Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

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.

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.