Courageous Retirement: Answer God's Call to MORE!

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, prioriti...

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...

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 testam...

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 ...

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 discov...

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, fai...

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 t...

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 ...

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 t...

Does the illusion of wasting away in retirement scare you? Do you long to be active, travel, and make new friends? 

Then listen up!

In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Mike Weeks shares his transformative journey into the Senior Olympics. Discover how Mike rejuvenated his life post-retirement by diving into competitive swimming and other sports, leading to better health and new friendships. 

Mike and host, Vo...

Are there things you wish you could undo or do-over? We all have them, but you can live regret-free!

Join us for an insightful and moving conversation with Leanne Marie Webster about living life 'full out,' free from regrets. 

In this episode, Leanne revisits a tragic childhood event that shaped her philosophy of living every day to the fullest. We discuss the importance of intentional living, how regret...

Have you ever heard of geocaching? 

Whether you’re a pro or a complete newbie, you’ll love this conversation with Lisa Breitenfeldt of Cache Like a Girl! 

Join us as we explore what geocaching is, why people get hooked on it, and how you can embark on this high-tech treasure hunt yourself. Geocaching can add a sprinkle of adventure and connection to your life, no matter where you are. 

Learn how to get st...

It's challenging to answer God's call to more when our family isn't on board, but that doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't do it.

In this episode of 'Courageous Retirement,' host Vona Johnson shares the inspiring journey of Kelly Frasier, who defied her family's skepticism to follow God's call. Fueled by faith and courage, Kelly overcame her fears and built a successful stud...

What does courage look like in retirement? For Kellie Frazier of Fetch the Goodness, it meant going far beyond her comfort zone. From  jumping out of airplanes and zip-lining over a Mexican rainforest to embracing radical life changes, Kellie shares her remarkable story of healing after a brain injury, a transformative 40-day fast, and stepping boldly into God's plan to bring children back to Him through a TV show.

I...

Christmas is a season of hope, joy, and peace, but for many, it is a season when old hurts resurface, reminding us of things that are anything but joyful.

Vona Johnson explores the profound theme of forgiveness in this heartfelt episode of Courageous Retirement. Reflecting on personal stories, Christian teachings, and poignant examples, Vona encourages listeners to release long-held hurts and embrace the true spirit of Chr...

In this episode of Courageous Retirement, host Vona Johnson shares her thoughts about waiting, which resonates deeply with those who realize that much of life involves waiting, and retirement is not excluded. She draws parallels between this waiting and the anticipation of the Christmas season, making the experience particularly relatable to believers. 

Vona highlights the numerous milestones and periods of waiting through...

Host, Vona Johnson, reflects on her faith journey and understanding God's plan in this heartfelt episode. She shares how perceived missteps and years of uncertainty were laying a foundation for her true calling.

Vona reveals the importance of continued faith and trust in God's plan, even when life's path seems unclear. She shares how her podcast Courageous Retirement came to be and introduces the concept of...

Have you ever viewed life as a game? This episode explores how our favorite childhood board games like Battleship, Candy Land, and Monopoly reflect our life's journey. 

In life, as in a game, we sometimes make a fortunate move and other times, ose a lot of ground. The conversation also parallels how we can view our faith as a game. We learn why keeping your eye on the 'end game' is crucial, and we stress the...

Life has a way of bunching up, even in retirement. This episode is about balancing multiple commitments and prioritizing what truly matters. As she looks at life from a different perspective, Vona emphasizes the role of God's plan for work and rest and how faith and flexibility can guide us in making the right choices. 

Discover practical tips that you can easily implement in your daily life, on maintaining harmony with our pri...