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 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.

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