Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

Jason O. Harris is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, fourth-generation service member, professional pilot, best-selling author, and nationally sought-after keynote speaker on trust and leadership. Jason spent nearly three decades serving our country in the U.S. Air Force, flying 11 combat deployments and more than 470 combat sorties, ultimately commanding a Boeing KC-46 Tanker Aircraft Squadron. He carries those hard-earned lessons beyond the cockpit and into boardrooms, equipping leaders and teams to build trust, accountability, and peak performance when it matters most. Today, Jason shares how trust is built under pressure, why leadership is revealed in moments of uncertainty, and what it truly means to "make the dash count." He opens up about growing up in chaos, learning the power of environment and influence early in life, and how high-risk combat missions shaped his belief that you don't rise to the occasion… you fall to the level of your training. My friends, if you're craving clarity in your leadership, c

One of the great joys of On Fire For Good is celebrating people who change lives through a kind word or a quiet act. And every so often, we meet a leader who has figured out how to do that—at scale. Miren Oca is one of those leaders. Let me explain.

Colleen Costigan is the co-founder and executive director of BEAM Kenya, an organization built on the belief that every child deserves the chance to heal, learn, and lead. While living a successful corporate life and doing everything "right," a one-month volunteer trip to Kenya redirected her future and became a lifelong commitment now serving thousands of children through education and mental health support. Today, Colleen shares how that one short trip became a lifelong calling, why education alone is not enough to break cycles of poverty, and how trauma-informed mental health care can change the trajectory of a child's life. She opens up about meeting a teenage girl named Faith, whose story reshaped Beam's mission, and how heartbreak, perseverance, and hope all coexist when you choose to serve others in hard places. My friends, if you've ever felt a tug on your heart you couldn't explain… this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that small, brave steps can lead to extraordinary impact, that your

With Christmas just days away, excitement fills our homes… twinkling lights, festive music, and hardly any sleep. Growing up, every tradition seemed to build toward Christmas morning and the thrill waiting just beyond my bedroom door. But before the presents, before the surprises, there was one simple ritual that mattered most. Let me explain.

Dave Sanderson is a nationally recognized leadership speaker, accomplished author, and the last passenger of US Airways Flight 1549, the Miracle on the Hudson. On January 15, 2009, Dave survived what should have been a tragedy, emerging from the icy Hudson River alive and forever changed. In the years since, he has dedicated his life to sharing lessons on leadership, faith, preparation, and purpose. Today, Dave shares what it means to face fear head-on, how the decisions we make in uncertain moments define who we become, and why the meaning we attach to adversity shapes the rest of our lives. From the deafening silence after the engines failed, to the prayer he whispered as the plane descended, to the choice to turn back and help others instead of racing to safety, Dave opens up about leadership under pressure, faith when the outcome is unknown, and the quiet courage required to do the right thing when it matters most. My friends, if you're walking through uncertainty, stress, or a moment that feels heavier

I've held many titles in my life, and I'm grateful for all of them. But my favorite job title, by far, has always been Dad. As Patrick moves through his senior year of high school and toward a future that looks a little different than I once imagined, that role has never meant more. Let me explain.

Josh Pauls is a four-time Paralympic gold medalist, longtime captain of Team USA Sled Hockey, and a keynote speaker whose story of resilience has inspired audiences around the world. Born without shinbones and losing both legs before his first birthday, Josh has spent his life defying expectations... and lifting others as he rises. Today, Josh shares how he fell in love with sled hockey, the lessons learned from becoming a young captain on the world stage, and the personal journey that led him to embrace who he is fully, confidently, joyfully. He unpacks the meaning of his mantra "standards over feelings," the teammates who became his family, the role his wife Kate played in helping him see himself through a kinder lens, and why letting kids face challenges might be the greatest gift a parent can offer. My friends, if you're craving a reminder that your challenges don't define you, (your choices do!) this conversation is for you. Whether you're leading a team, raising a family, or simply trying to show up bra

In preparing to close the chapter on another year, I find myself reflecting on the innumerable ups and downs of 2025. If your year looked anything like mine, it held moments of soaring joy but also heartbreaking loss. Let me explain.

Dr. Gregory Ross is President and Head of School at the remarkable West End School in Louisville, Kentucky. A nationally recognized educator and transformational leader, Greg has created one of the most successful K–8 programs in the state, where every student attends on full scholarship and consistently outperforms state averages. His journey from humble beginnings in Paducah to leading one of the country's most inspiring schools is nothing short of extraordinary. Today, Greg shares how growing up with scarcity shaped his unshakeable faith, how a miraculous childhood healing set the course for his life's purpose, and how he's building a culture of excellence in one of Kentucky's most underserved communities. He talks about the power of seeing the "genius in every child," the way his mother taught eight kids to believe they were royalty even when they had nothing, and the daily practices that turn overwhelmed students into confident scholars and leaders. My friends, you'll walk away with a renewed belief in w

Have you ever had a holiday hangover? No, I am not referring to the kind you might get from staying out too late or having one too many drinks. I mean how you feel after all the build-up of Christmas- the preparation, the cooking, the eating, opening of presents, and racing to parties- comes to an end often leaving you a little tired, a good bit in debt, and emotionally beat down. Several years ago, a woman with nine and a half decades of experience gave me some advice to help prevent that type of hangover from starting in the first place. Let me explain.

Donnie Campbell is a longtime math teacher, four-decade coach, national leadership speaker, and the real-life inspiration behind the beloved TV character Ted Lasso. Donnie has spent 40 years shaping students and athletes with a simple but powerful philosophy: build people first, players second. Today, Donnie shares the lessons that humbled him during his early years at Kansas State, the shift that turned him from frustrated athlete to extraordinary teammate, and the coaching approach that shaped Jason Sudeikis long before Ted Lasso ever hit a screen. He also reflects on the heartbreaks that formed his empathy, the mentors who taught him to lead with kindness, and the unexpected day a coworker told him he'd inspired a global hit TV show. My friends, if you need a reminder that your influence matters far more than you'll ever realize, this conversation is for you. You'll leave this episode with simple, memorable tools for leading others well, showing up with humility, and believing in yourself even when you fee

Some people carry a light within them that's impossible to miss. It isn't loud or showy — it's steady, warm, and contagious. That's how I felt the first time I learned about James Chalmers. One of five children, James' parents noticed early on that he was a little different than his siblings. He was born with Cri-du-chat Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects development and communication. As he grew up, James wrestled with questions many of us ask: Why am I different? Do I matter? What am I supposed to do with my life? Then one spring day in 1992, everything changed. Let me explain.

Chris Trapper is the platinum-selling singer-songwriter whose unmistakable blend of honesty, humor, and heart has made his music a source of comfort for listeners around the world. With more than a dozen albums, major-label success, and a long career of writing songs that feel like they were pulled straight from real life, Chris has become a trusted voice in the art of turning struggle into something beautiful. Today, Chris shares how music became his refuge during a childhood marked by a speech impediment, how he learned to turn vulnerability into a superpower, and the personal stories behind some of his most beloved songs (including "Into the Bright Lights," featured in our film SOUL ON FIRE!). He opens up about family, addiction, the winding road of the music industry, and why humility has been the steady anchor throughout every chapter of his life. My friends, if you need a reminder that your story — with all its bumps, twists, and imperfect edges — still holds incredible worth, this conversation is for y

Everywhere we look the world highlights everything separating us. From our news headlines, social media feeds, even across the dinner table, differences are magnified, divisions are emphasized and it can leave us feeling distant, isolated, discouraged. And yet, what I've learned is that despite everything seemingly pulling us apart, we're far more alike than we realize. In fact, our hope with SOUL ON FIRE was simple: to remind people of our shared humanity, to encourage moviegoers to embrace the beauty of their life story, and to inspire audiences to bravely live with faith, hope and love. Since release, we've received hundreds of correspondences from veterans, widows, pastors, addicts, business owners, retirees, and students that the film delivered on those goals. One of my favorites arrived three weeks ago. Let me explain.

Claude Silver is on a mission to bring more humanity into the workplace. As the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, she partners with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to drive their success and redefine what leadership looks like. Instead of striving for perfection, Claude reminds us that the real power lies in showing up as ourselves. Her debut book, Be Yourself at Work, makes a bold case that authenticity and empathy aren't soft skills… they're the strongest tools we have.   Today, Claude shares how she learned to lead with heart, listen with intention, and create cultures where people don't just fit in, they belong. From her early lessons in self-discovery to her role guiding teams around the world, Claude opens up about the road to self-awareness, the courage to be vulnerable, and the practical ways we can all lead with compassion and purpose.   My friends, if you've ever felt like you had to hide part of yourself to succeed, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that kindness is strength, auth

Looking back at last month, I'm in awe of all we've been a part of. I had the honor of speaking at dozens of events around the country, participated in more than 100 media interviews, and shared SOUL ON FIRE with nearly half a million new friends at movie theaters nationwide. It was a month overflowing with goodness, gratitude and grace. And yet in the midst of that race, if I'm honest, I occasionally felt exhausted, a little lost and in need of others to guide me forward. One of those moments occurred at Midway Airport. Let me explain.

Glen Henry is a creator, husband, father of four, and the heart behind Beleaf in Fatherhood, a YouTube community of more than a million people. Once a hip-hop artist who didn't want kids, Glen is now one of the most powerful voices reshaping what it means to be a modern dad. Through his podcast How Married Are You?, his new book Father Yourself First, and his storytelling online, Glen brings humor, honesty, and hope to the everyday chaos of parenting.   Today, Glen shares how becoming a father led him to face the wounds of his past, rediscover his purpose, and learn that leading your family starts with leading yourself. He opens up about mentorship, faith, the beauty in ordinary family life, and how to heal from the inside out so you can show up with love, presence, and purpose.   My friends, if you've ever wondered whether you're doing enough, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with a deeper sense of grace for yourself, a renewed belief in the power of family, and the encouragement to keep showing up

A few critics said SOUL ON FIRE couldn't possibly be true: that no one survives burns that severe, that Jack Buck wouldn't visit a stranger's hospital room, that the "O'Reily" home could never be rebuilt. But every bit of it happened. And if you think that's unbelievable… wait until you hear what happened inside the prison. Let me explain.

David Green is the founder of Hobby Lobby, one of the largest privately owned arts and crafts retailers in the world. Bill High is the CEO of Legacy Stone, a nonprofit that helps families build lasting legacies of faith, generosity, and purpose. Together, they've spent decades guiding leaders, parents, and communities to think beyond success and toward significance. Today, David and Bill share how humble beginnings, hard-earned wisdom, and a lifetime of faith have shaped their understanding of legacy. They open up about building family culture, navigating conflict with humility, and redefining success not by what you leave behind but by what you set in motion. You'll also hear how how their new book, Legacy of Life, provides lessons on building a life that matters for generations to come. My friends, if you've ever wondered what kind of impact your life is making or how to pass on what truly matters to the people you love most, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that your influence doesn't en

Throughout the promotion of SOUL ON FIRE, one name kept coming up around our office- Jan Roseberry! She was booking theaters, posting constantly on social media, even sending "you got this" notes to my team during one of the busiest seasons of our professional lives. And it made me wonder: what kind of person gives so freely of their time and heart for something bigger than themselves? Over the past few weeks, I've gotten to know Jan even better than I previously did. And what I've discovered is that what makes her remarkable isn't one big moment. It's a lifetime of saying yes to growth, even when the next step wasn't clear. And Jan's story reminds each of us that purpose often begins with a single, small yes.   Let me explain.