Choosing Joy

Teddy Pendergrass was a legendary singer and songwriter from the 60s and 70s that attracted the attention of women world wide. But when one of the closest women to him is murdered, and then he suffers a near fatal accident years later.. Are people wrong to suggest that the two may be connected? JOIN US as we discuss Teddy Pendegrass and the murder of Taaz Lang. RIP to the victims 💔 Black True Cri...

Content 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, beau...

Forgiveness 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 h...

Actress, 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 candid...

In 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 le...

How 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...

In 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 he...

In 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 m...

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...

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 conve...

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 songwriti...

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 em...

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, an...

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 herit...

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 Williams for an unfiltered, heart-centered conversation about identity, purpose, and resilience. From her Detroit roots to national headlines, Jemele Hill has never been afraid...

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 intentio...

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 s...