Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

In a world too often filled with blame-shifting, shirking responsibility or waiting for things to change for them, John Foppe reminds us what it looks like when we stop waiting for our circumstances to improve, and start living fully, vibrantly and joyfully the lives we already have. Some 18 years ago, I visited with a man who positively changed my life. In reading a bit more about his story, I believe he will change your life, too. Let me explain.

John Foppe embodies the profound truth that our limitations are often self-imposed. Born without arms, John has learned to adapt every aspect of daily life and transform every challenge into an opportunity for growth. Today, John shares his intimate experience of overcoming physical and internal obstacles that once seemed insurmountable and how he began to take responsibility of his disability and his identity. Plus, in recognizing the importance of lifting up others, John shares how his work as Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul in St. Louis is providing person-to-person service to those most vulnerable. My friends, this conversation is a reminder that a full and vibrant life is achievable, once we overcome the barriers within ourselves.

The day started early for me, yet it was an encounter nearly 20 hours later that left me refreshed and reminded me that there are two ways to live our lives. Let me explain.

J.R. Martinez is an Army veteran, burn survivor, actor, New York Times best-selling author, and Dancing with the Stars champion, spreading a message of hope, resilience and optimism. Today, J.R. shares a story of pain, triumph, and the beauty of pushing forward. Hear the pivotal experiences that shaped his desire to become a cycle-breaker, what he learned while trapped inside a burning Humvee in Iraq, the process he went through to become grateful for his scars and how he rediscovered how to fulfill his purpose of serving others. My friends, this conversation reminds us that though our paths may differ and the challenges we face may be unique, each of us holds the incredible power to adapt and overcome. And reinforces that each scar, each struggle, and each victory is a steppingstone toward a fuller, more meaningful life.

Although health care practitioners are often cautioned to avoid becoming emotionally invested in a critically ill patient’s outcome, the reality on the ground is it’s impossible not to become engrossed. They spend significant time with the patient, get to know them intimately, and often become friends with the family. Such was the case during the five months I spent in the hospital after the fire. These nurses were the servants who never missed a single shift. Whether it was a holiday, weekend, or night, they were there for me and every other patient on the floor. My family and I remained in contact with many of these nurses even after being released. We’d come back to the floor to visit them, exchange birthday calls and Christmas cards. We had Thanksgiving dinner with one of them for more than a decade afterwards and invited as many as we could track down to my wedding 16 years after being discharged from their care. And yet, one of the most meaningful gifts these nurses provided occurred recently. Let me explain...

Jimmie James is a radiant symbol of possibility. Born into poverty in 1959 in the Jim Crow South, Jimmie was one of eight children raised by a devoted single mother. From humble beginnings, he was determined to shatter every expectation by being the first person in his circle to graduate from high school. This dream was only the beginning as he then soared through college and launched into a transformative 33-year career at ExxonMobil. His climb from an entry-level engineer to a globe-trotting executive proved that where you start doesn’t dictate where you end up. And as he transitioned into retirement, Jimmie laced up his golf shoes and set out on a new adventure—playing all of Golf Digest's Top 100 golf courses in America within a single year. Today, Jimmie shares his remarkable journey as he teaches us about persistence, unshakable determination, breaking barriers, and the power of chasing our dreams. My friends, this conversation is about more than golf or overcoming adversity. It’s a beautiful reminder to keep swinging, keep dreaming and keep believing that anything is possible.

"Legacy is not leaving something behind for other people. It’s leaving something behind in other people." -Peter Strople Because of an unexpected gift from his late father, Blake Brewer is now on a mission to help one million parents write at least one well-written, meaningful legacy letter to their children. Let me explain.

Blake Brewer is the founder of Legacy Letter and is on a mission to help one million parents write at least one well-written, meaningful, lasting legacy letter to their children. Hours after the tragic loss of his father, Blake discovered what would become a guiding light during his grief journey. A life-changing letter from his late father filled with wisdom, love and hope. Today, Blake shares his story of loss and resilience, focusing on the transformative power of legacy and his role in helping others leave lasting impressions through words with their loved ones. My friends, if you’re eager to craft a lasting legacy and achieve deeper connections with those you love, this conversation is for you.

“The voicemail you have reached is currently full.” If you try leaving a message on my cell phone, you’ll often get that recording. The reason it’s full is that I don’t always delete the messages of friends and family. I love the tone of Mom as she practically sings out my name to begin her messages. I savor the softened, muted, sweet voice of my father checking in on me. I’ve kept several from my wife just letting me know she was thinking of me, and I’ve kept one from each of my kids so I can hear their voices when I’m traveling. But sometimes it’s in permanently losing a voice, that we are reminded through the voices of others how special our loved one was. Let me explain.

Kim Goldman is a victims’ rights advocate, championing justice and remembrance for victims. After her brother Ron Goldman was murdered alongside friend Nicole Brown on June 12, 1994, Kim suddenly found herself thrust into the media spotlight while vulnerably trying to grieve. Today, less than a week after the death of one the key players within this story, I revisit my conversation with Kim. Join us as we reflect on the part of her life that was changed permanently and her feelings on speaking with prosecutors, investigators, and witnesses who never got to speak and jurors who voted not guilty for her podcast series Confronting: O.J. Simpson. Plus, she’ll share how she continues to honor her brother by supporting victims and families that face similar tragedies. My friends, this episode reminds us of the non-linear journey of grief and yet, the transformative power of turning personal losses into impactful support for others.

To ensure the content we share with our Live Inspired community is timely and relevant, I meet with my team monthly to plan future social posts, newsletters, and podcast episodes. As we meet and discuss, our goal is always to provide inspirational and engaging content to help you navigate your months, one day at a time. These meetings can be fun as we think of stories around big holidays, special birthdays, or celebratory anniversaries. And yet, taking time to remember the anniversaries we’d rather erase from our collective consciousness is equally crucial, especially this month. Let me explain.

For more than a quarter of a century, Robin Sharma has been devoted to helping others realize their native gifts. As a legendary personal growth expert, Robin has advised business leaders, superstar athletes, and heads of state to do brilliant work, thrive amidst change and realize their highest leadership capacities. Beyond being a renowned mentor, Robin’s international bestselling books — including The Everyday Hero Manifesto, The 5AM Club, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and Who Will Cry When You Die? — have influenced millions of people to become their highest selves, making him one of the most widely read authors in the world. Today, Robin joins us to share his latest book The Wealth Money Can't Buy and walk us through the thinking patterns, daily habits and life lessons to build lasting happiness, peak health, career mastery and a life of honest serenity. My friends, you’ll leave today’s conversation ready to enjoy a genuinely rich life—filled with personal power, unusual authenticity, exceptionally fulfilling work, and a lifestyle that will make you feel that fortune has finally smiled upon you.

Have you ever noticed that the best moments in life are frequently unplanned and completely unscripted? It’s not the big trip, fancy dinner, or lavish party that are most meaningful, but the little moments in life that we don’t see coming. One such moment for me was the highlight of the entire filming process for the On Fire movie. Let me explain.

Cassie Holmes is an award-winning teacher and researcher on time and happiness, and bestselling author of Happier Hour. Cassie’s research examines how focusing on time increases happiness, how the meaning of happiness changes over the course of one’s lifetime, and how much happiness people enjoy from extraordinary versus ordinary experiences. Today, Cassie shares her research, including the concept of “time poverty,” her own experiences as a busy working mother, and the practical tools we can apply to improve our day-to-day. My friends, if you’ve ever asked yourself how can I - given the limited time that I have - find greater enjoyment and satisfaction in my days, this conversation is for you.

For more than two decades, I’ve written, shared and spoken about the joy of living a radically inspired life. And I’ve shared stories of people who are On Fire For Good, who want their lives to matter, their families to thrive and their communities to prosper. Recently, though, I realized I’ve been neglecting a far larger audience. We’ve created far too few resources for my friends on the opposite end of the spectrum. We’ve ignored the friends who have decided that an inspired life just isn’t for them. The individuals seeking a monotonous, humdrum, uninspired life. Choosing to ignore them no longer, I’ve assembled a list of tips to ensure they are liberated to follow their dreams of living the uninspired life they desire. Join me as I share my three best tips to help those interested in achieving uninspired living.

Sam Goodwin is an entrepreneur, author and thought leader on embracing uncertainty and the resilience of the human spirit. In 2019, during a quest to travel to all 193 UN-recognized sovereign states, he was wrongfully imprisoned in Syria on false charges of espionage. Today, Sam will share how his connections and coincidence were central to his release from one of the most notoriously brutal prison systems in the world, and he’ll recount the lessons he’s learned from this experience. My friends, this remarkable conversation reveals the miraculous potential for love to liberate us from our most isolating and agonizing situations.

“It’s not my job…” This is a sentence my children are not allowed to utter when asked to do a chore around the house. It’s also a sentence you will not hear from a small business owner striving to claw their way forward, or a committed employee trying to make a difference, or a community member striving to lift up others. And for Susan Clift Gislason, it’s a sentence she refuses to utter because she’s far more interested in living her vocation than merely doing some job. Let me explain.

Molly Stillman is a podcast host, community leader and author of the forthcoming book If I Don’t Laugh I’ll Cry. She has a deep passion for inspiring others to know they were created on purpose, with a purpose, and for a purpose. Today, Molly shares her journey of growing up the daughter of a Vietnam Army nurse, losing her mother at age 17, and squandering an unexpected quarter of- a-million-dollar inheritance in less than two years while desperately trying to find her place in the world. Through faith, humor and finding moments of joy even in the most trying of circumstances, Molly was able to rediscover her purpose in life. My friends, this conversation will inspire you to see your own life through a lens of redemption and possibility… while also reminding you to not be afraid to laugh at yourself every once in a while!

With the slate of NCAA tournament teams finalized yesterday, hardcore fans and bandwagon followers everywhere now turn to the task of filling out their bracket, predicting which of the teams will advance throughout the 67 game, three-week long tournament. Represented in the mix, of course, are this season’s dominant teams and perennial powerhouses. Alongside those favorites are, in my opinion, the very reason March Madness worms its way into our consciousness each year: the Cinderella teams!

Dr. Nick Fuhrman, also known as Ranger Nick, is an Environmental Education professor at University of Georgia. Often recognized for his engaging and informative presentations, Nick blends humor with educational content to connect with audiences of all ages. Today, Nick shares how he earned his nickname “Ranger Nick”, how it led him to find his calling to educate and how his unconventional yet profound approach helps students build essential skills and overcome anxiety. Throughout, Nick reminds us of the pivotal role that exceptional teachers play as mentors, role models, and champions in all our lives. My friends, prepare to be captivated by Nick's contagious enthusiasm, unwavering passion, and genuine warmth as he reminds us that we harness the power within to create meaningful change in our lives and in the lives of those around us.