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.

Media trailblazer&nbsp;Jemele Hill and her fianc&eacute; 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 &mdash; 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 &ldquo;holiday brat.&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;What Bothers You More?&rdquo; &mdash; tackling Christmas d&eacute;cor 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 &mdash; all the things that make the holidays meaningful.

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

In this heartfelt and humorous episode of Holiday AF, Jemele Hill and Ian Wallace join hosts Deborah Joy Winans Williams and MAJOR. for a conversation rooted in Detroit culture, family legacy, and joyful holiday chaos. Jemele shares how her grandmother shaped her love for Christmas, what it meant to grow up with a December 21st birthday, and how moving to Los Angeles changed — and didn’t change — her seasonal traditions.  The discussion shifts into Jemele’s evolution as a journalist and cultural commentator, detailing her transition from ESPN to The Atlantic and her acclaimed podcast Jemele Hill Is Unbothered. She talks about journalism as freedom work, why storytelling matters, and how she chooses compelling voices for her platform.  The episode closes with a spirited round of “What Bothers You More?”, unpacking Christmas décor debates, partner preferences in spades and charades, and a playful moment choosing between media icons Carrie Champion and Michael Smith. It’s a festive blend of laughter, love, legacy, and cultural truth.

Jemele Hill & Ian Wallace on Detroit Holidays, Love, Traditions & Their Funniest Christmas Stories | Holiday AF

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/377518e5-494e-4969-9d2d-b3a00184e9eb/transcript

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