Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

As co-founder and founding CEO of Netflix, Marc Randolph laid much of the groundwork for the streaming service that’s grown to 150 million subscribers, and fundamentally altered how the world experiences media. With over 40 years of entrepreneurial experience, Marc has built six other successful companies, mentored hundreds of early stage entrepreneurs, and invested in dozens of successful tech ventures. Today, Marc reveals seldom-shared anecdotes about Netflix including how the iconic brand got its name and their David versus Goliath story with Blockbuster. Yet it's Marc's unconventional definition of success (hint: it's not money or fame!) and how creating positive workplace culture starts with the leaders that's most intriguing. This episode will inspire you to take action to make your next big idea or lofty dream a reality and remind you that while it may not be easy, it's always possible. SHOW NOTES: “It’s what I did, not who I am.” – on not wanting to be typecast as “the Netflix guy” The defining chara

After delivering more than 2,000 speeches and speaking live to several million people, I have been honored to not only hear amazing stories from audience members, but on occasion to receive gifts from them. Today, I share a few of the most memorable gifts received and why the audacity of giving is more important than the gift itself. *** Join our Live Inspired Together community, text PODCAST2021 to 314-207-5010. *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

In 2006, Ben Nemtin and three childhood friends started The Buried Life: a list of 100 things to do before you die. For every item on the list they accomplished, they helped a stranger cross something off their bucket list. Ben has crossed off 93 including write a New York Times bestselling book What Do You Want to Do BeforeYou Die?, make a TV show, be interviewed by Oprah (who called their mission “truly inspiring") and play basketball with President Obama (who said Ben is an “inspiration for a new generation”). Today, Ben shares what inspired the bucket list quest, its impact on millions to thrive personally and professionally and the practical steps you can take to create your bucket list today. SHOW NOTES: Growing up in Pleasantville: Although Victoria, British Columbia + his childhood was idyllic, Ben put unsurmountable pressure on himself leading to anxiety and crippling depression as a young adult. After being dropped from the national rugby team, Ben dropped out of school and became isolated. Redisco

"The dreams we chase, the goals we set, and the prayers we request say much about the lives we lead." Today I share the story of two incredible parents who when faced with the unimaginable, chose to offer up their pain for a cause even greater than themselves. I hope this serves as a reminder of the importance of the dreams and goals we choose to chase in life and legacy... and how one life indeed can make a difference. *** Join our Live Inspired Together community, text PODCAST2021 to 314-207-5010. *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.    These 

New York Times calls Sebastian Maniscalco “the hottest comic in America". With sold-out comedy shows, hit television specials and interviews on all the major late-night talk shows, Sebastian's distinct style of stand-up comedy has struck a chord, bringing joy to millions during the pandemic. Today, Sebastian shares how perseverance and hustle have been the key ingredients to attaining the success he once only dreamed of, the challenges that come with it and where he finds inspiration. If you're looking for a good laugh or a bit of joy, this episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: While spending most of 2020 forming unbreakable bonds with his two children + wife, Sebastian is eager to return to stand-up with a deeper appreciation. Pillars of strength: Admiring his parents for their unrelenting work ethic, Sebastian credits them to his success and often includes his dad Sal in his acts. Growing up, Sebastian masked sadness with humor. Often shy, he came to life with his humor while in front of others. Practice, patie

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller   Jimmy Choi is an accomplished marathon runner, triathlete and participant on American Ninja Warrior. Remarkably, he’s done all of this after his diagnose of early onset Parkinson’s disease. During an emotional inflection point a decade ago, Jimmy Choi made a a promise to his family that he’d no longer simply surrender his life to a disease. What he’s learned since is that the daily decisions we make profoundly influence the life we live. That while we can’t always choose the path we walk, we can always choose the manner in which we walk it. He’s also learned that by himself he could do so little. Together, driven by a compelling purpose and cheered by a generous community, we can do so much. Valuable lessons we all must remember in the race of life. Join our Live Inspired Together community, text PODCAST2021 to 314-207-5010. *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Recently a video of Jimmy Choi went viral on video-sharing social network TikTok in which he was having a hard time opening his pill bottle because of his early-onset Parkinson’s. The TikTok community rallied around Jimmy. The result? So inspiring: An “accessible” bottle was created that Jimmy can now open with ease. So honored to have Jimmy on the show to share the story behind the video, what it was like to be diagnosed with the disease at 27, the eight years of denial after the diagnosis + ALL that he has accomplished since: completing the Chicago Marathon competing four times on American Ninja Warrior breaking a Guinness World Record for most chest-to-ground burpees in one minute raising over $500,000 for Parkinson's research. If you could use an uplifting reminder of the power of community, this episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: “Life is going to throw obstacles at you. You never know in what form and in which way. It’s going to be tough, but there is always a way around it.” After moving to Chicago fro

Last week I was invited to speak for the United States Men’s National Soccer team and answer the question: How do you achieve something as a team far greater than what could be accomplished as a disjoined collection of individuals? Tune in to hear my response and my take on their three core values: Relentless, Brave and Unity. *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Depression, anxiety and other mental health issues have skyrocketed among kids, teens and young adults; and this is long before pandemic-related isolation. Dr. Tim Jordan is a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, helping children and their families navigate development and maintain strength, happiness and fulfillment. Dr. Jordan shares his common-sense approach that enables parents to: be more confident and effective reduce conflict and drama remain a strong influence throughout their children’s adolescence   Regardless of the role you play in a child's life, today's conservation will equip you with practical advice to build closer relationships based on trust and understanding. SHOW NOTES: Alongside his wife Anne, Tim founded Camp Weloki for Girls as a safe haven for girls can be heard, be authentic and enhance their social-emotional intelligence. Greater hope or greater despair? While it saddens him that kids go through so much adversity, Tim has hope when he can remove children from their childho

Life, like the weather, is hard to predict. In a marketplace addicted to the 24/7 connectivity through cable news or social media feeds, consider taking a break that will free you to control the things you can, let go of what you can’t and celebrate the unexpected along the way. We too often confuse knowledge with wisdom and conflate someone else telling us what matters with embracing the things that actually do. *** Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy with my instant #1 bestseller IN AWE. Visit ReadInAwe.com today!  *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

How can you boldly walk forward from unfathomably challenging circumstances? Jonathan Pitts, pastor, author and father of four joins us to share how he did exactly this after he tragically lost his wife. Jonathan vulnerably shares his journey of loving Wynter, how he coped with losing her, and how he continues to find peace, strength, and hope in keeping her legacy alive. Our encouraging conversation will remind you that even in the most difficult times, the best of our days remain ahead. SHOW NOTES: Jonathan’s mom, a White German-American, met his dad, a Black man, at a music school in New Jersey. Having an Identity: Growing up in a bi-racial family, Jonathan is thankful his parents raised him with faith as it provided him strength.  As a member of the ROTC program at Drexel University, Jonathan expected to serve his country yet met + quickly fell in love with his wife, Wynter Evans. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 Raising four girls five years old and yo

“Sympathy is easy because it comes from a position of power. Empathy is getting down on your knees and looking someone else in the eye, and realizing that you could be them, and that all that separates you is luck.” - Dennis Lahane   For almost three decades, my dad has been living with the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Over this time, he’s lost the ability to walk, drive, and earn. It’s difficult for my dad to speak and lately, becoming more difficult to swallow.   I obviously suspected it was hard, but staying with my dad and caring for him in my mother’s absence gave me a totally different understanding.   In this perplexing season, I encourage you to truly embrace what the world – pain, struggle, dreams, aspirations, wisdom – might look like for those around you.   Sympathy, indifference, despair and anger are common emotions these days. The way to understand, then heal and finally unite requires that we first empathize. *** Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspirat

Are you hoping to be rich in significance + success in 2021? Who isn't, right? My friend, this episode is for you. Over three years ago I started my membership community, Live Inspired IN STUDIO -  community of like-minded friends who join me monthly via webcast to do life together + make the world better, starting with our own. This month’s discussion topic is so relevant, impactful + life-giving that I needed to make sure everyone has access to it!  Today we walk through a step-by-step process (created by my friend + past Live Inspired Podcast guest Jinny Ditzler) that I have completed at the beginning of every year for more than a decade. You'll leave this episode with clear priorities and commitments to achieve significance + success in all aspects of your life this year.   SHOW NOTES: “Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" - Martin Luther King Jr. Instead of reflecting on what's going on around us by being a temperature gauge, Bernice King encourages us

Empathy doesn’t excuse poor behavior. Rather, it seeks to understand it and strives to redeem it. Today, as we continue to navigate a global pandemic, face challenges professionally + personally, I encourage you to draw from my grandpa’s wisdom: Surrender yourself for the betterment of someone else. Let go of your former life as individuals and embrace a unified one, together. Be fused fully to whether storms, chart dreams and achieve goals. *** Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy with my instant #1 bestseller IN AWE. Visit ReadInAwe.com today!  *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Matt Miller is a proven + award-winning leader who focuses on building positive relationships that lead to impactful + measurable change. His motto is “love is key” and I’m honored to share that he joined our team as Lead Live Inspired Coach last year. We first met eight years ago, I was invited to speak at the elementary school where Matt was principal. His devotion, attentiveness and respect for and from the teachers + faculty was unmatched. Even more impressive was his ability to empower young students to become leaders and harness their unique gifts.  Today Matt will share his best tips on how to  strengthen your leadership, liberate yourself from personal + professional challenges and set attainable goals to make 2021 your best year yet. SHOW NOTES: Growing up in the small town of Corning, Iowa, Matt credits his four grandparents as the reason he works hard, wakes up early and enjoys gardening. Even as a young lifeguard, Matt has had a passion for the kids that needed the extra help which led him to be

The words we speak, and those we hear, influence and directly shape the world in which we live. Words are powerful and last week in our nation’s capital we witnessed a clear example of this truth. Five people were killed, dozens injured and one of the most sacred spaces in our country was desecrated. Rather than debate the cause of this tragedy, let’s take pause and heed wisdom from a political voice from our past. Delivered more than five decades ago, Presidental candidate Robert Kennedy speaks to the profound divisions we were and are experiencing as a nation as well as the hope of how we still can heal together. Today, we must extinguish the smug, self-righteous tone many pundits exude – and then we echo – about those with different beliefs than ours. We must acknowledge that the rhetoric has magnified divisiveness, increased hatred and does nothing to benefit any of us. How do we even begin to do this? Well, this week, I encourage you to: Turn off the news. Take a break from social media. Be highly aware

How do you respond when something is seemingly impossible? Especially when it's life or death? At 21 years old, Doug Lindsay developed a rapid heart rate, dizziness and fainting spells which led him to fear that he was suffering the same mysterious illness that affected his mother and aunt. As symptoms became debilitating, Doug dropped out of college and spent the next 11 years bedbound. Doctors were baffled, so Doug scoured medical textbooks in a relentless, 14-year pursuit to not only diagnose the mysterious illness, but also develop the treatment and assemble the team that would ultimately perform the innovative surgery.  If you're seeking a message of hope, perseverance and a reason to believe the best of our days remain in front of us, this episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: “I talk about the role of hope and character in innovation and life. I came to do that after getting sick at 21, spent 11 years homebound + bedbound and when no one knew what to do, I developed the surgery that fixed me.” While descri

“Push away from the spot where you’re stuck to move toward a new destination, perspective.” It is my hope for you to embrace all the hope and joy that are possible in your new year. Please allow this excerpt from my #1 national bestselling book IN AWE to help you see the truth that the possibilities before you are endless, if only you look… (chapter 1, page 5) *** Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy with my instant #1 bestseller IN AWE. Visit ReadInAwe.com today!  *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

"The Enneagram is a tool that awakens our compassion for people just as they are, not the people we wish they would become so our lives would become easier." Ian Morgan Cron is the bestselling author of The Road Back to You and the champion of the Enneagram, an ancient personality typing system that identifies nine types of people + how they relate to one another and the world. Today we’ll discuss how the Enneagram can: Provide a framework for how we can live into our most authentic selves Reveal the wisdom each personality type can offer to others Call out your strengths + transform your relationships in every sphere of life.  If you’d like to become more self-aware in your personal and professional life – this episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: “Who am I, am I really loved, what’s my mission and how do I integrate my brokenness into who I am?” Wounded healer: Ian grew up with an alcoholic father and his own addiction and recovery has helped him help others. During a snow day at 13 years old, Ian had his fir

The grass is always greener… on the side you water. As we pivot away from 2020, what one word will describe your year to come? *** Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy with my instant #1 bestseller IN AWE. Visit ReadInAwe.com today!  *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.