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:
~Overcome fear and uncertainty about what’s next
~ Balance financial security with legacy and generosity
~ Embrace travel as a pathway to growth and connection
~ Find (or rediscover) your God-given calling in this new chapter

If you’re ready to dream big, live intentionally, and finish well, this conversation will inspire you to answer God’s call to MORE—and step confidently into your Best Season with confidence and purpose.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Retirement Fears and Purpose
00:24 Panel Discussion: Exploring Retirement Beyond Finances
01:30 Meet the Panelists: Amanda, Mike, and Dan
03:51 Addressing Fear and Uncertainty in Retirement
06:45 Building Community and Thriving in Retirement
14:00 Dreaming Big and Planning for Retirement
18:37 Creating a Legacy Through Travel and Experiences
26:11 Integrating Spiritual Calling in Retirement
31:57 Seeking Clarity in Financial Decisions
32:37 The Importance of Intentionality and Structure
34:39 Guarding Against Aimlessness in Retirement
38:39 Transformative Power of Travel in Retirement
40:05 Creative Travel Ideas for a Purposeful Retirement
41:26 Financial Planning for Stress-Free Travel
42:57 Discovering Your God-Given Calling
46:36 Influencing and Serving Without a Title
47:58 Five Pillars of a Faith-Driven Retirement
50:46 Defining a Financial Finish Line
52:44 Shifting Retirement Outlook with Biblical Principles
55:32 Legacy and Daily Decisions
56:37 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Quotes:
" And it's very important for me that everything is buttoned up at the end. And I've lived a life that I will be remembered for the things that I wanna be remembered for." Mike Perez

" The underlying question is this: when is enough enough?" Mike Perez

" You continue to influence and serve by continuing to serve the people and be of value to the people that God puts in front of you." Dan Simon

" A lot of people forget about the fact where you can have that fun, (with) what we call personal travel, but then incorporate in some kind of ministry or missions while you're there to give back to the community. And that is a way really to honor God through your retirement." Amanda Heitter

" It's never too early to start finishing well." Vona Johnson

Scripture Referenced:
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

Contact Information:
Amanda Hiett

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!

To watch the video, 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 @ clubmore.live

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 doctrines, compromising with immorality, and losing sight of God’s call.

By looking at Jesus’ example—loving deeply yet calling people to repentance—we can learn how to remain strong and prepared for life’s challenges. Through consistent prayer, grounding ourselves in Scripture, and relying on the Holy Spirit, we can live out the purpose God designed for us—even when it feels like we’ve headed off the path.

Chapters
00:00 The Great Paradox of Life
08:40 Challenges of Diverse Beliefs
09:19 Straying from Faith
10:07 Jesus’ Example of Love
10:32 Staying Connected to Jesus
10:43 Scripture as Our Roadmap

🙏 If this message encourages you, please like, share, and subscribe. And if you know someone who may be at their own turning point, send this episode their way. Together, let’s keep choosing God’s path and answering His call to MORE.

Quote:
 "If you haven't spent time in the Bible lately, I hope that this will be your turning point because to me, the Bible and prayer is truly the turning point that changes everything for us. It changed everything for me when I started committing to and spending time in the Word." Vona Johnson

Scripture referenced:

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
Luke 10:27

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 NLT (Note this verse was given the incorrect location in the recording; I said Matthew 28:11 in error. Please accept my apologies for any confusion.)

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!

To watch the video, 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 @ clubmore.live

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 differently than the world
✅ The comfort of knowing our value is in God, not our abilities

Whether you are caregiving, grieving, or walking alongside someone with dementia, this heartfelt conversation offers encouragement and hope.

00:00 Introduction to Dementia
00:18 Meet the Guest: Ben Boland
00:48 Courageous Retirement Podcast
01:04 Personal Stories and Experiences
02:03 Challenges Faced by Dementia Patients
05:31 Recognizing Early Signs of Dementia
11:38 The Importance of Family Support
15:28 Self-Care for Caregivers
18:08 Ben Boland's Journey
19:25 Bible College Beginnings
20:07 Passion for Elderly Care
20:26 Finding Resources and Connections
21:09 The Christian Perspective on Euthanasia
25:58 Faith and Dementia
29:26 Personal Reflections on Faith
30:30 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections
34:45 A Personal Loss and Reflection
35:51 The Purpose of Prayer
38:29 Final Thoughts on Dementia and Faith

📌 Subscribe for more episodes of Courageous Retirement and discover how to finish well and live your MORE with God at the center.

#DementiaCare #FaithInDementia #courageousretirement

Quotes from the show:
"We are created by God, and wherever we are alive, we are called to be valued there." Ben Boland

"Becoming a Christian is not simply a cognitive exercise. It's a work of God, and spirit speaks to spirit, and God saves people living with dementia and...
Praise the Lord!" Ben Boland

" People living with dementia are loved by God and we are called to love them too." Ben Boland

Scripture:
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rev-ben-boland-b4572a108

Order Ben's book titled 'Priceless People: Loving Older People and People Living with Dementia'
https://amzn.to/3JUZW4p

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!

To watch the video, 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 @ clubmore.live