Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Jason Watson was born with a knack for connecting easily with others, influencing those around him, and exhibiting a resourceful mentality. The youngest of 10 siblings to an addicted mother and a deceased father, Jason grew up in an impoverished neighborhood. Nearly all his neighbors shared the tragic bonds of being completely broke and of having incarcerated family members. As a young boy, Jason remembers not having Christmas presents under the tree yet not feeling bad about it because neither did most of his friends. But what Jason remembers most poignantly from childhood wasn't a lack of material possession, it was a profound lack of hope. Let me explain.

Rich Diviney is a leadership and human performance expert, and retired Navy SEAL commander. As the officer in charge of training for a specialized command, Rich was intimately involved in an extremely specialized SEAL selection process, which pared down a group of exceptional candidates to a small cadre of the most elite optimal performers. Today, Rich shares how in working with and selecting top special operators for decades, there are hidden drivers of performance beyond the obvious skills. These attributes, including adaptability, courage and perseverance, shape how we perform as individuals and as part of a team. My friends, if you want to learn how to develop these key attributes and perform optimally, at any time, in any situation, this conversation is for you.

"The scars exist because the wounds have healed." -Henri Nouwen At the conclusion of filming On Fire the film, my bride Beth meticulously collected and arranged more than 100 photos from the months scouting locations, walking onto sets, predawn staff meetings and late evening crew wraps. She included photos capturing the emotions of shooting specific scenes: the fear on the day of the fire, the struggle of learning to walk in the hospital, the joy of coming home after five months, the elation of a first kiss and the agony of a final goodbye. Paging through this photo album recently with my niece, Lottie, brought back all the memories of filming On Fire. It was, however, a picture I had spent little time contemplating that my niece most wanted to talk about. Why it caught her attention, and more importantly what she said about it, might elevate how you view things today. Let me explain.

As a college freshman, Marcus Engel was nearly killed, and was left instantly, totally and permanently blind after being struck by a drunk driver. Through years of rehab, over 350 hours of reconstructive facial surgery and adaptation through a multitude of life changes, Marcus witnessed the good, the bad and the profound in patient care. Today, Marcus shares his journey of reclaiming his life to find light in the darkest of places, the power of being present during another human's suffering and his internal struggle of accepting his new reality to find happiness again. My friends, Marcus' life is a testament to the enduring human spirit's ability to rise from the ashes, helping us all to see that with support, presence, and a positive outlook, we can overcome the darkest of times. If you need a reminder that difficult things aren't something you get over but something you get through, this conversation is for you.

John Ruhlin grew up poor. When you grow up without much, you notice when people are generous. Maybe that explains why anytime anyone needed anything, John's answer was always yes. Let me explain.

Dr. Philip Fidler is a trauma and burn surgeon who has dedicated his life to healing others. From humble beginnings to becoming a pioneering force in burn care, Philip's story is a testament to the power of mentorship, the importance of joy in healing, and the profound impact one person can have on countless lives. Today, Philip shares how one pivotal conversation set him on the path to medicine. He also shares how his innovative approach to patient care—including founding the REACH Burn Foundation—is changing lives far beyond the operating room, from providing adaptive sports experiences to supporting international medical missions. My friends, if you want to hear how, with heart and humility, we can turn life's greatest challenges into opportunities for growth, this episode is for you.

What makes someone a truly great leader? Is it their resume? Their resolute stance on an issue? How articulate they can share it? The influence they can wield? The results they get? Although the answer is nuanced, while being driven back to the airport last week I saw clearly what it means to embody true greatness. Let me explain.

Cara Finger is the founder of My Bag My Story. Inspired by her own adoption journey and her experience as a foster parent, Cara was shocked to see children arriving with their belongings in trash bags. This simple yet powerful observation sparked her mission to create meaningful change. Today, Cara shares her journey in establishing her social enterprise, offers practical ways we can support those in the foster care communities and beyond. And she reminds us how seemingly small gestures, like providing a quality bag, can significantly elevate a child's self-esteem and sense of normalcy during tumultuous times. My friends, if you're seeking a heartfelt example of the transformative power of empathy, community, and action, this conversation is for you.

Amy Crawford's life is evidence that to become a spark for good we must first recognize that in the face of things that seem impossible, we can always start by doing something. In her nearly four decades working as an educator, Amy has joyfully guided the children in her classroom to not only enjoy a subject, but to recognize the value of their lives. She savored being an educator and the chance to encourage kids. And yet, Amy realized it wasn't just the children in her classroom that needed to be inspired, but also the teachers who taught them. Let me explain.

Rather than letting a traumatic ATV accident where he lost both of his hands cast a shadow on his future, Jason Koger has used the 2008 accident as a guiding light. And he became the first bilateral arm amputee to be fitted with multi-articulating bionic hands in the world. Today, Jason shares the pivotal role his resilient parents and hardworking grandfather played in shaping his indomitable spirit, the immense physical and emotional challenges he faced and how he turned these obstacles into a driving force to help others. Plus, he shares the unexpected journey to becoming an ambassador for the manufacture of his hands… it's truly remarkable. My friends, Jason's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and the unwavering human spirit. If you need a reminder of the importance of living a purpose-driven life, regardless of the hurdles, this episode is for you.