Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

Patric Young, a former basketball star and two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, faced an unimaginable challenge in 2022 when a car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Once a towering force on the court, Patric now embarks on a journey of resilience, faith, and rediscovery, confronting the depths of his identity and strength. Today, Patric shares his journey as he faces adversity and embraces his renewed purpose in life. This story is a guiding light, reminding us to focus on what we can control and to find joy in life's simplest moments. My friends, if you’ve ever wondered how to remain steadfast in the midst of a storm, this conversation is for you.

“Do you ever have bad days?” While speaking with a group of college interns for a large insurance agency last week, I was asked this question. My answer surprised them. In sharing it with you, I hope it offers some encouragement for you. Let me explain.

Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge has led some of the world’s most iconic brands. And yet, it’s what she uncovered about her family's past that’s most incredible. After discovering that her great-great-great-grandmother had been enslaved in Missouri, wrongfully convicted of a crime, and denied the justice she so deserved, Pamela eagerly sought to learn more about her family’s heritage. My friends, today’s episode goes beyond Pamela’s journey as we celebrate unity, collaboration and how we can’t change the past, but we can certainly learn from it.

Every day offers the same opportunity: To invest in activities, efforts, work and conversations that build others up or to choose attitudes, words and actions that push others down. The choice we make profoundly influences how we feel about our lives and our capacity to positively impact the lives of those around us. Let me explain.  

At the tender age of nine, Kim Meeder faced an unimaginable tragedy when she lost both her parents in a matter of minutes. Though losing her parents in such a horrific way could have shattered her spirit forever, she discovered strength in her faith and solace in the company of horses. It was in taking care of, riding, and simply being in the presence of these majestic animals that she found her path to healing. Today, Kim shares how she transformed her pain into a life filled with purpose and joy, and how she shares this freedom with others, encouraging them to find their own paths to healing through Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. My friends, if you want to hear a story of what being open to the unexpected can bring, and how to turn an evil tragedy into a life of beautiful healing, this conversation is for you.

“I'm losing it. These were the final words spoken by the great singer, Frank Sinatra. The man who spent his life performing at sold-out theaters and proudly proclaiming he did it his way recognized at the end of his life that none of us are totally in control. Emily Dickinson offered a more poetic reflection as death approached. She looked past those gathered in the room and spoke these words, "I must go in, the fog is rising." "Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven't said enough."  Karl Marx shared this sentiment as he prepared to die. Even though he felt he’d said enough, they unintentionally became the last words he ever spoke. Fools or not, at some point we all speak words which will become our last. Have you ever considered what your final words might be? Have you ever heard someone share theirs?  As we savor the last summer before taking our oldest son to college, I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on some last words shared with me. Let me explain.

Christina Rasmussen is an acclaimed grief educator who has dedicated her life to helping others navigate the often misunderstood and silent struggles of everyday loss. Her mission is to guide others to living life fully and joyously. Today, Christina shares how she overcame her fears and limitations while growing up in Greece, how she confronted the profound grief of losing her husband to cancer at a young age and how she’s helping others navigate their journeys with loss and grief. My friends,  if you’re looking for a conversation that underscores resilience, the power of community, and how to embrace life’s fullest potential, this episode is for you.

With intensifying conflicts around the world, ever-amplifying political tension in the United States, and persistent personal challenges we all deal with daily, it’s easy to feel lost in the seemingly growing shadow of darkness. And yet, there are examples around us of individuals who survive unspeakable heartache, remarkably heal, and today reflect light into a world longing for it. Few individuals personify this more brilliantly than my friend, Kim Meeder.

For 91 harrowing days, Immaculée Ilibagiza huddled a tiny bathroom with seven other women while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Today, Immaculée stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Join us at Immaculee shares her excruciating experience, how she found her faith and taught herself English in the midst of unimaginable terror, and most incredibly, embraced a life of peace, hope and forgiveness, even for those who had murdered her family. My friends, Immaculée's story isn't just about survival; it's about the boundless capacity for faith and resilience that lies within each of us. It's a reminder that no matter how dire the circumstances, we all have the power to rise above, to find peace within, and to spread love and hope to the world.

Today, many of us will enjoy a day off work. We'll sleep in, take walks, watch shows, or spend time with family and friends. And yet, many in our communities remain unaware of the true significance of this day. On this Memorial Day, let us pause and remember why we have this day off. Let us give thanks for the incredible opportunities we have today and remember the ultimate sacrifices that provided these freedoms. In a world where we often celebrate people for their beauty, social following, or professional success, let’s ensure the humility, sacrifice, life, and death of these heroes continue to shine brightly through those of us lucky enough to live on.  

While filming On Fire the Film, I had the incredible honor of working alongside heroes, experts, and a phenomenal crew of actors. Yet, there was one person who truly stood out: Jamison Sweet. His humility, excellence, and genuine love for others were unmistakable. As I got to know Jamison, I witnessed his remarkable service and unwavering dedication—not just to our nation as a Marine, but to each person he encountered, including me. Today, Jamison shares his inspiring journey of serving 15 years in the Marine Corps, which included significant missions like Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. He also served as a Casualty Assistance Calls Officer, a role that required immense courage and compassion as he delivered heart-wrenching news to families of fallen Marines. Plus, we share some of our most memorable moments on set. My friends, this conversation is a tribute to the spirit of service and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Join me as Jamison reminds us how to lift each other up, find beauty in our ow

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 ex

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 t

"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.