A new season, a renewed focus, and an invitation to live with eternal intention Life is short—how are you choosing to live it? In this episode of Courageous Retirement, I reflect on the reality that our days are limited and invite you into a conversation about living purposefully, not just productively. Scripture reminds us, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). That wisdom isn’t about rushing through life—it’s about aligning our time, energy, and ...
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A new season, a renewed focus, and an invitation to live with eternal intention Life is short—how are you choosing to live it? In this episode of Courageous Retirement, I reflect on the reality that our days are limited and invite you into a conversation about living purposefully, not just productively. Scripture reminds us, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). That wisdom isn’t about rushing through life—it’s about aligning our time, energy, and ...
A new season, a renewed focus, and an invitation to live with eternal intention Life is short—how are you choosing to live it? In this episode of Courageous Retirement, I reflect on the reality that our days are limited and invite you into a conversation about living purposefully, not just productively. Scripture reminds us, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). That wisdom isn’t about rushing through life—it’s about aligning our time, energy, and ...
Navigating grief during the holidays can feel especially heavy when the world expects joy, celebration, and togetherness. In this compassionate episode of Courageous Retirement, host Vona Johnson welcomes clinical psychologist and grief educator Dr. Richelle to offer gentle help and practical support for anyone experiencing loss during the holiday season. Together, they explore how grief is more than the loss of a loved one—it can also stem from changes in health, relationships, identity, ...
What does your life say about your faith? That is a question that can stop us in our tracks. In this touching Christmas episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona Johnson invites you to slow down and reflect on the one thing that truly matters. Inspired by her annual Christmas card and a tender memory of her dad during the advanced stages of dementia, Vona shares how a simple phrase he repeated about her stepmom revealed a deep truth about faith, love, and legacy. Drawing from 2 Peter 1:10, V...
Are you approaching retirement but still feel called to more? In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona Johnson sits down with Beverly Smith, a Faith-Driven Executive Résumé Writer and Job Search Strategist, to break down the myths surrounding retirement and explore what it looks like to finish well before or after retirement. Together, we talk about: ✨ Why retirement isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning ✨ How to overcome age bias with confidence and clarity ✨ Ways to align work, callin...
Have you ever watched someone you love drift off the path you thought God had for them? It’s painful—but it doesn’t mean their story is over. In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona Johnson shares insight from Scripture and personal experience about what it means to trust God’s plan when life doesn’t look the way you expected. Discover how to walk in peace, even when others take detours, and how God can use every path—straight or winding—for His glory. ✨ In this episode: Why detours ...
When was the last time you checked your spiritual compass? It might be time to wake up your faith and walk in God’s direction again. Have you ever realized you’ve been going through the motions—doing all the right things but missing the deeper purpose behind them? In this heartfelt episode, Vona shares a personal story that reminds us how easy it is to drift from God’s will without even noticing. She explores how to live intentionally, discern truth in a confusing world, and walk boldly in f...
Retirement isn’t just about making your money last — it’s about making your life count. In this special Courageous Retirement episode, host Vona Johnson teams up with guest host Michael Fritzius to co-lead a dynamic panel featuring three experts in purpose, financial planning, and travel. Together, Dan Simon, Mike Perez, and Amanda Hietter discuss how retirement can become your most meaningful, adventurous, and faith-filled season yet. Throughout the conversation you will discover how to: ~...
Is This YOUR Turning Point? Are you truly living out your purpose and showing love to others, as Jesus commanded in Luke 10:27? In this episode, we take a closer look at the Great Commission’s call to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) in a world filled with diverse and often conflicting beliefs. Our culture’s “you do you” mentality can easily pull us away from God’s truth and the foundation of our Christian faith. Too often, we slip into going through the motions—tolerating false doctri...
Living with or caring for someone with dementia is one of life’s hardest journeys—but also one filled with moments of unexpected grace. In this episode of 'Courageous Retirement,' host Vona Johnson sits down with chaplain Ben Boland to share stories of faith, love, and loss after both recently walking with their fathers through dementia. Together, they discuss: ✅ Recognizing early signs of dementia ✅ Finding peace and strength as a caregiver ✅ Why Christians view suffering, life, and death d...
Are you struggling to find meaning and support during tough times? In this heartfelt episode of 'Courageous Retirement,' host Vona Johnson discusses the profound impact of words and the importance of acknowledging our emotions. Sharing personal stories from her father's recent passing, Vona emphasizes the necessity of community and the power of expressing genuine feelings. Explore how encouragement and spiritual faith can transform grief into a journey of purpose and fulfillment...
What does it really cost to step into a retirement that honors God? In this episode of Courageous Retirement, host Vona Johnson invites you to look beyond bank accounts and bucket lists to discover what truly matters when leaving the working world behind. Drawing from the story of Zacchaeus, Vona shows how even the most unlikely people can find acceptance, transformation, and purpose in Jesus. She opens up about her own shift from chasing worldly success to pursuing the deeper joy that co...
In this episode of 'Courageous Retirement,' Vona explores how God’s nudges often lead us to unexpected but beautiful transformations. She’s joined by Amanda Hietter, a luxury travel advisor who left her paralegal career to step fully into entrepreneurship—and into the life God was calling her to live. Amanda shares her inspiring story of faith, fear, and freedom—revealing how she trusted God’s provision, prioritized time with family, and found purpose beyond the office walls. Vona also weave...
What happens when you retire at 47—and you're not even sure what's next? In this episode, Dan Simon shares how stepping away early wasn’t about escaping work, but about faithfully following God’s redirection. Discover the faith it takes to retire early—and the purpose that unfolds when you trust God with your next season. Dan walks us through his journey from climbing the ranks in education to launching a charter school, and eventually stepping into Christian education and consulting. Thr...
We've all had problems we feel helpless to fix. Whether it's an illness, a job situation, an unscrupulous landlord, or an unjust system, there are times when we can't remedy the situation. In this heartfelt finale of season one of 'Courageous Retirement,' host Vona Johnson shares how she is facing problems she cannot fix and offers encouragement for those feeling overwhelmed. Her story is a testament to the power of faith and trust in God's plan. Through touching stories, includ...
Are you an introvert nearing retirement and looking forward to the end of the need to attend networking events? Think again! In this episode of 'Courageous Retirement,' host Vona Johnson challenges you to rethink networking as a critical tool for maintaining connections in retirement. Sharing her recent experiences and offering actionable advice, Vona explores how continuing to network can lead to a life filled with purpose, joy, and community during the Best Season. Learn how t...
In this inspiring episode of Courageous Retirement, host Vona Johnson invites you to reflect on the legacy you’re building — not just someday, but right now. Vona shares her own journey, from writing 'A Different View' to becoming a life and retirement coach, showing how God weaves every part of our story — the successes, the struggles, even the fears — into a meaningful, lasting legacy. ✨ You’ll discover: ✅ How to face each with bold purpose and faith ✅ Why it’s never too late to cre...
Whether you plan your retirement for months in advance or are forced into it, the shift to retirement can be stressful and challenging. In this episode of the Courageous Retirement podcast, host Vona Johnson is joined by guest James Zeigler to discuss the profound and often challenging decision to retire. They explore retirement's emotional and practical aspects, emphasizing the importance of integrity, faith, and courage. James shares his journey from an illustrious career in V...
In this episode of Courageous Retirement, host Vona Johnson discusses the importance of being intentional about the issues we focus on as Christians. Inspired by a quote from a well-known comedian, Vona explores how we can shift our focus from disagreements to responding with love and understanding. She explores love, not in the worldly sense by ignoring sin, but the kind wrapped in truth and forgiveness. She emphasizes the significance of relying on the Bible for truth and provides practic...
In this conversation, Vona welcomes Brandon West to Courageous Retirement, where they discuss the paths of faith and career and how we can use our work as a ministry. Touching on themes of legacy, purpose, and the true definition of success and failure, Brandon shares a lesson on taking risks he learned from David Green, the CEO of Hobby Lobby, and a heartfelt discussion about the struggles of positioning his business as a ministry. Sharing impactful stories and quotes, they exp...
Documenting your experiences can help you process life and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. In this episode of Courageous Retirement, you will learn how to take your personal stories to the next level so you can leave a profound impact by writing them. Host Vona Johnson welcomes special guest Niels Kwakernaak to explore the significance of sharing personal stories. They discuss how Niels provides practical tips on writing and storytelling, emphasizing the therapeutic bene...
A new season, a renewed focus, and an invitation to live with eternal intention Life is short—how are you choosing to live it? In this episode of Courageous Retirement, I reflect on the reality that our days are limited and invite you into a conversation about living purposefully, not just productively. Scripture reminds us, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). That wisdom isn’t about rushing through life—it’s about aligning our time, energy, and ...
