313: I Thought It Would Be Better Than This with Bestselling Author Jessica Turner

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Self-improvement, Education

5 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 9 April 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Corrine sits down with Jessica N. Turner—bestselling author, speaker, and creator who helps women navigate real-life challenges with intention and grace. Jessica opens up about the deeply personal story behind her latest book I Thought It Would Be Better Than This, which she wrote to help others facing disappointment, heartbreak, or life not going as planned. Jessica shares how her life changed when her husband came out during the pandemic, leading to divorce and a full reimagining of her future. She and Corrine talk about what it means to make “the best imperfect choice,” the emotional work of forgiveness (for others and yourself), and how even after profound loss, there’s still room to dream again. They also dive into the importance of finding the right therapist, building strong friendships (like the “reallys,” as Jessica’s daughter calls them), and why asking for prayer or help is a brave and beautiful act. Jessica’s story is a moving reminder that disappointment doesn’t have to be the end of your story—it can be the beginning of something brand new. Follow Jessica on Instagram @jessicanturner and find her book "I Thought It Would Be Better Than This" wherever books and audiobooks are sold, or order your copy here.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Okay, I'm so excited about today's episode. I just got done reading. I thought it would be better than this by my friend Jessica. Jessica, for anyone who isn't familiar with you yet, do you want to just give us a
0:21.3	little intro of who you are and what you're all about? Sure. I'm a creator based in Nashville.
0:26.4	I have three kids. They are 16, 13, and 10. And I was divorced during the pandemic because my husband
0:35.2	came out. And so for the past five years, I've been navigating
0:39.6	life not married and really kind of have rebuilt my life and my dreams and everything that I
0:47.9	thought life would look like looks kind of different from that. And realized in that trauma, that I was not alone in that, that we all have stories
0:59.4	that we told ourselves of how life would look and how often life doesn't go that way.
1:04.1	And so felt really called to write a book that addressed that.
1:08.0	I think it's a really special book because it is one part memoir and tells
1:12.0	my story, but then it's one part self-help and really grounded in research and therapy
1:17.6	and helping people identify strategies that they can use in their own stories. We did focus groups
1:24.0	with the book to make sure that it really met people where they were no matter what their disappointment. So this isn't a divorce book. This isn't a, you know, my husband is gay
1:31.4	book. Like this really is a book about unmet expectations and disappointments and not making those
1:37.6	the end of your story, but really making them just part of your story and still creating a life that you love. So I feel really honored
1:46.1	to be here and excited that this is finally out into the world. Yes. Well, I have to say I read your book
1:53.2	my favorite way from about the midpoint. I got to read like the, oh my gosh, what do you call that?
2:00.1	Like the early copy. Yeah, the arc,
2:02.8	the advanced reader copy. Yes, advanced reader about the first half. But then I got your,
2:09.0	I had the audiobook and then I got your book in the mail. And so for the second half, I read your
2:14.4	book the way that I love to read books, which is listening and reading at the
2:17.5	same time. I feel like I retain the information so much better. I don't get distracted. And it's just a
2:23.6	much more immersive experience. So I just like highly recommend that for anyone who is going to buy
	...

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