Courageous Retirement: Answer God's Call to MORE!

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

Courageous Retirement: Answer God's Call to MORE! is a christianity podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 59 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Courageous Retirement: Answer God's Call to MORE!, a christianity show with 59 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #58

  58: Is This the Thing—or Merely a Stepping Stone?

  Aug 13, 20269 minS5

  Is This the Thing—or Merely a Stepping Stone? What if the opportunity that comes your way isn't actually the thing ? What if it's a stepping stone? Or a season? Or even a detour that God uses to prepare you for what comes next? In this episode of Courageous Retirement , Vona Johnson gets personal about learning to tell the difference. Retirement can give us something we didn't always have during our working years: the freedom to choose how we spend our time, where we invest our energy, and what we want this season of our lives to be about. Vona shares her own journey from a 30-year career in housing to coaching, writing, and two unexpected post-retirement work opportunities. At first, those opportunities were exciting. But eventually, neither felt like the place she was meant to stay. Looking back, she began to wonder whether some of her old motivations—recognition, accomplishment, and earning—had followed her into retirement. So how do we know when an opportunity is something God is calling us into—and when it may simply be a stepping stone, a season, or a distraction? Vona explores the questions we can ask when something no longer feels aligned, the importance of prayer and discernment, and why creating quiet space to listen may be one of the most important things we can do in retirement. Most of all, she offers an encouraging reminder: we don't have to get every decision right. God can redirect us. Retirement isn't simply about having more time to do what makes us happy. It's an opportunity to intentionally use this season to pursue what matters, follow where Jesus leads, and leave a legacy of faith with the people we love. If you're wondering whether something in your life is the thing —or merely a stepping stone—this conversation is for you. Episode Timeline 00:00 Retirement Reframed 00:45 Podcast Introduction 01:04 Work Is Not Everything 01:44 Finding Your True Calling 02:59 Post-Retirement Detours 04:40 Questions for Alignment 05:20 A New Season, A New Focus 05:47 Discerning the Right Opportunity 06:50 Creating Space to Listen 07:18 Retirement Gives Us Choice 08:30 Redirected by Grace 09:04 Closing & Next Episode 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.

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  Episode #56

  56. Transitioning to Retirement: Don't Let Fear Win!

  Jul 30, 202640 minS4

  Transitioning to Retirement: Don't Let Fear Win! Retirement is more than leaving a career—it's a transition that can challenge your identity, purpose, and faith. In this episode, host Vona Johnson welcomes transition coach, author, and podcast host Toni Thrash for an encouraging conversation about navigating retirement and other major life changes without letting fear have the final word. Toni shares how her background in coaching athletes inspired her passion for helping women move through seasons of transition—from retirement and empty nesting to divorce and unexpected life changes. She introduces her book and podcast, Start Your Comeback , reminding us that it's never too late to get back in the game. Vona reflects on her own unexpected early retirement at age 55 and the lessons she learned about surrendering the need to strive, trusting God's plan, and discovering a deeper purpose. Together, they explore practical ways to move forward with courage: identify fear as the real opponent, reconnect with the dreams God planted in your heart, take small steps into new opportunities, and trust God even when the path feels uncertain. Whether retirement is around the corner or you're already navigating this new season, this conversation will encourage you to embrace change with confidence, purpose, and faith—because God isn't finished with you yet. Episode Highlights: Why retirement is one of life's biggest transitions How fear keeps us stuck—and how to overcome it Rediscovering your God-given purpose after your career Practical ways to step into something new with confidence Learning to trust God's direction one step at a time Finding joy, beauty, and purpose in everyday life Timestamps 00:00 Retirement Transition Matters 00:48 Meet Toni Thrash 01:09 What Transition Coaching Is 03:09 Vona's Early Retirement Story 06:12 Viewing Retirement Through a Biblical Lens 10:45 Start Your Comeback 12:51 It's Never Too Late to Begin Again 16:33 Getting Off the Bench 21:31 Doing It Afraid 28:14 Listening for God's Direction 33:35 Finding God in Everyday Beauty 35:36 Where to Connect with Vona & Toni 38:44 Final Encouragement Learn more about Toni, her coaching, and find her book, Start Your Comback here: https://www.tonithrash.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 !

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  Episode #56

  A New Address

  Jul 16, 20266 minS4

  Sometimes God gives us a message before we know why we need it. During a visit to the Billy Graham Library, Vona encountered a simple but powerful reminder about life, death, and the hope we have through Jesus. She had no idea how meaningful those words would become in the days that followed. In this reflective episode of Courageous Retirement , Vona explores what it means to face life's greatest uncertainties with confidence—not confidence in ourselves or our accomplishments, but confidence in God's promises. This episode is a reminder that our influence is not measured by our platform, our accomplishments, or the number of people who know our name. It is measured by faithfulness, love, and the ways we reflect Jesus to the people He places in our lives. Whether you're walking through grief, thinking about your own legacy, or simply longing for deeper peace, this conversation offers a reminder that because of Jesus, death is not the end—it is simply a new address. Keep living your MORE with courage—because 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 !

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  Episode #55

  55. The Pride I Never Saw: A Conversation That Changed My Heart

  Jul 2, 202646 minS4

  Sometimes the person standing between us and God's best isn't the person we're frustrated with—it's the one staring back at us in the mirror. That's what this conversation did for me. When I first heard Dr. Carolyn Warren Wiley's testimony, I expected to be challenged about the culture around me. Instead, I found myself convicted by my own pride. In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Carolyn shares how Jesus transformed her life—not simply by changing her behavior, but by changing her heart. Together, we explore the difference between finding our identity in our desires versus our identity in Christ, why humility is the doorway to freedom, and how God's grace is available to every one of us. We also discuss retirement, unexpected life transitions, and how God often uses our most difficult seasons to prepare us for our greatest purpose. Whether you're wrestling with pride, searching for your identity, or simply longing to live more faithfully, I pray this conversation points you to the hope and transforming love of Jesus. In this episode you'll discover: • Why pride can quietly keep us from experiencing God's best • The difference between behavior modification and heart transformation • What it means to find your identity in Christ • How to love others with both grace and truth • Why retirement and life transitions can become a new beginning rather than an ending • The beauty of surrendering every part of our lives to Jesus ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Mirror Check Moment 00:22 Welcome to Courageous Retirement 01:18 Career Change at 47 03:03 Called Into Publishing 05:42 Pride, Conviction & My Birthday 06:54 Carolyn's Faith Journey 10:01 Following God's Conviction 17:54 Identity in Christ 20:41 Loving Others Well 24:04 Pride and Repentance 29:55 Restoration After Brokenness 35:43 Grace for Every Sinner 40:06 Jesus Is Enough 42:11 Resources & Final Encouragement Find Dr. Carolyn at roseandpearl.net for information about publishing your story or find her bible studies at therubytent.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 !

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  Episode #54

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

  Jun 18, 202639 minS3

  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, Y ou 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 !

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