Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

John O'Leary

Wake up from accidental living so you do, be and achieve more through your life.

  • 46 minutes 39 seconds
    4x Paralympic Gold Medalist Josh Pauls (ep. 836)

    Josh Pauls is a four-time Paralympic gold medalist, longtime captain of Team USA Sled Hockey, and a keynote speaker whose story of resilience has inspired audiences around the world. Born without shinbones and losing both legs before his first birthday, Josh has spent his life defying expectations... and lifting others as he rises.

    Today, Josh shares how he fell in love with sled hockey, the lessons learned from becoming a young captain on the world stage, and the personal journey that led him to embrace who he is fully, confidently, joyfully. He unpacks the meaning of his mantra "standards over feelings," the teammates who became his family, the role his wife Kate played in helping him see himself through a kinder lens, and why letting kids face challenges might be the greatest gift a parent can offer.

    My friends, if you're craving a reminder that your challenges don't define you, (your choices do!) this conversation is for you. Whether you're leading a team, raising a family, or simply trying to show up bravely in your own life, you'll leave with practical tools for perseverance, a renewed belief in what's possible, and a fresh appreciation for those who help you push past your limits.

    11 December 2025, 7:00 am
  • 5 minutes 41 seconds
    What a Year of Joy, Loss and Love Taught Me (Monday Moment ep. 835)

    In preparing to close the chapter on another year, I find myself reflecting on the innumerable ups and downs of 2025. If your year looked anything like mine, it held moments of soaring joy but also heartbreaking loss. Let me explain.

    8 December 2025, 8:00 am
  • 52 minutes 1 second
    Dr. Gregory Ross: Leading with Love and Redefining What's Possible (ep. 834)

    Dr. Gregory Ross is President and Head of School at the remarkable West End School in Louisville, Kentucky. A nationally recognized educator and transformational leader, Greg has created one of the most successful K–8 programs in the state, where every student attends on full scholarship and consistently outperforms state averages. His journey from humble beginnings in Paducah to leading one of the country's most inspiring schools is nothing short of extraordinary.

    Today, Greg shares how growing up with scarcity shaped his unshakeable faith, how a miraculous childhood healing set the course for his life's purpose, and how he's building a culture of excellence in one of Kentucky's most underserved communities. He talks about the power of seeing the "genius in every child," the way his mother taught eight kids to believe they were royalty even when they had nothing, and the daily practices that turn overwhelmed students into confident scholars and leaders.

    My friends, you'll walk away with a renewed belief in what's possible — for yourself, your family, and your community. If you need hope, encouragement, or a reminder that your circumstances don't define your potential, this episode is for you.

    4 December 2025, 7:00 am
  • 5 minutes 24 seconds
    The Holiday Season's Most Overlooked Gift (Monday Moment ep. 833)

    Have you ever had a holiday hangover?

    No, I am not referring to the kind you might get from staying out too late or having one too many drinks.

    I mean how you feel after all the build-up of Christmas- the preparation, the cooking, the eating, opening of presents, and racing to parties- comes to an end often leaving you a little tired, a good bit in debt, and emotionally beat down.

    Several years ago, a woman with nine and a half decades of experience gave me some advice to help prevent that type of hangover from starting in the first place. Let me explain.

    1 December 2025, 8:00 am
  • 47 minutes 7 seconds
    Coach Donnie Campbell: Real-Life Inspiration Behind the Ted Lasso Character (ep. 832)

    Donnie Campbell is a longtime math teacher, four-decade coach, national leadership speaker, and the real-life inspiration behind the beloved TV character Ted Lasso. Donnie has spent 40 years shaping students and athletes with a simple but powerful philosophy: build people first, players second.

    Today, Donnie shares the lessons that humbled him during his early years at Kansas State, the shift that turned him from frustrated athlete to extraordinary teammate, and the coaching approach that shaped Jason Sudeikis long before Ted Lasso ever hit a screen. He also reflects on the heartbreaks that formed his empathy, the mentors who taught him to lead with kindness, and the unexpected day a coworker told him he'd inspired a global hit TV show.

    My friends, if you need a reminder that your influence matters far more than you'll ever realize, this conversation is for you. You'll leave this episode with simple, memorable tools for leading others well, showing up with humility, and believing in yourself even when you feel like you're sitting at the end of the bench. And most of all, you'll remember the truth Donnie has lived for 40 years: you don't have to be perfect to change someone's life… you just have to care.

    26 November 2025, 8:00 am
  • 5 minutes 11 seconds
    How Do You Fill Your Cup? (Monday Moment ep. 831)

    Some people carry a light within them that's impossible to miss. It isn't loud or showy — it's steady, warm, and contagious.

    That's how I felt the first time I learned about James Chalmers.

    One of five children, James' parents noticed early on that he was a little different than his siblings. He was born with Cri-du-chat Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects development and communication.

    As he grew up, James wrestled with questions many of us ask: Why am I different? Do I matter? What am I supposed to do with my life?

    Then one spring day in 1992, everything changed.

    Let me explain.

    24 November 2025, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Singer-Songwriter Chris Trapper on Grief, Gratitude, and the Power of Song (ep. 830)

    Chris Trapper is the platinum-selling singer-songwriter whose unmistakable blend of honesty, humor, and heart has made his music a source of comfort for listeners around the world. With more than a dozen albums, major-label success, and a long career of writing songs that feel like they were pulled straight from real life, Chris has become a trusted voice in the art of turning struggle into something beautiful.

    Today, Chris shares how music became his refuge during a childhood marked by a speech impediment, how he learned to turn vulnerability into a superpower, and the personal stories behind some of his most beloved songs (including "Into the Bright Lights," featured in our film SOUL ON FIRE!). He opens up about family, addiction, the winding road of the music industry, and why humility has been the steady anchor throughout every chapter of his life.

    My friends, if you need a reminder that your story — with all its bumps, twists, and imperfect edges — still holds incredible worth, this conversation is for you. You'll leave this episode with fresh hope, a deeper appreciation for your own voice, and a nudge to keep showing up with honesty and heart.

    20 November 2025, 8:00 am
  • 4 minutes 56 seconds
    Hands Like John...and Julia (Monday Moment ep. 829)

    Everywhere we look the world highlights everything separating us. From our news headlines, social media feeds, even across the dinner table, differences are magnified, divisions are emphasized and it can leave us feeling distant, isolated, discouraged.

    And yet, what I've learned is that despite everything seemingly pulling us apart, we're far more alike than we realize.

    In fact, our hope with SOUL ON FIRE was simple: to remind people of our shared humanity, to encourage moviegoers to embrace the beauty of their life story, and to inspire audiences to bravely live with faith, hope and love. Since release, we've received hundreds of correspondences from veterans, widows, pastors, addicts, business owners, retirees, and students that the film delivered on those goals. One of my favorites arrived three weeks ago. Let me explain.

    17 November 2025, 8:00 am
  • 57 minutes 58 seconds
    Claude Silver on Authenticity, Empathy, and the Power of Being You (ep. 828)
    Claude Silver is on a mission to bring more humanity into the workplace. As the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, she partners with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to drive their success and redefine what leadership looks like. Instead of striving for perfection, Claude reminds us that the real power lies in showing up as ourselves. Her debut book, Be Yourself at Work, makes a bold case that authenticity and empathy aren't soft skills… they're the strongest tools we have. Today, Claude shares how she learned to lead with heart, listen with intention, and create cultures where people don't just fit in, they belong. From her early lessons in self-discovery to her role guiding teams around the world, Claude opens up about the road to self-awareness, the courage to be vulnerable, and the practical ways we can all lead with compassion and purpose. My friends, if you've ever felt like you had to hide part of yourself to succeed, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that kindness is strength, authenticity is freedom, and the best way to lead others is by being fully yourself.
    13 November 2025, 9:00 am
  • 4 minutes 40 seconds
    Live Like Chad (Monday Moment ep. 827)

    Looking back at last month, I'm in awe of all we've been a part of. I had the honor of speaking at dozens of events around the country, participated in more than 100 media interviews, and shared SOUL ON FIRE with nearly half a million new friends at movie theaters nationwide.

    It was a month overflowing with goodness, gratitude and grace.

    And yet in the midst of that race, if I'm honest, I occasionally felt exhausted, a little lost and in need of others to guide me forward.

    One of those moments occurred at Midway Airport. Let me explain.

    10 November 2025, 6:00 am
  • 52 minutes 23 seconds
    Glen Henry: Inspiring Others to Build Stronger, More Resilient Families (ep. 826)
    Glen Henry is a creator, husband, father of four, and the heart behind Beleaf in Fatherhood, a YouTube community of more than a million people. Once a hip-hop artist who didn't want kids, Glen is now one of the most powerful voices reshaping what it means to be a modern dad. Through his podcast How Married Are You?, his new book Father Yourself First, and his storytelling online, Glen brings humor, honesty, and hope to the everyday chaos of parenting. Today, Glen shares how becoming a father led him to face the wounds of his past, rediscover his purpose, and learn that leading your family starts with leading yourself. He opens up about mentorship, faith, the beauty in ordinary family life, and how to heal from the inside out so you can show up with love, presence, and purpose. My friends, if you've ever wondered whether you're doing enough, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with a deeper sense of grace for yourself, a renewed belief in the power of family, and the encouragement to keep showing up (even on the hard days!) with love, presence, and hope.
    6 November 2025, 6:00 am
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