Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Adversity is much more common than we think. And yet, so is resilience, strength and tenacity. Dr. Meg Jay is a clinical psychologist and author of The Defining Decade and Superhuman. Specializing in adult development and in twentysomethings in particular, Meg joins us to explain our ability to overcome adversity, the power of being a support for others, and the courage to rise up above one’s circumstances. Whether you’re entering your 20s or the backside of your 70s, this conversation will empower you to face life’s uncertainties and its complex challenges.  

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. I was reminded of this several years ago through the simple action and words of my wife. And with last week being her birthday, I wanted to share her awesome example with you this week.

It’s not uncommon for famous athletes to visit children in hospitals. Sometimes these visits are well publicized but many times it’s done quietly. Undoubtedly, it has a profound impact on the young patients and their families by providing joy, hope and positivity. As a young St. Louis Blues player, Gino Cavallini would repeatedly show up for the five months I was in the hospital, always smiling and bursting with encouragement. Sometimes he’d come with signed hockey tickets or seven-foot-tall stuffed bunny, and other times with pizza, soda, beer and his fellow Blues teammates. Regardless, every time this typical, Canadian tough-guy would brighten the dark, lonely days of my hospital stay. Today, it’s an honor to welcome on my friend and hero Gino Cavallini. Join me as we celebrate his story of humble beginnings to playing nine NHL seasons, why he decided to repeatedly visit a 9-year-old boy with burns on 100% of his body, and how he continues to make his career and life about something bigger than himself. My friends, this conversation will leave you asking yourself, “what more can I do?”

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Confucius Did you finish strong? Whether we view this question through the lens of how we conclude each of our days or how we cross the finish line at the end of our lives, finishing strong should be something for which we all strive. And one of the greatest examples I know of what it looks like to finish strong is British runner Derek Redmond. Let me explain...

After decades of teamwork and the highest levels of accountability as an F-15 and F-22 fighter pilot, Weapons School Instructor and Squadron Commander Robert “Cujo” Teschner concluded that every team can become what he personally experienced and lived on the front-line. Today, Cujo joins us to share about his current mission: helping organizations build teams that win amid disruption.” He’ll share stories from his time as a F-15 “Eagle” instructor at the prestigious U.S. Air Force Weapons School (think Tom Cruise in “Top Gun”), but more importantly, he’ll share how teams- whether that’s the hockey team on the ice, the sales division at work or the family unit at home- can build trust and achieve performance even when plans fall apart. My friends, if you’re looking for guidance on how to be a better parent, partner, coworker or friend, this conversation will show you how accountable leadership can help.

What’s your date? You know, the date when the phone rang, a friend moved, a partner walked out, the unexpected and unwanted became the new reality? What’s the date when the life you planned dramatically and painfully changed forever? We all have one. What’s yours? One such date for me is January 17, 1987. Let me explain...

There are numerous health and wellbeing challenges associated with isolation, cynicism, burnout, negativity, and divisiveness. And yet there is one surprising solution to circumvent each of the challenges: FUN. Having more fun improves your relationships, both at work and in life Fun makes us smarter Fun reduces stress Finding more fun in physical activity balances your hormone levels Fun can make you more energetic and youthful Fun elevates our culture, retention, impact, and profitability professionally Dr. Mike Rucker reminds us that fun is a resource available to each of us almost any time, yet most of us are not having nearly enough of it. As an organizational psychologist and behavioral scientist, Mike has critically evaluated modern approaches to happiness and has developed science-backed and actionable tips that reinforce the importance of seeking fun, rather than happiness, in our daily lives. Today, Mike shares how intentionally increasing your joyful moments can improve your health, relationships, and productivity, while also providing specific guidance to help you make the most of your time and create more space for having fun. Whether you’re a frustrated high-achiever trying to find a better work-life balance or someone who is seeking relief from life’s overwhelming challenges, this conversation is for you.

My friends, despite the dissension technology may cause and the distraction it so often becomes, it can also be the source of profound beauty, wonderful connection and unyielding hope. I was reminded of this truth over the holidays as I spent time with my friend, Greg. After Greg miraculously survived a head-on collision, he lost his ability to see. Join me today as I share Greg's story and how a free, crowd-sourced app for the visually impaired called Be My Eyes is changing his world.

Laura Calder is perhaps best known for her James Beard Award-winning television series, French Food at Home. As a passionate home cook, homemaker and hostess, Laura is an enthusiast of all things art de vivre, or the French idea of getting the most out of everyday life by putting care into everything we do. Whether it’s setting a lovely table, putting a bit of extra effort into making a sandwich, or just walking a little taller in the street, there are moments every single day that we can seize upon to elevate life. Today, Laura reveals how cooking, feeding, and home-keeping can magically restore balance and calm in our out-of-sync lives. And yet, my friends, today’s conversation is far more than hosting your next meaningful dinner party… it’s about how to live each day with a desire and determination to turn the ordinary into something lovely.

“Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities..” -Terry Josephson Late Saturday night, many of us watched as the clock ticked toward midnight. We waved goodbye to 2022, hoped for a better New Year and even made resolutions to ensure it would be even better than the last. And although only 24-hours into the New Year, many of those resolutions have already been broken! Well, a conversation years ago in a café reminded me not only of our ability to excuse away opportunities, but of the chance we still possess to learn from yesterday, embrace the miracle of today and resolve to make tomorrow even better.