What happens when you retire at 47—and you're not even sure what's next?

In this episode, Dan Simon shares how stepping away early wasn’t about escaping work, but about faithfully following God’s redirection. Discover the faith it takes to retire early—and the purpose that unfolds when you trust God with your next season.

Dan walks us through his journey from climbing the ranks in education to launching a charter school, and eventually stepping into Christian education and consulting.

Through challenges and unexpected turns, Dan discovered that God's plan was far greater than he could have imagined—he simply had to trust and hang on for the ride.

We never really know what will happen when we take a leap of faith… but that's half the fun!

Tune in to hear how Dan navigated his courageous journey, and don't miss his top advice for those contemplating retirement.

Connect with Dan at:
www.DanSimonSolutions.com
Dan@DanSimonSolutions.com
Ph: (919) 760-1400

Quotes:
"We're gonna end up where God is calling us and wherever it is that he's preparing us for. The question is how do you want to get there?" Dan Simon

"Grace with accountability. Like, yes, I'm still gonna love you through this. Yes, but you did something you aren't supposed to do. And there's a consequence for that. So, who am I not to forgive you?" Dan Simon

Scripture:
Read the story of Joseph's life in Genesis starting at Chapter 37.Read the story of Jonah and Nineveh in the Book of Jonah.

00:00 Introduction: Rethinking Retirement
00:46 Meet Dan Simon: A Journey of Faith and Courage
02:00 From Principal to Superintendent: Career Highlights
03:19 The Unexpected Call: Opening a Charter School
05:31 A New Path: Joining a Christian School
09:49 Lessons from Joseph: Embracing God's Plan
14:14 Personal Reflections: Trusting God's Timing
18:10 Filtering Life's Distractions
19:19 The Importance of Prayer and Scripture
19:51 Hearing God's Voice
20:51 Loving Our Neighbors
25:03 Grace with Accountability
25:59 Taking the Leap of Faith
31:44 Finding Your Nineveh
33:38 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

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

We've all had problems we feel helpless to fix. Whether it's an illness, a job situation, an unscrupulous landlord, or an unjust system, there are times when we can't remedy the situation.

In this heartfelt finale of season one of 'Courageous Retirement,' host Vona Johnson shares how she is facing problems she cannot fix and offers encouragement for those feeling overwhelmed. Her story is a testament to the power of faith and trust in God's plan.

Through touching stories, including an inspiring encounter involving her grandson, Vona emphasizes the importance of listening to God's quiet nudges and trusting His plan.

She reflects on scripture passages that provide comfort and urges listeners to rely on prayer and faith rather than trying to fix everything themselves.

This episode reminds us to embrace our faith, live our purpose, and trust God, especially during challenging times when we feel helpless.

Join us for valuable insights and spiritual encouragement that are relevant to everyone who struggles with situations we cannot control.

00:00 Introduction: Facing Unfixable Problems
00:39 The Challenge of Watching Others Struggle
01:51 A Personal Story: The Angel in the Red Jeep
02:57 God's Subtle Nudges
04:43 The Power of Prayer and Scripture
06:18 Trusting God's Plan
08:02 Conclusion and Season Wrap-Up

Scripture References:
 "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[a] in harmony with God’s own will." Romans 8:26-27 NLT

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. " Psalm 34:18 NLT

"Give all your worries and cares to God for he cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7 NLT

Quotes from Vona:
"And that's why we, as believers, need to be bold sometimes. Not pushy, but bold enough to follow that nudge that God is giving us to act in love, even when we're not sure if our action will be well received."

"It's okay to trust God when it doesn't feel like there's anything else that we can do. In fact, sometimes it takes more courage to stand back and let God reveal his plan in his timing than it does for us to rush in and try and fix it."

This concludes Season 1 of Courageous Retirement. I hope you have enjoyed it. I will be taking a short hiatus and will return mid-July. I encourage you to go back and listen to earlier epsisodes you may have missed or hop over and listen to episodes of Longing for More!
https://episodes.fm/1393780527?view=apps&sort=popularity

I'll see you back here soon. Enjoy your summer!

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

Are you an introvert nearing retirement and looking forward to the end of the need to attend networking events? Think again!

In this episode of 'Courageous Retirement,' host Vona Johnson challenges you to rethink networking as a critical tool for maintaining connections in retirement. Sharing her recent experiences and offering actionable advice, Vona explores how continuing to network can lead to a life filled with purpose, joy, and community during the Best Season.

Learn how to use your faith and the Holy Spirit to guide you in making new, meaningful friendships. Don't miss out on these insightful tips and spiritual encouragement to enhance your retirement journey.

00:00 Introduction: Embracing Networking in Retirement
01:02 Personal Experience: Networking at a Christian Conference
01:53 The Importance of Networking in Retirement
03:55 Practical Tips for Networking
04:49 Overcoming Networking Challenges
05:37 Exploring Networking Opportunities
07:06 Authenticity in Building Connections
10:12 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Scripture:
"Two are better than one. If either of them falls down, one can help the other one up."  Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

Quotes from Vona:
"Think of networking as building your future support system. It's a system that you're going to need to get through some of the challenges that are coming in life. Don't wait until you need people in your life to start making new friends."

 "As much as I like being alone, I do not want to live my life alone."

Link to join ClubMore: https://ClubMore.Live

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