WHOA That's Good Podcast

Episode: "Your Life Doesn’t Look Like You Expected? You’re Not Alone"

Guests: Korie Robertson (host, filling in for Sadie Robertson Huff) & Jill Dasher
Date: August 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode explores what to do when life doesn’t turn out the way we’d imagined. From unexpected callings and adoption journeys to church revivals and the challenges of generational faith, Korie Robertson and Jill Dasher share personal stories and hard-won wisdom. Their conversation encourages listeners that no matter how far off-course life seems, God is actively working through all stages and generations, weaving stories beyond what we can see.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Old Friends and Shared History

• Korie and Jill reflect on their 25-year friendship, sharing humorous anecdotes about misspelled names and their families' intertwined stories.
• Memorable Moment (04:24–06:51): Jill recalls Korie teaching her kids to swim and meeting through church, emphasizing the importance of lifelong connections:
  • "We have kids and I have grandkids and all the… and our kids are doing stuff together. It's so crazy." — Jill [06:35]

2. Unexpected Seasons & Adoption

• Jill shares about her family: five children, including an adopted daughter, Ruth, at age 40.
• "Started completely over at 40, which is a total God story. That is just only God, only God could have worked this out." — Jill [08:59]
• Discussion of being in every stage of parenting at once and the sweetness of little kids’ unfiltered faith.

3. God Moving Across Generations

• Both recount how God has interwoven their lives in ministry, podcasting, adoption, and entertainment.
• Korie notes the value of experiencing spiritual milestones as a parent and grandparent, echoing childhood faith conversations with Sadie and now her grandchild Honey.

4. Ministry in a Challenging Community

• Jill describes church planting in Asheville, NC, a spiritually diverse area (New Age, Wicca, and anti-Christian sentiment).
  • "It's very new age, very into Wiccan culture, very much anti Jesus ... And what we're seeing is ... so many of these people have tried everything, ... and none of it sustained me in any way." — Jill [15:37]
• Stories of practical love leading people to Christ, like helping a woman in the Wiccan community rebuild her flooded home, and the subsequent ripple effect of faith.
  • "People are just showing up because they are finding Jesus and Jesus is fulfilling their heart's desire." — Jill [16:55]

5. Revival & Fresh Faith

• Jill shares testimonies of radical transformation, including:
  • A young woman from Wiccan beliefs to hosting worship nights.
  • Former “guru goddess” turning to Christ, eagerly embracing biblical values.
  • "They're literally coming to Jesus, not to a church, a system of belief or anything. They're like, we want Jesus." — Jill [23:15]

6. Value & Role of Generational Faith

• Reference to 2 Timothy 1:5 on faith passed from grandmother to mother to child.
  • "[It] is so encouraging, whether you've been a part of generational faith or whether you are the first." — Jill [25:34]
• Importance of older generations not “tapping out”; vital to have wisdom and presence of older believers in church life.
  • "We need you more now than ever. You have a wisdom that I don't have." — Jill [35:19]

7. Redefining Success & God’s Presence in Unexpected Outcomes

• Korie and Jill discuss how following God doesn’t always produce expected results, but God remains faithful and his plans (the “tapestry”) often become clearer over time.
  • "It doesn't mean it's going to look the way you expect ... The measure of success is not the same as ours." — Korie [43:33]
• Adoption stories illustrate how life’s disappointments often make way for unexpected blessings.
  • "Thank you for not giving me the prayers that I asked in the moment and exactly the way that I wanted them or planned them out." — Korie [47:16]

8. Being Salt and Light

• Korie recalls a testimony from a non-believing woman in the UK:
  • "Christians are pretty good to hang around. They're actually really kind and they do a lot of the good in the world." [27:40]
• Challenge to represent Jesus well by serving selflessly, acknowledging that practical acts of love can transform lives.

9. Embracing New Seasons While Honoring the Old

• Jill shares about their church’s transition into a new building, integrating old stained glass windows as symbols of continued faithfulness.
  • "We bring the old into the new because the old has shaped our lives." — Jill [51:49]
• Korie reflects on the legacy of her in-laws’ hospitality and the value of opening your door at any life stage.
  • "If you want a full life, open your door." — Jill [53:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Faith & Questions:
  • "Ask every hard question. There is not a question that I would say don't pursue. ... If you are pursuing truth, you will find it, and you will find it exponentially." — Jill [29:11]
• On Generational Wisdom:
  • "It was hard for me, but I just love the life coming in here. This stuff doesn't matter." — Ms. Karen, paraphrased by Jill [35:07]
• On God’s Presence:
  • "If Your presence will not go with me, please do not send me out from here." — Quoting Moses, Jill [39:22]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introductions & Friendship Stories: [03:13–06:51]
• Family Updates & Adoption Journey: [07:22–09:23]
• Childlike Faith & Parenting Reflections: [09:24–12:13]
• Ministry in Asheville / Testimonies: [14:58–22:31]
• Fresh Faith, Revival Stories: [23:15–31:28]
• Generational Faith & Church Life: [32:12–41:33]
• God’s Presence Through Life’s Twists: [41:33–47:16]
• Embracing Change, Church Transition, Legacy: [48:15–53:23]
• Closing & Encouragements: [53:23–53:51]

Summary Tone & Takeaways

Casually warm yet deeply honest, the episode delivers hope to anyone whose life hasn’t gone “as expected.” With laughter, tears, and transparent storytelling, Korie and Jill remind listeners that every season—even the most unexpected—is part of God’s bigger story. Whether you’re a young seeker wrestling with faith, a parent in the trenches, or someone facing a season of “cleaning out,” there’s contentment and divine purpose to be found—especially when you invite God’s presence and keep your door open.

“What God has done in the past of your life—don’t throw it away. ... God will continually do something new.” — Korie [48:45]

For more from Jill:

• Book: Shallow
• Podcast: Not Yet Now

Connect with Korie & the WHOA That’s Good Podcast on your favorite platforms for more encouragement and wisdom.