Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Somewhere between their first steps, the first day of kindergarten, and their first drive, we parents begin to realize something:

The chapter of raising our children is slowly coming to a close.

And with it come the questions.

Will they make good decisions? Did we prepare them well enough? Will they find their people&...

Kathryn Nicolai is the creator and host of the beloved podcast Nothing Much Happens, where her soothing bedtime stories help millions of adults quiet their minds and find more restful sleep. A former yoga instructor and lifelong storyteller, Kathryn has transformed her childhood practice of creating stories before bed into books, audiobooks, and a comforting community for people seeking peace in a noisy world.

Today, Kathryn shares...

Lana Wilhelm is a nurse, case manager, and caregiver advocate. After her husband suffered a stroke in 2021, Lana found herself on the other side of the healthcare system and discovered how little support exists for those caring for the people they love. Now, as the founder of CarePower Connect and host of the Both Sides of the Bed podcast, she helps caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.

Today, Lana shares how her husband...

Looking at this old photo of my Grandpa Bob and me, I don't remember anything about the day it was taken. But what I do remember is the man beside me and the countless lessons I learned from him.

When I got a little older, Grandpa Bob would pick me up from work every Tuesday and we'd head to lunch. It was always either Italian or Chinese. Without fail, he'd spill something o...

Paul Anleitner is a cultural theologian, author of Based on a True Story, and President & CEO of Goodmakers, where he helps people understand how culture and the stories we believe shape our search for meaning. Drawing from theology, philosophy, and science, Paul has become a leading voice on navigating today's cultural shifts with hope, wisdom, and purpose.

Today, Paul shares how the stories we embrace influence the way we see...

Brad Ryan is a wildlife veterinarian, conservationist, and bestselling author whose remarkable journey with his grandmother inspired millions. After battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts during veterinary school, Brad made one courageous decision: taking his 85-year-old grandmother camping so she could see her first mountain. That trip grew into an eight-year adventure to all 63 U.S. National Parks... and transformed ...

Karen Olson is the founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, the national nonprofit that has helped more than one million people experiencing homelessness through the support of volunteers across the country. While working as a successful marketing executive in New York City, Karen's life took an unexpected turn when she stopped to share a sandwich with a woman named Millie. That simple act of kindness ultimately inspired Family ...

For the past several summers, each of my four kids has been able to pick one work trip they want to join me on. They look through my speaking schedule, choose the destination, and other than the hour I'm on stage, they decide what we do together.

They call it "The Daddy Trip."

They think it's for them.

Truthfully, it'...

Thais Gibson is a counselor, relationship expert, and founder of The Personal Development School. And yet, before helping others transform their lives, she was a teenager struggling with addiction, anxiety, and the lingering effects of a difficult childhood. Her own healing journey led her to study why we think, feel, and react the way we do, and today she helps people build healthier relationships with themselves and others.

Today...

Stephen (Steve) Starring Grant spent decades helping some of the world's biggest brands, including IBM, Prudential, Jaguar, and Burger King, better understand human behavior. But after losing his corporate job during the pandemic and facing a cancer diagnosis, he found himself in an unexpected role: delivering mail through the mountains of Appalachia.

Today, Steve shares the identity crisis that followed losing a career he'd spent ...

A year ago, we gathered as a family around my dad's bed as he took his final breath.

Last week, that same family gathered again. Mom, my five siblings, spouses, children, grandchildren…we all came together not at his house, but at his favorite place to vacation.

Although we had more than two dozen family members on this trip, everywhere we...

Neil Pasricha is a 10-time New York Times bestselling author, one of the world's leading voices on happiness, and the creator of 1000 Awesome Things, the award-winning blog that has attracted more than 100 million readers. Through his books, research, and storytelling, Neil has inspired millions to find joy, gratitude, and meaning in everyday life.

Today, Neil shares the personal setbacks that changed his life, the heartbreaki...

"Why didn't you go to Jack Buck's funeral?"

That was the very first question asked during a Q&A after I spoke in New Jersey last month.

I bought a little time by responding, "Well, not exactly the softball opener I had hoped for!"

The audience laughed awkwardly, I smiled nervously, and then I answered honestly:

Kevin Clark is an entrepreneur, Emmy Award-winning producer, and co-founder of Blessn, a faith-based social media platform designed to bring more positivity, encouragement, and connection into the digital world. After building a successful career in entertainment, Kevin discovered his greatest purpose was creating businesses and communities that serve others.

Today, Kevin shares how a chance meeting backstage at the Academy Awards ...

Most of us believe making a difference requires something big.

A big platform. A big title. A big personality. A big story.

Trust me, I understand why.

For much of my life, people have introduced me through the lens of having a big story. They know about the burns, the explosion, the hospital rooms, the visits from ce...