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

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Thank you for stopping by today! Remember to Engage Your Faith and Live Your More as you reap the benefits of Courageous Retirement!

Check out my YouTube Channel!

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.

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When Is “Enough” Enough to Retire? Faith, Finances, and Courageous Retirement (with Mike Perez)

How much is enough to retire?

In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona Johnson sits down with Mike Perez, author of Faith and Finances, to tackle one of the most common fears facing retirement-age believers: What if I don’t have enough money saved?

Together, they explore how retirement may require less than we assume—and how financial decisions become clearer when filtered through prayer, calling, and kingdom purpose. Mike shares his practical cash-flow framework, including his five-part “financial pie” (covering giving, taxes, debt, lifestyle, and investing), and introduces the concept of creating a personal financial “finish line.”

This conversation goes beyond numbers. Vona and Mike talk about releasing the need to strive, trusting God with outcomes, and shifting from accumulation to impact. Mike shares the story of selling a second home after bathing the decision in prayer—gaining margin, increasing generosity, and expanding meaningful travel as a result.

They also discuss:

• Viewing ROI through a kingdom lens
• Living as faithful “seed planters” in everyday conversations
• The courage to step away from distractions (including social media during Lent)
• The power of community encouragement
• Approaching second-half-of-life transitions with flexibility and trust

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re financially ready—or spiritually ready—for retirement, this episode will help you rethink “enough” through the lens of faith.

Connect with Mike at MikePerezSpeaks.com for his book, workshops, speaking, and personal consultations.

00:00 When Is “Enough” Enough to Retire?
01:35 Letting Go of Striving in the Second Half
03:40 Understanding the Five-Part Financial “Pie”
05:45 Aligning Lifestyle Choices with God’s Calling
07:30 Selling the Lake House: A Prayerful Decision
09:40 Margin, Generosity, and New Freedom
11:55 Kingdom ROI vs. Performance-Based Thinking
14:30 Living as Faithful “Seed Planters”
16:45 Lent, Social Media, and Creating Margin
19:25 Small Acts of Faithful Impact
21:35 Presence Over Distraction
23:50 Taking Bold Steps (Including an Israel Trip Without Fear)
25:35 How to Connect with Mike Perez
27:35 Final Encouragement: Money, Faith, and Courageous Retirement

Scriptures Referenced

"And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

Romans 8:28 NLT

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!

Thank you for stopping by today! Remember to Engage Your Faith and Live Your More as you reap the benefits of Courageous Retirement!

Check out my YouTube Channel!

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!

Lately, I’ve sensed God inviting me into a shift — from striving to faithfulness. From doing more to loving more deliberately.

In this episode of Courageous Retirement, I share how retirement created space for Scripture to speak more deeply into my life — and how Romans 10 and 1 Corinthians 13 reshaped the way I see this season.

Retirement isn’t a winding down. It’s an invitation.
An invitation to steward our time with eternity in mind.
An invitation to reflect God’s love more intentionally.
An invitation to finish well.

As we approach Lent and consider what it means to quiet the noise, I also share a personal decision I’m prayerfully considering — and a gentle invitation for you, if you’ve been feeling that same nudge.

If you’ve sensed God calling you to simplify, refocus, or live this season with deeper purpose, this episode is for you.

Because sometimes, the most powerful shift is discovering that less truly is more.

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!

Thank you for stopping by today! Remember to Engage Your Faith and Live Your More as you reap the benefits of Courageous Retirement!

Check out my YouTube Channel!

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!