Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

"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.

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