Podcast
Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary
Hosted by John O'Leary · EN
Expected to die, today he's inspiring others to truly live.
World-renowned inspirational speaker + national bestselling author John O'Leary wants to help you wake up from accidental living so you can do, be, achieve and impact more through your life. Every Monday, John shares a quick burst of inspiration to help start your week on fire. Every Thursday, John interviews an amazing guest on their story, successes, failures, lessons, and life to help you uncover tips to apply in yours.
51episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
You Are Not Alone (Monday Moment ep. 905)
4d ago00:05:19Tap to summarizeAs a child, I spent months in the hospital. The pain was constant and hopelessness sometimes crept in. But one of the things that broke through my fear and isolation was Mom arriving each afternoon with the mail. Inside those envelopes were drawings, prayers, and handwritten letters from people I had never met. They arrived from across the country and around the world. And although they were sent from different parts of the globe, they all carried the same message: you are not alone. When a person is struggling, knowing they are not alone and are being lifted up by others can make all the difference. It did for me. And it's the same kind of impact I see in one of my newest friends, Lillian O'Donnell. Let me explain.
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Coach Jim Johnson: Build Winning Teams and Change Lives (ep. 904)
1w ago00:52:30Tap to summarizeCoach Jim Johnson is an award-winning high school basketball coach who spent more than 30 years transforming struggling programs into winning teams. Yet of his 428 career victories, he is best known for one unforgettable game when he gave Jason "J-Mac" McElwain, his team manager with autism, the opportunity to step onto the court and realize a dream. Today, Jim shares how being cut from his college basketball team led him toward his true calling, what 17 straight losses taught him about perseverance, and why the best leaders focus on people before results. He also takes us back to the night J-Mac scored 20 points in just over four minutes and shares what that unforgettable moment taught him about teamwork, kindness and helping others realize their dreams. My friends, if you're navigating a setback, wondering how to make a difference or simply need a reminder of what's possible when we believe in one another, this conversation is for you.
Transcribe →Clear the Air (Monday Moment ep. 903)
2w ago00:04:29Tap to summarizeSomewhere between their first steps, the first day of kindergarten, and their first drive, we parents begin to realize something: The chapter of raising our children is slowly coming to a close. And with it come the questions. Will they make good decisions? Did we prepare them well enough? Will they find their people….and their way? I quietly wrestled with these questions a couple weeks ago as Beth and I drove our second-born, Patrick, to Lakeland University. You'd think this trip with the second child would be easier or less emotional. It wasn't. Let me explain.
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Kathryn Nicolai: Creator of Nothing Much Happens Podcast (ep. 902)
2w ago00:49:23Tap to summarizeKathryn Nicolai is the creator and host of the beloved podcast Nothing Much Happens, where her soothing bedtime stories help millions of adults quiet their minds and find more restful sleep. A former yoga instructor and lifelong storyteller, Kathryn has transformed her childhood practice of creating stories before bed into books, audiobooks, and a comforting community for people seeking peace in a noisy world. Today, Kathryn shares how storytelling became a sanctuary during her childhood in Flint, Michigan, why the ordinary moments of life are often the most meaningful, and how rest can help us reconnect with ourselves. We also discuss the friend whose final words inspired Kathryn to pursue her dreams, the healing power of feeling safe and seen, and her latest book, On the Street Where You Live. My friends, if life has felt a little too loud or you need permission to slow down, this conversation is for you. You'll leave encouraged to find joy in the ordinary and to give yourself the rest you need and deserve.
Transcribe →What Remains? (Monday Moment ep. 901)
3w ago00:05:54Tap to summarizeThere's a part of our family's story I've never shared before. Most people know about the fire in 1987. The gasoline explosion that nearly took my life and forever changed our family's story. It's been covered in newspaper articles, a couple of books and even a film. But there's another fire that most may not know about. Let me explain.
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Lana Wilhelm: Caregiver Advocate Helping Families Thrive (ep. 900)
3w ago00:56:02Tap to summarizeLana Wilhelm is a nurse, case manager, and caregiver advocate. After her husband suffered a stroke in 2021, Lana found herself on the other side of the healthcare system and discovered how little support exists for those caring for the people they love. Now, as the founder of CarePower Connect and host of the Both Sides of the Bed podcast, she helps caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone. Today, Lana shares how her husband's stroke transformed their marriage, why caregivers must allow themselves to be vulnerable, and how even the smallest acts of kindness can provide meaningful relief. She opens up about grieving the husband she once knew while learning to love and accept who he is now, and offers practical ways friends, family members, and communities can better support caregivers. My friends, if you or someone you love is caring for others, walking through an unexpected change, or struggling to ask for help, this conversation is for you. You'll be reminded that vulnerability is a sign of strength, difficult moments can coexist with hope, and none of us are meant to carry life's heaviest burdens alone.
Transcribe →In the Living Years (Monday Moment ep. 899)
4w ago00:05:21Tap to summarizeLooking at this old photo of my Grandpa Bob and me, I don't remember anything about the day it was taken. But what I do remember is the man beside me and the countless lessons I learned from him. When I got a little older, Grandpa Bob would pick me up from work every Tuesday and we'd head to lunch. It was always either Italian or Chinese. Without fail, he'd spill something on his tie, use language that would make General George Patton blush and leave a tip far more than the bill required. I treasured those Tuesday lunches. I loved his booming laugh, his unwavering faith, and his life stories that seemed to offer exactly the wisdom I needed for whatever season I was walking through. There was one more thing that always happened. Let me explain.
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Paul Anleitner: Find Meaning in a Cynical World (ep. 898)
4w ago00:59:27Tap to summarizePaul Anleitner is a cultural theologian, author of Based on a True Story, and President & CEO of Goodmakers, where he helps people understand how culture and the stories we believe shape our search for meaning. Drawing from theology, philosophy, and science, Paul has become a leading voice on navigating today's cultural shifts with hope, wisdom, and purpose. Today, Paul shares how the stories we embrace influence the way we see ourselves and the world around us, why our culture is moving beyond cynicism and endless deconstruction, and what it looks like to rebuild lives rooted in meaning, truth, and authentic community. Along the way, he explains why so many people feel spiritually and emotionally adrift, how to recognize the stories stealing our hope, and where we can begin finding better ones. My friends, if you've ever wondered why so many people feel disconnected or found yourself longing for more purpose, hope, and belonging, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that the foundation is firm, the headwinds may be real, but the best is yet to come.
Transcribe →They'll Never Make the News (Monday Moment ep. 897)
Jul 1300:05:20Tap to summarizeThey'll never make the news. The most joyful, most faithful, most humble people rarely do. Instead, the headlines seem to celebrate the loudest voices, the biggest scandals, and the worst of humanity. Last week, though, in a surprising location, I witnessed the kind of story that should make the news. Let me explain.
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Brad Ryan: Finding Healing One National Park at a Time (ep. 896)
Jul 900:59:13Tap to summarizeBrad Ryan is a wildlife veterinarian, conservationist, and bestselling author whose remarkable journey with his grandmother inspired millions. After battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts during veterinary school, Brad made one courageous decision: taking his 85-year-old grandmother camping so she could see her first mountain. That trip grew into an eight-year adventure to all 63 U.S. National Parks... and transformed both of their lives. Today, Brad shares how nature became a place of healing, the surprising lessons he learned from Grandma Joy, and why courage often begins with a simple "yes." Together, we discuss mental health, forgiveness, family, purpose, and the extraordinary impact of choosing connection over isolation. My friends, if you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or wondered whether your life can change, this conversation is for you. You'll leave inspired to say yes to adventure, invest in the people you love, and trust that even the smallest act of courage can change a life.
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