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: ~...
Oct 9, 2025
58 min
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...
Sep 25, 2025
15 min
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...
Sep 11, 2025
39 min
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...
Aug 28, 2025
8 min
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...
Aug 14, 2025
11 min
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...
Jul 31, 2025
30 min
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...
Jul 17, 2025
35 min
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...
Jun 5, 2025
9 min
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...
May 23, 2025
11 min
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...
May 8, 2025
7 min
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