Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

In the depths of the uncharted Amazon rainforest, Yossi Ghinsberg was tested to the extreme. After losing his three companions, and without food, fire, a weapon and bare to the bone, Yossi battled to survive for three harrowing weeks. As the inspiration for the movie Jungle starring Daniel Radcliffe, Yossi describes himself as a philosopher of life and believes that nothing promotes growth more than an unexpected experience and unconventional thinking. As Yossi shares his spectacular lessons of survival, you’ll find yourself inspired to expand your horizons, adapt to changing circumstance and rediscover your inner strength. My friends, while Yossi is joining us from his home in Israel, you’ll leave this conversation feeling profoundly connected to his story, mesmerized by his attitude and with a refreshed perspective that in spite of the headwinds, the best of our days remain ahead.

As we head toward the end of December and put a bow not only on Christmas presents, but on 2022, it’s wise to be a bit reflective about the year we’re concluding to ready us for the one we’re about to begin. And although there are many ways to summarize a year, we wanted to share a few numbers that mattered most to us as we conclude 2022. And to thank you for being part of it.

Dr. Jennifer Arnold proudly holds many titles including wife, mom, neonatologist, reality television star and cancer survivor, yet at her core she’s just trying to live her best life while doing as much good as she can. For 14 seasons, Jennifer, alongside her beloved husband Bill, starred on TLC’s hit docu-drama The Little Couple where they courageously shared their journey to starting a family and the daily challenges they faced. Today, Jennifer shares how she’s overcome several of life’s challenges including how dozens of childhood surgeries related to her rare type of dwarfism inspired her to become a doctor, how she faced a devastating Stage 3 cancer diagnosis after the adoption of her second child and so much more. My friends, this conversation is one of hope and reminds each of us that when life gets difficult, lessons become clearer, and the meaning shines through.

John O'Leary recommends a Christmas gift that all are sure to love on this Monday Moment segment. At a packed Great Clips last week, I was reminded that sometimes it’s the seemingly insignificant conversations and simple questions that remind us to recognize what matters most.  

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is coming to a close! Of the 80 teams that qualified for the sport's biggest event, the final two teams, Argentina and France, will face off this Sunday in Qatar with billions of viewers tuning in. And while my home country of USA was knocked out earlier this month, today’s guest recognizes what an accomplishment it was to compete on the world’s stage. Travis Thomas is U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team's Leadership and Team Dynamics Coach where he helps strengthen mental and leadership skills for each player, as well as oversee the culture that head coach Gregg Berhalter wants to maintain. Travis is no stranger to the Live Inspired community. When Travis first joined us on the podcast in March 2017, he shared how improvisation has shaped his life and how the three words “Live Yes And!” has helped others find their path to living with greater purpose and authenticity. Today, Travis shares what seemingly insignificant step led him to working with the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team for the past three years, and how he builds team camaraderie while also focusing on each of the players individually. My friends, in whatever match you’re faced with in life, this conversation will leave you inspired to be victorious.

“Le marchand de la mort est mort” And with these printed words, the life of not only one man who read them profoundly changed, but so did the entire world. Let me explain what happened and why it matters to you.

In March 2020, as state of emergencies were issued, stay-at-home orders were mandated and the doors to schools, offices and businesses were shuttered, the fear of what was to come was undeniable. And yet, our essential healthcare workers courageously risked their own lives to fight for the lives of their patients… all while being woefully unprepared in terms of sufficient PPE, ventilators or ICU beds. Today, we're joined by Dr. Calvin Sun, an emergency room physician who has tirelessly worked in seven emergency rooms in New York City since the early days of the global pandemic. In addition to sharing how finding his life’s purpose lead him to his work in New York ERs, Calvin will share about his journey growing up as a young Asian American in New York, the grief he experienced after losing his father as a teen, and the lessons he learned from traveling to more than 190 countries in ten years. My friends, this conversation will help us reframe moments of anxiety, tragedy or uncertainty into possibility, hope and reason to believe that the best of our days truly remain ahead.

“What was the most important thing anybody ever did for you?” I was asked this question by a 15-year-old student at Desert Christian School in Tucson, AZ last month. For the past hour, they had heard a story about profound challenge and tragedy as well as overwhelming grace and love. They had heard a story of repeated failures and continual overcoming. They had heard the story, ultimately, of individuals faithfully showing up when I desperately needed encouragement, what these people did, the impact they made and what it means for the rest of us today. So, what was the most important thing anybody ever did for me? Tune in now.

Did you know that in the United States, one in every four women, one in three teenagers and one in seven men will be abused in their lifetime? Growing up on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad, Lovern Gordon watched her father brutally abuse her mother and four siblings. After migrating to the United States as a young adult, Lovern never expected to find herself in her own abusive relationship. Today, Lovern has risen from the ashes of these two severe domestic violence situations and is helping others thrive after leaving toxic situations through her Love Life Now Foundation. With strength, positivity, and perseverance, Lovern joins us to share her journey and offers the tools to become part of the solution by providing resources to victims and survivors. Whether you’re a survivor of trauma or want to support those in need, this conversation is for you.

Have you ever had a hangover? Stayed out a little too late. Had one too many drinks. Come on, we’ve all been there! But the kind of hangover I’m referring to isn’t the kind that a glass of water and a few Tylenol can cure. No, I’m referring to the holiday hangover. Tune in to hear the sage advice to ensure we get the most out of this holiday season.