Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

As a kid, I was terrified of the dark.

I dreaded going into the basement alone, didn't like taking the trash out at night and hated when the lights went out at bedtime. I wanted light! And candidly, I haven't changed that much!

Most of us long for light. We want hope instead of despair, encouragement instead of criticism, and someone to illuminate our way when the path forward seems uncertain. In a world that disagrees on just about everything, we all agree our communities could use more light these days.

That's why I love the story of this month's On Fire For Good honoree, Emily Osweiler. Let me explain.

Josh Schertz is the head men's basketball coach at Saint Louis University, where he's building a program rooted in relationships, resilience and the pursuit of excellence. From his early days as a nationally ranked tennis player to leading successful basketball programs at Lincoln Memorial and Indiana State, Josh has built his career around a simple belief: Great teams are built by bringing out the best in people.

Today, Josh shares how his upbringing shaped his competitive spirit, the lessons he's learned from decades of coaching, and why meaningful relationships are the foundation of lasting success. Sitting down together in Josh's office, we discuss the importance of creating a culture where everyone feels valued, why the pursuit of greatness matters more than the accolades, and how embracing the journey can be just as rewarding as reaching the destination.

My friends, whether you're leading a team, raising a family or simply striving to become the best version of yourself, this conversation will remind you that true success is measured not only by what we accomplish, but by the people we become along the way.

One of the hardest aspects of my dad's battle with Parkinson's wasn't the symptoms most associated with the disease, like shaking or involuntary movements. For Dad, the real agony became rigidity.

As the disease progressed, his muscles tightened and his body became almost frozen.

Although his joy remained and his humor was unmatched, everyday life became impossibly difficult.

I've been thinking a lot about Dad lately. And I've also been thinking about how frequently rigidity can creep into each of our lives. Let me explain.

William Paul Young is the New York Times bestselling author of The Shack, a story that has brought hope to millions worldwide. First with us in 2017 on episode 19, he returns to discuss his latest book Return to the Shack, and the experiences that shaped his understanding of love, faith and forgiveness.

Today, Paul shares his journey through childhood abuse and shame, how vulnerability helped him heal, and the family Christmas gift that became The Shack. We explore his shift toward a faith rooted in unconditional love and the questions about justice, forgiveness and transformation woven into his new book.

My friends, if you've ever felt defined by your past or wondered whether healing is possible, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with encouragement to meet yourself with compassion, extend kindness to others and remember that you are worthy of love.

Ten years ago this month, we turned on a microphone.

It was October 2016. Barack Obama was president, the Cubs were weeks away from winning the World Series, and Stranger Things was the rage. Podcasts, on the other hand, were something some people had heard of, but relatively few listened to regularly.

We didn't launch the Live Inspired Podcast because podcasting was cool (it wasn't!) or profitable (it still isn't!).

We launched because I wanted to better understand what allows some individuals to endure enormous adversity and somehow emerge stronger. I wanted to explore leadership and faith, failure and forgiveness, marriage and parenting, success and suffering. I wanted to better understand what makes a life matter.

So we started asking questions.

And ten years later, we haven't stopped.

Jake Harriman is a former Marine, founder of Nuru International and a leader who has dedicated his life to serving others. After first joining us in 2018, he returns to share his latest mission: helping Americans find common ground through The Brickyard, a veteran-led movement, and his new book, Rescuing the Idea of America.

Today, Jake shares how his childhood in rural West Virginia shaped his heart for service, the combat experiences that inspired his work fighting extreme poverty, and why he's now turning his attention to healing divisions here at home. We explore how listening with curiosity, serving alongside one another and choosing connection can rebuild trust and remind us how much we share.

My friends, if you've felt discouraged by the division around you or wondered whether one person can make a difference, this conversation is for you. Jake offers a hopeful reminder that each of us has something to contribute. You'll leave with practical ways to build stronger relationships, serve your community and take one small step toward the future you want to see.

Math. Running. Swimming. Recalling names. Remembering birthdays. Paying parking tickets. This is a partial list of things I'm terrible at. For a far longer and more comprehensive list, please reach out to my family.

Last week, at an urgent care clinic, I was reminded of one more thing that belongs on that list: Waiting.

Let me explain.

Laura Wifler is a bestselling author, poet and co-founder of Risen Motherhood who finds beauty in life's mix of brokenness and joy. Her daughter, who has intellectual disabilities, has taught her so much about loving others just as they are and finding joy in the unexpected.

Today, Laura shares how childhood rejection inspired her to help others feel included, how motherhood changed the life she imagined, and how poetry helped her put words to both the beautiful and difficult moments. We talk about finding strength in faith, creating even when we doubt ourselves, and why her son is grateful disability is part of their family.

My friends, if life looks different from what you hoped, this conversation is for you. Laura reminds us that we can carry grief and still experience joy, and that every one of us has something valuable to offer. You'll leave encouraged to give yourself a little grace, help someone feel seen, and notice the beauty right in front of you.

Anniversaries give us permission to do something we rarely allow ourselves to do: Stop racing forward, turn around and look back at the road we've traveled.

They invite us to remember what once seemed impossible, recognize the people who helped make it happen, count blessings we often hurry past, give thanks for all that has been—and imagine with hope all that might still be.

And as the one-year anniversary of the world premiere of Soul On Fire approaches, I want to do exactly that with you. Let me explain.

Wayne Connell is the founder of Invisible Disabilities Association, an organization he launched 30 years ago after watching his wife, Sherri, navigate debilitating illnesses others couldn't see or understand. As her husband and caregiver for 32 years, Wayne has turned that deeply personal experience into a lifelong mission to help others living with invisible disabilities to feel seen, believed, and valued.

Today, Wayne shares what decades of caregiving have taught him about love, why believing someone can be one of the greatest gifts we offer, and how to better support those carrying struggles we cannot see. We also discuss the difference between fixing and simply being present, the assumptions we make about others, and the power of listening.

My friends, if you're carrying an unseen burden or love someone who is, this conversation is for you. You'll be reminded to slow down, listen well and recognize the value in every person you meet.

"Do you still believe in miracles?"

A smattering of hands went up when I asked that question at a leadership conference last week.

Surprised by how few, I tried a different approach.

"How many of you saw the sun rise this morning? How many of you stopped to consider how incredibly unlikely it is that you are here at all? That your heart beats without being reminded. That your eyes capture light and turn it into images. That you can laugh, love, work, walk, and dance through your days"

More hands went up, but still not all of them!

Well, my friends, I am certain miracles still happen.

And Brent Oliver's life is proof. Let me explain.

Ron Johnson helped transform the way the world shops. As the creator of the Apple Store, he worked alongside Steve Jobs to build a welcoming retail experience centered on learning and human connection. Before Apple, he helped make good design accessible at Target, and he later served as CEO of J.C. Penney. In his new book, Shop Different, Ron shares the leadership lessons he gained through extraordinary successes and humbling setbacks.

Today, Ron shares how a childhood love of retail shaped his career, why the Apple Store was designed around relationships rather than transactions, and what his difficult experience at J.C. Penney taught him about listening, humility and moving forward. He also explains why kindness belongs in the boardroom and how focusing on the person in front of us can transform the way we lead, work and live.

My friends, you'll leave this conversation inspired to pursue what you love, strengthen the relationships that matter and measure success by the lives you enrich along the way. Whether you're leading a team, navigating a setback or searching for greater purpose, Ron's journey is a powerful reminder that success and failure are fleeting, but the way we treat others endures.

Reading the headlines, there are plenty of reasons to lose hope for tomorrow and slip into anxiety today. Warring nations. Rising prices. Teetering financial markets. Political upheaval.

And then there are the concerns closer to home. Caring for aging parents or grieving their loss. Wrestling with the difficulties of raising kids or the ache of being unable to have them. Enduring yet another flight delay on a work trip (hits home as I write this!) or the far heavier struggle of being unable to find work.

We all carry something.

So, what are we to do with all this stress, all these conflicts, all these struggles? Let me explain.

Lynda Gratton is a renowned professor at London Business School, a global authority on the future of work and longevity, and the author of 11 books, including her latest, Living the 100-Year Life. For decades, she has explored how longer lives are reshaping the way we learn, work, build relationships and find meaning.

Today, Lynda Gratton shares how her mother and grandmother shaped her steady optimism, why living longer requires curiosity and reinvention, and how we can move beyond the traditional path of education, work and retirement. She invites us to see life as a tapestry woven from our experiences, relationships and choices, with each season offering new possibilities.

My friends, if you've been moving through life on autopilot or wondering what your next chapter could hold, this conversation is for you. You'll leave encouraged to invest in what matters most, remain open to new possibilities and make your longer life not only fuller, but more meaningful.

Years ago, I sat in the back of church and heard a simple challenge: Say 'yes' to opportunities where your life can be used for good.

At the time, I had no idea where that yes might lead. I never imagined the following day I'd be invited to share my story with a small group of third-grade Girl Scouts. Or that in time, living the 'yes' would grow into a career speaking around the world, lead to books and a movie, or open the door to meeting so many extraordinary people.

I just felt moved by something I heard: Say "yes" to being used for good.

Which is why I love the story of this month's On Fire For Good honoree, Dan Rogers. Let me explain.

Neil Taylor is the founder of Me and My Old Man, a project that helps families preserve the voices and life stories of their aging parents. After losing his dad, Patrick, to dementia just six days before welcoming his son, Neil began recording guided conversations and transforming them into keepsake audiobooks. He has now captured more than 350 hours of stories for 32 families across six countries. Today, Neil shares the loss that inspired his mission, what hundreds of hours of listening have taught him about the extraordinary stories hidden within ordinary lives, and why preserving a loved one's voice can be even more meaningful than preserving memories. He also reveals how thoughtful questions and genuine listening can deepen our understanding of the people closest to us, bridge generations and even bring comfort amid grief. My friends, if there is someone you love whose stories you have always meant to ask about, this conversation is for you. You'll leave inspired to slow down, listen more closely and begin asking the questions that can transform everyday conversations into a legacy your family will treasure for generations.

The final day of filming SOUL ON FIRE began before 5 a.m. on Friday. It ended 19 hours later, getting home after midnight.

It was a beautiful, exhausting, unforgettable day.

We filmed some of the most iconic scenes in the movie, including my graduation from St. Louis University and Beth and I's wedding at the Shrine of Saint Joseph.

After countless loops of Sweet Caroline, it eventually went silent. Sean McNamara rose from his director's chair, took off his headset and proclaimed loudly, "That's a wrap!"

After eight years of effort, the movie had been filmed.

Throughout that long day, my phone never stopped buzzing. By the time I went to bed, it had logged 250 text messages.

Then Monday arrived.

I rolled over, looked down at my phone and squinted.

Hmmm. Strange. Zero messages.

By noon there were a total of three.

Two were from Beth reminding me to take the trash out.

The sudden change made me realize something about what truly makes a life meaningful. Let me explain.

Ben Kjar was born with Crouzon syndrome, a rare craniofacial condition, and has endured painful surgeries, relentless bullying and the weight of being underestimated. And yet Ben refused to let others define what was possible for his life. He became Utah Valley University's first NCAA Division I Wrestling All-American, a world champion wrestler and an international motivational speaker whose extraordinary journey is featured in the award-winning documentary STANDOUT: The Ben Kjar Story.

Today, Ben shares how his mother's reminder that he was "born different to make a difference" changed the course of his life, how wrestling helped him turn pain into purpose, and why the challenges we face can become our greatest source of strength. He also reminds us that we may not control what happens to us, but we can always choose whether we live as victims or victors.

My friends, if you have ever felt different, underestimated or discouraged by the obstacles in front of you, this conversation is for you. You'll leave inspired to embrace what makes you unique, meet adversity with courage and recognize that the very thing you once wished you could change may be what allows you to make your greatest difference.

Eleven years ago, I stood in a swimming pool with my arms stretched toward my three-year-old daughter. Grace was learning to swim. She stood on the edge of the pool, blonde hair draped across her face, staring nervously down at the water.

"Come on, Grace. Jump in. I've got you."

She looked away from the water, glanced anxiously at me and said, "Dad, I don't think I can. What if it doesn't work? What if I fail?"

Reasonable questions from a three-year-old standing at the edge of something new.

With a little coaxing and a lot of assurance, Grace finally stopped focusing on what might go wrong. She bent her knees, brushed the bangs away from her face, shut her eyes, pushed off the side…and jumped.

Earlier this month, that little girl began high school.

And as our family enters yet another new season- two kids leaving for college and the younger ones racing toward milestones of their own- I've been thinking again about that pool.

About the ledge. About the hesitation. And especially about the jump.

Because some of the hardest transitions in life aren't about stretching forward; they're about letting go. Let me explain.

Elizabeth Svoboda is an award-winning science journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and Scientific American. In her latest book, The Art of Pacing, she explores how we can meet the demands of today without sacrificing our ability to thrive tomorrow.

Today, Elizabeth shares why so many of us bounce between pushing too hard and pulling away completely, how athletes inspired her to rethink our relationship with effort and rest, and what it means to move through life at a more sustainable pace. We discuss how to recognize the warning signs of burnout, adjust our pace before we crash and make daily choices that support what matters most in the long run.

My friends, if you're tired of feeling like your only options are to keep grinding or give up entirely, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with a healthier way to think about productivity, practical permission to change your pace and a reminder that slowing down at the right moment may be what allows you to keep moving forward.