Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

"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...

"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 scen...

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 Tal...

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 +...

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 r...

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 div...

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 bu...

"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 r...

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...

"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 sha...

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 o...

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'v...

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 a...

"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 h...

"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 performanc...

"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 ca...

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 practic...

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 depende...

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, Ma...