Posts tagged women mentors
147: Living Your Legacy NOW

Too often, our culture paints the later chapters of life as a time to slow down and focus on personal leisure. But what if this season is when you can live out your Christian legacy most fully—mentoring younger generations, sharing your faith, and showing the world what a vibrant life looks like? 

In this episode, Father Greg McBrayer—Anglican priest, aviation chaplain, and 46-year veteran of American Airlines—shares how God is using his decades of experience to make an eternal impact. From leading one of the largest airport chaplaincy programs in the world to investing in the lives of coworkers and ministry leaders, Greg shows how post-career years can be your most fruitful season yet. 

You’ll hear how to: 

  • Find greater purpose beyond your career by serving God in the marketplace and your community 

  • Use your experience to mentor younger generations and strengthen the next wave of leaders 

  • Identify opportunities for post-retirement ministry that bring joy, meaning, and impact 

  • Embrace your unique calling and keep serving in faith and work environments, even in highly secular spaces 

  • Build a Christian legacy that inspires others long after the workday ends 

Whether you’re still working, recently retired, or in a new season of volunteering and ministry, this conversation will encourage you to see your life as a lifelong calling from God—one that doesn’t end with a job title. 

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Links and resources mentioned in this show: 

  • SaferNet.com - protect yourself from digital delinquency with an amazing app from a Kingdom business 

  • Get your copy – in print, digital, or audio – of the iRetire4Him book for tons of examples and resources to live out your “retired” years with purpose and impact! 

FEATURING: Greg McBrayer

ORGANIZATION: American Airlines

146: This Retirement Lie is Stealing Your Purpose

What if the way we think about retirement is not only unbiblical but actually harmful? In this powerful episode, Jim and Martha Brangenberg sit down with Danita Bye to expose the cultural lie that age 65 marks the end of purpose. 

Danita brings a compelling challenge to believers: at a time when AI is accelerating and younger generations are desperate for wisdom, we cannot afford to sideline our spiritual elders. Retirement doesn’t mean retreat—it’s a divine invitation to reengage through prayer, mentorship, vision, and leadership. 

What You'll Hear: 

  • Why traditional retirement is dangerous for the Church and society 

  • A personal story that reveals how America views the elderly—and what we’re missing 

  • The link between disengaged elders and a generation hungry for purpose 

  • What AI and cultural confusion mean for our grandchildren’s future 

  • The radical power of intentional, intercessory prayer in this season of life 

 
Danita closes with a bold reminder: the world may call your best years finished, but God never does. Whether you're 65 or 85, your influence still matters, and your calling hasn’t retired. If it feels impossible to make an impact in this season, that might be the best sign you're right where God wants you. Because with Him, nothing is impossible! 

Resources Mentioned: 

Connect with Us: 
Visit iRetire4Him.com,follow us on your favorite podcast platforms, and connect on Facebook

FEATURING: Danita Bye

ORGANIZATION: DanitaBye.com

145: “The First Time I Retired...”

What do you do when you’re ready to retire—but God clearly says “not yet”? 

Julé Colvin, founder of Pathways to Growth, joins Jim and Martha to share her story of obedience, purpose, and preparation in her “retirement” years. After building a company that supports nonprofits through grant writing and leadership development, Julé sensed it was time to step back—until God asked her to stay and steward the legacy a little longer. 

In this heartfelt conversation, Julé opens up about coming to faith through a coworker’s example, how she sees her business as a Kingdom ministry, and the spiritual and strategic work of raising up leaders to carry the mission forward. 

Whether you're approaching retirement, rethinking what it means, or wondering how to multiply your impact in your later years, this episode will meet you right where you are. 

In This Episode You’ll Hear: 

  • How Julé came to know Jesus because of someone who “Worked4Him” 

  • What it looked like to take a year studying Scripture to rebuild the company as a Kingdom business 

  • Why she believes retirement is more about redirection than release 

  • The importance of discipling your team before transitioning out 

  • Why she and her husband moved into a 55+ community as a missional decision 

  • How she’s preparing for what’s next—and leaving room for a second (or third) retirement 

  • Why “writing the vision” matters in the second half of life 

 

Scriptures Highlighted: 

  • Romans 8:28 – "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (think about this in terms of trust during your retirement years) 

  • Psalm 92:12–15 – "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.’" 

Books Mentioned to Add to Your Reading List: 

FEATURING: Julé Colvin 

ORGANIZATION: Pathways to Growth  

144: The Two Shall Retire As One

What happens when both spouses retire—and suddenly share the same space, time, and rhythm every day? 

In this fun and down-to-earth episode of iRetire4Him, Jim and Martha welcome Rodney and Donna Smith to talk candidly about their first few months navigating retirement together. The Smiths explore how they’ve adjusted to being home at the same time, what it looks like to merge their different daily habits, and how they're slowly easing into volunteering and serving others. They also highlight the importance of communication, separate time, and letting go of rigid expectations. 

Whether you’re already retired or thinking about what’s next, this episode offers encouragement, humor, and practical wisdom for couples who want to walk through this season with grace—and a little bit of fun! 

In this episode: 

  • How men and women often experience retirement differently 

  • The unexpected adjustments of sharing the same space full-time 

  • Starting (and restarting) retirement goals like volunteering and fitness 

  • The power of routines, rest, and giving each other room 

  • Why flexibility and friendship matter more than a perfect plan 

FEATURING: Rodney & Donna Smith 

MINISTRY: Caregiver, Church and Community Volunteers

143: Retirement – His Side of the Story

Retirement can be a radical shift—especially for those of us who’ve spent decades with a full calendar, steady routine, and career identity. In this episode of iRetire4Him, we sit down with Rodney Smith, a recently retired wildland firefighter and forester with over 33 years of service. Rodney reflects on the early days of his retirement, the transition from government work to community involvement, and what it’s really like joining his already-retired wife at home. 

Rodney shares candidly about: 

  • The calling that shaped his career and continues to guide his retirement 

  • What it was like cutting down the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree in 2022 

  • His new role in serving family, church, and community 

  • The surprise challenges of adapting to his wife’s well-established routine 

  • Why he’s approaching retirement as a time for deeper purpose, not just rest 

Whether you’re preparing to retire or already navigating your own post-career season, this episode offers both humor and hope. Rodney’s story reminds us that retirement isn’t an end—it’s a shift into meaningful new beginnings. 

Be sure to tune in next week to hear Rodney and Donna’s joint interview! 

Connect with iRetire4Him: 

FEATURING: Rodney Smith

MINISTRY: Caregiver, Church and Community Volunteer 

142: A Woman’s Work is Never Done!

In this episode of iRetire4Him, Jim and Martha Brangenberg connect with Donna Smith of Asheboro, North Carolina, for a candid and encouraging conversation about what retirement looks like from a woman’s point of view. Donna shares how her faith journey was rekindled through her relationship with her husband Rodney, how caregiving has shaped her early retirement years, and what she’s learning as she navigates this new chapter of life. 

Whether you're approaching retirement or already in it, Donna’s story offers relatable insight, practical encouragement, and a gentle reminder that retirement is not an end—it’s a beginning. 

What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 

  • How Donna’s retirement began sooner than expected and why the timing turned out to be divine 

  • The powerful influence of faith, family, and community in shaping her retirement years 

  • What she discovered while organizing a women’s small group using the iRetire4Him study 

  • Her favorite reminders: “If you have a pulse, you have a purpose” and “If you’re not dead, you’re not done” 

  • A lighthearted look at how retirement routines change when both spouses are home 

Resources Mentioned: 

A Word of Encouragement: 

Retirement isn’t about slowing down—it’s about shifting focus. Whether you’re helping aging parents, encouraging a neighbor, or simply sitting on the porch with your spouse, give purpose to every moment. 

Connect With Us: 

  • Interested in bringing Jim and Martha to speak to your church or community retiree group? Email Jim@iwork4him.com for details. 

  • Sign up to start getting the iRetire4Him Newsletter 

FEATURING: Donna Smith

MINISTRY: Caregiver, Church and Community Volunteer

141: A Mission Trip You Can Take From Home

What if retirement wasn’t about slowing down, but stepping into something more purposeful? 

In this episode of iRetire4Him, Jim and Martha Brangenberg sit down with Mike Henry, the founder of Follower of One. Now in his 60s, Mike shares how God stirred his heart not to retire from something, but to lean into a new mission: helping everyday Christians live their faith right where they are—whether that’s at work, at home, or even in line at the coffee shop. 

If you’ve ever wondered, “Now what?”—this conversation is full of encouragement and practical next steps. 

What You’ll Learn: 

  • Why retirement is a chance to choose how you serve, not just stop working. 

  • What the Follower of One community is all about, and how it equips believers to live out their faith. 

  • How “Marketplace Mission Trips” work, and why you don’t need a suitcase or passport to take one – or even a marketplace! 

  • Why your life experience matters more than ever—and how to share it with others who need it. 

  • How simple daily choices, like being present and available, can become powerful acts of ministry. 

How You Can Get Involved: 

  1. Join a Marketplace Mission Trip 
    Experience a weeklong “trip” that teaches you how to see your daily life as your mission field. No travel required—just a willingness to be intentional where you already are. 

  1. Join the Online Community 
    Meet others who are choosing to live their faith with purpose—retirees, working professionals, students, and everyone in between.  

  1. Lead a Small Group at Your Church 
    Use Follower of One’s six-week discussion guide to start a faith-at-work group. It's simple to lead and a great way to pour into other generations. 

  1. Support the Ministry Financially 
    Follower of One is donor-supported. Your contributions help equip more believers to live on mission every day. 

  1. Bring the Mission Trip Experience to Your Church 
    Help your church expand its impact by offering a Marketplace Mission Trip alongside traditional mission opportunities. Follower of One makes it easy to implement and customize your church’s needs. 

Why It’s Worth Your Time: 

Retirement doesn’t mean your influence stops. In fact, it may just be the beginning of your most impactful season yet. You’ve got wisdom, experience, and time—three powerful tools for Kingdom work. Whether you’re 55 or 85, Follower of One offers a simple, practical way to keep making a difference. 

Connect with iRetire4Him: 

FEATURING: Mike Henry, Sr. 

MINISTRY: Follower of One

140: You Only Have Today

Joan Farley shares her remarkable journey of saying “yes” to God throughout her life—including in retirement. From her childhood as a missionary kid to global ministry with her husband Charles, Joan’s story is marked by trust, resilience, and purpose. 

Now at 70, Joan is a published author of the Christian fiction novel Letters to Cassie, written to encourage and mentor young women. She also shares about caregiving for her 99-year-old mother, missionary trips with her husband, and even discovering and developing new skills later in life. 

Highlights: 

  • A life of global service and flexibility in following God’s lead 

  • The power of mentoring and writing fiction with spiritual depth 

  • Facing health challenges in retirement with faith and purpose 

  • Why investing in people is the only legacy that lasts 

Takeaway: 
Retirement isn’t the end—it’s a new season for impact. Whether through mentoring, writing, caregiving, or creative pursuits, God still has more for you

Get the Book: 
Letters to Cassie is available on Amazon—perfect for a granddaughter, a young woman in your church, or a teen who needs encouragement! 

Connect with iRetire4Him: 

FEATURING: Joan Farley

MINISTRY: Letters to Cassie