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

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&apos;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 &amp; Parents 01:00 – Why Abby Phillip is That Woman 02:00 – Childhood in Trinidad &amp; the DMV 04:00 – Memory Loss as a Coping Mechanism 06:00 – The Joy of Family, Even from a Distance 08:00 – College Years &amp; 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 &amp; Small Daily Rituals 22:00 – The Power of Knowing Yourself 24:00 – Constantly Becoming &amp; Purpose Over Perfection 26:00 – Pushing Through Self-Doubt &amp; Expectations 28:00 – Why Perseverance Is Her Superpower 30:00 – Joy as a Choice, Affirmations &amp; 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 &amp; Self-Knowledge 54:00 – Deborah Joy’s Reflection &amp; 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

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.

Each week, actor and singer Deborah Joy Winans Williams invites inspiring women into candid, heart-led conversations about joy&mdash;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&mdash;even in life&rsquo;s uncertainties.

Choosing Joy

Abby Phillip Interview | Grace, Grit & Letting Go of the Pressure to Be Perfect | Choosing Joy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/898b75e8-9a57-4743-87b4-b3440156c704/transcript