Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

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.

One of my favorite groups to partner with each year is FOCUS Marines Foundation. FOCUS does an amazing job providing coping skills, relationship guidance, goal creation and career advancement to wounded veterans struggling with physical ailments, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and various other challenges.   Among the remarkable servants I’ve met through this organization is retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch. Wounded in action, Nick was struck in the head by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), resulting in numerous shrapnel wounds to the head and neck which left him legally blind and partially deaf in his right ear. In honor of Veteran's Day, Nick joins us to share his inspirational story of courage, combat and recovery. SHOW NOTES: Nick Popaditch earned numerous military awards including a Silver Star and Purple Heart. "If you don't quit on us, we will never quit on you." The power of inertia: The greatest difficulty always arises in the beginning. As a drill sergeant, Nick learned that

“Out of difference can come the reinforcement of two important values. One is tolerance and the other is awareness that people who disagree over the things they hold dear really can live together in love and respect.” - Fred Rogers Arguments and disagreements are part of all relationships. But the negativity so often echoed during them doesn’t have to be. On today's Monday Moment, join me as I share five comments we’d all be far better never muttering. A divided nation might benefit from this reminder today. But the citizens must first recognize it begins not in DC, but in their personal relationships.

Acclaimed happiness expert Shawn Achor reminds us that it’s in the darkest times that we need optimism, gratitude and social connection the most. After 12 years of earning dozens of distinguished teaching awards at Harvard University, Shawn became a New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential, delivered a TEDx with over 19 million views and has worked with over 30 Fortune 100 companies. As we celebrate a season of thankfulness, today's conversation will give you the tools to approach today, tomorrow and every day going forward with gratitude, optimism and happiness. SHOW NOTES: Expectations affect gratitude: Quickly, Shawn recognized that many of his peers’ expectations were met in attending Harvard and didn’t experience the same level of gratitude because his acceptance was not expected. Rather than embracing the gift of the moment, we often are too focused on looking forward.  While doing research on Harvard, Shawn saw that success wasn’t yielding happiness because your b

After finishing dinner last Sunday, the boys asked if we could all see a movie. They knew their grandpa wanted to see the new James Bond movie and asked if we could take him to it. And so, for the first time since February of 2020, we visited a movie theater. The last 20 months have reminded all of us of the unpredictability and fragility of life. If we’ve been living intentionally, though, they’ve also served as a powerful reminder that although we can’t always choose the path we walk in life, we are absolutely free to choose the manner in which we walk it.

Amanda Gore is a global teacher of joy and one of only four Australians inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame. As one of the most admired speakers, Amanda's action-packed presentations are rooted in science-based tools to equip others to better handle change and create deep, lasting relationships with customers, colleagues and families. Today Amanda joins us for a thought-provoking conversation about addressing our core fears, discovering who we are at our essence and her own personal journey in embracing stillness to better understand her authentic self. SHOW NOTES: At the start of Covid, Amanda credits the work of Dr. David Martin that led her to dive deeply into her essence. Learn more about Dr. Martin’s work here. Core fears: I’m not good enough or I’m not worth loving. I’m unsafe in some way. Fear of separation. “As a toddler, I told myself I was responsible for my mother’s happiness.” True north question: Am I being the person I want to be in this moment? “We teach best what we need to learn.” As Ama

“Conversation means being able to disagree and still continue the discussion."  ― Dwight MacDonald Is it possible that rather than avoiding discussions around faith and spirituality, we might actually benefit from choosing to listen, prod, ask, debate, disagree and have healthy, constructive and mutually enriching conversations together?

Lauren Daigle is the fastest-selling new artist in the Contemporary Christian genre of the last decade. Critically acclaimed for her unique, soulful + soaring vocals, the singer-songwriter is sincere, down-to-earth and has unwavering faith.  Today, the 2-time Grammy Award winner shares how her Louisiana-roots cultivated her appreciation for music, the uplifting inspiration behind her lyrics, and how rediscovering her childlike wonder helped her find greater joy in life. Lauren also shares how she previously embraced a period of stillness amidst a whirlwind of success, how it propelled her forward into her next fruitful season + what it could mean for you during the COVID-19 pandemic. SHOW NOTES: "We're on the precipice of something extraordinary. If the whole world is still and experiencing a level of silence, great things come on the other side of those experiences." “I need to learn to love change because it is inevitable.” Lauren grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana surrounded by a  culture of music, passion +

“We do not have to love. We choose to love.”  ― M. Scott Peck There is a significant gap between living from a place where we feel obligated to perform and living with a mindset that views service as an opportunity. Today, I share how I was reminded of this through the simple action and words of my wife. 

Lt. Col. (ret.) Waldo Waldman is a Hall of Fame leadership speaker and New York Times bestselling author of Never Fly Solo. After overcoming his massive claustrophobia and fear of heights, Waldo became a highly experienced and decorated combat veteran, with over 2,650 flight hours and 65 real-world combat missions. Today, Waldo shares tools and techniques to overcome obstacles, break performance barriers, and take charge during times of change. This episode will leave you ready to recommit yourself to excellence, to diligently prepare for every mission and collaborate with others through trust, mutual support, and courage. SHOW NOTES: Courage-monger: champion for those who want to take action in their lives when feeling debilitated by fear, doubt and uncertainty. Even terrified of heights and small spaces, Waldo knew he wanted to fly planes after visiting his dad at work as an airplane mechanic. Passion has to be greater than fear. Make your friends your mentors and your mentors your friends. Instead of bein

“Forecasting is very difficult, especially when it involves the future.” - Yogi Berra Research shows that 94% of news stories are negative. Twenty-four hours a day our friends in the media proclaim the end is near, the other side is out to get us, and if our agenda doesn’t advance, the best days are behind us. In the midst of all these challenges, how do we move forward? Join me to hear how you can view your life through a different, healthier, more accurate lens. It will inspire you to spend far less time worrying about the negativity others proclaim and far more time actually leading a life that positively matters.

According to a recent Monster.com survey, 95% of workers are thinking about quitting their jobs. Coined as "the Great Resignation", millions of Americans are searching for more happiness, fulfillment and flexibility after facing burnout and lack of growth opportunities. Ken Coleman, bestselling author of From Paycheck to Purpose and career expert, shares how to discover meaningful work and practical steps to make it a reality. If you or someone you know is looking to go from a day job to a dream job, this episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: Get clear with what you were born to do by aligning your talent, passion and mission. Develop a purpose statement. It provides clarity, confidence and courage to be what you were meant to be.  "When we find opportunities to serve others, we are making investments with no idea of the return. Look for opportunities to pour into the lives of others." Seven stages to discovering and doing work that gives you both a great income and big impact: Get clear  Get qualified  Get co

The key to real happiness, true contentment, and a continual state of joy has nothing to do with getting more. It’s the moment-by-moment choice to be grateful for what we have, selfless in what we do, connected with why we’re here, and focused on becoming the best version of ourselves.   What we should strive for is not happiness, but an enduring state of joy. Joy is a condition that isn’t dependent on things going our way. It’s not reliant on getting what we want. Joy is the ability to be lit up each day despite the challenges, despite the setbacks, despite the struggle. And it’s a choice. So how can we achieve a state of joy? Tune in to hear the four things the most joy-filled people I know have in common.

Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. He’s captivated the hearts of millions with his poetic storytelling and homespun humor. Join us as Max shares a timely message of hope and encouragement for a society still reeling from racial divides, political strife and a global pandemic. SHOW NOTES: As a teenager + young adult, Max was on a prodigal path. For decades, Max didn't share about the sexual abuse he experienced as a child because he felt healed shortly after the incident, assured his perpetrator would face God. According to Cigna, 61% of Americans felt lonely in 2019. Another 64% feel as if they have no one with whom they can share their truth.  Thirty-seven percent of US adults struggled with anxiety in the past week and 59.8% of young people 18-25 struggled with anxiety in the past seven days, according to CDC. Why is anxiety at an all-time high? We're leading fast-paced lifestyles, have access to more information than ever before and are less connected to a higher power