Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

This week, The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series welcomes John Corbett, the beloved actor, musician, and storyteller who portrays my dad Denny O’Leary on the big screen. Long before he became known for his roles in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Northern Exposure, and Sex and the City, John was a kid from a small West Virginia town, whose path from humble beginnings to Hollywood success reads like a movie script itself. Today, John shares the moments that shaped him from hydro-testing steel pipes to discovering his gift for storytelling in a college improv class. He opens up about humility in the spotlight, his deep love for his wife Bo Derek, and the raw emotion that came from portraying my father in SOUL ON FIRE. My friends, if you need a reminder that it’s never too late for your life to take an unexpected turn, or that joy and kindness are what truly make a person shine, this conversation is for you. You’ll leave it reminded that our stories, no matter how ordinary they begin, can ignite something extraordinary when we choose to live with hope, humor, and heart.  

Returning to school after the fire 38 years ago, I worried if I'd still belong. That day, my classmates embraced me, and last Thursday they again showed up in love, reminding me just how much has changed… and how much hasn’t. Let me explain.

William H. Macy, an Academy Award-nominated actor and master storyteller, dives into his transformative role as Jack Buck in Soul on Fire. He shares poignant life lessons from his parents, particularly the humor of his father and the resilience of his mother. Macy reflects on the essence of truth in acting, the challenges of rejection, and the journey from stage to screen. With humility, he emphasizes the importance of persistence, authenticity, and the emotional weight behind storytelling, leaving listeners inspired to pursue their passions with heart.

Join a heartwarming journey as a family steps onto the red carpet for the world premiere of SOUL ON FIRE. Experience the magic of grace as they reflect on how it shapes lives through adversity. Hear about the powerful moment when Amazing Grace was played, honoring the film’s poignant message. Witness the audience's overwhelming standing ovation, celebrating transformative grace. Plus, find out why the opening weekend is crucial and how to support this inspiring film.

This week, The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series welcomes the actor tasked with the impossible job of being as charming, joyful, and good-looking as yours truly: Joel Courtney. Known for his breakout role in Super 8 and Netflix’s beloved The Kissing Booth trilogy, Joel’s latest role in SOUL ON FIRE may be his most inspiring yet. With a gift for bringing heart to every role, Joel shines brightest when the story he tells can spark hope in others. Today, Joel shares how a boy from Idaho chasing a $100 commercial ended up leading major films, why he said “yes” to sharing my story on the big screen, and the lessons he carried from portraying someone who refused to let tragedy define their life. He reflects on the heroes who shaped my journey, and invites all of us to recognize the quiet heroes shaping ours. My friends, you’ll leave this conversation reminded that there is no joy without gratitude and that the stories we choose to live can inspire far beyond ourselves. If you need a boost of courage, perspective, or hope, this episode is for you.

In just over a week and a half, SOUL ON FIRE will light up theaters across the country. And last week, as part of The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE podcast series, you heard from one of the people who helped to bring this story to life, Stephanie Szostak. For me, Stephanie’s role in this film is especially personal. She portrays one of the greatest heroes of my life: my mom, Susan O’Leary. Let me explain.

This week, The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series welcomes my dear friend Stephanie Szostak. Stephanie has brought memorable characters to life in A Million Little Things and The Devil Wears Prada. Now, in the upcoming film SOUL ON FIRE, she steps into her most meaningful role yet as my mom Susan O’Leary. She brings her talent to the screen with depth and grace, and in this conversation she shares her heart, her wisdom, and the life lessons that have shaped her along the way. Today, Stephanie shares stories from her childhood in France, the values she's carried from her parents and brother, and the pivotal moments that shaped both her career and her outlook on life. She opens up about grief and resilience, the gift of tough love, and what it meant to step into my mom’s shoes for SOUL ON FIRE. Together, we talk about family, faith, and the power of showing up for the people we love. My friends, you’ll leave this conversation reminded that resilience is born in relationships, that love can carry us through even the hardest seasons, and that your story (yes, yours!) can be a beacon of hope for others. If you need encouragement today, this one is for you.  

This week, The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series welcomes the actor who brings to life the unforgettable role of Nurse Roy: DeVon Franklin. DeVon is a producer of films like Miracles from Heaven and Breakthrough, a New York Times bestselling author, a preacher, and a motivational voice named by Variety as one of the “Top 10 Producers to Watch.” Whether through books, movies, sermons, or his own acting, his mission has always been the same: to inspire, inform, and motivate. Today, DeVon shares candidly about growing up in the Bay Area, losing his father at a young age, and how film and faith became his lifelines of healing. He also opens up about what drew him to portray Nurse Roy in SOUL ON FIRE (the burn nurse who pushed a young John O’Leary to walk again), the real-life lessons of Roy’s compassion and grit, and why telling this part of our story was both deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. My friends, if you or someone you love needs to be reminded that ordinary work, done with extraordinary love, can change the course of a life, this conversation is for you. You’ll be encouraged to see pain not as the problem, but as a teacher pointing to healing. And you’ll be inspired to embrace your own story with courage, faith, and the freedom to simply be.

Often the most beautiful parts of our lives are the very ones we tuck away. We hide them in closets, leave them in boxes, store them in corners, push them back into the shadows. We forget about them, all they meant, and the beauty they still possess until something draws those pieces of our lives back into the light. I saw this on full display during the final day of filming SOUL ON FIRE. Let me explain.