Choosing Joy

Elise Osafo (@eltheegg) on Creativity, Courage, and Choosing Joy in Real Life

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, 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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Forgiveness, Family & Freedom: Deborah Joy Winans Williams on Letting Go for Joy

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 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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Bresha Webb on Motherhood, Faith, and the Miracle That Changed Her Life

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 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 women 00:38 – Deborah Joy introduces her 19-year friendship with Bresha 01:22 – Becoming a wife, mother, writer & artist 02:50 – What marriage actually looks like vs. expectations 04:16 – How partnership changed Bresha’s life 06:00 – Putting God at the center of her marriage 09:00 – Grief, love, and learning to lean on her husband 11:22 – Becoming a mom & balancing Hollywood 12:16 – The pregnancy complication that changed everything 12:54 – Discovering her heart condition 13:53 – Fear, faith, and the birth of Brave 16:03 – Why her daughter’s name carries so much power 17:07 – Deborah Joy shares her own pregnancy challenges 18:27 – Postpartum healing & Bresha’s miracle recovery 21:03 – Protecting peace in a demanding industry 21:56 – The role of faith in every obstacle 22:33 – Gospel + Cardi B = Bresha’s wellness formula 23:17 – Lessons from Niecy Nash & Kim Whitley 24:31 – Handling rejection & relying on God 25:21 – The audition that gave her new perspective 26:03 – When a "no" is really a divine redirection 28:55 – Honoring her value as a Black woman in Hollywood 29:55 – College memories & high-energy grit 31:09 – Losing 100+ lbs postpartum 32:38 – Health, wellness & lifting heavy 33:32 – Reflecting on years of growth 34:21 – Theater dreams & stepping into new callings 36:20 – Realizing she’s living her childhood dream 38:08 – Seeing herself clearly for the first time 39:02 – 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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ryan Michelle Bathé on Marriage, Motherhood & Making Room for Grace | Choosing Joy Podcast

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 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 Joy 03:00 – Australia, Motherhood & God's Surprises 06:00 – 19 Years of Marriage & Unpredictable Careers 09:00 – Faith, Stubbornness & Acting as a Calling 12:00 – Hollywood Rejection & Learning to Stay 15:00 – Parenting & Losing Yourself in the Process 18:00 – Perimenopause, Health, and Black Women Aging 21:00 – Family, Fear & Avoiding the Doctor 24:00 – Illness, ALS, and Loving Through Change 27:00 – Alzheimer’s, Caregiving & Choosing Joy Daily 30:00 – You Don’t Have to Get Through it Pretty 33:00 – Marriage Realizations & Letting Go of Perfection 36:00 – Church Culture, Legacy & Beautiful Homes 39:00 – Broken Glass & Emotional Meltdowns 42:00 – Stewardship, Provision & Taking Care of What God Gives 44:00 – Growing With Your Partner & Listening Deeply 47:00 – Community, Evolution & Loving the Present 49:00 – One Word She Wants Her Sons to Remember See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

ThatChickAngel Interview | How Faith and Laughter Shaped ThatChickAngel’s Journey

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 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 #BlackJoy See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.