Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Father Joe Detweiler is a Catholic priest, pastor, and living testament to what is possible when hope refuses to let go. As a teenager, Father Joe survived a catastrophic car accident that left doctors unsure he would ever wake up, speak, or recognize the people he loved. Against every medical expectation, he not only recovered, but went on to fulfill his calling to the priesthood, carrying with him a depth of compassion shaped by suffering, faith, and grace. Today, Father Joe shares what it is like to lose everything in an instant, how faith carried him through a coma and a long road of recovery, and why suffering does not mean God is absent. Often, it means He is closer than ever. He opens up about the people who refused to leave his side, the prayers spoken over him when he could not pray for himself, and the quiet, powerful ways God was working even when hope felt out of reach. My friends, if you are walking through something hard, whether grief, uncertainty, fear, or exhaustion, this conversation is for you. You will leave reminded that you matter, that your story is not over, and that even in moments when you feel powerless, love is still at work on your behalf.

A friend said this about a show he'd spent dozens of hours watching, and what struck me wasn't his patience, but his willingness to endure something that never truly moved him. Most of us do the same, filling our nights with noise simply to avoid the quiet. And yet, what we repeatedly allow into our lives shapes the way we see the world. This week, watch SOUL ON FIRE, now streaming on Netflix.

Aaron Golub is the first legally blind athlete to ever play in a Division I football game. With no vision in his right eye and only a small, central "tiny hole" field of sight in his left (and roughly 20/200 in that limited view!), Aaron spent years being underestimated and defined by what others believed he couldn't do, until he decided to rewrite the story himself. Today, Aaron shares what it means to build resilience early, how internal motivation changes everything, and why the challenges we want to escape often become the very things that shape us. From being picked last in every sport to waking up at 5:00 AM to master a single skill, he walks us through the mindset shifts, habits, and leadership lessons that carried him from the sidelines to the field and far beyond it. My friends, if you've ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or tired of being defined by a label, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with renewed hope, quiet confidence, and the reminder that the best of your days remain ahead.

As we stand at the start of a new year, with to-do lists drafted, words chosen and intentions set, I want to offer you a question to consider. One that has a way of slowing us down, sharpening our focus and gently but firmly calling us to do more. That question? Are you a turkey person? Not in the holiday-meal sense, but in the way you show up for others. Years ago, that question changed the trajectory of a football team, a community and a life. And years later, when I heard it, it did the same for me. Let me explain.

Jason O. Harris is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, fourth-generation service member, professional pilot, best-selling author, and nationally sought-after keynote speaker on trust and leadership. Jason spent nearly three decades serving our country in the U.S. Air Force, flying 11 combat deployments and more than 470 combat sorties, ultimately commanding a Boeing KC-46 Tanker Aircraft Squadron. He carries those hard-earned lessons beyond the cockpit and into boardrooms, equipping leaders and teams to build trust, accountability, and peak performance when it matters most. Today, Jason shares how trust is built under pressure, why leadership is revealed in moments of uncertainty, and what it truly means to "make the dash count." He opens up about growing up in chaos, learning the power of environment and influence early in life, and how high-risk combat missions shaped his belief that you don't rise to the occasion… you fall to the level of your training. My friends, if you're craving clarity in your leadership, confidence in your decisions, or stronger relationships at work and at home, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with a renewed understanding of how trust is earned, practical ways to show up with intention, and a powerful reminder that your presence matters more than you think.

One of the great joys of On Fire For Good is celebrating people who change lives through a kind word or a quiet act. And every so often, we meet a leader who has figured out how to do that—at scale. Miren Oca is one of those leaders. Let me explain.

Colleen Costigan is the co-founder and executive director of BEAM Kenya, an organization built on the belief that every child deserves the chance to heal, learn, and lead. While living a successful corporate life and doing everything "right," a one-month volunteer trip to Kenya redirected her future and became a lifelong commitment now serving thousands of children through education and mental health support. Today, Colleen shares how that one short trip became a lifelong calling, why education alone is not enough to break cycles of poverty, and how trauma-informed mental health care can change the trajectory of a child's life. She opens up about meeting a teenage girl named Faith, whose story reshaped Beam's mission, and how heartbreak, perseverance, and hope all coexist when you choose to serve others in hard places. My friends, if you've ever felt a tug on your heart you couldn't explain… this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that small, brave steps can lead to extraordinary impact, that your privilege can become a powerful gift, and that hope is never wasted when it's placed in the hands of love.

With Christmas just days away, excitement fills our homes… twinkling lights, festive music, and hardly any sleep. Growing up, every tradition seemed to build toward Christmas morning and the thrill waiting just beyond my bedroom door. But before the presents, before the surprises, there was one simple ritual that mattered most. Let me explain.

Dave Sanderson is a nationally recognized leadership speaker, accomplished author, and the last passenger of US Airways Flight 1549, the Miracle on the Hudson. On January 15, 2009, Dave survived what should have been a tragedy, emerging from the icy Hudson River alive and forever changed. In the years since, he has dedicated his life to sharing lessons on leadership, faith, preparation, and purpose. Today, Dave shares what it means to face fear head-on, how the decisions we make in uncertain moments define who we become, and why the meaning we attach to adversity shapes the rest of our lives. From the deafening silence after the engines failed, to the prayer he whispered as the plane descended, to the choice to turn back and help others instead of racing to safety, Dave opens up about leadership under pressure, faith when the outcome is unknown, and the quiet courage required to do the right thing when it matters most. My friends, if you're walking through uncertainty, stress, or a moment that feels heavier than you expected, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that preparation builds confidence, that every setback carries the seed of purpose, and that even your hardest moments can shape you into who you're meant to become.

I've held many titles in my life, and I'm grateful for all of them. But my favorite job title, by far, has always been Dad. As Patrick moves through his senior year of high school and toward a future that looks a little different than I once imagined, that role has never meant more. Let me explain.