Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be. - Ralph Waldo Emerson The first week of May this year was a bit exhausting for me. That week, I entered Immaculate Conception school physically in pain, emotionally drained and professionally wiped out. And yet, it was one of the most surprising - and humbling - moments I’ve had as a speaker. Today, I encourage all of us to strive to be a source of inspiration for others.

David Horsager hopes to make a dent in the global trust crisis by developing trusted leaders and organizations.   As the bestselling author of The Trust Edge, David is the CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute and director of one of the nation's foremost trust studies: The Trust Outlook.   With decades of research and by working with organizations including FedEx and Toyota, global governments, the New York Yankees and the Department of Homeland Security, David has captured the full picture of leadership both personally and professionally.   If you’re looking to grow as a leader, today’s conversation is for you.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness.- Victor Hugo Today, John shares how a ticket agent's small act of kindness had a tremendous impact. 

Catherine Price is an award-winning science journalist, screen/life balance expert and the author of books including The Power of Fun and How to Break Up with Your Phone.   In our always-on, productivity-addicted lifestyles, we tend to think of the pursuit of fun as being indulgent or even childish. We claim not to have time for it even as we spend hours a day engaging in what today’s guest calls “Fake Fun”—binge-watching Netflix, endlessly scrolling through Twitter, or indulging our FOMO on Instagram, all in hopes of filling some of the emptiness we feel inside.    Today, Catherine shares her evidence-backed resources to help others design lives in which they control their technology, rather than the other way around—with the ultimate goal of increasing happiness, productivity, creativity, health and wellbeing.   This conversation will empower each of us to scroll less, live more, and have fun.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

“You can easily tell the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Years ago, I ran a small construction company. Continuously running material, picking up tools, and dropping lumber, I spent significant time in a truck with my General Contractor, Harold Stewart.   Working together for almost a decade, Harold certainly taught me much about framing, wiring, plumbing and painting. The greatest lesson, though, was the power of consistent generosity.   My friends, there are so many examples of selfish people, tragic events and senseless violence today. In a world as broken as ours we often wonder what we can do to make a difference.   The example my friend- my brother- Harold models is a simple solution to the profound challenges we face today: Love people.   Choose to be kind to the one in front of you. Choose to invest in relationships for the long term. And choose to be generous to those who can’t repay it.   It may not change the entire world, but unqu

Today’s guest is an Emmy award-winning journalist, reinvention expert and intelligent risk-taker.   With a successful television career that spanned 28 years, some of Liz Brunner’s most memorable highlights involve exclusive interviews with prominent figures and cultural icons including President Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.   After leaving a successful career as co-anchor of Boston’s #1 rated newscast, Liz is now dedicated to helping others find their authentic voice, tell their story and lead with presence.   Today, Liz leads us through a number of her career chapters that include High School Music teacher and entrepreneur with the intention of inspiring others to transform their lives.   This conversation will give you permission to discover your authentic self and remind you that no knowledge, obstacle or experience is ever wasted.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

“In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.” – Henri J.M. Nouwen For more than a decade I’ve worked with the FOCUS Marines Foundation. This organization hosts struggling veterans for week-long retreats designed to provide support for complex physical and emotional issues related to military service.   On this Memorial Day, I share the story of how the simple act cooking a meal can come to mean so much more. For nearly a decade, four military moms - all of whose lives have been impacted by veteran suicide - pour their hearts into a homemade meal for groups of veterans seeking support for the complex and often traumatic emotional burdens resulting from deployment.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

I’m honored to share a story of not just surviving impossible odds but thriving in a world that is too often caught up with how we look on the outside rather than seeing that our true value is within.   When Kechi Okwuchi was 16 years old, she was one of just two survivors of a devastating plane crash that killed more than 100 people, many of them her classmates.   Spending months in hospital recovering from the third-degree burns that covered more than 65% of her body, Kechi learned the power of perseverance, unrelenting faith and music’s profound ability to heal.   With courage, honesty and wit, Kechi shares her journey of healing, her fortitude in becoming a finalist on America’s Got Talent and her boldness in choosing to not be defined by her scars.   This conversation will give you the hope, strength and boldness to face life’s challenges directly.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

“Just because I am happy and loved, doesn’t mean everyone else is. I know someone might be walking behind me who doesn’t feel happy and doesn’t feel loved. Maybe I can help them.” – Evan Ernst   While we’re thrilled our Live Inspired Podcast has been downloaded nearly 5,000,000 times, it’s the stories of impact from individual listeners that most inspire our efforts. And there is something particularly special when one of the lives being impacted is a 12-year-old boy from South Dakota. Today, I share the story of Evan Ernst.

Kiana Clay is the first adaptive female motocross racer, top-ranked para-snowboarder and 2026 Paralympic hopeful.   At 12 years old, Kiana suffered a traumatic brachial plexus injury on a motocross practice run that left her right arm paralyzed. While recovering from this accident, she was hit by a drunk driver, reversing any strength she was recovering and leaving her dominant arm permanently paralyzed.    Although these circumstances certainly changed her life, Kiana is not letting them define her.    Today, Kiana shares how she learned to accept her body, her struggle with depression, how she’s learned to trust God and what led to her recent decision to have her injured arm amputated.    This conversation is a reminder that you can't always choose the path you walk (or race!) in life, but you can always choose the manner in which you walk (or race!) it.   Learn more about this Live Inspired Podcast episode and more at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

Being heard is so close to being loved that they are almost indistinguishable. – David Augsburger   Today, we celebrate Augie Nieto and his quest to cure ALS.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

Maggie Doyne's mission is to create a world where children are safe, educated and loved.   At age nineteen, Maggie used $5,000 of her babysitting money to co-found BlinkNow Foundation which helped to build the Kopila Valley Children’s Home and School, a safe place for orphaned children in war-torn Nepal.   Since 2010, Maggie + her team have served 500 of the region’s most impoverished children and worked to deepen and grow the organization’s impact through grassroots community development efforts.   Today, as you hear from a humanitarian, activist, CNN Hero of the Year and Forbes "Top 30 under 30" Social Entrepreneur, you'll learn just how tremendous + unlikely her work has been. Plus, Maggie shares specific and practical ways to take action for a cause that’s meaningful to you.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com

John O'Leary recognizes the mothers shepherding their children through tragedy.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

With Mother’s Day upon us, today’s guest is a marvelous example of what’s possible with the love from a powerful mom. As one of four boys raised by a single mother, Steve White’s life could easily have taken a different path. Instead, armed with his mother’s determination that her sons make a better life for themselves and his own refusal to be shaped by his circumstances, Steve forged a path to extraordinary professional and personal achievement. Today, Steve shares lessons from every stage of life, and the people who influenced him along the way to form this overarching message: An uncompromising life is one where you stay true to what is important to you, what you believe in, and what you love. You’ll leave this conversation ready to discover what matters most and where you can make the biggest difference. Did you enjoy this conversation? You'll love our curated playlist celebrating mothers. Listen to the Mother's Day playlist here. 

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and in honor of those heroes AND in celebration of the 2nd anniversary of IN AWE, I wanted to share one of my favorite stories from the book. It will remind you we all need someone cheering us forward and it will encourage you to embrace that role. In doing so we change the world one life at a time. Starting with our own.   Learn more about today's episode at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

Stephen M. R. Covey is an expert on trust, leadership and culture. As former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, Stephen personally led the strategy that propelled his father’s book, Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to become one of the two most influential business books of the 20th Century.   Today, Stephen shares: The important lessons his parents modeled for him and his eight siblings His journey to finding his own purpose while working with his legendary father. The importance of trust, in ourselves and others,  How as truly great leaders, we’re able to unleash the potential and greatness in others.   Whether you're leading a small family unit or a Fortune 100 company, this conversation is for you.   Learn more about this conversation at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

So often we recognize a need in a family, a struggle in a friend, or a challenge in our community and wonder what we can even do to help. While it’s easy to assume there is little we can do, be reminded of the power in simply showing up for others.

Mental health challenges and broken relationships are a part of life, yet they don’t have to define us. Dr. John Delony is a mental health expert, bestselling author of Redefining Anxiety and host of The Dr. John Delony Show, a caller-driven show that gives you real talk on relationships and mental health challenges. Armed with not one, but two PhDs and more two decades of experience in counseling and crisis response, John’s goal is to help others navigate tough decisions, improve relationships, and remind others they're worthy of being well.   Today, John unpacks what we can learn by honestly embracing our past and the practical steps in order to take a proactive role in finding freedom in new beginnings.   If you or someone you love is navigating something challenging, this episode is for you.

What would you do if you knew today was your last? As a nine-year-old, this wasn’t just a hypothetical question to consider, but a reality I faced daily.   Because of my weakened condition, the additional stress of surgery and blood loss presented the very real prospect that the next surgery could be my last. With this in mind, my parents would make the evening before surgeries extremely special. They’d bring me a gift, my siblings would visit, we’d eat pizza, down milkshakes, and stay up late. We’d do our very best to ignore the painful reality before us. The focus was on me.   That’s how I spent my nights when I thought they might be my last.   How would you want to spend yours?   Learn more about today's episode at JohnOLearyInspires.com/podcast.

To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, I’m honored to welcome Kevin Eubanks, one of the most accomplished jazz musicians of his or any generation.   As a prolific guitarist and composer, Kevin is frequently recognized for his role as former Music Director of The Tonight Show band, appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for 18 years.   Yet it’s what led up to this iconic role that is most intriguing.   Today, Kevin shares about growing up with a strong musical influence, what it was like to hitchhike to gigs around Philadelphia at 13 years old and how he was able to overcome his shyness.   And I can’t forget to mention…Kevin shares a fantastic impersonation of Jay Leno that you don’t want to miss.   Learn more about this episode at JohnOLearyInspires.com/podcast.