Ryan Michelle Bathé on Marriage, Motherhood & Making Room for Grace

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

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