Many of us carry more than we realize.

Over time responsibilities, commitments, possessions, and expectations slowly fill our “backpack” until one day the weight begins to feel heavier than it should.

In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona shares a recent personal experience simplifying her website—and the surprising freedom that came from letting go of something that had quietly become too heavy.

Through this simple change, she discovered a deeper lesson about life, retirement, and the invitation Jesus offers in Matthew 11:

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Rest doesn’t mean giving up on the dreams God has placed on our hearts. It means releasing the stress of carrying what was never meant to be ours or was never meant to be a burden forever.

If you're entering your best season of life, this episode may inspire you to take a look inside your own backpack and ask a simple question:

What might God be inviting you to simplify?

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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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Many people love the quote often attributed to Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

But what if, in our search for that “why,” we’ve been looking in the wrong direction?

In this episode of Courageous Retirement, Vona explores the tension between chasing purpose the world’s way and following God’s calling. It’s easy to get caught up pursuing bigger numbers, more recognition, or the next opportunity that promises influence or success. But those pursuits can quietly pull us away from the people and callings God has already placed in our lives.

Vona shares a personal story about stepping back from the pressure to strive for more clients and more listeners—and what that experience revealed about the difference between chasing and trusting God.

If you’ve ever wondered what your purpose looks like in retirement, this episode invites you to pause and ask a deeper question:

Are you chasing the world’s definition of purpose…
or are you faithfully following Jesus?

Because finishing well may not be about doing more.
It may be about finally learning to live your MORE.

Questions for Reflection:

1. When you think about purpose in this season of life, do you feel more like you are chasing something or following where God is leading?
2. Where in your life might you be measuring success by numbers, recognition, or productivity instead of faithfulness?
3. Is there an area where striving or chasing has begun to crowd out the people or callings God has already placed in front of you?
4. What might it look like for you to listen more intentionally for God’s voice in this season of retirement?
5. What is one simple step of obedience you sense God inviting you to take right now?
6. If you stepped back from striving for a moment, where might you already see signs that God is inviting you to live your 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!

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

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!