Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

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

When fires ignite, cancers attack, or tragedies strike, we lean into our community for support, prayers and love. But often when the invisible challenges of depression, bipolar disorder, or mental illness arise, we feel we’ve got to quietly shoulder the weight alone. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. And because my family, the families of my co-workers, and the families of innumerable friends have been directly impacted by both mental health challenges and suicide, we wanted to bring to light what too often remains castigated to the dark. Listen to Dennis Gillan's story on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 46 here. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Mike Kai is a pastor, leadership expert and host of the Pound for Pound Leader podcast. From humble + challenging beginnings, Mike learned firsthand that in order to lead a team, cultivating a healthy culture is key. Whether you're leading a small family or large company, today's conversation will help you practice excellence (not perfection!), move forward with intention and build sustainable change in order to leave a lasting legacy. Join us to learn real-life examples and practical principles that will inspire you to grow in any season of life and be reminded that the best of our days remain ahead. SHOW NOTES: The only astronaut from Hawaii, Ellison Onizuka, inspired Mike to pursue his dream to be a fighter pilot. Mike's kuleana: After learning he was becoming a young father, Mike abandoned his dream to provide for his family, losing sight of his purpose.  How Mike grew during a turbulent season: Discovered a relationship with God, cultivating self-worth and pursued a purpose, read dozens of books includi

Thebest and most meaningful aspects of our lives are discovered in the seemingly ordinary experiences, tender moments of grace, and ordinary human interactions with others throughout the day. Today, I share the story of a young girl I met at a burn camp, and the reminder I shared that the beauty of scars, the resiliency they possess, and ultimately, that she is being prepared for something bigger and better than she can currently fathom. As you prepare to sprint into your day, land the mighty projects, race the kids out the door, or successfully check off that long to-do list, don’t miss the fact that the real gift of this day isn’t found in getting through it. The best of this day will be realized in slowing down long enough to savor the experiences, conversations, and moments that actually matter throughout it.

Ever feel over-scheduled, over-committed and over-tired in today's world? That we do so much, yet somehow, feel we're not doing enough? Christy Wright, bestselling author of Take Back Your Time and host of The Christy Wright Show, is an expert in cultivating balance, ditching distractions and prioritizing what actually matters. If you or someone you know is seeking a guilt-free tool to cut out what doesn't matter, prioritize the things that do and take back your time and your life, this episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: "Making it" because of struggle: Growing up, how Christy's mom launched a small bakery business was pivotal in teaching character, integrity, persistence and work ethic her formative years. Before becoming a speaker full-time with Ramsey, Christy said "yes" before knowing how and stepped in for Rachel Cruz while she was a project manager. "Some of the most incredible career opportunities are not positions that are posted but problems that are solved." - Sheryl Sandburg "If you wait until you ha

The most important aspect of any work is seeing how it serves the larger community. Join me as I share about a cherished, irreplaceable colleague and the reminder that leaders impact most by showing others they matter. And today, my friends, I remind you of the fact that you, too, are absolutely irreplaceable. Your work matters, your dreams matter, your prayers matter, your words matter, your actions matter. Your life most certainly matters. You are irreplaceable. And in a marketplace that sometimes forgets it, act like it.

Bob Costas has earned 29 Emmy awards - more than any other sports broadcaster. He is also the only person to have won in news, sports and entertainment. So, what do Bob and I have in common? Bob was mentored by my dear friend, Jack Buck. Don't miss this heartfelt conversation as Bob reflects on his humble beginnings + his most iconic interviews and memorable moments from 25 years of covering the greatest events of our time. Watch the interview on Facebook or YouTube. If you enjoyed hearing from my hometown friend... You’ll love our St. Louis playlist featuring iconic change agents, sports legends and entrepreneurs from the Gateway to the West.  Listen to the St. Louis playlist now. BOB COSTAS' LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. A sense of wonder. Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity t

Recently, I was nearing the end of hectic week of speaking events and it was obvious I was getting sick with a sinus infection. What began as a raspy voice when I started the speech turned into a whisper by the end of it. By the time I got home that evening, my voice was completely gone. What started as a sinus infection, manifested into a double ear infection, lead to swollen, irritated throat and eventually total laryngitis. Today, I share the five lessons I learned from losing my voice.