

Retire Often
Jillian Johnsrud
Why retire once when you can retire often? Hear real mini-retirement stories.  See how mini-retirements can unlock work-life balance, purposeful living, and financial freedom.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2025 • 29min
Mini-Retirements in Healthcare and Other All-Consuming Careers
 28% of doctors consider leaving the profession on a weekly basis. Can mini-retirements allow people to stay in these demanding careers that they love, but are burning them out? Jillian and Christie discuss the importance of taking sabbaticals in the healthcare profession, particularly in light of the burnout culture that often pervades the field. Christie shares her personal journey of feeling overwhelmed in her role as a palliative care physician and the steps she took to reclaim her well-being through a sabbatical. They explore the systemic issues that contribute to burnout, the fear associated with career transitions, and the importance of finding agency and options within the medical field. The discussion emphasizes the need for self-care, the value of coaching, and the significance of maintaining one's identity outside of work. Links:  Website: reclaimphysiciancoaching.com, where any physician interested in exploring coaching can book a free introductory conversation. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reclaim_physician_coaching Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578579675081   Takeaways:  Many doctors feel trapped in their roles due to systemic pressures 28% of doctors contemplate leaving medicine weekly Cultural beliefs can create a false binary of being 'all in' or 'all out' Investing in wellness programs can save healthcare institutions money Fear of losing identity can hinder career transitions Creating a structured sabbatical using the mini-retirement phases can enhance the experience Finding community support can help in navigating career changes    

Oct 1, 2025 • 31min
The Benefits of Taking a Mini-Retirement When You are Already Retired
 Why take a mini-retirement when you are fully retired? Justin shares his personal journey of taking a six-month adventure around the world, detailing the motivations behind it, the challenges of maintaining routines while traveling, and the appreciation gained from both travel and returning home. They also delve into the financial aspects of long-term travel, debunking myths about costs and emphasizing the importance of planning and flexibility. You'll see how planning a mini-retirement can help break you out of the retirement routine and add extra adventure and experiences to your daily life.  Links mentioned:   Substack link for coverage of our international 6 month trip  Link to our podcast episode with more details about the trip  My personal blog where people can get more insight to how I retired at 33    Takeaways  Mini retirements can enhance the retirement experience. Traveling for an extended period allows for deeper cultural immersion. Maintaining healthy routines while traveling is possible with planning. Returning home after travel can increase appreciation for everyday life. Long-term travel can be more affordable than living at home. Traveling can help clarify future living and lifestyle choices. Questioning preconceived notions about travel costs can open new opportunities.  

16 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 32min
F-You Money, Side Hustles, and Hacks to Afford for Mini-Retirements
 Chris Hutchins, host of the All the Hacks podcast and expert in travel points and side hustles, shares insights from his inspiring seven-month mini-retirement traveling through Asia and Europe. He reveals how flexible travel can be more cost-effective and enriching, especially for families. Chris discusses hacks for increasing income during a mini-retirement and the importance of embracing spontaneity in trip planning. With tales of adventure and financial strategies, he encourages listeners to consider mini-retirements as a way to fully experience life. 

Jun 25, 2025 • 23min
Reinventing Life Before Retirement
 Jillian and Brenda explore Brenda's journey of taking a mini-retirement to rediscover herself through hiking and writing. Brenda shares her experiences of stepping away from a traditional career to embrace nature and the writing process, discussing the emotional and financial aspects of this transition. They delve into themes of trust, community among hikers, and the importance of redefining success in a personal context. Brenda offers insights on using writing as a tool for self-discovery and provides advice for those considering significant life changes. Takeaways:  Brenda took a mini retirement to focus on hiking and writing She set a goal to hike a thousand miles in five months The experience helped her redefine what success means Community among hikers fosters positivity and support Writing can be a powerful tool for self-discovery Avoiding naysayers is important for pursuing dreams  More information about Brenda can be found at https://linktr.ee/drbrendau 

Jun 11, 2025 • 37min
JL Collins: affording mini-retirements on the Simple Path to Wealth
  In this conversation, Jillian and JL Collins explore the themes of financial independence, the value of mini retirements, and the importance of life experiences. They discuss the parable of the monk and the minister, which illustrates the balance between wealth and resilience. The conversation delves into the fears surrounding financial decisions and the journey towards financial independence, emphasizing that experiences in youth may not be as accessible in later years. Through a case study of Tom, they highlight the realities of financial setbacks and the importance of confidence in financial planning. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of happiness, wealth, and the importance of optimism in life.     Link to  Simple Path to Wealth    Takeaways      The parable of the monk and the minister illustrates financial resilience.    Mini retirements can enhance life experiences without a catastrophic financial impact.    Life stages affect our preferences and capabilities for experiences.    Fear of financial missteps can hinder enjoyment of life.    Financial independence doesn't eliminate all financial worries.    Experiences in youth may not be as accessible in later years.    The journey to financial independence can be as important as the destination.    Confidence in financial decisions can be built over time.    Case studies can provide valuable insights into financial planning. Happiness can exist independently of wealth.     

May 14, 2025 • 28min
Mini Retirements to Practice for Early Retirement
 In this conversation, Jillian and Doug discuss the concept of mini retirements and how they can lead to a fulfilling lifestyle while pursuing financial independence. Doug shares his personal experiences with mini retirements throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of taking breaks, traveling, and spending quality time with family. They explore the challenges and benefits of unconventional choices, the gradual transition to early retirement, and the value of practicing mini retirements to prepare for a fulfilling post-work life. Doug's Links:  Niche Site Project: http://nichesiteproject.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DougCunnington Doug.Show Podcast: https://doug.show Mile High FI Podcast: https://milehighfi.com Homebase: https://dougcunnington.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougcunnington  

5 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 29min
How to Decouple Identity from Career for a Mini-Retirement
 Mitch shares his journey towards a mini-retirement, discussing the challenges of decoupling his identity from work, the role of therapy in his transition, and the planning involved in their adventure. He reflects on the joy of spending quality time with family while traveling and the unexpected return to work with a new perspective.  Mitch offers encouragement for others considering a similar path, emphasizing the importance of self-evaluation and planning for a fulfilling life beyond traditional work. Takeaways  Mitch and his wife were both working demanding jobs before considering a mini-retirement The financial independence community inspired Mitch to rethink his career path Decoupling identity from work is crucial for a successful transition Therapy played a significant role in helping Mitch understand his feelings about work Planning their mini-retirement adventure was essential to ensure they followed through Living in a camper for 11 weeks brought the family closer together Returning to work allowed Mitch to coach and guide others rather than manage  Links: • myFIcapsule Episode #23: Our Big Trip Explained!  • EverdayFI Episode #33: Mitch & Meg's Money Musings 

6 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 11min
Mini Retirements: A Lifetime of Adventures by saving 6.5%
 Explore the exciting concept of mini-retirements and how saving just 6.5% of your income can open doors to unforgettable adventures. Learn practical strategies for budgeting and reducing expenses to make these experiences a reality. Jillian encourages creative thinking about financial planning, showing that giving up small luxuries today can lead to greater rewards later. Discover how adjusting your spending habits can set the stage for a lifetime filled with joyous and adventurous moments. 

Jan 1, 2025 • 30min
Developing Failure Immunity with an around the World Trip
 Discover the inspiring journey of a family who took a seven-month mini retirement to travel the world. They share how the trip transformed their family dynamics, emphasizing adaptability and resilience in their children. Listeners learn about the significance of immersing in diverse cultures rather than rushing through itineraries. The conversation touches on the valuable lessons of pausing in life, rediscovering connections, and the personal growth that emerged from their adventures. Insights into an upcoming book are also revealed, documenting their remarkable experiences. 

Dec 11, 2024 • 14min
Seasons of life with expiration dates
 In this solo episode, Jillian discusses the necessity of taking mini retirements to engage in meaningful activities that have expiration dates, such as family adventures. Jillian reflects on her own experiences and the unpredictability of life, encouraging listeners to prioritize these moments before they pass by. Takeaways  Mini retirements allow for experiences that can't fit into weekends Some life experiences have expiration dates that can't be postponed until 65 Life is unpredictable, and we should seize opportunities when they arise Regrets often stem from not taking chances when we had the time The joy of experiences can outweigh the hassle of planning them As we age, our preferences and abilities change, impacting our adventures    


