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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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

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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!

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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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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!

Living Your Best Life in Retirement: Lessons from Legos and Faith

In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona Johnson shares an unexpected lesson learned while building Legos with her grandson—and how it beautifully mirrors the opportunity retirement offers us.

By watching her grandson playing with legos, Vona reflects on what it means to “dump everything on the table,” reassess what we’ve built so far, and intentionally rebuild for the season ahead. Retirement, she reminds us, isn’t an ending—it’s an invitation to start fresh with purpose.

Vona encourages listeners to thoughtfully use their God-given gifts and talents, while gently challenging the belief that our value is tied to income or productivity. With faith woven throughout, she invites retirees to trust God’s provision, seek His plan, and embrace retirement as their best season yet.

This episode offers practical encouragement, faith-filled perspective, and a genuine call to live fully and courageously in retirement.

Episode Timeline

00:00 – Introduction: The Joys of Retirement
00:16 – Life Lessons Learned from Grandchildren
00:50 – The Lego Lesson: Building, Dumping, and Rebuilding
03:47 – Embracing Retirement with Purpose
04:17 – Financial Freedom and Trusting God’s Provision
05:54 – Avoiding the Trap of Equating Worth with Money
08:02 – Exploring New Opportunities in Retirement
09:12 – Conclusion: Stepping into Your Best Season

Schedule a call with Vona: https://tidycal.com/vona/your-path-to-more

Email me: courageousretirement@gmail.com

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!

What if New Year’s resolutions are actually keeping you from something better?

In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona Johnson shares why she stopped chasing resolutions—and started listening for God’s direction instead. Rather than creating long lists of goals that fade by February, she embraces a simple but powerful practice: choosing a “Word of the Year” rooted in prayer and Scripture.

Vona reflects on how resolutions can unintentionally distract us from seeking God’s Kingdom and discovering His unique purpose for this season of life. With honesty and encouragement, she opens up about her own journey—including the challenge from her coach to stop playing small and speak directly to the people she feels called to serve: those at or near retirement.

Admitting how uncomfortable that has been, Vona invites listeners into the process with her. She asks for your help—to engage, respond, and walk alongside her—so together you can navigate this transition with courage, clarity, and faith.

Whether you’re approaching retirement, stepping into a new chapter, or simply longing for more meaning, this episode will help you refocus your heart, quiet the noise, and take intentional steps toward the life God is calling you to live.

It’s not about doing more. It’s about listening better.

Episode Highlights:

• Why traditional resolutions often leave us frustrated
• The power of choosing a faith-centered Word of the Year
• How to seek God’s purpose instead of self-made plans
• A personal coaching challenge Vona is working through right now
• An invitation to connect—so she can help you, and you can help her
• Embracing your “second calling” with courage and hope

Scripture Quoted:

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need." Luke 12:31

"...don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time." Matthew 10:19

2 Peter 1:1-15

Email to set up a time to chat: vona@vonajohnson.com

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!

A new season, a renewed focus, and an invitation to live with eternal intention

Life is short—how are you choosing to live it?

In this episode of Courageous Retirement, I reflect on the reality that our days are limited and invite you into a conversation about living purposefully, not just productively.

Scripture reminds us, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). That wisdom isn’t about rushing through life—it’s about aligning our time, energy, and calling with what matters eternally.

I revisit themes from Episode 85, “Longing for More,” where I shared the simple but sobering truth that most of us are given no more than 100 years based on the song, A Hundred Years to Live. That awareness isn’t meant to create fear, but clarity—and perhaps courage.

In this episode, we’ll reflect on:
-What it means to ask God, “Teach me how to live” (Psalm 27:11)
-How to wait patiently for the Lord without wasting the season we’re in (Psalm 27:14)
-The question many of us quietly carry: What has my soul longed to do, but I’ve been too busy, afraid, or distracted to pursue?
-Purpose in every season—whether you’re still working, newly retired, or redefining what’s next

I also share personally about a new season I’m stepping into—recognizing that even good work can sometimes crowd out the work we’re most called to do. As part of that realignment, 'Courageous Retirement' will continue in an audio-only format for a time, allowing me to lean more fully into coaching and walking alongside others as they discern and live their God-given purpose.

We close with a reflection on the art of masterful living—a way of life where faith is integrated into every part of who we are, and where work, rest, calling, and joy are no longer in competition. Read it here.

My prayer is that this conversation encourages you to pause, listen, and take one faithful step toward living the life your soul longs for.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12

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!

Navigating grief during the holidays can feel especially heavy when the world expects joy, celebration, and togetherness.

In this compassionate episode of Courageous Retirement, host Vona Johnson welcomes clinical psychologist and grief educator Dr. Richelle to offer gentle help and practical support for anyone experiencing loss during the holiday season.

Together, they explore how grief is more than the loss of a loved one—it can also stem from changes in health, relationships, identity, purpose, or life transitions common in midlife and retirement. Dr. Richelle explains how unprocessed grief can affect emotional well-being, energy, and relationships, and why acknowledging grief is a vital step toward healing.

This conversation offers practical ways to cope with grief during the holidays, including:

• managing holiday loneliness,
• setting healthy boundaries,
• simplifying expectations, and
• creating meaningful rituals that honor both loss and hope.

Dr. Richelle emphasizes the importance of giving yourself permission—to feel, to rest, and to approach the holidays honestly and gently.

Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal journey through loss, Dr. Richelle provides reassurance and wisdom for those seeking peace during grief. If you are carrying sorrow into this season, this episode offers understanding, encouragement, and a reminder that you are not alone—and that healing is possible, even during the holidays.

✨ You don’t have to do the holidays the way you always have. You get to do them your way.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Holiday Loneliness and Grief
00:19 Introducing Dr. Richelle, Clinical Psychologist & Grief Educator
01:19 What Grief Really Is (More Than Loss)
01:38 Emotional Impact of Grief
05:39 Short-Term Energy Relieving Behaviors (STERBs)
08:42 Dr. Richelle’s Personal and Professional Journey
19:57 The “Backpack” of Accumulated Loss
23:10 Navigating Grief During the Holidays
24:25 Coping Strategies for the Holiday Season
27:25 Creating Meaningful Rituals
30:34 Giving Yourself Permission to Grieve
34:40 Resources for Grief Recovery
38:55 Grounding Exercise for Holiday Stress
42:22 Final Thoughts and Season Conclusion

Resources:
Learn more about Dr. Richelle’s Grief Recovery Method®, take the What’s Blocking You? Quiz, and explore her books Journey Through Grief and Loss and Abundant Soul HERE.

Notable Quotes:

Scripture for Reflection:
“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul…
They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.
They are sweet

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!

What does your life say about your faith?

That is a question that can stop us in our tracks.

In this touching Christmas episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona Johnson invites you to slow down and reflect on the one thing that truly matters. Inspired by her annual Christmas card and a tender memory of her dad during the advanced stages of dementia, Vona shares how a simple phrase he repeated about her stepmom revealed a deep truth about faith, love, and legacy.

Drawing from 2 Peter 1:10, Vona explores how faith is more than belief—it is a lived expression of knowing Jesus, growing spiritually, and allowing our actions to reflect the One we follow.

Through personal stories of loss, forgiveness, and God’s gentle leading, she encourages listeners to step into a deeper, more intentional walk with Christ this Christmas season.

Whether you’re entering this holiday season with loved ones who don’t share your faith or simply feeling the weight of this stage of life, remember this: we are uniquely equipped to help others feel loved because we know what it means to love Jesus.

As you gather with family and friends, let your presence reflect His. Being with Jesus is the only thing that truly matters—so shine a little of His light, share a little of His love, and let every conversation be touched by His grace.

Episode Timestamps:
00:00 — Introduction: Reflecting on Faith
01:21 — A Personal Story of Loss and Faith
02:42 — The Imperfection of Humanity and the Need for Forgiveness
04:39 — The Importance of Faith and Spiritual Growth
08:10 — Practical Steps to Deepen Your Faith
09:49 — Final Thoughts and Christmas Reflections

Quotes from the show:
 "Don't be fooled by the glossy finishes you see of the people dressed up in walking through the doors every Sunday, sitting in the pews looking perfect each week. Every person sitting there has something going on in their life."

 "Faith is a precious gift...too many of us get this beautiful gift and we place it up on a shelf and we admire how beautiful it is, but we never take it off the shelf and we never open it up and allow it to truly change our lives."

Scripture:
2 Peter 1:1-10
John 1:1

Get the newsletter email NEWSLETTER to vona@vonajohnson.com.

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!