Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

"What advice would you give yourself at age 20?" It's a question I've asked every single guest on the Live Inspired Podcast. And after 500 episodes, the answers always move me. As the interviewer, I always learn something from the answer. But it wasn't until the tables were turned and I was asked that question that I realized the true power of taking a moment to consider the answer in our own life. It forces us to take stock of both who we are today and revisit who we were.

Chris Seilkop is a four-time Paralympian and longtime member of the U.S. men's sitting volleyball team. After losing his leg in a lawnmower accident at just seven years old, Chris refused to let tragedy define him. Instead, fueled by resilience, family support, and a love of sports, he built a life defined by perseverance. Along the way, he competed on the world stage, served others through his work with the YMCA and mentored individuals navigating life after amputation. Today, Chris shares how the childhood accident reshaped his life, the community that helped him move forward, and the mindset that carried him from a hospital bed to four Paralympic Games. He reflects on heartbreaking losses, meaningful victories, and the perspective that helped him keep going. My friends, if you've ever faced a setback that made you wonder what comes next, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that life's hardest moments do not get the final word. 

Years ago, I spoke with 40 business owners. The goal of the event was to bring together some of the highest achievers, connect them with one another, and expand their businesses and their lives. Wondering what success even meant to them, I kicked off the session by asking what they would do professionally if they could achieve anything and knew they could not fail. After a moment of reflection, a brave gentleman stood and proudly announced, "I'd make it big. I mean, like really, really big!" He wanted to increase sales, expand personal accomplishments and significantly achieve more success than any of his friends or former classmates. This conversation was eerily similar to one I was part of almost a decade earlier with another gentleman. He, too, had strived to "make it big. Really, really big." The difference was that the conversation with him wasn't taking place in a boardroom with a lifetime of possibility in front of him. No, this conversation took place in a hospital room with a lifetime of regrets staring back at him. Let me explain.

Today, we're joined by Lauren Abraham, a leader helping guide the national Student to Student Program of the Newark Institute, as well as two student participants of the program: Yehudah Greenberg and Ayden Nelson. Through this program, Yehudah and Ayden are boldly stepping into conversations that many adults shy away from and sharing stories, traditions, and lived experiences in an effort to replace stereotypes with understanding. Together, they are proving that real change begins face to face. In our time together, Lauren, Yehudah, and Ayden share how courage grows when you choose visibility over fear and how education becomes transformational when it's personal.  Yehudah speaks about living out his Orthodox Jewish faith openly, even after experiencing antisemitism, and why he refuses to let fear define him.  Ayden reflects on growing up in a split-faith household and how her unique perspective allows her to connect with classmates across differences.  My friends, if you've been wondering whether empathy still stands a chance in today's world, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that change rarely comes from shouting louder; it comes from listening better. And you'll be inspired by young leaders choosing courage over comfort…maybe even prompting you to start a meaningful conversation of your own.

Nearing the end of a hectic week of speaking, I could feel it coming. What began as a raspy voice at the start of one talk turned into a whisper by the end. As a sinus infection intensified, my throat swelled, swallowing hurt and my body ached, but the hardest part wasn't the pain.  It was the silence brought on by laryngitis. For a man who makes his living with words, losing my voice felt like losing a part of myself. After a week of quiet, though, as my voice slowly returned, I realized something unexpected: Losing my voice gave me gifts I didn't know I needed. Let me explain.

Mary DeMuth is a bestselling author, international speaker, host of the Pray Every Day podcast, and has devoted her life to helping people heal from difficult stories. And yet, before guiding others toward hope, Mary was a little girl growing up in chaos, navigating abuse, neglect, addiction, and the loss of her father. Today, Mary shares how to move from victim to survivor to healer, why lament is not weakness but faith refusing to let go, and what forgiveness really looks like in real life. She speaks honestly about trauma resurfacing years later, the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, and how striving to prove your worth can quietly shape your identity. Her words are gentle, grounded, and deeply practical. My friends, if you are tired of carrying pain in silence or rushing yourself past grief, this conversation is for you. You will leave with courage, practical wisdom and the reminder that the best is yet to come.

Early in life, I learned an important truth that would guide the rest of my life: growth rarely happens in comfort. It happens in supply closets when scarred knees are stretched, at dinner tables when you're forced to relearn how to pick up a fork, and on screen porches when you're reminded that the can of gasoline isn't chasing you anymore. Growth doesn't begin when the path is clear and the circumstances are perfect. It begins when we step forward anyway into situations where we feel uncertain, unqualified, even afraid. And when we live like that, it not only changes our lives, but also the lives of those we encounter. Jonathan Babcock lives this truth. Let me explain.

Candace Lightner is the founder of MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving and We Save Lives, nationally and internationally recognized organizations reshaping America's response to drunk driving. After her 13-year-old daughter, Cari, was killed by a repeat drunk driver in 1980, Candace transformed unimaginable grief into a grassroots movement that has saved more than 600,000 lives and led to the passage of over 700 state and federal laws, including raising the drinking age to 21. Today, Candace shares how she turned heartbreak into bold action, why anger can be a catalyst instead of a curse, and what it takes to change laws and culture. She explains why words matter—it's not an "accident," it's a crash or a crime—and how ordinary people, especially grieving mothers, became powerful advocates nationwide. She also reveals how her work continues today through campaigns addressing drunk, drugged, and distracted driving, empowering passengers to speak up and pushing for accountability. My friends, if you've ever looked at injustice and thought, "Someone should do something," this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that one voice (your voice!) can spark change, and that grief and anger can be turned into impact.

"John, everything is going to work out fine." With these words my sweet dad was trying to encourage me and cheer me up. It wasn't working, though. Let me explain.

Rudy Ruettiger is the legendary underdog behind the iconic film RUDY, the walk-on who made one unforgettable play for the University of Notre Dame and became the first player in school history to be carried off the field. One of 14 children raised in a modest home, Rudy overcame dyslexia, rejection, and doubt to become an award-winning speaker, author, producer, and founder of the Rudy Foundation. Today, Rudy shares how discipline and scarcity forged deep gratitude, how the loss of a close friend pushed him to pursue his dream without a backup plan, and how showing up day after day changed everything. He reflects on the ordinary people who encouraged him, the rejection letters that strengthened his resolve, and the persistence it took to turn a long shot into a legacy. At its core, this is a story of hope, perseverance, and courage. My friends, if you have ever felt underestimated, overlooked, or unqualified, this episode is for you. If you are standing at the edge of a dream and wondering whether to take the next step, you will leave reminded that perseverance beats pedigree, character outweighs credentials, and your story has the power to inspire someone else.

Recently I shared a story online about a flight delayed because of the arrogance of one person. Thousands of people liked the post. Hundreds more commented. And the vast majority agreed that the man in first class was profoundly arrogant. Here's what I learned after that post went live:  It turns out, I was the arrogant one. Let me explain.

Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy-winning, James Beard Award-winning chef, television host, author, and global food advocate. Recognized from the wildly popular show Bizarre Foods, Andrew explores culture through cuisine. And yet before the success, Andrew's life was marked by addiction, homelessness, and hard-won second chances that eventually led him towards his purpose. Today, Andrew shares how curiosity saved his life, why asking for help became his turning point, and how food became the lens through which he learned to see people, cultures, and himself more clearly. He opens up about childhood trauma, addiction and recovery, forgiveness, and how choosing "and" instead of "but" can change the way we hold both pain and hope at the same time. My friends, if you've ever felt stuck in your past, ashamed of your mistakes, or unsure how to begin again, this conversation is for you. You'll leave this episode reminded that you are not your worst chapter, that curiosity can reopen closed doors, and that second chances are not rare… they're available to anyone brave enough to ask for help and keep going.

Some stories don't gently ask for your attention. They demand it. Rhonda Bear's story is one of them. Like so many lives lived on fire for good, her story doesn't begin with comfort or clarity. It begins in brokenness. In a childhood marked by chaos, addiction, and uncertainty. By the age of twelve, Rhonda was already searching for something—anything—that might make her feel whole. That search led her down a long and painful road. And yet, what happened next is where her story becomes extraordinary. Let me explain.

Robert Paylor is a former collegiate rugby standout whose life changed in an instant during a national championship match. A spinal cord injury left him paralyzed from the neck down, and doctors told him he would never walk again. He has since defied the odds: walking again, building a family, graduating from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, and becoming a sought-after speaker and author featured in Sports Illustrated and People. Today, Robert shares what it means to lose everything you thought your life would be, how mindset becomes a lifeline when circumstances feel unbearable, and why forgiveness, faith, and gratitude can be the difference between surviving and truly living. He opens up about the moment doctors delivered a devastating prognosis, the long and painful road of rehabilitation, and the inner work required to release anger and choose hope, even when it feels undeserved or impossible. My friends, if you're carrying disappointment, grief, anger, or fear about a future that doesn't look the way you planned, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with practical mental tools to face what feels paralyzing in your own life, a renewed sense of perspective, and a reminder that you are not broken, and you are not done.

As a kid, meeting someone new often sent my heart racing. You see, I worried they'd judge me by the scars on my face, the burns on my arms, or the fingers that were no longer there. My mom- always able to read her kids' thoughts and then directly coach them up- observed my pained hesitation when meeting new people. One day she knelt down, looked me in the eye, and shared life-changing wisdom. Let me explain.

Harold Dennis Jr. is a survivor of the Carrollton Bus Crash, one of the deadliest drunk-driving tragedies in U.S. history. He was just 14 years old when everything changed. What followed was a long road through loss, injury, and grief, and a remarkable journey of resilience. Harold went on to become a college athlete, a nationally recognized example of courage in sports, a medical professional, a husband, a father, and living proof that devastation does not get the final word. Today, Harold Dennis Jr. shares what it took to survive, forgive, and begin again. He opens up about losing his best friend, wrestling with anger and unanswered questions, and choosing forgiveness when it felt impossible. This conversation is honest, unfiltered, and deeply human. My friends, if you're carrying quiet pain, struggling to move forward, or wondering if hope still belongs to you, this conversation is for you. You'll be reminded that healing takes time, forgiveness can be freeing, and your story is still being written.

Two years ago, Beth and I anxiously dropped off our oldest son, Jack, for his first year of college. The school Jack chose- Indiana University- is renowned for its strong business schools, a gorgeous campus, and a long heritage of winning basketball. What it was not known for, however, was its football program. So, it's fair to say our astonishment is real that the most losing program in college football history is chasing its first-ever national championship just 18 months later. And as unlikely as that story is, the story of their quarterback makes it even more remarkable. Let me explain.

Father Joe Detweiler is a Catholic priest, pastor, and living testament to what is possible when hope refuses to let go. As a teenager, Father Joe survived a catastrophic car accident that left doctors unsure he would ever wake up, speak, or recognize the people he loved. Against every medical expectation, he not only recovered, but went on to fulfill his calling to the priesthood, carrying with him a depth of compassion shaped by suffering, faith, and grace.   Today, Father Joe shares what it is like to lose everything in an instant, how faith carried him through a coma and a long road of recovery, and why suffering does not mean God is absent. Often, it means He is closer than ever. He opens up about the people who refused to leave his side, the prayers spoken over him when he could not pray for himself, and the quiet, powerful ways God was working even when hope felt out of reach.   My friends, if you are walking through something hard, whether grief, uncertainty, fear, or exhaustion, this conversation is for you. You will leave reminded that you matter, that your story is not over, and that even in moments when you feel powerless, love is still at work on your behalf. 

A friend said this about a show he'd spent dozens of hours watching, and what struck me wasn't his patience, but his willingness to endure something that never truly moved him. Most of us do the same, filling our nights with noise simply to avoid the quiet. And yet, what we repeatedly allow into our lives shapes the way we see the world. This week, watch SOUL ON FIRE, now streaming on Netflix.

Aaron Golub is the first legally blind athlete to ever play in a Division I football game. With no vision in his right eye and only a small, central "tiny hole" field of sight in his left (and roughly 20/200 in that limited view!), Aaron spent years being underestimated and defined by what others believed he couldn't do, until he decided to rewrite the story himself. Today, Aaron shares what it means to build resilience early, how internal motivation changes everything, and why the challenges we want to escape often become the very things that shape us. From being picked last in every sport to waking up at 5:00 AM to master a single skill, he walks us through the mindset shifts, habits, and leadership lessons that carried him from the sidelines to the field and far beyond it. My friends, if you've ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or tired of being defined by a label, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with renewed hope, quiet confidence, and the reminder that the best of your days remain ahead.