Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moment" segments. The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals." –  Melody Beattie How can you ensure that 2020 is your best year yet? Follow these 4 simple tips: Take off the restrictor plate.  Do NOT be reasonable.  Connect your dreams with your pu...

Today I'm excited to welcome someone who had a profound influence on me in my late twenties. Patrick Lencioni is the New York Times bestselling author of 11 books, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team , and has sold over 6 million copies around the world. He also launched The Table Group, which has pioneered the organizational health movement. Pat is a polished author and speaker, but today w...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moment" segments. This time of year often creates stress and disappointment for so many. We're focused on the stuff  -- parties, food, presents -- and missing out on the things that really matter.  The true joy, peace, and love that are often born in the least likely of places. This Christmas week, I challenge you to take pause....

Jess Ekstrom, founder + CEO of Headbands of Hopes, has had a front-row seat in finding inspiration in frustration. As Bernie Madoff's great-niece, Jess channeled the embarrassment of that highly-publicized scandal into the reason she's changing the world, one headband to a child fighting life-threatening illness at a time. Today's episode will warm your heart, spark motivation, and have you asking...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moment" segments. It's easy to get so overwhelmed by what is on our agenda that we forget to  enjoy any of it, especially during this time of year. Today I share 4 things I do to keep myself and my family present during this holiday season: Make a list each.  Each morning, I make a list of the three most important things I need t...

Colonel Carlyle Smith "Smitty" Harris spent 2,871 days ( that's nearly 8 years! ) as Vietnam POW. At the same time, his beautiful bride Louise was courageously raising three young children while becoming an advocate and role model. Today, Smitty + Louise take us on a 60-year journey that's packed with love, but also the horrors of a North Vietnam prison and how a forgotten military code changed ev...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moment" segments. Today's question was submitted by Live Inspired community member CB.  CB asked: My brother and I were best friends growing up. Now it's been years since we've even spoken. Any suggestions on reconnecting when it's been so long? Tune in to hear my answer. Then, listen to Live Inspired Podcast ep. 88 where I share...

What is the hard-to-define, touchy-feely idea of empathy and why is it so important?   Business expert Michael Brenner joins us to share how empathy, kindness + self-reflection can save us both professionally and personally.   You will leave today's conversation understanding how being kind, cool + being yourself is the best path to happiness + success. SHOW NOTES: Is society meaner? A r ecent Uni...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moments" segments. Today, I share some very exciting news around my new book In Awe , the inspiration behind its mission and even an exclusive excerpt. In Awe  hits bookshelves in May 2020, but I want to give Live Inspired Podcast listeners the first opportunity to pre-order a copy. Visit ReadInAwe.com to order a copy of  In Awe ...

I consider Thanksgiving one of my favorite family holidays. It's certainly a wonderful time away from work, enjoying good food, viewing football, and taking inventory of the many blessings in life. Join me as I share the original reason for this holiday + a new tradition I'll be implementing at my family feast. Today's episode will ignite an abundance of gratitude and help you celebrate Thanksgivi...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moments" segments. "Every solution to every problem is simple. It's the distance between the two where the mystery lies." – Derek Landy Being a good friend, courteous neighbor, helpful coworker, visionary leader or humble servant are all challenging roles, and every worthy relationship is certain to endure periods of tension. Wha...

Did you know that almost three-quarters of us find meetings ineffective or unproductive, and they waste more than $37 billion dollars every year? Elise Keith, CEO and co-founder of Lucid Meetings, joins us to share about her expertise and her mission to make it easy for teams to run successful meetings every day, in the business world + in life outside of work. Whether you're leading a meeting at...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our Live Inspired Podcast Monday Moments segment. Today I welcome back three-time cancer survivor, author, speaker, and self-proclaimed expert in trauma Michele Cushatt. Michele shares her latest book Relentless and simple tips to respond to our circumstances in a more positive manner.  This inspiring conversation will help start your week o...

Ten years ago, Susannah Cahalan's life pivoted rapidly in a radically different direction. Recounted in her  New York Times  bestseller  Brain on Fire,  Susannah bravely shares her harrowing story of being diagnosed with a rare + newly discovered neurological disease. Fully recovered + thriving, Susannah calls in from the tour of her newest book,  The Great Pretender . It   dives deep into   an in...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moments" segments. Recently I had the honor of speaking at a Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) event. Afterward, I had the opportunity to speak with incredible leaders and surprisingly, the most emotional conversations were not with the soldiers but with the spouses of those soldiers. As we celebrate Veteran's Day today, le...

There are many adversities we face in life. Some of outward-facing while many are scars we carry on the insides of our hearts. Today's guest can speak to both. Jonathan Lopez is an Army Infantry veteran + member of Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW). OEW is a veteran-founded non‐profit whose mission is to honor, empower, and motivate our nation's wounded military and law enforcement veterans through...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our Live Inspired Podcast Monday Moments segment. Today I am honored to welcome back international bestselling author Mitch Albom. Mitch shares the heartwarming + emotional story about a young girl who taught him the true meaning of family. This conversation will remind you the importance of family, regardless of how they're made. Chika was...

How do we react when an unwanted diagnosis appears? Or when adversity arises with a child, a loved one or for ourselves? How do we move forward with compassion, courage, love, respect, possibility, and certainty that the best remains in front of us? Dr. April Jones holds many professional credentials. Yet it's her personal journey that makes her an authority on transforming pain into purpose. Befo...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moments" segments. "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." – Winston Churchill Today I share the story of someone choosing to be happy and striving to make every experience a gift for his clients. As you head into this week, I encourage you to embrace your responsibilities + to make the best of your...

How do you handle situations that feel like massive setbacks? How do you react when you're told, "it can't be done," "you're not good enough," or "you're destined to be a failure?" William Hung has received that harsh feedback many times. The most memorable was when he was laughed off the stage by American Idol  judges for his rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs". Those that  laughed, judged +...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moments" segments. "Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th." – Julie Andrews Life innately involves failures and missteps along the way. Today, I want to share 4 steps to help you successfully fail forward. Know what you want. Risk becoming more. Embrace the gifts of failure. Resiliently bounce back and step for...

Have you ever thought about how much your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions influence your days, health and ability to heal? From years spent studying cutting edge science, ancient medicine, and spiritual practices, Kelly Noonan Gores has discovered that we have far more control over our well-being, health + life than we tend to believe. Her documentary Heal , streaming on Netflix, was so popular, i...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moments" segments. Today's question was submitted by Live Inspired community member Christine.  Christine asked: How should I deal with negativity at work? Tune in to hear my answer. If you have questions or want to share how the Live Inspired Podcast has impacted your life, send them to me and my team at podcast@johnolearyinspir...

The Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of nine-year-old Kim Phuc running away from her village, naked and severely burned is one of the most iconic images of all time.  Today, we are joined by Kim to hear the story behind the photo. Taken just months before the US pulled out of the Vietnam War, the image captures the catastrophic effect the war was having on civilians. Kim, also known as "Napalm gi...

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our "Monday Moments" segments. "Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music" - Angela Monet The more we experience events, the easier it is to take them for granted. Today, I invite you to look more closely at the joy + beauty in each day. *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on...