Shine a Light On Podcast with Joanna Vervaat

Joanna Vervaat
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Shine a Light On is for women 55+ who are wondering, “What’s next?” I’m Joanna — a retired teacher, storyteller and lifelong learner, exploring this next season of life too. Through personal stories, thoughtful conversations and a little reflection, we’ll explore life’s transitions, staying curious, trying new things and discovering new possibilities. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. Sometimes one small step is enough to light the way forward. Stay curious. Discover what’s next.

  1. Oct 8

    Episode # 11 - Lighthouse Authors series with Stefi Diebold

    Stefi Diebold | Liberated What happens when we stop carrying our stories alone? In this first Lighthouse Authors on Shine a Light On conversation, I sit down with Stefi Diebold, author of the chapter Liberated in The Embers We Carry. Stefi shares openly about experiences she kept secret for many years, the shame and fear of judgment that came with them, and what began to change when she found the courage to speak about what she had been carrying. We talk about the younger Stefi who often felt alone and without the support or understanding she needed, the ongoing nature of healing and self-compassion, and the freedom she has discovered in sharing her story. But this conversation isn't only about what Stefi has been through. It's also about what she's carrying forward. Today, Stefi is continuing to write, preparing to contribute to another Lighthouse book, and working on a book of her own. Her story is a reminder of what can happen when one woman is willing to speak honestly—and another woman realizes she isn't alone. Content note: This episode includes candid discussion of sexual assault, sexual violence, sexually transmitted infections, trauma and other sensitive adult themes, as well as some strong language. Please take care while listening. Connect with Stefi:stefdiebold@gmail.com Read The Embers We Carry:https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1964445310 Shine a Light OnStay curious. Discover what's next.

  2. Sep 29

    Episode # 10 Introduction to Lighthouse Authors series

    How did I get here? Four years ago, I moved back to Canada after almost thirty years in the Netherlands, entering semi-retirement without a clear picture of what my next chapter would look like. Since then, I've been trying things on, taking small steps, changing my mind, following my curiosity — and learning that I don't have to have it all figured out. One unexpected opportunity led me to write my chapter, The Ride of My Life, in The Embers We Carry. Another led to a conversation with Carrie Scollon. And somewhere along the way, Shine a Light On was born. In this episode, I share a little of that journey and introduce a new series of SALO conversations with women from The Embers We Carry. We'll talk about the stories they've shared — but I'm especially curious about what came afterwards. What have they learned? Where are they now? And what are they carrying forward? Because sometimes the next chapter starts before we even realize we're in it. Stay curious. Discover what's next.

  3. Sep 9

    Episode # 9 - The Next Journey - Trust Yourself Again

    Trust Yourself Again — The Next Journey, Part 4 What if trusting yourself doesn’t mean having all the answers? In this fourth and final episode of The Next Journey, Joanna reflects on the many times in her own life when she stepped forward without knowing exactly how things would turn out — moving to the Netherlands while seven months pregnant, learning to trust her intuition as a teacher, and eventually returning to Canada to begin another new chapter. Looking back, she realizes that each experience became part of the evidence she could carry forward: evidence that she could learn, adapt, change direction and figure things out along the way. Because trusting yourself isn’t about certainty. It’s about believing that you can handle what comes next. If you’re entering retirement or another new season of life and wondering What’s next?, this episode is an invitation to look back at what you’ve already navigated, stay curious about what might be ahead, and take one small, brave step toward something new. You don’t need to see the whole path. Sometimes one small step is enough to light the way forward. The free NEXT Journey Reflection Guide is available to help you explore your own next chapter at your own pace. Stay curious. Discover what’s next.

  4. Aug 27

    Episode # 8 - The Next Journey - Explore New Possibilities

    What if you didn’t have to figure out your entire next chapter — but simply became curious enough to try something new? In Episode 3 of The NEXT Journey, I’m exploring the E — Explore New Possibilities. After retiring from teaching and moving back to Canada, I found myself trying things I never expected — working at a winery, taking a job at a bakery, writing a chapter in a book and eventually starting my own podcast. None of it was part of some carefully designed retirement plan. But looking back, I can see the stepping stones. One experience led to another. One conversation opened another door. And each small step helped me discover a little more about who I was becoming. In this episode, we’ll talk about letting go of the pressure to find your one big purpose and instead giving yourself permission to experiment, stay curious and try things on. Because not every new possibility has to become your next big thing. Sometimes it’s enough to be curious, give it a try and see where it leads. A question to take with you: What are you curious enough to explore without needing all the answers? 🌿 The NEXT JourneyN — Nurture Yourself FirstE — Embrace the UnknownX — Explore New PossibilitiesT — Trust Yourself Again Shine a Light On Your Next ChapterStay curious. Discover what’s next.

  5. Aug 19

    Episode # 7 The Next Journey - Embrace the Unknown

    What happens when you don't know exactly what comes next? In this episode of The Next Journey, I share two big moments in my own life when I stepped into the unknown - moving from Canada to The Netherlands as a young woman, and almost 30 years later, making the journey back to Canada as I entered a new season of life. Neither move came with all the answers. Both came with a mixture of fear, excitement and plenty of uncertainty. I've learned that embracing the unknown doesn't mean being fearless or having everything figured out. Sometimes it simply means trusting yourself enough to take the next step and discovering what becomes possible along the way. If you're navigating retirement, a life transition, or simply wondering "What's next for me?" , this episode is an invitation to stay curious about what might be waiting on the other side of uncertainty. Because sometimes fear and excitement can exist at exactly the same time. And Sometimes one small step into the unkown can open a door you never expected.

  6. Aug 12

    Episode # 6 - The Next Journey - Nuture Yourself First

    What does it mean mean to nuture yourself first - especially when you're entering a new season of life and wondering what comes next? In this first episode of The Next Journey, I share how caring for myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually helped prepare me for one of the biggest transitions of my life: early retirement, leaving the Netherlands after almost 30 years, and beginning again in Canada. From finally understanding the wisdom of putting on your own oxygen mask first, to finding joy in everyday moments and discovering that retirement didn't mean leaving my gifts behind. This episode is about preparing yourself for possibility. Because perhaps nurturing yourself isn't the pause before your next chapter. Maybe it's the first page.

  7. Aug 3

    Episode # 5 - One Conversation Can Change Everything

    The Next Journey is a four part podcast series especially for women over 55 who are wondering what comes next. Through personal stories, gentle encouragement, and simple reflection questions, I'll guide you through my NEXT Framework - a journey designed to help you reconnect with yourself, explore new possibilities, and take small, meaningful steps toward your next chapter. You don't need to have everything figured out. You just need enough light to take the next step.

  8. Jul 3

    Episode # 4 - One Hour Every Wednesday

    An exciting first podcast with Ukrainian educator Nataliia Skrynik. Nataliia and I met through a nonprofit volunteer organization called ENGin that connects Ukrainians interested in improving and practising their English through weekly one hour sessions. We hit it off from the get go and enjoy a relationship that not only connects us as teachers but as the friends we have become. Interested in learning more about ENGin - access the link below: https://www.enginprogram.org/

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About

Shine a Light On is for women 55+ who are wondering, “What’s next?” I’m Joanna — a retired teacher, storyteller and lifelong learner, exploring this next season of life too. Through personal stories, thoughtful conversations and a little reflection, we’ll explore life’s transitions, staying curious, trying new things and discovering new possibilities. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. Sometimes one small step is enough to light the way forward. Stay curious. Discover what’s next.

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