Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

“You can easily tell the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Years ago, I ran a small construction company. Continuously running material, picking up tools, and dropping lumber, I spent significant time in a truck with my General Contractor, Harold Stewart.   Working together for almost a decade, Harold certainly taught me much about framing, wiring, plumbing and painting. The greatest lesson, though, was the power of consistent generosity.   My friends, there are so many examples of selfish people, tragic events and senseless violence today. In a world as broken as ours we often wonder what we can do to make a difference.   The example my friend- my brother- Harold models is a simple solution to the profound challenges we face today: Love people.   Choose to be kind to the one in front of you. Choose to invest in relationships for the long term. And choose to be generous to those who can’t repay it.   It may not change the entire world, but unquestionably it will change the life of the one you serve. And perhaps that's how we begin making the actual change the world longs for today.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

Today’s guest is an Emmy award-winning journalist, reinvention expert and intelligent risk-taker.   With a successful television career that spanned 28 years, some of Liz Brunner’s most memorable highlights involve exclusive interviews with prominent figures and cultural icons including President Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.   After leaving a successful career as co-anchor of Boston’s #1 rated newscast, Liz is now dedicated to helping others find their authentic voice, tell their story and lead with presence.   Today, Liz leads us through a number of her career chapters that include High School Music teacher and entrepreneur with the intention of inspiring others to transform their lives.   This conversation will give you permission to discover your authentic self and remind you that no knowledge, obstacle or experience is ever wasted.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

“In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.” – Henri J.M. Nouwen For more than a decade I’ve worked with the FOCUS Marines Foundation. This organization hosts struggling veterans for week-long retreats designed to provide support for complex physical and emotional issues related to military service.   On this Memorial Day, I share the story of how the simple act cooking a meal can come to mean so much more. For nearly a decade, four military moms - all of whose lives have been impacted by veteran suicide - pour their hearts into a homemade meal for groups of veterans seeking support for the complex and often traumatic emotional burdens resulting from deployment.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

I’m honored to share a story of not just surviving impossible odds but thriving in a world that is too often caught up with how we look on the outside rather than seeing that our true value is within.   When Kechi Okwuchi was 16 years old, she was one of just two survivors of a devastating plane crash that killed more than 100 people, many of them her classmates.   Spending months in hospital recovering from the third-degree burns that covered more than 65% of her body, Kechi learned the power of perseverance, unrelenting faith and music’s profound ability to heal.   With courage, honesty and wit, Kechi shares her journey of healing, her fortitude in becoming a finalist on America’s Got Talent and her boldness in choosing to not be defined by her scars.   This conversation will give you the hope, strength and boldness to face life’s challenges directly.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

“Just because I am happy and loved, doesn’t mean everyone else is. I know someone might be walking behind me who doesn’t feel happy and doesn’t feel loved. Maybe I can help them.” – Evan Ernst   While we’re thrilled our Live Inspired Podcast has been downloaded nearly 5,000,000 times, it’s the stories of impact from individual listeners that most inspire our efforts. And there is something particularly special when one of the lives being impacted is a 12-year-old boy from South Dakota. Today, I share the story of Evan Ernst.

Kiana Clay is the first adaptive female motocross racer, top-ranked para-snowboarder and 2026 Paralympic hopeful.   At 12 years old, Kiana suffered a traumatic brachial plexus injury on a motocross practice run that left her right arm paralyzed. While recovering from this accident, she was hit by a drunk driver, reversing any strength she was recovering and leaving her dominant arm permanently paralyzed.    Although these circumstances certainly changed her life, Kiana is not letting them define her.    Today, Kiana shares how she learned to accept her body, her struggle with depression, how she’s learned to trust God and what led to her recent decision to have her injured arm amputated.    This conversation is a reminder that you can't always choose the path you walk (or race!) in life, but you can always choose the manner in which you walk (or race!) it.   Learn more about this Live Inspired Podcast episode and more at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

Being heard is so close to being loved that they are almost indistinguishable. – David Augsburger   Today, we celebrate Augie Nieto and his quest to cure ALS.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

Maggie Doyne's mission is to create a world where children are safe, educated and loved.   At age nineteen, Maggie used $5,000 of her babysitting money to co-found BlinkNow Foundation which helped to build the Kopila Valley Children’s Home and School, a safe place for orphaned children in war-torn Nepal.   Since 2010, Maggie + her team have served 500 of the region’s most impoverished children and worked to deepen and grow the organization’s impact through grassroots community development efforts.   Today, as you hear from a humanitarian, activist, CNN Hero of the Year and Forbes "Top 30 under 30" Social Entrepreneur, you'll learn just how tremendous + unlikely her work has been. Plus, Maggie shares specific and practical ways to take action for a cause that’s meaningful to you.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com

John O'Leary recognizes the mothers shepherding their children through tragedy.   Learn more about the Live Inspired Podcast at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

With Mother’s Day upon us, today’s guest is a marvelous example of what’s possible with the love from a powerful mom. As one of four boys raised by a single mother, Steve White’s life could easily have taken a different path. Instead, armed with his mother’s determination that her sons make a better life for themselves and his own refusal to be shaped by his circumstances, Steve forged a path to extraordinary professional and personal achievement. Today, Steve shares lessons from every stage of life, and the people who influenced him along the way to form this overarching message: An uncompromising life is one where you stay true to what is important to you, what you believe in, and what you love. You’ll leave this conversation ready to discover what matters most and where you can make the biggest difference. Did you enjoy this conversation? You'll love our curated playlist celebrating mothers. Listen to the Mother's Day playlist here.