In this episode ofIf You Knew Better, Amber Grimes sits down with sports journalist Jemele Hill for an honest conversation about love, marriage, and building a partnership on your own terms. Jemele shares why she defines marriage as a daily commitment rather than a destination [01:04], reflecting on how years of prioritizing her career [03:03] and lessons from her family [03:23] initially made marriage feel unlikely. She opens up about meeting her husband [07:40], embracing a relationship without rigid expectations [09:05], and how a long-distance romance built on consistency, intention, and clear communication laid the foundation for their future together [11:42]. Jemele also recalls making their relationship public [14:53], explains the importance of "minding your business" instead of letting outside opinions dictate your relationship [17:06], and challenges common misconceptions about dating, marriage, and Black women's desirability.

The conversation expands into the role money, ambition, and shared values play in healthy relationships, as Jemele discusses financial compatibility [22:42], redefining standards beyond salary [26:01], and the humorous story behind her "Amex glow up" [26:29]. She explains why unwavering career support from a partner matters [28:00], how marriage has increased accountability and encouraged greater vulnerability [29:44] [34:35], and why true emotional safety allows her to embrace a softer side of herself [37:07]. Closing the conversation, Jemele offers practical dating advice [41:49], shares her perspective on choosing marriage without feeling pressured by timelines around children [46:04], reflects on navigating a new season of professional transition [49:45], and wraps by discussing her latest book and what's next [53:16]. Thoughtful, empowering, and deeply personal, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on relationships, success, and defining happiness on your own terms. 

Ask or Share with Amber:withambergrimes@gmail.com

Follow Amber Grimes on Instagram:

@ambergrimes

Follow Jemele Hilll:

@jemelehill

Get Amber's Newsletter on Substack

Watch This Episode on Youtube Thursday at 6pm ET 

Follow Amber's Book Club 

Get Amber's Book Club Merch 

Read Amber's Favorite Books

In this episode of If You Knew Better, Amber Grimes sits down with sports journalist Jemele Hill for an honest conversation about love, marriage, and building a partnership on your own terms. Jemele shares why she defines marriage as a daily commitment rather than a destination [01:04], reflecting on how years of prioritizing her career [03:03]&nbsp;and lessons from her family [03:23]&nbsp;initially made marriage feel unlikely. She opens up about meeting her husband [07:40], embracing a relationship without rigid expectations [09:05], and how a long-distance romance built on consistency, intention, and clear communication laid the foundation for their future together [11:42]. Jemele also recalls making their relationship public [14:53], explains the importance of "minding your business" instead of letting outside opinions dictate your relationship [17:06], and challenges common misconceptions about dating, marriage, and Black women's desirability.
The conversation expands into the role money, ambition, and shared values play in healthy relationships, as Jemele discusses financial compatibility [22:42], redefining standards beyond salary [26:01], and the humorous story behind her "Amex glow up" [26:29]. She explains why unwavering career support from a partner matters [28:00], how marriage has increased accountability and encouraged greater vulnerability [29:44]&nbsp;[34:35], and why true emotional safety allows her to embrace a softer side of herself [37:07]. Closing the conversation, Jemele offers practical dating advice [41:49], shares her perspective on choosing marriage without feeling pressured by timelines around children [46:04], reflects on navigating a new season of professional transition [49:45], and wraps by discussing her latest book and what's next [53:16]. Thoughtful, empowering, and deeply personal, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on relationships, success, and defining happiness on your own terms.&nbsp;
Ask or Share with Amber: <a href="mailto:withambergrimes@gmail.com" data-ogsc="">withambergrimes@gmail.com</a>
Follow Amber Grimes on Instagram:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ambergrimes">@ambergrimes</a>
Follow Jemele Hilll:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemelehill/">@jemelehill</a>
<a href="https://substack.com/@withambergrimes">Get Amber's Newsletter on Substack</a>
<a href="https://youtube.com/@iykbetter?si=WMEDSWNJOsxlRkD0">Watch This Episode on Youtube Thursday at 6pm ET&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ambersbookclub/">Follow Amber's Book Club </a>
<a href="https://ambersbookclub.com/collections/hats">Get Amber's Book Club Merch&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://a.co/d/01GreLFP">Read Amber's Favorite Books</a>

You can’t rewrite the past — but you can learn from it. Amber Grimes did exactly that, going from college dropout to Executive Vice President in the entertainment industry with no map, just mistakes and lessons that turned into power moves.

 

If You Knew Better is where Amber shares that wisdom — alongside artists, creatives, and culture-shifters who open up about the missteps they made, the mindsets that changed everything, and the game they wish they knew sooner.

 

Together, they unpack the highs, the lows, and the pivots in life, career, and relationships — so you either don’t have to go through it, or can move smarter when you do.

 

Every episode delivers real talk, hard-won insight, and practical gems to help you grow into the version of yourself that knows better… and does better.

You can&rsquo;t rewrite the past &mdash; but you can learn from it. Amber Grimes did exactly that, going from college dropout to Executive Vice President in the entertainment industry with no map, just mistakes and lessons that turned into power moves.
&nbsp;
If You Knew Better is where Amber shares that wisdom &mdash; alongside artists, creatives, and culture-shifters who open up about the missteps they made, the mindsets that changed everything, and the game they wish they knew sooner.
&nbsp;
Together, they unpack the highs, the lows, and the pivots in life, career, and relationships &mdash; so you either don&rsquo;t have to go through it, or can move smarter when you do.
&nbsp;
Every episode delivers real talk, hard-won insight, and practical gems to help you grow into the version of yourself that knows better&hellip; and does better.

If You Knew Better with Amber Grimes

Jemele Hill Knows Marriage Isn’t 50/50 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/11ac3c48-a5ce-4d82-b2ab-b49500ba2fa9/transcript