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Today I am speaking with Jessica Stone, a novelist, screenwriter and storyteller who will soon turn 50.
Jessica has lived a remarkable life. She became a mother at a very young age and spent many years working in survival mode. She endured domestic abuse, a devastating health crisis and a near-death experience that reshaped the way she viewed her identity, her purpose and the future she wanted to create.
Her experiences would eventually lead her to faith, healing, reconciliation and a renewed calling to share stories that bring hope to others.
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
• First, Jessica’s near-death experience forced her to rethink what truly mattered and inspired her to finally pursue writing.
• Second, she grew up in a multicultural environment overseas and experienced deep identity struggles when returning to the United States.
• Third, writing fiction became a way for Jessica to process her past while offering readers stories that acknowledge pain, but point to hope.
• Fourth, she believes every person has a calling and gifts that are meant to be used, rather than setting them aside for the “practical” demands of life.
• Finally, Jessica’s relationship with her daughter’s father came full circle, leading the two of them to marry many years after their daughter was born.
Jessica currently writes Christian fiction, along with stories that highlight themes such as forgiveness, identity and the quiet resilience of the human spirit.
What gives Jessica meaning and purpose at this stage of her life is the opportunity to live authentically and to create stories that bring hope to others who are struggling.
For many years, Jessica carried regrets about the choices she made earlier in life and the hardships she endured. But, today she sees how those experiences have been redeemed.
Not only did she survive a life-threatening illness, but she also found reconciliation with her daughter’s father. After nearly two decades apart, the two of them married, a blessing that Jessica said she never could have predicted.
Now, as she approaches 50, Jessica is embracing a season of renewed identity. She is writing full-time, creating books and screenplays designed to help people feel seen and understood.
She is also looking forward to spending more time with her daughter in Paris, where Jessica and her husband will divide their time in the future.
For Jessica, purpose is found in leaning into the gifts God has given her, telling stories that speak to real struggles and reminding others that hope still remains, even in the darkest moments.
Her book, “Beauty and The Bittersweet,” is available on Amazon and in other bookstores. She will release a sequel sometime in 2026.
However, people can subscribe to her email list and get immediate access to two prequels as well as another book titled “Retirement Rendezvous” by visiting her website at www.jessicastonestories.com.
Jessica’s life is a testament to the impact of restoration and the belief that someone’s story is never really finished, no matter how late in the journey it may seem.
That’s all for this week’s show. If you’d like to start living a more meaningful life, I encourage you to download our free guide to finding purpose, which is available at www.forwardfrom50.com.
I’ll have another inspirational interview on the next episode of the Forward From 50 podcast. Thanks for listening. If you like this show, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.
If you buy Jessica’s book from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
