over again. If you’re looking for a story of healing, hope, laughter, and the power of faith, this episode will bless your spirit. 💜 “You can’t make me doubt Him — I’ve seen too much.” — Bresha Webb 00:00 – Opening: The industry finally sees Black women00:38 – Deborah Joy introduces her 19-year friendship with Bresha01:22 – Becoming a wife, mother, writer & artist02:50 – What marriage actually looks like vs. expectations04:16 – How partnership changed Bresha’s life06:00 – Putting God at the center of her marriage09:00 – Grief, love, and learning to lean on her husband11:22 – Becoming a mom & balancing Hollywood12:16 – The pregnancy complication that changed everything12:54 – Discovering her heart condition13:53 – Fear, faith, and the birth of Brave16:03 – Why her daughter’s name carries so much power17:07 – Deborah Joy shares her own pregnancy challenges18:27 – Postpartum healing & Bresha’s miracle recovery21:03 – Protecting peace in a demanding industry21:56 – The role of faith in every obstacle22:33 – Gospel + Cardi B = Bresha’s wellness formula23:17 – Lessons from Niecy Nash & Kim Whitley24:31 – Handling rejection & relying on God25:21 – The audition that gave her new perspective26:03 – When a "no" is really a divine redirection28:55 – Honoring her value as a Black woman in Hollywood29:55 – College memories & high-energy grit31:09 – Losing 100+ lbs postpartum32:38 – Health, wellness & lifting heavy33:32 – Reflecting on years of growth34:21 – Theater dreams & stepping into new callings36:20 – Realizing she’s living her childhood dream38:08 – Seeing herself clearly for the first time39:02 – Closing reflections on joy, gratitude & purpose #ChoosingJoyPodcast #BreshaWebb #DeborahJoyWinans #BlackWomenInHollywood#MotherhoodJourney #FaithAndHealing #CelebrityInterviews #BlackJoy#WomenInEntertainment #InspirationDaily If this episode encouraged you, make sure to follow the show, leave us a review, and share it with someone who needs a reminder that joy is still a choice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Ryan Michelle Bathé on Marriage, Motherhood & Making Room for Grace | Choosing Joy Podcast
Nov 1500:50:21Tap to summarizeIn this deeply honest and joy-filled episode of Choosing Joy, host Deborah Joy Winans Williams welcomes actress, producer, and mother Ryan Michelle Bathé for a soul-nourishing conversation about embracing the chaos of life without apology. From navigating marriage with fellow actor Sterling K. Brown to building a life rooted in faith, humor, and resilience, Ryan opens up about the lessons, missteps, and mantras that keep her grounded. Together, they unpack what it means to redefine womanhood, honor your emotional bandwidth, and build a home full of love—even when your champagne flutes are mismatched. Ryan shares vulnerable reflections on aging, self-care, parenting through exhaustion, and finding joy in a world that rarely slows down. With warmth, wisdom, and a whole lot of laughter, this episode is a celebration of imperfection, intention, and unapologetic Black womanhood. If you've ever felt the weight of being everything for everyone, or struggled to feel safe in your own skin, this one’s for you. Chapter Markers 00:00 – Building a Life of Joy03:00 – Australia, Motherhood & God's Surprises06:00 – 19 Years of Marriage & Unpredictable Careers09:00 – Faith, Stubbornness & Acting as a Calling12:00 – Hollywood Rejection & Learning to Stay15:00 – Parenting & Losing Yourself in the Process18:00 – Perimenopause, Health, and Black Women Aging21:00 – Family, Fear & Avoiding the Doctor24:00 – Illness, ALS, and Loving Through Change27:00 – Alzheimer’s, Caregiving & Choosing Joy Daily30:00 – You Don’t Have to Get Through it Pretty33:00 – Marriage Realizations & Letting Go of Perfection36:00 – Church Culture, Legacy & Beautiful Homes39:00 – Broken Glass & Emotional Meltdowns42:00 – Stewardship, Provision & Taking Care of What God Gives44:00 – Growing With Your Partner & Listening Deeply47:00 – Community, Evolution & Loving the Present49:00 – One Word She Wants Her Sons to RememberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →ThatChickAngel Interview | How Faith and Laughter Shaped ThatChickAngel’s Journey
Sep 3001:07:01Tap to summarizeHow do you balance being a wife, mom of four, content creator, comedian, and actress — all while keeping your joy? In this hilarious and heartfelt episode of Choosing Joy, host Deborah Joy Winans Williams sits down with her friend That Chick Angel (Angel Laketa Moore) for a conversation about motherhood, marriage, faith, and the unexpected journey from actress to content creator. Angel opens up about pivoting her career when she became pregnant, building a digital brand, raising four Black boys with her husband Marcus, and how outrageous faith has guided her through every season. From funny pregnancy stories to the challenges of communication in marriage to finding joy in serving others, this episode is both laugh-out-loud and deeply inspiring. 💜 “When I can’t see the way forward, I serve.” — That Chick Angel If you need encouragement, laughter, and a reminder that joy is always within reach, this conversation is for you. #ChoosingJoy #ThatChickAngel #DeborahJoyWinans #AngelLaketaMoore #BlackWomenInComedy #MotherhoodJourney #FaithAndFamily #ContentCreatorLife #JoyAndPurpose #CelebrityPodcast #BlackJoySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Gabourey Sidibe Interview | Confidence, Colorism & Creating Joy in Hollywood | Choosing Joy Podcast
Sep 2100:48:23Tap to summarizeIn this radiant episode of Choosing Joy, host Deborah Joy Winans Williams sits down with the one and only Gabourey Sidibe—award-winning actress, director, and mother—to talk about choosing self-worth, navigating colorism, and embracing joy in a world that often tells you you’re not enough. From her unexpected journey into stardom with Precious to raising twins and reclaiming her own story, Gabby opens up with humor, honesty, and an unshakable spirit. She shares how her mother’s influence, her unconventional path into Hollywood, and her deeply grounded sense of self have kept her centered through fame, criticism, and cultural expectations. This conversation goes beyond celebrity—into what it means to love yourself loudly despite the noise. Expect laughter, real talk, a few tears, and a reminder that every person deserves good things. Whether you're an artist, a parent, or just someone trying to find peace in your own skin, this episode is for you. ✨ This is Choosing Joy at its most soulful and powerful. Chapter Markers 00:00 – We All Deserve Good Things 03:00 – Gabby’s Unexpected Journey into Hollywood 06:00 – Spirituality, Serendipity & Precious 09:00 – Gabby’s First Time on Set 12:00 – What Hollywood Really Is 1 5:00 – Colorism, Casting, and Identity 18:00 – Exhaustion, Projection & Protecting Joy 21:00 – Gabby on Self-Love and Her Mother 24:00 – Marriage, Kids & Redefining Want 27:00 – IVF, Motherhood & Living Fully 30:00 – The Power of Storytelling #GaboureySidibe #ChoosingJoyPodcast #DeborahJoyWinans #SelfLove #Colorism #HollywoodTruths #BlackMotherhood #BlackWomenInFilm #IVFStory #Precious #EmbraceJoy #ConfidenceJourney #BlackExcellence #WomenInHollywood #ActressInterviewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Deborah Kerr Winans Interview | Joy Honors Her Mother’s Legacy While Navigating Alzheimer’s With Faith & Love
Sep 1200:19:01Tap to summarizeIn this intimate and profoundly moving episode of Choosing Joy, host Deborah Joy Winans Williams sits down with her mother, Deborah Kerr Winans, to share a deeply personal story of love, legacy, and faith in the face of Alzheimer’s. What began as a conversation meant for family became something much more—a testament to the power of memory, God’s grace, and choosing joy in the midst of unimaginable challenges. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020, Deborah Kerr Winans may not remember everything, but she never forgets her children, her faith, or the goodness of God. From growing up in Detroit and becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree to raising four children with fierce love and intention, this conversation honors a mother’s journey, strength, and unwavering belief. It’s a story about what remains even when memory fades—love, faith, and joy. ✨ Whether you’re a caregiver, a daughter, or someone facing hard truths about health and aging, this episode will wrap you in warmth and remind you: You’re not alone. And joy is still possible. Chapters 00:00 – Why This Conversation Matters01:00 – Living With Alzheimer's: A Daughter's Reflection03:00 – How the Diagnosis Changed Everything05:00 – Sitting in Gratitude, Not Just Grief07:00 – What My Mom Remembers Most09:00 – Holding Faith in the Middle of Memory Loss11:00 – Raising Us with Intention & Love13:00 – Faith, Detroit, and Family Values15:00 – A Mother's Unshakable Joy17:00 – The Gift of Her Legacy19:00 – Final Reflections, Birthday Song & A Blessing #DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #ChoosingJoyPodcast #DeborahKerrWinans #AlzheimersAwareness #FaithAndFamily #LegacyOfLove #BlackWomenCaregivers #ChoosingJoyInGrief #MotherDaughterLove #SpiritualHealingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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