Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

In 2021, we’ve encountered challenges, experienced cheerfulness and witnessed change, together. As we celebrate over four million downloads, I’m incredibly grateful for our Live Inspired community. Whether subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or another listening platform, sharing episodes with friends + family or engaging with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn, this milestone would have been reached without you. Today, join me as I recap the most downloaded episodes of the last year. From Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph to New York Times bestselling author Mel Robbins, today’s episode is the best way to close out the year and start 2022 off right. SHOW NOTES: Peter Montoya, an apolitical unification expert, shares practical strategies to unify our divided society on ep. 376. Marc Randolph, the co-founder of Netflix, shares stories about starting the iconic brand and his unconventional idea of success on ep. 388. Howard Behar, retired president at Starbucks, shares his tips on how to be a servant leader + why leading with values is the best recipe for success on ep. 378. Ben Nemtin of MTV's The Buried Life acts on the question "what do you want to do before you die?" and the practical steps you can implement today to build and accomplish your list on ep. 336. Matt Miller, coach at Live Inspired, reminds us how to set attainable goals and make the next year meaningful on ep. 324. Doug Lindsay shares his journey in developing the treatment to a mysterious, debilitating illness that impacted his family on ep. 322. Mel Robbins, New York Times bestselling author, shares her proven + empowering techniques to overcome negative mental repercussions of the COVID-19 global pandemic on ep. 372. Jonathan Pitts shares about the loss of his wife Wynter and finding peace, strength + hope in keeping her legacy alive on ep. 328. Dr. Tim Jordan shares practical advice to build closer relationships based on trust and understanding with our children on ep. 330. Sebastian Maniscalco, known as “the hottest comic in America” by New York Times shares how perseverance and hustle have been the key ingredients to attaining success, the challenges that come with it and where he finds inspiration on ep. 344. Hear more of our most downloaded episodes of 2021 here and our most downloaded episodes of all time here.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller What can a basketball team in southwest Texas teach us about real victory? It turns out real victory isn’t merely about what we can do for ourselves and get for our team, but ultimately what we can invest into others and achieve together. Watch the video of Coronado High School's Marcus Mitchell here.

"To be content with little is hard; to be content with much, impossible." - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach In the midst of this holiday season, what better time to take pause and celebrate the amazing blessings already present in our lives. For the past five years, every podcast guest has been asked a series of rapid-fire questions known as the Live Inspired 7. The third question is: Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? Join me as I share what I would retrieve. Plus, I share some of the most remarkable responses that remind us that real joy, real peace and real love are seldom wrapped and almost never found under the tree. SHOW NOTES: What would you go back in and save? These past Live Inspired Podcast guests share the important reminder that real joy, peace and love are seldom wrapped and found under the tree. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle from ep. 248. Bestselling author and post-traumatic growth expert Michaela Haas from ep. 4. Former Navy fighter pilot and POW Charlie Plumb. Hear our entire conversation here. Congressional Gold Medal Recipient Carlotta Wells LaNier from ep. 56. Apollo 13 Spacecraft Commander Captain Jim Lovell from ep. 90. Entrepreneur, executive headhunter, nonprofit developer Laura Gassner-Ottig from ep. 152.  Author + law reform advocate Jeanne Bishop from ep. 246. Most common responses: Photos, Bible (including Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny), computer, journals, guitars... and nothing. Unexpected answers: Legendary entertainer John Tesh would go in for his 9-foot grand piano. Rebekah Gregory, a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing would save her waterproof prosthetic leg Ariel because nothing sets my soul more on fire than being at the beach. Well-known standup comic Sebastian Maniscalco, goes back in for cheese since his wife and kids are out safely! Bestselling author of The Shack, William Paul Young would retrieve a first edition George McDonnell Unspoken Sermons book. Amy Wolff, the mastermind behind a life-saving global movement, would save a carved piece of wood from her late brother. Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr would retrieve a letter he wrote to himself after his consecutive inning streak ended in September 1987.  Seth Godin, 20-time bestselling author, would fetch a canoe paddle he carved for his wife in 1979.

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when [adults] are afraid of the light." - Plato Many people send out Christmas cards this time of year. These cards typically feature pictures of smiling kids, happy couples, cute dogs, new homes. Many cards include images of beautiful Christmas trees, Santa leaving gifts, Snoopy driving sleighs, or nativity scenes. But several years ago, it was a seemingly bland card, with a seemingly odd message, that most deeply moved me. On a plain blue card weren’t pictures, images, families or snowflakes, but four words.

Fr. Ray Kelly, affectionally known as the singing Irish priest from Britain's Got Talent, became a worldwide sensation. The video of him singing a touching rendition of "Hallelujah" went viral with more than 80 million views. With an astonishing ability to connect with others through his remarkable singing, Fr. Ray joins us to share his fascinating journey from parish priest to Britain's Got Talent fame. Today's episode is an early Christmas blessing that's sure to delight. SHOW NOTES: Moving from civil service, Fr. Ray became called to priesthood, becoming an ordained priest at 36 years old. Understand the power of Christmas. Say "no" to overconsumption + commercialism and "yes" to helping others. After recently losing his beloved dog Buddy, the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" takes on even more of emotional meaning. Watch Fr. Ray Kelly sing his rendition of "Hallelujah" for newlyweds Chris and Leah here. Learn more about Fr. Ray Kelly here. If you enjoyed today's episode, you'll love our Musicians playlist. Hear lessons (and music!) from legendary performers including Lauren Daigle and Walker Hayes. Listen to the Musicians playlist now. FR RAY KELLY'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. Confidence. Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? A. The platinum disc of my debut album Where I Belong. Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?  A. I'd want to have my sister back with me again. Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?  A. I've been inspired by my parents' hard work and their parenting. Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?  A. My heart is in my songs.

In what aspect of your life do you “gotta figure that out?” Today, choose to stop blaming others for perceived slights or injustices, and begin embracing your role in making things better. Choose to vulnerably share with a friend what is going on and your need for help going forward. And choose to chart a new path, dream boldly and live intentionally to ensure far better days remain ahead.

What if the best thing that's going to happen in your life hasn't happened yet?  Antonio Neves, author of the bestselling book Stop Living on Autopilot, is an award-winning journalist and success coach known for asking tough questions. Today’s conversation is the perfect antidote to beat burnout and combat complacency. Prepare to leave reignited to boldly take action to live a life of happiness + fulfillment. SHOW NOTES: Professional question-asker: Growing up in a small, blue-collar Michigan town, Antonio faced challenges that motivated him to be more interested in others' stories than sharing his own. How would you introduce yourself to others if you couldn't reference your career? Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you're supposed to be doing it. While a successful sales rep, Antonio dreamt of working in the entertainment industry. With just a thousand dollars, he moved to New York City to work multiple jobs before getting his break years later with television network Nickelodeon. When moments of opportunity show up, you have to be ready. Setbacks are opportunities for comebacks. The pauses we don't orchestrate, if we allow, can catapult us in a new direction. No blue checkmark can verify who we are. That happens by God the day we are born. When you say you don't fit in, have you considered maybe you're not supposed to fit in? "Being non-traditional was my edge." Hoping vs. expecting: Have a mindset of expectation, not of privilege. If you've done the necessary work, you deserve to be somewhere.  No one who has accomplished anything of significance did it alone. During a period of struggle, Antiono recommitted to his life and sought community, took action on his ideas, focused on what's important and found opportunities to grow. Use some of Antiono's coaching strategies. Ask yourself: What role did I play in this? What goals have I achieved over the last 30 days? Attack the day with more joy. Your happiness hurts no one. The best thing that happened to you hasn't happened yet. "No one can, or will, care more about your life than you care about your life. So it's time to start acting like it." "You know man, it's just water." "If your life was a movie and the movie was halfway over, what would the lead character be doing right now to turn things around?” Get a copy of Antonio Neves' book Stop Living on Autopilot here. If you enjoyed this episode... You'll love hearing from legendary multi-faceted entertainer John Tesh. It will inspire you to move forward despite any setback you may receive in life + buy into the truth that the best of your journey remains in front of you. Listen to John Tesh on ep. 244 now. ANTONIO NEVES' LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. Attack the day with more joy. Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? A. A classic, early 80's family photo. Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?  A. My dad. Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?  A. "If you're going to foul them, foul them," meaning if you're going to do something, do it 100%. Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?  A. Your happiness hurts no one. Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?  A. The best thing to happen to you hasn't happened yet.

Sometimes individuals with whom we think we have the least in common become our greatest teachers and dearest friends. Join me as I share Rudyard Kipling’s poem "If" and what it can teach us about facing adversity.

As a transformational teacher, Kute Blackson's mission is simple: To awaken and inspire people across the planet to access inner freedom, live authentically and fulfill their true life’s purpose. Kute's multicultural upbringing spanning four continents offers a unique foundation in his approach to breaking down barriers and unlocking an individual's true gifts and greatness. Modeling courage and resilience, hear Kute share his fresh look at spiritual awareness, practical ideas and soul-stirring wisdom that will ignite the heart and inspire courageous action. SHOW NOTES: "Being aware that you're going to die opens up the fierce urgency to really live." Kute describes a miracle as a shift in our attention and the willingness to see the magic in ordinary moments. Integrating the sacred and mundane: While his father was always on a path of his own mission, Kute is hopeful that future generations will have a better opportunity to balance the sacred and mundane moments of life. Afraid to lose what love + connection he received from his dad, Kute spent many years living forth the plan his dad set ahead of him instead of finding his true passion. Do I want to die holding back? Kute shares how a near-death experience in India allowed him to make peace with death. "It's not about what happens when we die. It's about how are we going to live this moment right now." In a moment of anxiety... take pause to recognize where your attention is directed, reframe the situation, focus on the present and break down actions into small, simple steps. Instead of overriding the feelings of exhaustion, listen to your bodies and discover ways to rest in order to feel rejuvenated. To combat isolation + loneliness, Kute encourages being intentional in cultivating community and connect with our true spirit. "You can be alone and not feel lonely. I've found when I feel lonely, I'm disconnected with myself." "Life itself is ultimately a process of surrender." Get a copy of Kute Blackson's book The Magic of Surrender here. KUTE BLACKSON'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. I was a very fun-loving kid. Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? A. My three passports: UK, US and Ghanaian. Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?  A. My mother. Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?  A. God is in control. Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?  A. Take more risks. Be bold. Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?  A. He loved fully and fulfilled his soul's purpose.

Anticipation of pleasure is a pleasure in itself.” - Sylvia Townsend Warner Entering into this advent season we look forward to the joy of the holidays, the gift of Christmas and the promise of a New Year by sharing a reminder of the power of joyful awaiting. Today, join me as I share a short excerpt from my instant #1 national bestselling book IN AWE.