Choosing Joy

With the fall film festival season (mostly) in the rearview and release dates set through the end of the year, Adam and Josh hold a Fall Movie Preview Draft that sees them largely ignoring obvious picks like Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three in favor of battling over some of the most intriguing indies still to come. Plus, a review of Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning and Massacre Theatre.   This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:25) ‘26 Fall Preview Draft (00:02:26-0:25:19) Filmspotting Family (0:25:20-00:31:25) Preview Draft, cont. (00:31:26-1:02:41) The Social Reckoning (1:02:42-01:30:58) Massacre Theatre (01:30:59-01:36:46) Credits / New Releases (01:36:47-01:44:01) Notes: - Find the Show: Filmspotting Podcast -Yes, for some reason James Caan appeared on a Fall Preview cast list for “Cliff Booth” along with his son. No, it didn’t occur to Adam that he was dead. (He is.) -”The Family Guy” has the famous “It insists upon itself” joke – not “The Simpsons.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYAi5aI_NPc -Refocus Film Festival https://refocusfilmfestival.org/ Feedback: -Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠-⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus shows, archive access, and more. http://filmspottingfamily.com -Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more. ⁠https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow: -Watch Filmspotting on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/filmspotting⁠ -Adam/Filmspotting ⁠Letterboxd⁠ |⁠ Instagram⁠ |⁠ Facebook⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ -Josh/LarsenOnFilm ⁠Letterboxd⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ |⁠ Facebook⁠ | ⁠BlueskySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 for privacy information.

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 for privacy information.

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 women00:38 – Deborah Joy introduces her 19-year friendship with Bresha01:22 – Becoming a wife, mother, writer & artist02:50 – What marriage actually looks like vs. expectations04:16 – How partnership changed Bresha’s life06:00 – Putting God at the center of her marriage09:00 – Grief, love, and learning to lean on her husband11:22 – Becoming a mom & balancing Hollywood12:16 – The pregnancy complication that changed everything12:54 – Discovering her heart condition13:53 – Fear, faith, and the birth of Brave16:03 – Why her daughter’s name carries so much power17:07 – Deborah Joy shares her own pregnancy challenges18:27 – Postpartum healing & Bresha’s miracle recovery21:03 – Protecting peace in a demanding industry21:56 – The role of faith in every obstacle22:33 – Gospel + Cardi B = Bresha’s wellness formula23:17 – Lessons from Niecy Nash & Kim Whitley24:31 – Handling rejection & relying on God25:21 – The audition that gave her new perspective26:03 – When a "no" is really a divine redirection28:55 – Honoring her value as a Black woman in Hollywood29:55 – College memories & high-energy grit31:09 – Losing 100+ lbs postpartum32:38 – Health, wellness & lifting heavy33:32 – Reflecting on years of growth34:21 – Theater dreams & stepping into new callings36:20 – Realizing she’s living her childhood dream38:08 – Seeing herself clearly for the first time39:02 – 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 for privacy information.

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 Joy03:00 – Australia, Motherhood & God's Surprises06:00 – 19 Years of Marriage & Unpredictable Careers09:00 – Faith, Stubbornness & Acting as a Calling12:00 – Hollywood Rejection & Learning to Stay15:00 – Parenting & Losing Yourself in the Process18:00 – Perimenopause, Health, and Black Women Aging21:00 – Family, Fear & Avoiding the Doctor24:00 – Illness, ALS, and Loving Through Change27:00 – Alzheimer’s, Caregiving & Choosing Joy Daily30:00 – You Don’t Have to Get Through it Pretty33:00 – Marriage Realizations & Letting Go of Perfection36:00 – Church Culture, Legacy & Beautiful Homes39:00 – Broken Glass & Emotional Meltdowns42:00 – Stewardship, Provision & Taking Care of What God Gives44:00 – Growing With Your Partner & Listening Deeply47:00 – Community, Evolution & Loving the Present49:00 – One Word She Wants Her Sons to RememberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 #BlackJoySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 her own story, Gabby opens up with humor, honesty, and an unshakable spirit. She shares how her mother’s influence, her unconventional path into Hollywood, and her deeply grounded sense of self have kept her centered through fame, criticism, and cultural expectations. This conversation goes beyond celebrity—into what it means to love yourself loudly despite the noise. Expect laughter, real talk, a few tears, and a reminder that every person deserves good things. Whether you're an artist, a parent, or just someone trying to find peace in your own skin, this episode is for you. ✨ This is Choosing Joy at its most soulful and powerful. Chapter Markers 00:00 – We All Deserve Good Things 03:00 – Gabby’s Unexpected Journey into Hollywood 06:00 – Spirituality, Serendipity & Precious 09:00 – Gabby’s First Time on Set 12:00 – What Hollywood Really Is 1 5:00 – Colorism, Casting, and Identity 18:00 – Exhaustion, Projection & Protecting Joy 21:00 – Gabby on Self-Love and Her Mother 24:00 – Marriage, Kids & Redefining Want 27:00 – IVF, Motherhood & Living Fully 30:00 – The Power of Storytelling #GaboureySidibe #ChoosingJoyPodcast #DeborahJoyWinans #SelfLove #Colorism #HollywoodTruths #BlackMotherhood #BlackWomenInFilm #IVFStory #Precious #EmbraceJoy #ConfidenceJourney #BlackExcellence #WomenInHollywood #ActressInterviewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 midst of unimaginable challenges. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020, Deborah Kerr Winans may not remember everything, but she never forgets her children, her faith, or the goodness of God. From growing up in Detroit and becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree to raising four children with fierce love and intention, this conversation honors a mother’s journey, strength, and unwavering belief. It’s a story about what remains even when memory fades—love, faith, and joy. ✨ Whether you’re a caregiver, a daughter, or someone facing hard truths about health and aging, this episode will wrap you in warmth and remind you: You’re not alone. And joy is still possible. Chapters 00:00 – Why This Conversation Matters01:00 – Living With Alzheimer's: A Daughter's Reflection03:00 – How the Diagnosis Changed Everything05:00 – Sitting in Gratitude, Not Just Grief07:00 – What My Mom Remembers Most09:00 – Holding Faith in the Middle of Memory Loss11:00 – Raising Us with Intention & Love13:00 – Faith, Detroit, and Family Values15:00 – A Mother's Unshakable Joy17:00 – The Gift of Her Legacy19:00 – Final Reflections, Birthday Song & A Blessing #DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #ChoosingJoyPodcast #DeborahKerrWinans #AlzheimersAwareness #FaithAndFamily #LegacyOfLove #BlackWomenCaregivers #ChoosingJoyInGrief #MotherDaughterLove #SpiritualHealingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 up about motherhood, mental health, faith, grief, self-worth, and how she learned (and is still learning) to choose joy daily—not just on stage, but in real life. From the lessons of her Winans family legacy to her girls' trip epiphany with Merle Dandridge to the quiet prayers that sustain her, this episode is a soulful, grounding invitation to go deeper. Whether you’re a woman of faith, an artist in progress, a mother in motion, or just someone trying to pour from a not-so-full cup—Deborah’s raw honesty and wisdom remind us that joy isn’t a mood... it’s a decision. Chapters 00:00 – What Choosing Joy Means to Me01:00 – Unpacking My Relationship with Joy03:00 – What Life Has Taught Me About Grace05:00 – The Power of Choosing Yourself07:00 – A Girls' Trip That Changed Everything09:00 – How My Faith Guides My Work11:00 – My Morning Routine of Gratitude13:00 – 6AM Prayer, Grandma Winans, and Simplicity15:00 – Staying Grounded in a Chaotic World17:00 – What My Family’s Legacy Taught Me19:00 – How My Uncle Bebe Changed My Perspective21:00 – Seeing People as Ministry23:00 – Navigating Motherhood, Germs & Balance25:00 – Rest, Vitamins, Vaseline & Olly Multis 27:00 – Playing Charity on Greenleaf29:00 – Grace for Imperfection & Finding Your Way31:00 – Advice for Young Women in Music & Acting33:00 – Final Reflections & Your Invitation to Joy #DeborahJoyWinansWilliams #ChoosingJoyPodcast #GreenleafCharity #BlackWomenInFaith #JoyIsAChoice #FaithAndMotherhood #ChristianWomenPodcast #WomenInEntertainment #HealingWithGod #SoulfulStorytellingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 conversations of the season.From growing up immersed in Black excellence in D.C. and Maryland to navigating loss, therapy, and self-reinvention, Gia shares the full spectrum of her journey. She opens up about losing her grandmother, surviving depressive episodes, and how therapy and faith helped her find joy again.Whether she’s talking about  being on 106 & Park, the inspiration behind Healed Girl Era, or why joy must be an intentional daily choice—Gia reminds us: healing is possible, even in the middle of the storm.✨ This episode is a love letter to every woman figuring it out in real-time. To every woman choosing herself, one sacred step at a time.Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Sponsor Message00:46 – Why Gia Peppers is That Girl02:00 – Growing Up in the DMV & Black Excellence04:00 – Howard University Influence & Community Impact06:00 – Her Dad’s Legacy in Journalism08:00 – Early Dreams of Hosting & Performing10:00 – Inspired by Free on 106 & Park11:30 – Interning with Donnie Simpson & Black Radio Roots13:00 – Navigating the Cutthroat Industry with Kindness14:30 – The Power of Representation for Black Girls16:00 – Teen Girlhood, Beauty, and Identity Today18:30 – Choosing Joy in the Midst of Transition20:30 – Letting Go of Self-Doubt with Therapy23:00 – Choosing Grace Over Pressure25:00 – Joy as a Choice, Not a Feeling26:30 – How the Pandemic Revealed Deep Emotional Shifts29:00 – Grief, Loss & Losing Her Grandmother31:00 – Breaking Generational Silence Around Mental Health33:00 – Creating the Healed Girl Era Podcast35:00 – Finding Purpose in Her Own Voice37:00 – Vulnerability, Impact & Stepping Out in Faith39:00 – Learning to Rest and Rebuild41:00 – What Choosing Joy Looks Like Now43:00 – Final Reflections & A Prayer for JoySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.