Vona Johnson:
Called to Write
She left her career to find more meaning. It took a diagnosis, a pandemic, and divine persistence to show her what truly matters.
Bio
VONA JOHNSON is Living Her MORE. After a successful 30-year career in affordable housing, she felt her soul longing for more peace and fulfillment. Despite many doubts, she summoned the courage to leave the security of her career to step into her true calling: helping others engage their faith. After several starts and stops, she discovered her knack for inspiring others to view retirement not as an end but as a bold new beginning—a chance to live with purpose beyond the workplace.
Through her impactful writing, podcasts, coaching, and speaking, Vona empowers Christians nearing retirement. She helps them find the courage to engage their faith, discover their worth beyond their work, and leave a lasting legacy by using their gifts and talents to fulfill their eternal purpose into the best season of life and beyond.
She lives in Pierre, South Dakota, with her husband, Steve, where she is honored to serve as a city commissioner. They find immense joy in spending time with their three children, their spouses, and six beautiful grandchildren. Some of her favorite activities include reading, attending outdoor music festivals, riding in their ‘64 Ford Galaxie convertible, and producing her video podcast, Courageous Retirement.
To start your journey towards a courageous retirement, connect with Vona at VonaJohnson.com.
Topics
- Redefining success after retirement
- When God interrupts your plans
- Spiritual lessons from a cancer diagnosis
- Why your story matters—even if it feels unfinished
- Letting go of worldly metrics for purpose
- The hidden costs of “just one more course”
- Publishing your book with divine timing
- Navigating survivor’s guilt with faith
- Starting over in midlife with intention
- How to finish well: faith-based retirement living
Guiding Questions
- What made you leave a career you loved without a clear next step?
- You mentioned “checking all the boxes”—how did that eventually fall short?
- Can you take us to the moment you got your cancer diagnosis and what went through your mind?
- How did the name of your book, A Different View, first come to you—and what does it mean now?
- What role did writing the book play in your healing?
- How did your understanding of faith shift through this experience?
- What was the most surprising thing you learned when you paused your podcast?
- How do you approach the idea of retirement differently than most people?
- What message do you have for someone feeling like they “missed” their calling?
- How do you encourage people to live for eternal purpose in everyday life?