Podcast Summary: How to Money – Episode #999: "We're (mini) Retiring! w/ Jillian Johnsrud"

Introduction

In episode #999 of How to Money, co-hosts Joel and Matt welcome special guest Jillian Johnsrud, author of the upcoming book Retire Often. Released on June 20, 2025, this episode delves into the concept of mini-retirements, offering listeners valuable insights on balancing work, personal life, and financial planning to lead a fulfilling life.

Big Announcement: Hosts’ Mini-Retirement Plans [04:00 – 05:20]

Early in the episode, Joel and Matt reveal a significant update to their podcast journey: they plan to take a break over the summer. Jillian serves as the perfect sounding board for this decision, helping them navigate the implications of stepping away temporarily.

Joel [04:00]: "Yes, that's it."

Jillian [04:08]: "We've spoken with you multiple times. You've got a new book coming out. Retire Often. It's going to be out in a few months."

This announcement sets the stage for a deeper discussion on the benefits and challenges of taking mini-retirements.

Understanding Mini-Retirements [07:41 – 16:25]

Jillian introduces the concept of mini-retirements, highlighting their role as "hard resets" that allow individuals to recharge and reassess their life goals without completely stepping away from their careers. The conversation covers various aspects, including:

• Duration and Planning: Joel suggests starting with shorter mini-retirements, such as one to two months, to mitigate risks and gradually build experience.

  Joel [08:36]: "Four weeks is a great amount of time for the first mini retirement because it's a little bit of a learning curve."

• Setting Intentions: Jillian emphasizes the importance of clear intentions to prevent feeling overwhelmed by too many goals.

  Jillian [10:53]: "Think about your mini retirement as, like, phases. Don't mix all your intentions together because sometimes they don't play nicely with each other."

• Common Intentions for Mini-Retirements: Recovery from burnout, extended travel, completing personal projects, or learning new skills like Joel’s foray into tango dancing.

  Joel [06:10]: "I've been buying tango clothes, which, like, you said, malangas."

Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Growth [18:02 – 25:59]

The discussion transitions to the emotional and logistical challenges of taking time off, especially for those with families. Jillian and Joel share personal anecdotes illustrating the cherished moments that mini-retirements can offer, such as spending quality time with aging parents or creating lasting memories with children.

Joel [19:42]: "If you do this now, this will not sit on the shelf for 15 more years."

Jillian [25:59]: "Mini retirements are such a hassle. They are logistically challenging and mentally challenging and emotionally challenging and financially challenging."

They also address the privilege associated with being able to take time off and offer strategies to make mini-retirements more accessible, regardless of income level.

Emotional and Practical Strategies [33:23 – 43:56]

Jillian provides actionable advice for handling the emotional hurdles of announcing and implementing mini-retirements. Key strategies include:

• Simplifying Conversations: Keeping explanations straightforward to avoid projecting others' fears and biases onto your decision.

  Jillian [48:31]: "Keep it super simple and don't invite other people's emotional baggage because they have their own biases."

• Weekly Check-Ins: Joel recommends regular assessments to ensure the mini-retirement stays on track and allows for flexibility.

  Joel [55:09]: "Think about each week as like, I'm running an experiment, I'm testing a hypothesis and at the end of the week I'm going to see how did that work out."

• Active Rest: Emphasizing engaging in activities that rejuvenate rather than passive relaxation.

  Matt [59:21]: "I love the idea of active rest where you're engaging in the activities that are going to give you life and you're not just zoning out."

Personal Reflections and Final Takeaways [44:03 – End]

As the episode concludes, Joel and Matt share their personal motivations and reflections on embracing mini-retirements. They acknowledge cultural pressures to prioritize work but express optimism about the transformative potential of taking intentional breaks.

Joel [63:25]: "Mini retirements are mostly life changing because we're changed in the process. We come out different, therefore our life becomes different because we're showing up in a new way."

The hosts and Jillian reinforce the idea that mini-retirements can lead to increased creativity, motivation, and overall happiness both personally and professionally.

Notable Quotes

• Joel [08:36]: "Four weeks is a great amount of time for the first mini retirement because it's a little bit of a learning curve."

• Jillian [10:53]: "Think about your mini retirement as, like, phases. Don't mix all your intentions together because sometimes they don't play nicely with each other."

• Jillian [25:59]: "Mini retirements are such a hassle. They are logistically challenging and mentally challenging and emotionally challenging and financially challenging."

• Matt [59:21]: "I love the idea of active rest where you're engaging in the activities that are going to give you life and you're not just zoning out."

• Joel [63:25]: "Mini retirements are mostly life changing because we're changed in the process. We come out different, therefore our life becomes different because we're showing up in a new way."

Conclusion

Episode #999 of How to Money offers an insightful exploration into the concept of mini-retirements, providing listeners with practical advice, personal stories, and motivational strategies to incorporate intentional breaks into their lives. With expert guidance from Jillian Johnsrud, Joel and Matt underscore the importance of balancing work with personal fulfillment, ultimately advocating for a purposeful approach to managing finances and lifestyle for a richer, more balanced life.