Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

The key to real happiness, true contentment, and a continual state of joy has nothing to do with getting more. It’s the moment-by-moment choice to be grateful for what we have, selfless in what we do, connected with why we’re here, and focused on becoming the best version of ourselves.   What we should strive for is not happiness, but an enduring state of joy. Joy is a condition that isn’t dependent on things going our way. It’s not reliant on getting what we want. Joy is the ability to be lit up each day despite the challenges, despite the setbacks, despite the struggle. And it’s a choice. So how can we achieve a state of joy? Tune in to hear the four things the most joy-filled people I know have in common.

Join Max Lucado, a bestselling author and pastor, as he shares a message of hope and encouragement for a society grappling with racial divides, political strife, and a global pandemic. Max discusses his personal journey of healing from sexual abuse, the high levels of anxiety in today's society, the importance of self-esteem based on God's view, and the power of leadership and making difficult decisions. He also reflects on relationships and offers wisdom on prioritizing a life lived for Christ.

When fires ignite, cancers attack, or tragedies strike, we lean into our community for support, prayers and love. But often when the invisible challenges of depression, bipolar disorder, or mental illness arise, we feel we’ve got to quietly shoulder the weight alone. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. And because my family, the families of my co-workers, and the families of innumerable friends have been directly impacted by both mental health challenges and suicide, we wanted to bring to light what too often remains castigated to the dark. Listen to Dennis Gillan's story on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 46 here. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Mike Kai is a pastor, leadership expert and host of the Pound for Pound Leader podcast. From humble + challenging beginnings, Mike learned firsthand that in order to lead a team, cultivating a healthy culture is key. Whether you're leading a small family or large company, today's conversation will help you practice excellence (not perfection!), move forward with intention and build sustainable change in order to leave a lasting legacy. Join us to learn real-life examples and practical principles that will inspire you to grow in any season of life and be reminded that the best of our days remain ahead. SHOW NOTES: The only astronaut from Hawaii, Ellison Onizuka, inspired Mike to pursue his dream to be a fighter pilot. Mike's kuleana: After learning he was becoming a young father, Mike abandoned his dream to provide for his family, losing sight of his purpose.  How Mike grew during a turbulent season: Discovered a relationship with God, cultivating self-worth and pursued a purpose, read dozens of books including Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino, and Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do by Robert Schuller. Believe in hope. Mike's pain turned into anger as he developed homicidal + suicidal thoughts. Mike's advice from 28 years of marriage: Forgive quickly and freely, fight for unity and continue to date one another. To lead a team of any size, Mike builds like Soloman and sees like Sheba. Build better to finish better. Excellence is an accelerator, elevator, separator, and income generator. "Sometimes excellence gets a bad rap because people think it's another word for perfection, but it's not. Excellence is doing the very best you can with what you've been given."  Learn more about Mike Kai, including his Pound for Pound Leadership Podcast here. Get a copy of Mike Kai's book It Doesn't Just Happen here. If you enjoyed this episode... You'll love my conversation with Seth Godin. As a 20-time bestselling author, distinguished speaker and shares brilliant insights on life, success, failure, and the “audacity to settle for anything less than remarkable”. Listen to the ep. 356 Seth Godin now. MIKE KAI'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. Curiosity. 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. As many photo albums as I can. 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. Coach John Wooden and Reverend Titus Cohen who pastored in Hawaii from 1840s-1870s and ask how the revival happen. Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? A. My pastor told me, "Don't buy the brand new car. Pay cash for everything. Save your money for a house." Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? A. Don't be so emotional and be run by your feelings. 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. Whoever he was with, wherever he was, he loved people to the fullest.

Thebest and most meaningful aspects of our lives are discovered in the seemingly ordinary experiences, tender moments of grace, and ordinary human interactions with others throughout the day. Today, I share the story of a young girl I met at a burn camp, and the reminder I shared that the beauty of scars, the resiliency they possess, and ultimately, that she is being prepared for something bigger and better than she can currently fathom. As you prepare to sprint into your day, land the mighty projects, race the kids out the door, or successfully check off that long to-do list, don’t miss the fact that the real gift of this day isn’t found in getting through it. The best of this day will be realized in slowing down long enough to savor the experiences, conversations, and moments that actually matter throughout it.

Ever feel over-scheduled, over-committed and over-tired in today's world? That we do so much, yet somehow, feel we're not doing enough? Christy Wright, bestselling author of Take Back Your Time and host of The Christy Wright Show, is an expert in cultivating balance, ditching distractions and prioritizing what actually matters. If you or someone you know is seeking a guilt-free tool to cut out what doesn't matter, prioritize the things that do and take back your time and your life, this episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: "Making it" because of struggle: Growing up, how Christy's mom launched a small bakery business was pivotal in teaching character, integrity, persistence and work ethic her formative years. Before becoming a speaker full-time with Ramsey, Christy said "yes" before knowing how and stepped in for Rachel Cruz while she was a project manager. "Some of the most incredible career opportunities are not positions that are posted but problems that are solved." - Sheryl Sandburg "If you wait until you have success to commit, you'll have neither. You have to commit before you have success." - Seth Godin What if "balance" isn't so much what you do but something you create + become in your life? Life balance is not doing everything for an equal amount of time. It's about doing the right things at the right times. Start doing what matters, stop doing what doesn't matter in today's season. "If we are not careful we will spend our entire lives checking boxes and never stopping to ask ourselves if those boxes represent anything actually worth doing." Create an ideal schedule. Take your current calendar and a blank calendar: Move over the things you have to do. Move over the things you want to do. Add whatever is missing. "We judge others by everything they do and we judge ourselves by everything we don't do." Listen to past Live Inspired Podcast guests + fellow Ramsey personalities Dave Ramsey, Rachel Cruz and Anthony ONeal. Get a copy of Christy Wright's Take Back Your Time here. CHRISTY WRIGHT'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. Innocence. 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. Pictures. 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. Maya Angelou Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? A. People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? A. You're going to get married. Stop freaking out. 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. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

The most important aspect of any work is seeing how it serves the larger community. Join me as I share about a cherished, irreplaceable colleague and the reminder that leaders impact most by showing others they matter. And today, my friends, I remind you of the fact that you, too, are absolutely irreplaceable. Your work matters, your dreams matter, your prayers matter, your words matter, your actions matter. Your life most certainly matters. You are irreplaceable. And in a marketplace that sometimes forgets it, act like it.

Bob Costas has earned 29 Emmy awards - more than any other sports broadcaster. He is also the only person to have won in news, sports and entertainment. So, what do Bob and I have in common? Bob was mentored by my dear friend, Jack Buck. Don't miss this heartfelt conversation as Bob reflects on his humble beginnings + his most iconic interviews and memorable moments from 25 years of covering the greatest events of our time. Watch the interview on Facebook or YouTube. If you enjoyed hearing from my hometown friend... You’ll love our St. Louis playlist featuring iconic change agents, sports legends and entrepreneurs from the Gateway to the West.  Listen to the St. Louis playlist now. BOB COSTAS' LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. A sense of wonder. 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. Photo album. 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. Jackie Robinson. Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? A. Professionally, be yourself. Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? A. Your youth is not as short as you think it is. You're still a young man when you're 50. 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 paid it forward.

Recently, I was nearing the end of hectic week of speaking events and it was obvious I was getting sick with a sinus infection. What began as a raspy voice when I started the speech turned into a whisper by the end of it. By the time I got home that evening, my voice was completely gone. What started as a sinus infection, manifested into a double ear infection, lead to swollen, irritated throat and eventually total laryngitis. Today, I share the five lessons I learned from losing my voice.

Alison Levine knows what it’s like to survive in the world’s toughest environments. She served as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, scaled the "Seven Summits," and skied to the North and South Poles. Join us to hear Alison recount her history-making expeditions, the lessons in leadership they've taught her and how you can achieve more than you ever thought possible. SHOW NOTES: “Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top—it is the willpower that is the most important. This willpower you cannot buy with money or be given by others—it rises from your heart.” “We can’t control the environment; all we can control is the way we react to it.” Adventure Grand Slam: Alison served as team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, climbed the highest peak on each continent and skied to both the North and South Poles—a feat known as the Adventure Grand Slam, which only twenty people in the world have achieved. Alison is the first American to complete a 600-mile traverse from west Antarctica to the South Pole following the route of legendary explorer Reinhold Messner. Get a copy of Alison Levin's New York Times bestselling book On the Edge here. ALISON LEVINE'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read? A. Span of Control by Carey Lohrenz. Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? A. Be more extroverted. 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 photo albums, especially those not digital.   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. Pasang Lama Sherpa, the first female to scale Mt. Everest. Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? A. What you say doesn't matter as much as how the person interprets it. Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? A. Be more compassionate to yourself. 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. She loved dogs. She encouraged others to try.