iRetire4Him

FEATURING: Rodney & Donna Smith   MINISTRY: Caregiver, Church and Community Volunteers  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. T...

FEATURING: Rodney Smith   MINISTRY: Caregiver, Church and Community Volunteer  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. Rodne...

FEATURING: Donna Smith  MINISTRY: Caregiver, Church and Community Volunteer  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 husba...

FEATURING: Mike Henry, Sr.   MINISTRY: Follower of One   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...

FEATURING: Joan Farley  MINISTRY: Author of Letters to Cassie   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...

FEATURING: Paul Nichols  MINISTRY: Retired United Auto Workers Chaplain  This episode, host Jim Brangenberg takes us to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to meet Paul Nichols, who discovered that retirement isn't about having a rigid plan but about being obedient to God's daily calling. After 30 years with the United Auto Workers, Paul has spent the last 20+ years in retirement serving as a chaplain to w...

FEATURING: Jeff Wilson  MINISTRY: Former iWork4Him Ministries Board Chairman  In this inspiring episode, Jim sits down with Jeff Wilson—longtime friend, brother-in-law, and faithful servant-leader—to explore how retirement can be a season of joyful purpose and ministry. Jeff reflects on his first year of retirement and how he's rediscovering meaning through family, church inv...

FEATURING: Jim Brangenberg  MINISTRY: iRetire4Him   In this powerful episode, Jim Brangenberg shares a heartfelt message about the real purpose of retirement. Many retirees have been led to believe that retirement is solely about relaxation and pleasure, but Jim challenges this idea, revealing it’s a lie that sidelines some of the most valuable members of God's kingdom.  Inste...

FEATURING: Ross Harrop  MINISTRY: C12   Retirement is often seen as the finish line, but what if it’s actually a new starting point? In this episode, Jim and Martha Brangenberg sit down with Ross Harrop, whose so-called "retirement" has been anything but restful! After 33 years with the Boy Scouts of America and time as an executive pastor, Ross found himself searching for purpose...

FEATURING: Jim & Martha Brangenberg  Jim and Martha Brangenberg are only 58 – so what do they really know about retirement? A lot more than you’d think! After living in a retirement community for over two decades, they’ve seen firsthand what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to life after a paycheck.  In this episode, they challenge the American dream of...

FEATURING: Dr. Sharen Ford & Cindy King  Part 2 in our “best of iRetire4Him” series highlights two powerful conversations that introduced and expanded on the concept of wraparound grandparenting . We first discussed this idea with Dr. Sharen Ford, encouraging retirees to step into roles as mentors and supporters for foster and adoptive families. Drawing from her 30-year career...

FEATURING: LD Buckingham & Phil Burks  Retirement isn’t about slowing down—it’s about stepping into a new purpose! In this special “best of ” show, we revisit two powerful conversations with Dr. LD Buckingham and Phil Burks, two men who prove that God’s calling doesn’t come with an expiration date.  LD Buckingham, after 45 years of pastoring,...

MID-SEGMENT GUEST: Amy Ford  Organization: Embrace Grace Part 2 of the 2-Part Series on Neighboring In this episode of iRetire4Him , Jim Brangenberg and Bruce Bruinsma dive into the powerful impact retirees can have on their local communities. With the freedom that comes after leaving the workforce, retirement offers a unique opportunity to pour into others. From mentoring younger generations...

MID-SEGMENT GUEST: Amy Ford  Organization: Embrace Grace   Part 1 of the 2-Part Series on Neighboring Too often, retirees overlook the ministry opportunities right in their neighborhoods. In this episode, Bruce and Jim discuss practical ways to build connections with neighbors, like hosting dinner parties, neighborhood potlucks, or simply meeting for breakfast at a local spot. Small step...

MID-SEGMENT GUEST: Derek Carter  Organization: Focus on the Family – Wait No More   Part 3 of the 3-Part Series Everyone Can Do Something  In the final episode of iRetire4Him for 2024, Jim Brangenberg and Bruce Bruinsma invite listeners to reflect on the past year and embrace the opportunities of 2025. They explore how retirees can live intentionally, grow spiritually, and eng...

MID-SEGMENT GUEST: Joel Werdell Organization: Christian Association of Youth Mentoring Part 2 of the 3-Part Series Everyone Can Do Something With Christmas and New Year’s Eve just around the corner, this show challenges listeners to consider how they can make a difference in the lives of others. Bruce reflects on God’s systematic design for moments of reflection and action, encouraging...

MID-SEGMENT GUEST: Bruce Bruinsma  Organization: Retirement Reformation   Part 1 of the 3-Part Series Everyone Can Do Something  Leading up to Christmas and the end of the year, hosts Jim Brangenberg and Bruce Bruinsma inspire retirees to embrace the season with purpose and love. Reflecting on the Christmas spirit, they ask: What can you uniquely do to make a difference this year?  We’re reminded...

MID-SEGMENT GUESTS: Joel Werdell Organization: Christian Association of Youth Mentoring Part 3 of the 3-Part Series Kingdom Impact as a Senior  Wrap up this series exploring the vital role of retired believers in making a Kingdom impact. It emphasizes that retirees can still play a significant role in the church and broader community, actively using their time, life experience, and spiritual wisdo...

MID-SEGMENT GUESTS: Mark Andrews  Organization: Adoptive Family Resources   Part 2 of the 3-Part Series Kingdom Impact as a Senior   In this episode of iRetire4Him , Jim Brangenberg and Bruce Bruinsma challenge retirees to find purpose in their retirement years by serving and encourage listeners to stay engaged, using their wisdom and experience to mentor and impact their communities.  The show al...

MID-SEGMENT GUEST : John Avant  Ministry: Passion Promise   Part 1 of the 3-Part Series Kingdom Impact as a Senior   In this episode of iRetire4Him, Jim Brangenberg and Bruce Bruinsma discuss the untapped potential of retirees to make a Kingdom impact. Bruce highlights that many retirees feel they’ve outlived their ability to contribute because they haven’t realized their role in God’s ongoing pla...

SHOW GUESTS:  Alex Nsengimana  Ministry: Samaritan’s Purse   Part 3 of the 3-Part Series Operation Christmas Child for Retirees  We hope you’ve been finding this series about Operation Christmas Child as impactful as we have! This final series episode features Alex Nsengimana, whose life was transformed when he received a shoebox full of goodies – his very first gift. Alex, originally from Rwanda,...

SHOW GUESTS: Mark & Cherry Brumbelow Ministry: Samaritan’s Purse Part 2 of the 3-Part Series Operation Christmas Child for Retirees Welcome back the Brumbelows as the iRetire4Him Podcast focuses on the impactful work of Samaritan's Purse and their Operation Christmas Child program. Mark and Cherry share their incredible journey of leading a 55-member Texas church to pack over 100,000 shoeboxes...

SHOW GUESTS: Mark & Cherry Brumbelow Ministry: Samaritan’s Purse Part 1 of the 3-Part Series Operation Christmas Child for Retirees  In this special series of the iRetire4Him Podcast, co-hosts Bruce and Jim, and guests Mark and Cherry Brumbelow, want to present you with an excellent idea to add more purpose to your Christmas preparations. They explore the life-changing impact of Operation Chri...

MID-SEGMENT GUESTS: Doug Hunter  Ministry: Pinnacle Forum Even in retirement, our calling from God remains active, providing purpose and direction. What about the days when we feel hopeless? Bruce explains that hope for tomorrow gives us the confidence and energy to face each day, no matter the challenges. He shares personal experiences, highlighting how faith and the guidance of the Holy Spirit p...

MID-SEGMENT GUESTS:  Mike Henry  Ministry: Follower of One Part 3 of the 3-Part Series Transitions This episode highlights personal experiences, noting the impact adult children's transitions can have on retirees. Bruce stresses the importance of prayer, support, and the complexities of modern family dynamics. Jim recounts his own challenges, including caring for a granddaughter after his son's he...