Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Ivan Maisel is a longtime sports journalist for ESPN known for his insightful analysis, compelling storytelling, and in-depth knowledge. With his ability to blend statistical analysis while highlighting the human side of the game and capturing the emotions and experiences of athletes, coaches, and fans, Ivan has earned a loyal following and widespread acclaim. Yet, when his 21-year-old son Max wen...

"Here men endured that a nation might live." -Herbert Hoover Although all of us will enjoy celebrating the federal holiday of Memorial Day today, many of us may not know the origin of it. Understanding it reminds us not only of the profound sacrifice others made for our country in the past, but stokes within us greater gratitude for the blessings we have in the present.

Dr. Marc Schulz is the author New York Times bestseller The Good Life and associate director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest scientific study of happiness ever conducted. Since 1938, this study has tracked three generations of families to uncover what contributed to their happiness surrounding relationships, money, success and what really leads to a happy life. The simple bu...

Over the weekend, I had the immense honor of delivering the commencement address for the Class of 2023 at my alma mater, Saint Louis University. As I watched the graduates cross the stage full excitement, trepidation, nerves and ultimately hope, I couldn't help but think back to my own graduation. Let me explain.

Jade Warshaw is on top of the world and she's bringing others up with her. Yet that wasn't always the case. At 23 years old, Jade and her husband found themselves drowning in almost half a million dollars of debt. Between student loans, credit cards, two cars they couldn't afford, and a small townhome, these newlyweds were blissfully ignorant about just how big of problem they were in. By taking r...

Jaycen McBride didn't set out to become an example of hope. He didn't set out to become a voice for mental wellness in his school. He didn't long to be seen as an ally for those experiencing personal challenges and wrestling with self-worth. But in quietly struggling with these realities in his own life, he decided he wanted to be there for others who might be struggling in theirs. Let me explain.

As a hospice chaplain, Kerry Egan quickly realized she'd been granted an invaluable chance to witness firsthand what she calls the "spiritual work of dying"—the work of finding or making meaning of one's life. In her years spent working in hospice care, Kerry has listened to patients reflect on feelings of hope and regret, shame and pride, mystery and revelation and secrets held too long. Most of...

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." -William Arthur Ward To all the teachers who step into children's lives daily, regardless the challenges in front of you, we thank you for your effort. For believing in your kids when others may not, loving them when they so desperately need to know that everything will be alrigh...

Caroline Gaynor is a testament to the power of dedication, compassion, and human connection. As an accomplished triathlete, Caroline dedicates her talents to guiding athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Acting as their eyes during a race, Caroline spends upwards of 16 hours tethered to a blind or visually impaired athlete keeping them safe while swimming, cycling and running (and often isn...

It can be rare to receive -or more importantly give- meaningful recognition for the important work being done. As we race to our next activity or task, we hurry right past the individuals providing worthy services directly in front of us. Today, rather than waiting to be recognized for something we've done well, let's strive to seek opportunities to acknowledge and encourage someone else. That sim...

When Stephan Wolfert was 24 years old, he found himself at a crossroad. After serving as a medic and infantry officer in the US Army, Stephan's lifetime of grief and trauma became overwhelming. Drunk and suicidal, Stephan wandered into a random theatre's production of "Richard: III" where his life was transformed when he recognized himself as a misfit like the main character. After choosing to lea...

Listening to the radio a couple weeks ago, I came across an interview discussing the 25 recordings the US Library of Congress had selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry this year. Among this list were some familiar sounds like Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville," Mariah Carey's omnipresent "All I Want for Christmas is You," John Lennon's "Imagine" and the theme song for the Supe...

It's been 24 years since the unimaginable tragedy that took place at Columbine High School in Colorado — one of the deadliest mass shootings at a high school in U.S. history. Thirteen people were killed and 21 were wounded at the hands of two students. Craig Scott is a survivor of the Columbine High School shooting. He was in the library, where ten students were killed, including two of his friend...

One of my favorite poems is titled The Bridge Builder and was written by Will Allen Dromgoole. This poem challenges us to realize we can make a mighty difference regardless of our age. It prompts us to look for opportunities to empower others to achieve greatness in their lives. And it reminds us that, despite mighty needs in the world today- and there are many- the time has never been better to k...

My friends, yesterday we celebrated Easter. In the ultimate revelation of love, we rejoiced in the stunning victory over death. And it reminded me of all I had learned by attending three funerals a couple of weeks ago.   At the first funeral, I was reminded to live in such a way that I can die with no regrets. At the second, to endure the unfathomable heartache of loss with honesty, with patience,...

Craig Groeschel is a senior pastor of Life. Church, one of the largest churches in the world and the creator of the free YouVersion Bible App. As a New York Times bestselling author, Craig writes on a wide variety of topics, including dating and marriage, social media, purpose, direction, church leadership, and more. Today, Craig shares his unlikely journey to discovering his faith, how he remains...

"Dad, you're so lucky." I heard these words while preparing for a business trip. Recognizing the truth within them transformed the way I saw myself that day. Embracing the truth within them will elevate the way you view yourself today. Let me explain.

Rob Angel turned a simple idea and an outrageous dream into a cultural phenomenon. As a twenty-something year old waiting tables, Rob began his adventure in creating the remarkably successful and beloved board game Pictionary. Beating industry giants Milton Bradley and Mattel at their own game, Rob led Pictionary to selling a staggering 38 million (!!!) games in more than 60 countries. Today, Rob...

Growing up, my dream was clear. With absolute confidence, I not only knew that I'd play professional baseball, but that I'd play for my hometown St. Louis Cardinals. It was a certainty. Until that dream, and the inevitability of obtaining it, was extinguished upon my waking up from one of more than a dozen surgeries after being burned at age nine. With great sadness, my dad shared that during the...

rowing up on the east side of Detroit next to a drug house, Martinus Evans had to fight his entire life. In his early 20s when he was faced with the choice "lose weight or die", Martinus vowed to run a marathon ( without realizing a marathon is over 26 miles! ). Since then, Martinus has run eight marathons and hundreds of other races in his 300-something pound body,  been featured in Men's Health...

"You missed it, Daddy." Over 19 years of marriage, Beth and I have moved three times. With each home, we've been blessed to have a grand magnolia tree tower over our front yard. As a guy who travels a lot, I've been to Washington, DC, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. I've stared straight up in awe at the redwoods north of San Francisco. I've hiked through the Costa Rican rainforest, bas...

"If he were a horse, I'd shoot him." I'll never forget the sting of hearing those words spoken about me by a physician who didn't see the hope and possibility in a 10-year-old boy hoping to regain the use of his hands. Weeks later, I found a very different, kind-heart, visionary physician: Dr. Carlos Pappalardo. One who looked into my heart when he spoke with me, treated me as a person, and master...

My friend, we all go through dark times. The good news is that your life matters, the foundation remains firm, better days are ahead and you are not alone. These aren't platitudes, but transformational truth. You see, light is awesome. It shows us the way. It provides clarity. And yet, it is in enduring the darkness that permits us to actually see the stars and more fully appreciate the light.

After a chaotic childhood, Tara Schuster hustled to appear glamorous, successful and well-adjusted on paper by earning an Ivy League education and securing the role of Vice President at Comedy Central. In her first bestselling book Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies , Tara recounts her years-long journey of re-parenting herself through simple daily rituals. When Tara lost her job, the one on which sh...