John Stange helps people build platforms to share their wisdom and experience with others.

John Stange empowers others to use their skills, experiences to serve

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At an age when many people begin slowing down, John Stange is speeding up. He continues to use the wisdom and experiences accumulated over decades to help others discover their voice, serve others and create meaningful work in the second half of life.

As a longtime pastor, college professor, author and podcast host, John has dedicated his career to equipping people with spiritual and practical tools. But, his latest mission is particularly relevant for those over 50.

Through his program, Platform Launchers, John helps people turn their life experience, learned skills and natural talents into online platforms. These platforms not only provide personal fulfillment and income potential, but also serve as powerful tools to help others.

For John, teaching people to create content reflecting what they are passionate about is one of the most rewarding things he’s ever done.

Turning experience into influence

“I’ve been serving in ministry for 30 years now, with 28 of those as a lead pastor,” John said. “In addition to that, I’ve always had a passion for creating media. Even as a kid, I dreamed of being on the radio.”

That dream came true when he worked as a radio announcer and production director in his 20s. Those skills naturally translated into podcasting, blogging and publishing books later in his life.

John now leads multiple podcasts, including “Chapter-A-Day Audio Bible,” “Daily Devotions with Pastor John,” “Dwell on These Things,” and “The Online Business Blueprint.”

While three of his shows are faith-based, John also speaks directly to entrepreneurs and aspiring content creators through his business-focused platform.

“I realized that I could help other people do what I was doing,” he said. “People over 50 often think they have nothing left to offer, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Their experience, wisdom and stories are very valuable.”

No need to be polished

One of the most common objections John hears from aspiring platform builders is that they lack technical expertise or on-camera polish. He insists those things are no longer necessary.

“People want authenticity more than perfection,” he noted. “You don’t need to be a celebrity or have a polished production. In fact, some of the most popular creators online are just regular people talking about real life.”

He gave the example of a YouTuber named Ronnie who simply shares daily reflections from his backyard.

“He’s older than I am, and he’s just sharing what life is like for him,” John explained. “There’s no special lighting, studio setup or no B-roll footage to spice up the videos. He just provides thoughtful content, and people love it.”

John believes that people who have navigated challenges, raised families, built careers or overcome adversity are uniquely positioned to help others. They just need a platform to do it.

Simplicity is key

Many over-50 adults shy away from online content creation because of perceived technical hurdles. But John makes a strong case for keeping it simple.

“I use a good microphone, free software like Audacity, and the webcam on my laptop,” he explained. “You don’t need a $2,000 setup. In fact, overcomplicating things can become a barrier to actually creating.”

By focusing on strong, clear audio and content that serves a purpose, anyone can build a loyal audience. John’s own podcasts have been downloaded more than 17 million times, and his content is known for being practical, encouraging and easy to consume.

“You don’t need all the bells and whistles. Just share what you know in a way that helps people,” John said.

Building community and beating isolation

An often overlooked benefit to having an online platform is the connection it creates. Many people over 50 struggle with isolation, especially after retiring or experiencing significant life changes.

But, by creating content and engaging with an audience, that loneliness can be replaced with meaningful connection.

“When you help people, they reach out to you,” John said. “Through Platform Launchers and my podcasts, I get to interact with people all over the country and around the world. We have members from different time zones and backgrounds who encourage and support one another.”

He believes the community aspect of a platform is just as valuable as the content itself. It helps people stay engaged, inspired and motivated to keep going.

“I’ve seen people who thought they were alone discover a tribe of like-minded individuals,” said John. “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness those relationships grow.”

A source of income and impact

In addition to building relationships and sharing wisdom, online platforms can become a source of income for people over 50.

Many seasoned citizens are looking for flexible ways to supplement retirement income or create a new revenue stream after leaving the workforce, and a digital platform offers both.

“Coaching is one of the fastest ways to generate income through a platform,” John said. “You don’t need to be an expert in everything. You just need to be a little further down the path than the person you’re helping.”

Other revenue options include advertising, product sales, memberships and affiliate marketing. John has experienced all of those through his own platforms.

“I started out earning tens of dollars a month. Then it became hundreds. Then thousands. The key is consistency,” he explained.

John also emphasized that platform-based work is location-independent. People can create content and engage with others from anywhere. That flexibility makes it an ideal fit for retirees, RV travelers or anyone looking for greater freedom in their schedule.

“You can work on your own terms, from wherever you want, doing something that matters,” he said. “That’s pretty exciting.”

A process anyone can follow

To help others get started, John developed a system he calls the “content waterfall.” It starts with a blog post and flows into multiple types of content, such as podcast episodes, videos and social media snippets.

“This approach makes content creation manageable,” he said. “If you can commit even five hours a week, you can build a solid platform.”

Through Platform Launchers, John offers live weekly training, a structured launch plan, instructional videos and a thriving community of supportive content creators. Each week, he walks members through a specific step of the process, from choosing a topic to launching a site to monetizing their content.

“It’s the shortcut I wish I had when I started,” he explained. “I created the training based on what I wanted to know early on.”

Platform Launchers is ideal for people over 50 who may have no formal experience in tech or media, but who have valuable insight to share. Whether they want to talk about health, parenting, travel, faith, a professional skill or fun hobby, John helps them find their voice and their audience.

Finding joy in helping others

At the heart of everything John does is a desire to serve. Whether through his books, podcasts or coaching programs, his goal is to help people glorify God by using their gifts to bless others.

“I believe we were created with purpose, and that includes the second half of life,” he said. “When you use your wisdom to serve someone else, you experience joy and meaning that’s hard to describe.”

His advice to those seeking purpose after 50 is to not underestimate your value.

“You’ve lived, you’ve learned, and someone out there needs what you’ve experienced,” he explained.

John has written several books, including:

For anyone ready to explore what’s possible in the second half of life, John’s message is that your story matters, and it’s never too late to share it.

For more information

People can connect with John in many ways, including:

John has written nearly three dozen books, all of which are available on Amazon, including “Dwell on These Things,” “Build Grow and Monetize Your Online Platform,” “The Podcaster’s Playbook” and “Desire Jesus.”

If you purchase one of John’s books from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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