Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

"Pay attention to the movements in your soul." Fr. Jim Martin is an author, speaker, editor for American Magazine, contributor to the New York Times, Jesuit priest and consultant to the Vatican. SO MUCH in the marketplace is secular so I know this may feel unfamiliar. Actually, question #13 on the survey I give clients to help me prepare my presentation is this: "What topic do you not want me to speak to?"  Nearly each of the 1,500+ presentations I've given I've received the same answer: Religion and politics. My friends, if we are unwilling to even whisper about religion and politics - we'll never find common ground or live our best lives. Today's episode is much less about religion and much more about discovery and how to live our best life going forward. Today, Fr. Jim will help us better understand the movements in our soul... and why it's critically important that we stop and listen to them. SHOW NOTES: Fr. Jim did not grow up in a religious household.  He studied finance + took a job with GE. The first

“I wanted the same opportunities as the next person. I was no different, other than skin color.” In 1954, the Supreme Court decided with Brown vs. Board of Education that separate schools for black and white students were unconstitutional. In the spring of 1957, Little Rock, Arkansas was the epicenter of racial tension as Little Rock Central High School prepared for the integration of its first nine students of color.  Carlotta Walls LaNier was a member of the "Little Rock Nine." In the decades since, Carlotta was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor a US citizen can receive, for championing freedom and persevering in the face of bigotry to earn equal rights for herself and others.  Join me and Carlotta to talk about her historic role in school integration and how she has been an inspirational leader for so many despite the challenges she faced. SHOW NOTES:  In the spring of 1957, at the age 14, she was the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine. Brown vs. Board of education (1954) was ta

"Success leaves a blueprint." My friends success leaves a blueprint and we are lucky to have 10 amazing guests who shared their blueprint - trials, errors, challenges, wins, successes, joys - with us this season. Learning from their model, we will become more inspired in the way we lead our lives. I can't believe we get to hang out with these amazing friends. II’ll recap my favorite lessons, so you can be reminded and/or encouraged to go back to the episodes that are most relevant for you; so that you can live your most inspired life with a little help from our friends. SHOW NOTES: Ep. #45: SALLY HOGSHEAD, listen here. Sally typically shares her expertise on branding with major brands like Nike, Ikea and Target. On this episode, she helps us identify our best qualities, and those of our businesses, so we can better connect with others and live inspired. You'll love the simple Fascination Quiz she shares so you can dig deeper after the episode. Sally also told a story she doesn't often share, during which s

"We are so much more than mortals suffering on this planet." Each of the 50+ episodes of the Live Inspired Podcast I end by asking our guest the "Live Inspired 7 Questions." The first - What is your favorite book? - has been answered SO MANY times with: Johnathan Livingston Seagull.  So intrigued by the impact this little book had on so many of our amazing guests (and from a little research quickly learned on millions worldwide since it was published in 1970) I knew we had to have the author on the show. The beloved author, Richard Bach, has written 30 book, is a pilot, philosopher, seeker of love and doesn't often grant interviews. I am so honored to have him joining us to share about his writing, the accident that nearly cost his life and the nearly 8 decades of inspired living he's been granted thus far. Join me and Richard Bach today to talk about listening to the voice that calls out to you and a little seagull named Johnathan. SHOW NOTES: "When we ask we receive." Describing his famous book, "here is a

"Hard work and applying yourself to be the very best you can be everyday: That is what life is all about." Today my boyhood hero joins us. Introducing him as a friend is a dream come true. Ozzie Smith is a 13-time, MLB Gold-Glove-winning short stop for the St. Louis Cardinals. When I was burned as a 9-year-old, Cardinals' announcer Jack Buck promised me John O'Leary Day at the Ballpark when I recovered. At John O'Leary Day: I got to meet Ozzie for the first time. This summer, on the 30th anniversary of that day, Ozzie and I reconnected. Join me and Ozzie as we talk about humility, being a role model, baseball and how each has allowed him to lead an inspired life. SHOW NOTES: "People are looking up at you, they are watching. Give them an example that is worthy. Make sure you leave people better when they walk away from you then they were when they walked towards you." Watch Ozzie interview John on Cardinals' Insider here. From growing up in a single-parent home, to being the only African American player o

"Are you sewing seeds for 50-year relationships or 5-minute relationships?" John Ruhlin grew up 1 of 6 kids on a farm in Ohio. He learned first hand that, when you're poor - generosity does not go unnoticed. When working his way through college, he met a mentor who shaped the trajectory of his life. The foundation for success in his mentor's relationships, business and life was: Generosity. Today, 15 years later, John teaches generosity as a competitive advantage in business for clients like NASCAR and the Miami Dolphins and is the author of Giftology.  With the holidays around the corner, join me and John to learn how to give more inspired gifts this year and always. SHOW NOTES: Are you sewing seeds for 50-year relationships or 5-minute relationships? When someone continues to do nice things for us with no strings attached, it is in our nature to want to reciprocate. We are all born with a gratitude muscle, some are bigger than others, you can work to grow it every day. John Ruhlin references 5 Love Languag

"I'd rather die on a mule in Mexico then on a bed at home." Edie Littlefield Sundby had just mortgaged her home to start a new business when she received a diagnosis of stage 4 gallbladder cancer. After months of treatment, she decided she needed to take a walk to "pour out her overflowing emotions.” She set out on the impossible: Walking the entire 1,600 miles of El Camino Real "Mission" trail from Mexico to California. Edie trekked - dodging drug smugglers, rattlesnakes, mountain lions and scorpions - and concluded with a new perspective that allowed her to see every new day as a bonus. Walk for a moment with Edie and me to hear her amazing lessons on living life, even one with devastating challenges, inspired. NOTES: Look at every day as a bonus. Refuse to live a diminished life. Get a copy of Edie's newly released book The Mission Walker  What do you do when life throws a devastating challenge your way? When Edie was given a grim prognosis; she knew she had to do something extraordinary to continue livin

Every 6 minutes people check their phones. Married adults spend more time online than with their spouse. People spend 1 - 4 hours loafing on the internet during a work day. Wow -- it's easy to see the problem! But today, we're talking about solutions so you can live inspired in this tech-centered world. Curt Steinhorst shares hacks to better focus and communicate regardless of tech distractions and insights from his new book, Can I Have Your Attention? SHOW NOTES: Order Curt's new book Can I Have Your Attention? here. Our most precious resource, our attention, is divided because our brains are wired to say, "What will make me feel good now [and everything is at our fingertips on our phones]. " Set barriers to the access so you have reasonable time to be disconnected / focused on the important areas in life. Did you know that when you're away from tech for 5 days, your empathy levels go up? Don't allow tech to push you away from intentional moments with people you love. The "barriers" at our house: Hide

"Profits are the applause you get for taking care of your employees and customers." Dina Dwyer-Owens learned this lesson early when she took her first job working at her father's car wash at age 13. Years later, she took her lessons from the car wash and a leap of faith to drop out of college and join her dad at his new company: The Dwyer Group. She has never looked back. Today, Dina is co-chairwoman, has more than 3,000 franchisees across North America and appeared on the CBS hit Undercover Boss. On Live Inspired Podcast Episode #49, learn how Dina runs her business by focusing on clients, employees and an clear core value system. Even better: Apply this 3-part focus in your life so you can live and work inspired. SHOW NOTES: Lessons Dina learned from working with her dad: Never be afraid to ask. Always be honest with people. "Have clear goals and go for them. He squeezed 100 years of life into his 60 years because of this." To keep the special culture her dad created alive, they established, operational

"It was out of abject failure that I learned to speak." My friends, today we get to hang out with a legendary speaker. Mark Sanborn has spoken around the world 2,500+ times, authored the wildly popular Fred Factor and just released The Potential Principle.  Mark will share his story about being a boy in 4H Club who failed at presenting a 5-minute speech... and how he transformed that failure into a successful speaking career. As Mark says: "We enjoy our successes but learn more from our setbacks." Join us and get read to transform challenges into an inspired life. SHOW NOTES: Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be extraordinary. It was out of abject failure that I learned to speak. I bombed so badly giving a 5-minute speech in grade school it made me want to learn to write and deliver a winning speech.  When someone says it doesn't matter, usually they're just minimizing disappointment.  We enjoy our successes but learn a lot more from our setbacks. Look for the pain in your life; often there's an oppor

So many of us are experts at identifying what is wrong in the world, aren't we? What sets today's guest apart is that he didn't just identify what was wrong in his industry, he created a solution to the problem... and built a business around it. I am so inspired by Daniel Silverstein, who you'll know as "Zero Waste Daniel" after our conversation today. I'm thrilled to share with you, during New York Fashion Week and fashion "season" around the world, a man who is adding an inspired twist to the industry. SHOW NOTES:  Every piece of clothing made in a factory (which is most of the clothing we wear) had to be cut out of a sheet of fabric. The leftovers scraps end up in landfills. I created Zero Waste Daniel to use these scraps + create articles that are less wasteful. I was a very active kid, with ADD and a wild imagination. My family recognized this and helped me channel it. I had a lot of interests and mannerisms that set me apart from my peers in rural Pennsylvania. Incredible mother figures encouraged me

Today is a special episode of the Live Inspired podcast in light of September being Suicide Prevention Month 2017. Dennis Gillan joins us to share his story on a topic that affects us all: Mental health. He's committed his life to reducing the number of completed suicides and removing the stigma around mental health after losing his own two brothers to suicide. Today's episode will help us break down the stigma around mental health and better care for ourselves, those we love and those who are in the wake of suicide already. Don’t miss this powerful episode. SHOW NOTES: Talk saves lives. If you're dealing with mental health issues, diagnosed or not, know that it's okay to talk about it. 9 out of 10 people who die from suicide have a mental illness. Dennis was away at college when his older brother Mark died by suicide. "I came home for the funeral but didn't even stay a week. As a family we just kept going as if things were normal. I didn't see a counselor - I started drinking a lot." "When suicide happens,

What are your qualities that people are most attracted to? What makes you intrinsically you? Sally Hogshead, author of Fascinate: How to Make Your Brand Impossible to Resist, was in a car accident as a girl. The resulting damage to her face left her feeling that her "smile had turned into a grimace." As an extrovert who connected through her smile, this left her insecure and unsure how to connect with others. Sally has come a long way in the 30 years since the accident, but it's still at the heart of the work she does: "Its a gift to get to share with other people what their best gifts are so that no one feels insecure." Sally shares her expertise with major brands and teams like Nike, Ikea and Target. Today, she shares with us so we can identify our best qualities (and those of our business) so we  can better connect with others and live inspired. SHOW NOTES Aspire to be the best YOU; not compared to others. When you put time into your natural gifts (v. spending time improving weaknesses), you make extraord

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost   I love this quote from Robert Frost. Each of our guests from Season 4, though very different from each other (from co-founder of eHarmony to a super model and ESPN host to my personal business coach), chose the path less travelled... and it "truly made all the difference."   On episode 44, I'm sharing with you my favorite take aways from each Season 4 guest. You'll not only get a rapid-fire inspirational download, but also see which episodes speak to you most so you can revisit them.   Here we go! 10 amazing guests and my favorite takeaway from each:   SHOW NOTES: Les Parrott, co-creator of eHarmony, psychologist, professor, author, husband and father: "The most important thing you can do for your relationship is what you do for yourself." This episode is for you if: You're ready to improve your relationships or long for a stronger relationship at home or in the mirror.  Edie Var

"Take a breath and focus on what is important right now. Don't get too far ahead and miss what you need to do now." This advice comes from Chris Norton. You've likely "met" him through the viral video of him walking across the stage at his graduation. Why was this so meaningful? Chris was paralyzed while playing NCAA football. Accomplishing this walk became his biggest goal. His walk, story and determination will give you amazing insight to live more inspired today. SHOW NOTES: "I didn't think anything could ever happen to me. I thought: 'That's for stories in the paper.'" Stop take a breath and focus on what is important right now. Don't get too far ahead and miss what you need to do now. I was given 3% chance to ever regain feeling or movement below my neck. I let the odds go in one ear and out the other. There were 2 ways to react: Accept it + feel sorry for myself. -OR- Decide to overcome it. I chose the latter. "What can I do today to get better." The first day I nodded my head all day; it was all I co

"Our job on this planet is to perpetuate love." Today's guest is the host of ESPN's Sports Science show, has won 6-emmies and wrote the New York Times bestseller The Perfection Point. John Brenkus realized early in his college career that he wanted to be in the entertainment industry. With this as his singular focus - and without any connections in the field - he took a personal oath to learn the ins and outs of of producing entertainment himself... and just started. In his parents' basement. "I had to have persistence, stubbornness d+ belief to stick around when I was just scraping by. I was just scraping by for a long time." He had success partnering with the Discovery Channel which led to FOX Sports, National Geographic and others. Today, more than ten years later: He is still doing what he loves.  Producing shows that are positive, entertain and educate. Today we get to take a lesson on living inspired from a man who works hard to share positive stories in the media AND has gleaned what it takes to make h

Born on a farm in Oklahoma, the first 15 years of Leah's life allowed her quiet space to and hope and dream about what life could be. When her family moved when she was 15, Leah found herself scrambling to fit in and willing to bend and conform to societal pressures to ensure she did. This ultimately led her to have the prestigious role of "America's Next Top Model." Until one day - she couldn't do it any more. Tune in to hear what finally broke Leah Darrow of her willingness to maintain an unhappy status quo and break free into the life she was meant to lead.  SHOW NOTES: Often we mistakenly find our identity and worth in other people. A lot of problems arise when we don't see the value of who we are regardless of who is holding our hand. After making a mistake in her adolescence, she didn't think she was worthy of forgiveness so she lived her life out of fear. This way, she didn't have to change, she could just live out comfortably. As a model I was living in a world where only the exterior mattered. But t

"You must be present to win. To win in your relationships at work and at home - you must be present." Bestselling author of Nice Bike, phenomenal leadership guru and longtime speaker, Mark Scharenbroich is going to school us on how to connect more effectively with people AND: remind us the importance of doing it. SHOW NOTES: My shop teacher, Leroy, had a big influence on me. One day he asked how I was doing. I said fine. He said, did you think that through? Fine? Is that the kind of life you want to live? He said ask me how I'm doing. I'm GREAT. Great is something to strive for. That's the direction I'm going.  God gave each of us a gift. It's our job to discover it and use it for good. On not so good days I still say "I'm great" and in my head I add "ful" - grateful. If you see something say something. When people go out of their way to help, say something; thank them.  The right moment to tell someone they've had an impact on your life is right now.  Acknowledge, honor, connect. Acknowledge means be fully

"How you respond to adversity determines the story you write." Life came at Ben hard and fast. When he was 6 months old, his divorcee mom was diagnosed with a rare disease and given only a few years to live. The above quote is one Ben gleaned from his mother’s journal*, which he received 10 years after she passed. The time capsule of her positive attitude preserved in the journal swept Ben away. Today, he shares her worldview as a performance coach, speaker and author. You're going to love Ben’s story, heart + concrete tools to build the business and life you want. Don’t miss it. SHOW NOTES: Life is tough but we have it in us to keep fighting. Black boxes: We all have these places where we tuck away things we aren’t ready to deal with. (For me, that was my mom’s journal.) The stuff that takes you deep and makes you ask: Is it time for me to go there? Don’t wait too long to take on the stuff that hurts. Real challenges show real character. Have courage and surround yourself with people who help give you tha

"Today we're going to talk about the power of one. One individual. One action. One impact." The truth that one person can absolutely change the word is one I learned from my burn team when I was in the hospital. Today I am going to share one example of this truth. After being burned on 100% of my body, I wasn't expected to survive much less walk. But, Roy taught me to do exactly that; walk and SO much more. On today's episode, I  share the story of Nurse Roy; a story I used to share from the stage but don't often get the chance to today. It's amazing and I am certain it will help you to see even more clearly the impact you are having in the lives of others everyday. SHOW NOTES: Forget fear, let's talk about love. Love is the starting point. Realize that your life matters. "When you know your why, you can endure any how." From Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Instead of listening in fear, tune in with love. If you do your job, no matter what it is, with purpose and passion: You'll do something bigge