Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

Growing up with parents who were deaf, Bill McKendry has a unique perspective on communication and the power it holds.  In fact, it's what ignited his passion to be a voice and communicator for those who need help.  At the height of his successful 35-year career in advertising and marketing, Bill left a large advertising agency to launch non-profit DO MORE GOOD. Using his expertise from iconic brands including American Express and Target, Bill focuses on magnifying the missions of non-profits to multiply their impact.  Join us for a conversation about using challenges as a way to meet others with empathy, passion and do more good. SHOW NOTES: Do More Good helps to magnify the missions of non-profits and multiply their impact through marketing, communications and branding. Before learning to speak, Bill communicated through American Sign Language with his parents who were deaf since birth. Native to Michigan, Bill fell in love with Colorado at 14 years old and continues to maintain a connection to the area. D

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." - Maya Angelou Birthdays, anniversaries and holidays are obvious dates to celebrate. Bake a cake, light the candles, sing a song, gather together, toast to life. But what do we do with the dates that remind us not of what we have, but of all we lost? How should we treat those anniversaries? For my family and me, one such date is January 17th. On that date 35 years ago, I was burned on 100% of my body. We all face fires in life; we all get burned. Ultimately whether our life story is an epic to celebrate or a tragedy to mourn has surprisingly little to do with the events within our lives and far more to do with the manner in which we respond to those events.

Mattie Jackson Selecman dreamt of being an author, yet she never expected her first book Lemons On Friday would be about the tragic + unexpected loss of her beloved husband of 11 months. Daughter of country megastar Alan Jackson and New York Times bestselling author Denise Jackson, Mattie became a widow at 28 years old and was forced to navigate a future drastically different from the one she had planned. Relying on her faith, she embarked on a deeply personal journey through devastating loss and the difficult dance that followed. This conversation is a reminder that no heartbreak or loss is unredeemable and by confidently clinging to hope, we can truly heal. SHOW NOTES: Value of work + humility: Growing up in the quintessential country music family, Mattie is grateful for how her parents raised her and her siblings. In her book, It's All About Him, Mattie's mom Denise candidly shared her and Alan's marital struggles, giving Mattie the confidence to share her own difficult journey. Intrigued by the history,

When I was just nine-years-old laying on what was expected to be my deathbed after a house fire, my mother guided me with a question that changed the trajectory of my life: John, do you want to die? That day we made a commitment to faithfully, courageously and collectively fight on. We had no idea of what tomorrow might hold. All we knew was the fight was on.

After narrowly escaping the devastation of 9/11, Kushal Choksi recognized he had been so consumed in pursuing the “American dream” that he had forgotten to pursue his own. From being a Wall Street trader immersed in the material world, Kushal embarked on a quest to find answers to life's biggest questions. Today, hear Kushal share how he explored his doubts with spirituality, the peace he ultimately found and what it means for you. SHOW NOTES: Kushal grew up in a densely populated small town in India where he could drive a bike from one side to the other in 20 minutes. Beautiful balance: He admired his dad’s razor-sharp intellect and refreshing happiness. For the first time since being in America, Kushal witnessed fear on 9/11. Ecclesiastes 12:8: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!” While initially uncertain, Kushal began practicing SKY breathing with spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. SKY Breathing: Uses the natural rhythms in our breath to harmonize the dif

"Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out." - John Wooden   Life will happen, challenges will mount, headwind will blow, difficulties will arise and the year ahead will become far different than the one you currently imagine. And yet, the power of one reminds us that although we cannot always choose the path we walk in life, we are always free to choose the manner in which we walk it. The choice we make makes a mighty difference in our lives – and the lives of those we encounter. Today, this week and into the year ahead, choose to treat others with dignity and compassion. Soften your voice, smile more often, laugh more easily, seek to understand, unclench your fist, open your heart and recognize that this life – that indeed your life – is a profound gift.

In 2021, we’ve encountered challenges, experienced cheerfulness and witnessed change, together. As we celebrate over four million downloads, I’m incredibly grateful for our Live Inspired community. Whether subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or another listening platform, sharing episodes with friends + family or engaging with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn, this milestone would have been reached without you. Today, join me as I recap the most downloaded episodes of the last year. From Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph to New York Times bestselling author Mel Robbins, today’s episode is the best way to close out the year and start 2022 off right. SHOW NOTES: Peter Montoya, an apolitical unification expert, shares practical strategies to unify our divided society on ep. 376. Marc Randolph, the co-founder of Netflix, shares stories about starting the iconic brand and his unconventional idea of success on ep. 388. Howard Behar, retired president at Starbucks, shares his tips on how

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller What can a basketball team in southwest Texas teach us about real victory? It turns out real victory isn’t merely about what we can do for ourselves and get for our team, but ultimately what we can invest into others and achieve together. Watch the video of Coronado High School's Marcus Mitchell here.

"To be content with little is hard; to be content with much, impossible." - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach In the midst of this holiday season, what better time to take pause and celebrate the amazing blessings already present in our lives. For the past five years, every podcast guest has been asked a series of rapid-fire questions known as the Live Inspired 7. The third question is: Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? Join me as I share what I would retrieve. Plus, I share some of the most remarkable responses that remind us that real joy, real peace and real love are seldom wrapped and almost never found under the tree. SHOW NOTES: What would you go back in and save? These past Live Inspired Podcast guests share the important reminder that real joy, peace and love are seldom wrapped and found under the tree. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle from ep. 248. Bestselling author and post-traumatic

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when [adults] are afraid of the light." - Plato Many people send out Christmas cards this time of year. These cards typically feature pictures of smiling kids, happy couples, cute dogs, new homes. Many cards include images of beautiful Christmas trees, Santa leaving gifts, Snoopy driving sleighs, or nativity scenes. But several years ago, it was a seemingly bland card, with a seemingly odd message, that most deeply moved me. On a plain blue card weren’t pictures, images, families or snowflakes, but four words.

Fr. Ray Kelly, affectionally known as the singing Irish priest from Britain's Got Talent, became a worldwide sensation. The video of him singing a touching rendition of "Hallelujah" went viral with more than 80 million views. With an astonishing ability to connect with others through his remarkable singing, Fr. Ray joins us to share his fascinating journey from parish priest to Britain's Got Talent fame. Today's episode is an early Christmas blessing that's sure to delight. SHOW NOTES: Moving from civil service, Fr. Ray became called to priesthood, becoming an ordained priest at 36 years old. Understand the power of Christmas. Say "no" to overconsumption + commercialism and "yes" to helping others. After recently losing his beloved dog Buddy, the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" takes on even more of emotional meaning. Watch Fr. Ray Kelly sing his rendition of "Hallelujah" for newlyweds Chris and Leah here. Learn more about Fr. Ray Kelly here. If you enjoyed today's episode, you'll love our Musicians playl

In what aspect of your life do you “gotta figure that out?” Today, choose to stop blaming others for perceived slights or injustices, and begin embracing your role in making things better. Choose to vulnerably share with a friend what is going on and your need for help going forward. And choose to chart a new path, dream boldly and live intentionally to ensure far better days remain ahead.

What if the best thing that's going to happen in your life hasn't happened yet?  Antonio Neves, author of the bestselling book Stop Living on Autopilot, is an award-winning journalist and success coach known for asking tough questions. Today’s conversation is the perfect antidote to beat burnout and combat complacency. Prepare to leave reignited to boldly take action to live a life of happiness + fulfillment. SHOW NOTES: Professional question-asker: Growing up in a small, blue-collar Michigan town, Antonio faced challenges that motivated him to be more interested in others' stories than sharing his own. How would you introduce yourself to others if you couldn't reference your career? Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you're supposed to be doing it. While a successful sales rep, Antonio dreamt of working in the entertainment industry. With just a thousand dollars, he moved to New York City to work multiple jobs before getting his break years later with television network Nickelodeon. When mom

Sometimes individuals with whom we think we have the least in common become our greatest teachers and dearest friends. Join me as I share Rudyard Kipling’s poem "If" and what it can teach us about facing adversity.

As a transformational teacher, Kute Blackson's mission is simple: To awaken and inspire people across the planet to access inner freedom, live authentically and fulfill their true life’s purpose. Kute's multicultural upbringing spanning four continents offers a unique foundation in his approach to breaking down barriers and unlocking an individual's true gifts and greatness. Modeling courage and resilience, hear Kute share his fresh look at spiritual awareness, practical ideas and soul-stirring wisdom that will ignite the heart and inspire courageous action. SHOW NOTES: "Being aware that you're going to die opens up the fierce urgency to really live." Kute describes a miracle as a shift in our attention and the willingness to see the magic in ordinary moments. Integrating the sacred and mundane: While his father was always on a path of his own mission, Kute is hopeful that future generations will have a better opportunity to balance the sacred and mundane moments of life. Afraid to lose what love + connec

Anticipation of pleasure is a pleasure in itself.” - Sylvia Townsend Warner Entering into this advent season we look forward to the joy of the holidays, the gift of Christmas and the promise of a New Year by sharing a reminder of the power of joyful awaiting. Today, join me as I share a short excerpt from my instant #1 national bestselling book IN AWE.

“History teaches us that unity is strength, and cautions us to submerge and overcome our differences in the quest for common goals.” -Haile Selassie While the tradition of Thanksgiving began around 1621, it wasn't declared a national holiday for another 242 years. And why is this significant? In 1863, Abraham Lincoln was President in the middle of the Civil War, a chaotic crisis with profound divisiveness and great uncertainty of our nation. It was then he declared a day to pause and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives that we share. In a season where it’s easy to further build the walls that divide us, tune in to hear three simple tips that will allow us to focus on the things that unify, bind and heal. SHOW NOTES: Read Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation here. Three ways to build connections: Own the conversation from the start. And I’m not suggesting to get the first word in, be more adamant, and set the stage for winning the debate. Instead, start conversations by speaking (or si

Death is the destiny of everyone, and the living must take this to heart. - Ecclesiastes Today, join me in celebrating those we've lost by living passionately alive. Knowing that tomorrow is not promised, let’s actively, vibrantly, faithfully and joyfully live this day. And let’s keep those enduring heartache both in our prayers and memorialize them through the manner in which we lead our lives.

We all have stories, and yet frequently, they're not the ones we share with the world. After being burned on 100% of my body, spending five and a half months in the hospital and losing my fingers to amputation, my dream was not to stand out, but to disappear and be ordinary. Bonnie Gray spent 39 years hiding her story, too. Growing up as the Chinese American daughter of a mail-order bride and a busboy in San Francisco's Chinatown, Bonnie's childhood was far from idyllic. Join us as Bonnie shares the journey that led to understanding her own identity and what it means to be loved. Today's episode is a reminder that in boldly owning, embracing and celebrating our stories, we are gifted the chance to live authentically and breathe life and possibility into others. SHOW NOTES Bonnie's mother was sent from Hong Kong to America to marry a man 10 years older and serve the family. An unintentional vow: After Bonnie's father left, she made an unintentional vow to not ask about things she cannot change and stay quiet

“The wise do not lay up their own treasures. The more they give to others, the more they have for themselves.” — Lao Tzu My friends, what should we do with the gifts we’ve received? How should we use our treasures? What do we do with all the trophies we collect? For three decades, I’ve stored a bunch of them on a shelf in my house. Maybe it’s time to stop laying up our treasures. Maybe the truly rich are aware that the more they give to others, the more they have for themselves.