Courageous Retirement: Answer God's Call to MORE!

Vona Johnson
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Whether you're already retired, on the brink of retirement, or simply curious about the future, join us on this journey in Courageous Retirement: Answer God's Call to MORE! Through insightful conversations, stories of courage and resilience, and practical wisdom rooted in biblical truth, Courageous Retirement will empower you to see this best season of life not as an end but as a beginning—a chance to boldly make a difference in a world that shuns God's truth. Join us and discover how to find fulfillment beyond the workplace and embrace a new chapter of purpose and impact.   Our host, Christian Retirement Coach Vona Johnson, is not just an author, speaker, and leader in her community. She is also a fellow retiree, sharing her personal journey and the wisdom she's gained along the way. Together with her guests, they illuminate how life becomes richer when you engage your faith, live out your true purpose, and leave a legacy of faith. Courageous Retirement will inspire you to Live Your More!You can find Courageous Retirement on YouTube, too! https://www.youtube.com/@vonajohnson/podcasts

  1. 1d ago

    54. Cancer Off Center Stage: Finding Faith, Hope, and Peace After Diagnosis

    What do you do when you hear the words, "You have cancer"? In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona Johnson sits down with author, speaker, and coach Dana Lyons in an intimate conversation about the emotional and spiritual journey that begins with a cancer diagnosis. Drawing from their own experiences as cancer survivors, Vona and Dana share honest reflections on fear, uncertainty, faith, and finding hope when life takes an unexpected turn. Although several years separated their diagnoses, they walked alongside one another through their respective cancer journeys, offering encouragement, understanding, and faith-filled support. Their friendship underscores one of the episode's most important messages: when facing life's greatest challenges, finding your people matters. Together, they explore the waiting between diagnosis and treatment, the importance of choosing trusted voices, and why experiencing fear or doubt does not mean your faith has failed. Dana also shares powerful insights from her book, You Have Cancer, Now What?, including the importance of praying for God's mercy and refusing to allow cancer to become more central than God. Whether you are facing cancer, supporting someone who is, or navigating another unexpected life challenge, this conversation offers practical wisdom, biblical encouragement, and a powerful reminder that hope is not found in having guarantees—it's found in the One who walks with us through every season. In this episode, you'll discover: • How to navigate the fear and uncertainty that follow a diagnosis • Why waiting for answers is often one of the hardest parts • The importance of finding trusted people to walk alongside you • How to stop fear from spiraling out of control • Why doubt and faith can coexist • Two life-changing lessons from Dana's cancer journey • How a diagnosis can reshape priorities and deepen purpose • Where hope can be found, even when the future feels uncertain Timestamps: 00:00 Hearing The Diagnosis 00:54 That Dreaded Phone Call 03:27 Waiting For The Plan 07:09 Different Cancer Journeys 10:17 Dana's Cervical Cancer Diagnosis 13:11 When Fear Takes Over 17:05 Faith and Doubt Can Coexist 20:29 Praying for God's Mercy 23:26 Keeping Cancer Off Center Stage 24:54 How Diagnosis Changes Priorities 27:10 Living Without Guarantees 31:57 Gifts Found in the Journey 33:38 Hope, Community, and Moving Forward 37:33 Final Reflections I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!  Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.   Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com! Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona. Join ClubMore!

    39 min

  2. Jun 4

    53. What Are You Training Your Eyes to See?

    Darkness is loud right now. And if we're not intentional, it's easy to let it become all we see. In this episode, Vona explores one of the most practical — and most powerful — shifts available to us: learning to train our eyes toward the light. Drawing from a memorable moment at a Toastmasters meeting, a morning spent at a young man's funeral, and the quiet faithfulness of her own father's final days, Vona offers a deeply personal reflection on what it looks like to choose peace, purpose, and gratitude even when life is hard. Because the first thing God created was light. And that tells us something about who gets the last word. In this episode: Why we find exactly what we're looking for — and how to use that truth to your advantageHow to hold grief, fear, and uncertainty without losing your footingWhat "finishing well" actually looks like — witnessed firsthand at a celebration of lifeThe promise in John 16:33 that becomes the floor you stand on when everything else is shakingA simple weekly practice to help you begin retraining your eye toward the goodScripture referenced: "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." — John 16:33 This week's challenge: Write down three things that are good and true in your life right now. Not because the hard things aren't real — but because the good things are just as real, and they deserve to be seen. Courageous Retirement is for believers who are ready to finish well, live with purpose, and embrace the best season of their lives. Learn more at VonaJohnson.com. I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!  Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.   Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com! Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona. Join ClubMore!

    6 min

  3. May 21

    52. Your Calling Doesn't Retire: How God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes Beyond the Workplace

    Does God still have a calling on your life as you step into retirement? Absolutely — and in this episode, Vona makes the case that your best season is not behind you. It's just beginning. Inspired by her own church's search for a pastor, Vona draws a powerful parallel between the formal call process and the calling God places on every one of our lives — yes, even yours, and yes, even now. From Moses to David to the everyday believer ready to leave the workplace, God has always used ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. In this episode you'll discover: Why your calling doesn't end when your career doesHow retirement frees you to prioritize the relationship and purpose God designed you forWhat it truly looks like to "lead a life worthy of your calling" in this season"God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose."— Romans 8:28 "Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle." — Ephesians 4:1–2 "The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled." — Romans 15:4 Verses referenced in this episode: Mark 12:29–31 | Romans 8:28–30 | Romans 15:4 | Ephesians 4:1–6 📖 Free Resource: Ready to view retirement through a healthy, God-centered lens? Download Vona's free guide, Four Things to Do Before You Retire, and start thinking about the purposeful, courageous life waiting for you in this best season. 👉 Download the free guide here Vona Johnson is a retirement coach and host of Courageous Retirement. She loves equipping Christians to finish well and live the MORE their soul longs for—beyond the workplace. Remember—your best season may just be beginning. I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!  Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.   Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com! Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona. Join ClubMore!

    9 min

  4. May 7

    51. The Next Saul: Why We Need to Stop Labeling People

    In a world quick to label people, it's easy to form opinions without ever knowing someone's story. In this episode, Vona Johnson reflects on the subtle ways we categorize others — and invites us to pause. What if we trusted Jesus with what we don't understand, and chose to see people, not categories? Drawing on the transformation of Saul into Paul, she explores how faith can change the way we see others — and ourselves. A gentle call to slow down, question the narratives we absorb, and choose love over labels in a divided world. Because we never know when the person in front of us might be the next Saul… waiting for the moment God uses to change everything. Keep living your MORE with courage—your best season may just be beginning. I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!  Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.   Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com! Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona. Join ClubMore!

    6 min

  5. Apr 23

    50. The Years That Matter Most: Why retirement may be the most meaningful season of your life.

    Retirement doesn’t mean our purpose is behind us. In fact, it may be the season when our influence becomes the most meaningful. In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona reflects on wisdom from a 92-year-old woman who shared advice she wished she had received decades earlier. Her reflections spark a deeper conversation about purpose, grace, and the limited time we have to make a difference. Vona also explores the idea of “cheap grace,” a phrase coined by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and what it means for those of us seeking to live faithfully in the years ahead. If you’ve ever wondered what God might still have in store for you in retirement, this conversation will encourage you to live intentionally and step into the MORE He may be calling you toward. Reflection Questions ⭐ What are you retiring to in this season of life? ⭐ Who in your life might benefit from your wisdom, presence, and thoughtful questions? ⭐ How are you preparing your body, mind, and spirit for the opportunities God may place before you? Because retirement isn’t the end… It may be the beginning of your most meaningful season yet. If this episode encouraged you, consider sharing it with a friend who is navigating retirement or the next chapter of life. I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!  Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.   Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com! Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona. Join ClubMore!

    8 min

  6. Apr 9

    49. Unexpected Freedom: A Lesson About Life, Retirement, and Carrying Less

    Many of us carry more than we realize. Over time responsibilities, commitments, possessions, and expectations slowly fill our “backpack” until one day the weight begins to feel heavier than it should. In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona shares a recent personal experience simplifying her website—and the surprising freedom that came from letting go of something that had quietly become too heavy. Through this simple change, she discovered a deeper lesson about life, retirement, and the invitation Jesus offers in Matthew 11: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Rest doesn’t mean giving up on the dreams God has placed on our hearts. It means releasing the stress of carrying what was never meant to be ours or was never meant to be a burden forever. If you're entering your best season of life, this episode may inspire you to take a look inside your own backpack and ask a simple question:  What might God be inviting you to simplify? I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!  Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.   Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com! Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona. Join ClubMore!

    7 min

  7. Mar 26

    48. Are You Chasing Purpose…or Living Your MORE?

    Many people love the quote often attributed to Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” But what if, in our search for that “why,” we’ve been looking in the wrong direction? In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona explores the tension between chasing purpose the world’s way and following God’s calling. It’s easy to get caught up pursuing bigger numbers, more recognition, or the next opportunity that promises influence or success. But those pursuits can quietly pull us away from the people and callings God has already placed in our lives. Vona shares a personal story about stepping back from the pressure to strive for more clients and more listeners—and what that experience revealed about the difference between chasing and trusting God. If you’ve ever wondered what your purpose looks like in retirement, this episode invites you to pause and ask a deeper question: Are you chasing the world’s definition of purpose… or are you faithfully following Jesus? Because finishing well may not be about doing more. It may be about finally learning to live your MORE. Questions for Reflection: When you think about purpose in this season of life, do you feel more like you are chasing something or following where God is leading?Where in your life might you be measuring success by numbers, recognition, or productivity instead of faithfulness?Is there an area where striving or chasing has begun to crowd out the people or callings God has already placed in front of you?What might it look like for you to listen more intentionally for God’s voice in this season of retirement?What is one simple step of obedience you sense God inviting you to take right now?If you stepped back from striving for a moment, where might you already see signs that God is inviting you to live your MORE?I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!  Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.   Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com! Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona. Join ClubMore!

    5 min

  8. Mar 12

    47. Putting First Things First: A Christ-Centered Vision for Retirement

    What if the most important part of retirement planning has nothing to do with money? In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona sits down with certified financial planner and consultant Kevin Berwald to explore a different starting point for retirement: putting Christ first. Kevin shares why retirement is about far more than financial security, travel plans, or lifestyle goals. Instead, he encourages listeners to consider a deeper question: What is God’s purpose for this season of life? Together they talk about the foundation of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the importance of being “born again,” and how life’s challenges often become the very places where God builds trust, faith, and lasting peace. Kevin also introduces his book Mission Retirement, which helps individuals create a personal retirement vision and mission statement focused on what truly matters—faith, relationships, health, stewardship, service, and legacy. This thoughtful conversation invites you to step back, seek God’s direction, and rethink what a truly courageous, purpose-filled retirement could look like. Quotes from Kevin:  "God will take you to the point where you can't handle it, so you have to turn to him."  "It's all about, it's always, always has been, always will be about God's will."  "Our courageous retirement is being courageous enough to let God do His thing and realize it's not about us. That's where the courage comes from sometimes is letting go." Verses referenced: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." Revelations 3:20   "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 Purchase the book, Mission Retirement Email Kevin: kevin@catalyst4growth.org Timestamp: 00:00 – Rethinking retirement: starting with purpose 01:05 – Why putting God first changes everything 02:44 – The foundation of being “born again” 04:28 – The question that matters most: Who is Jesus to you? 06:17 – When worldly success still feels empty 09:43 – A mother’s prayers and a journey back to faith 12:59 – How surrender often comes through life’s trials 16:09 – The Milky Way perspective: trusting God’s bigger plan 19:02 – Prayer as a relationship with God 21:13 – An Israel trip and learning to trust God more deeply 25:23 – Faith and perspective during global uncertainty 26:00 – Surprising church growth in Iran 27:50 – The idea of a purposeful retirement legacy 28:25 – “Did God really say?” and spiritual discernment 29:14 – Why being born again matters for understanding God’s will 30:20 – Planning a retirement vision 32:53 – Kevin’s book Mission Retirement 34:14 – The ten missions for a meaningful retirement 36:58 – Planting seeds that outlast us 38:33 – Facing retirement fears with faith 41:11 – Small acts of obedience and availability 44:27 – Remembering that God sees eternity 46:58 – What a courageous retirement really means 48:08 – How to connect with Kevin 49:09 – A simple invitation to seek Christ 50:31 – Final blessing I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!  Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.   Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com! Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona. Join ClubMore!

    51 min
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3 Ratings

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Whether you're already retired, on the brink of retirement, or simply curious about the future, join us on this journey in Courageous Retirement: Answer God's Call to MORE! Through insightful conversations, stories of courage and resilience, and practical wisdom rooted in biblical truth, Courageous Retirement will empower you to see this best season of life not as an end but as a beginning—a chance to boldly make a difference in a world that shuns God's truth. Join us and discover how to find fulfillment beyond the workplace and embrace a new chapter of purpose and impact.   Our host, Christian Retirement Coach Vona Johnson, is not just an author, speaker, and leader in her community. She is also a fellow retiree, sharing her personal journey and the wisdom she's gained along the way. Together with her guests, they illuminate how life becomes richer when you engage your faith, live out your true purpose, and leave a legacy of faith. Courageous Retirement will inspire you to Live Your More!You can find Courageous Retirement on YouTube, too! https://www.youtube.com/@vonajohnson/podcasts

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