Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

"Coaching is a vocation to reach men who need to be reached." His Dad left when he was 4. His Mom's 4th husband shot at him when he was 17. Bill Courtney didn't have male role models at home, but he found them on the field and in the classroom. Today, Bill is a business owner, husband and father who believes: Giving back isn't something nice to do. It is a responsibility. Bill chose to coach football in an impoverished North Memphis High School for a team that had won 4 games in 10 years. Through the tenants of love, consistency and self-assurance, he turned the team - and many lives - around. This story won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2011 for UNDEFEATED. I recently watched this movie with my wife and we were both so moved I knew I needed to get Bill on the show to share his story with you. Here we go! SHOW NOTES: Growing up, I tried to figure out what was wrong with me "since my father didn't want me." It manifested into me doing things to prove I was worthy. In Undefeated, you see all of these fatherless kids and the destructive behaviors they had, I totally get it. I identify far more with them than you'd think. I look like a white, wealthy business owner. North Memphis was a bustling blue-collar town. In 1968, Martin Luther King was shot 5 miles south. Memphis fell apart; big companies and industries left. Today, your on your 3rd generation of loss and hopelessness. An 18-year-old man from North Memphis is 3 xs more likely to be dead or incarcerate by 21 than in college. These kids had suffered so much. All they were looking for was some consistency from somebody. It was a great opportunity to give them their basic needs: Love, self-assurance and consistency. During Bill's tenure: 19 players turned to 75; 35 of their 36 seniors in the last two seasons went to college; they had a strong winning record. "We stayed consistent on the tenants that matter in a meaningful life. Even those with the biggest challenges found success with this consistent focus." You have to love despite not 'because of' and you have to hold them accountable. Then you start seeing changes. Watch the Undefeated trailer. Read Bill's book Against the Grain Undefeated is not about wins and losses, its about not being defeated by your circumstances. Every single day is an opportunity. We all have struggles. But everyday the sun comes up is an opportunity to get it right. Character is not about how you handle your successes, its about how you handle your failures. Look in the mirror and say: I have a chance tomorrow to make it better. The only thing you can control are the remaining days of your life. It' the only thing that matters. Seize the opportunity. You get it every day. Motive matters. Don't be a fraud. Accolades, money and trophies are not a proper foundation. Service, leadership, character, selflessness, commitment that's a proper foundation. When you have it, you can handle all the the blessings that come your way. www.Coach bill Courtney.com BILL COURTNEY'S LIVE INSIPRED 7 1. What is the best book you've ever read? The Bible. 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do? I would pay off all the debt in my business and home. I'd create a trust for my kids so they'd have a good start but still have to work. Donate the rest to worthy causes. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? My wedding ring. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Christ. I would have him explain a couple things. I would talk about Romans 8 and 9. I would talk about how come so much science and so much theology agree and then so much of it also disagrees. I would ask him to explain why the social ills we are facing today are in such contrast to so many of the natural feelings we have as human beings. 5. What is the best advice you've ever received? Don't tell people what they want to hear, tell them the truth, tell them what you are going to do and do it. 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? don't try so hard to prove yourself to other people. 7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Through the grace He's shown me, I've done my best to offer grace to others. *** Live Inspired – IN STUDIO: Registration is now open through May 8 - don't miss it: Learn more: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/In-Studio If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts. I can't wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

"Sometimes we hold onto the life we think we're supposed to have. But in letting go, we get new possibilities." Janine Shepherd grew up an athlete in rural Australia. At 24, she was training for her first Olympics. On a 5-hour training ride, she was hit by a truck. Janine was left with a broken neck and back, massive internal bleeding and blood pressure at 40 over nothing. Janine Shepherd was not expected to survive. Miraculously, 10 days later, the internal bleeding stopped. She was in the hospital for six months. When she came home, she was paralyzed from the waste down, wrapped in a plaster body cast and attached to a catheter. She was told she'd never be able to do any of the things she did before. Janine decided "Maybe I can't do the things I did before, but I am going to do something extraordinary!" You don't want to miss what Janine has done in the 20+ years since her accident. Join us on this amazing interview. SHOW NOTES: A one time Olympic-destined skier, Janine has found deeper purpose in "hills" - "The magic happens on the other side of the hill. You don't have to like hills, but you have to learn to love them; to understanding the value in challenge." The gift of rock bottom is that there is no where to hide. It doesn't show you who you are; it shows you who are not. I let go of all of my Olympic dreams and, in that moment, I realized the only way to heal comes not from running from an experience but living through it. Sometimes we hold onto the life we think we are supposed to have. But in letting go we get new possibilities. The day she decided to become a pilot, she was still covered in a body cast. It was her dream and it changed her life; it gave her a reason to get out of bed. She learned to manage her chronic pain through focus and acceptance. I am not my body. This was the most important thing I've learned. Get her book Defiant: "Say yes to life regardless of your challenges, that's defiance." Hear her TED talk here. JANINE SHEPHERD'S INSPIRED 7 1. What is the best book you've ever read? Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. "We want to know that our life counts and has meaning. There's no meaning of life, there's only meaning in life and we create that meaning by how we live." 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do? I would love to find a cure for spinal cord injury. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? Nothing. Nothing in that house really counts. They are just things. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Jesus and Buddha. I would ask: "How do we get people to remember that it's all about love, tolerance and acceptance?" 5. What is the best advice you've ever received? When my daughter was learning to ride a pony, her riding instructor said to me: "Hasten slowly." What it means to me is slow down, be deliberate, savor the experience. 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? Hasten slowly. What you think is important now, when you get older you'll realize it wasn't. 7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Janine embraced her defiant human spirit. *** Live Inspired – IN STUDIO: Registration is NOW OPEN for a very limited time. Don't miss your chance learn more + register: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/In-Studio If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts. I can't wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

"Enough was never enough." Christine Hassler was an over achiever. Each time she'd reach a milestone - she'd hurry off to the next big goal... never taking time to pause, recoup or celebrate. Early in her career, she was a high level producer in Hollywood... and completely unhappy. Today, she realizes that she was keeping busy and "achieving" in order to not have to truly feel her feelings. To get this sense of clarity, Christine had to have a mighty fall... Embrace the lessons from that fall and then build her new, fulfilling life. You are going to love the concrete insights and how-to's from Christine Hassler, bestselling author, podcaster, life coach and counselor. SHOW NOTES Choose new thoughts and habits. Use discipline to transform education and awareness into integration in your life. Just having the information is psychological entertainment. Numbing out is easier. When you gossip and watch reality TV you can just be entertained. If you listen, engage with content that makes you feel: You have to process your feelings. We either control and resist life or we move with it. [Tweet this.] 20 something / 20 everything her book for 20-something women thinking: Who am I? What do I want & how do I get it? It's important for us to own and have compassion for our journeys. Don't chase a feeling, chase a result. Without being inspired, enough is never enough. Control, achievement, plan. That's what I did; because I thought it would keep me safe. As long as I was doing I didn't have to feel or process what was really driving me. I got so much validation for all of my hard. That was my identity. But the problem was enough was never enough. A lot of us get stuck in the why: Why did this happen to me? Don't get stuck in the analysis. A better question is: What am I learning? "Humans learn through contact. When we go through hard times, it gives us more compassion for others." What ultimately led her over-achieving nature and suicidal moment at age 26 was the limiting beliefs she'd bought into as little girl. How do you stay in "flow"? Breath of fire for 3 minutes when I wake up. Short fast breath through my nose and into my lower body. This calms my very active mind. Mediate for 10 minutes and journaling, clearing out thoughts and anxiety. Make a to-do list for me and one for what I'd like God to help with. Exercise every day. Yoga or the gym. Turn off devices at least one hour before bed. Write things that happened that day I'm grateful for. Increase your awareness. You have choice. You are not a victim of your life. Inspiration pulls us forward. When you are going through a hard time, remember: It's not going to last forever. It's happening for you not to you. This could be the biggest catalyst in your life. When you have a big disappointment: Leverage the amazing lessons and healing opportunities that come forward in major transitions in you life. John joined Christine on her podcast: Over it & On with it on. Listen here. CHRISTINE HASSLER'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 1. What is the best book you've ever read? Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: "Between stimulus and response is our choice & that choice is our freedom." 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do? Create a think tank to innovate through some of our major issues - education, poverty, etc. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? The panda bear my Dad gave me the day I was born. It so reminds me of him, unconditional love and that innocence. it's still part of me, part of all of us. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Jesus. And the first question I'd ask: "What's the truth?" 5. What is the best advice you've ever received? After my divorce a friend told me: "Don't be a victim or just rush through it. Be in the mess and explore.Dig deep." 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? Don't be so hard on yourself, we think we need to be hard on ourselves to get what we want and keep up with the Jones's. We think if we beat ourselves up first, it won't hurt as bad when someone else tries to. 7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? I am so grateful. *** Live Inspired – IN STUDIO: For the first time ever, John is launching IN STUDIO – a LIVE, virtual monthly experience. Registration opens in April for a limited time. Learn more: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/In-Studio If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts. I can't wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

Don't miss my big, time-sensitive announcement in this episode! "Time allows you to seek wisdom and understand what you've gone through so you can help other people with what you've learned." From homeless to bestselling author. From small-town Alabama to on-stage in front of thousands. From hating 6th grade football to working with the last nine college football national championship teams: My guest today has spent his lifetime gathering unbelievable observations and insights many of us would miss - and then - packaging them up to share with the world. Andy Andrews has written 20 books with more than 3 million copies in circulation. I am one of Andy's biggest fans and he is one of the most pure-hearted people I've met. Let me introduce to you our newest Live Inspired friend, Andy Andrews. SHOW NOTES His 8th grade teacher has been one of the most influential people in his life. THANK YOU to all of our teachers in the Live Inspired community. YOU make a huge difference! Andy's worked on mental toughness and strategic thinking with the the last 9 college football national championship teams. "Quitting is a habit. Theres no penalty for quitting today, everyone just says 'you tried!' But when you persist without exception, there's something in you that figures out a way, something lasting." [Tweet this.] "It's about what you're becoming. You're finding a way where there doesn't seem to be one." Andy's first New York Times bestselling book The Travelers Gift was turned down by 50 publishers before it was picked up by one. Today, it's in 40 languages and one million copies have sold. We can't fix other people, we have to fix ourselves. How did you get out of being homeless? There's the answer I'd have told you when I got out, the one I'd have told you 10 years later and the one I'd tell you now. Time allows you to seek wisdom and understand what you've gone through so you can help other people with what you've learned. A guy named Jones came up to me under my pier and encouraged me to read biographies. I hated them at first, but then I started seeing a pattern emerging. After 60 books, I realized there were 7 things all the people had, but they'd only harnessed 2 or 3. I started thinking, what happens to someone who harnesses all 7? I used those principles to get myself out from under the pier. These principles were the basis for the my book The Travelers Gift. One principle is "responsibility" which is typically thought of in extremes. "Until these people accept responsibility..." - or - "Its not their fault!" But, responsibility is about hope and control. Hope for a greater future that they can control. [Tweet this.] If you blame your mom, economy, neighbor, spouse - there's not hope because there is no control. If you own that you made choices to get yourself to a place that you DON'T like, isn't it great news that you can then make decisions to get you to a place you DO like? Andy's newest book The Little Things: "No matter if you create a masterpiece or disaster it's made 1 decision, 1 tiny brush stroke at a time." I was helping to double and triple my clients businesses, but I realized the little things I'd figured out that I was putting in place for them, I had never written down. Now it's all in this book. If you want incredible results, understand it will not happen doing what you've been doing or what "the industry does." I help people compete at a level the competition doesn't know there is a game going on. Everyone competes the same way and because they do: It's easy to find little things that make a big difference. It comes from looking in the other direction. [Tweet this.] Customer satisfaction is the lowest bar you can possibly hit and stay in business. Anything less than that, you're in trouble. The greatest advertisement you can have is word of month. It trumps everything. Everyone competes with price and product. That doesn't work. I don't care what industry you are in, the product is you. ANDY ANDREWS'S INSPIRED 7 1. What is the best book you've ever read? Greatest Salesman, Og Mandino 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do? I would buy timber land. I would be very quiet about it because I know right now I might be mentally and emotionally able to handle that, but most people are not. I'd use the timber land to be self sustaining and help people; be valuable to charitable organizations. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? My mamma's bible. Her notes are in there and her underlines. Since my mom died so long ago, there are so many things I'd ask today if I could. Today I can go through her bible and get a good idea of her thinking. One note she wrote, "God does not have to heal me to prove to me who He is. I am fine." 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Winston Churchill. 5. What is the best advice you've ever received? I continue to unpack this one, from 35 years ago. The Noticer, that book tells the story of old man Jones, the man who befriended Andy when he was homeless under the pier. "Most people live their entire lives and never understand: You can't believe everything you think." 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? Be patient. God is under no obligation to tell you what he is doing in your life. Though you may be angry and not understand, or wish He did things differently or think He's left you, if you just remember what has happened, if you look behind you, you will see His hand on your shoulder every step of the way. Calm down. 7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? He was a great father, husband and friend, he followed his heart and provided value for his fellow man. *** Live Inspired – IN STUDIO: For the first time ever, John is launching IN STUDIO – a LIVE, virtual monthly experience. Registration opens in April for a limited time. Learn more: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/In-Studio If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts. I can't wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

"I don't want you to be a been brother: a would-a-been, could-a-been or should-a-been. Focus, be well-rounded and give your effort at all times." Chris Hogan received this advice from his Mom. He was bless to grow up with seven or eight parental figures - from uncles and grandparents to teachers and coaches - in a small town in Kentucky. These role models helped him to dream big and never rest on his laurels. Today, Chris is a husband, father, bestselling author, radio and podcast host, expert on retirement and personal finance and part of the Dave Ramsey speaker team. Today, Chris shares simple, life-changing financial tips and nuggets of wisdom gleaned from mentors throughout his life. SHOW NOTES: Information that gets applied in your life time and again becomes wisdom. Above all else I realize my time spent with my boys is to help them become productive young men in society. Time spent talking about what and how they are thinking so I can share my experiences and they can see that Dad is not perfect, but perfectly capable of improving. Dreaming big is necessary but the work you have to put in if you're serious will lead you closer (or on the doorstep) of that opportunity. Be open to opportunities. What seems like a detour is actually the new bigger journey connecting you to the end goal. Grab the opportunity and avoid the chances. Chances are 50/50. When pursued, an opportunity will lead you somewhere better. - Chris's Grandma Failure is when you don't accomplish a goal and you stop. Not succeeding is when you gave 100% but didn't reach the goal. With maturity and wisdom you realize in pursuit of it, you improved, moved down the path. Understanding my example speaks louder than my words makes me stay very aware. Chris moved from banking to consumer finance when he realized: "Those account numbers had names; those names had faces; the faces had families." It's hard to tell how people are doing with money. They can be dressed head to toe in Prada but not have two nickels to rub together. If you are 17 or 77: We all need money to provide for our family. If you don't have a plan for your money, someone else will. It's 80% effort and 20% knowledge. It's a matter of learning these 3 basic skills: Understand and tap into what it is you would ultimately like to accomplish. What are your high definition dreams: Write a check to your college? Build a park? Support your grandparents. Triple A: Assess. Acknowledge. Activate. Assess current financial situation. What's working? What isn't? Acknowledge that it can be better! Activate. How can we do this? Do it. Get out of debt and you give yourself a raise. Debt is a thief. When you get a credit card, interest is a penalty. When you save or invest - the interest you earn is a reward or bonus. You don't have to ask for a raise or work harder, just focus on getting out of debt. Budgeting is crucial. Tell your money where to go, don't wonder where its been spent. Don't make excuses, make progress. Regardless of where you are, one step forward is called progress. Learn more at ChrisHogan360.com CHRIS HOGAN'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 1. What is the best book you've ever read? The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peel. I got this from my coach sophomore year of college. He said read it and apply it. 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do? I'd find a way to give a large majority away to create and pass on his legacy. It doesn't change what I do day to day. I'd understand it was a blessing and I'd never want to waste it. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? The quilt my grandma made me and my grandpa's cane. They are reminders to me that where I come from is not an accident and where I am going is not an accident either. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Dr. Martin Luther King. I'd want to find out what in this man caused him to go against the norm and stay so focused despite such persecution and learn about his heart and mission. 5. What is the best advice you've ever received? My defensive coordinating coach Ernie horning - "Don't make excuses make plays." 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? Slow down! I was in such a rush to arrive that I may have overlooked the process and relationships. Slow down, there is wisdom in waiting. Because if you 're not prepared to get to the next step, you won't maximize the opportunity you'll squander it. Practical way to catch our breath and slow down: Kids and friends ultimately will remember how you made them feel. Even in the midst of being busy, be intentional. Carve out the time to sit down and carve out your sons and daughters. So often we think people want something from us. Let's be the people that give something. Let's give. 7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Grab opportunity. Maximize opportunities and share opportunities. *** Live Inspired – IN STUDIO: For the first time ever, John is launching IN STUDIO – a LIVE, virtual monthly experience. Registration opens in April for a limited time. Learn more: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/In-Studio If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts. I can't wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

Today's guest is going to give you 90s nostalgia in the best way. He sold 2 million records. Played the David Letterman and Tonight Show. Friends, today's guest is Brian Vander Ark, lead singer of the band Verve Pipe, who produced 90s hits Freshmen and Photograph. Brian is still playing today with the band and as a solo artist. From small town Michigan to opening for KISS in sold-out arenas: Brian shares simple yet profound lessons on life... and even a little live music, too! SHOW NOTES: Having been in the army, Brian is "more patriotic. I'm one of the more patriotic artists. I can't help but get chills when I hear the national anthem at a stadium." Brian's big break: When Willy Nelson asked him to play at Farm Aid. He went from playing for 20 people at the Holiday Inn lounge to 20,000. 8 years ago he started writing kids music as well. Listen to I'm Not Sleeping in (Cuz It's Saturday) here. On his creative process: "I listen to what's going on in the world, my world and beyond. Something will jump out and I'll think that's a great story. I'll write a song about it." "I look through notebooks for phrases and stories I've jotted down. I keep a journal - I have to." "Half of what I write is crap! Even when you develop your process, half of what you create will not be good." Imagine playing for 20,000 people, roaring in anticipation of hearing hear Kiss. And then they have to sit through us for 30 minutes?! It was tough, but once I faced that experience [30 days in a row] I never feared another crowd. When Verve Pipe's Freshmen knocked U2 off the #1 spot, they "felt like kings on top of the world... Set up for a great long fall!" The ego thing happens to you without you knowing it. Today, I look back at my ego then and think "Who was that guy? That is not me." Did you get sick of playing freshman in 1996 and 1997? "No. How can you get sick of bringing joy to people? What did you learn from your second album that fell flat? You realize you're human, make mistakes and have to rely on yourself. You can't point your finger at someone else. Then I sold my over-priced stuff, bought an RV and drove around town playing in coffee shops. I sold 10,000 copies of my next album on my own with no label. I realized this is what my left was meant to be. It's about the process and your life, the artistic process. It's not just about the commerce, its about enjoying what you do and finding a way to do it and live your life and be creative. BRIAN VANDER ARK'S LIVE INSPIRED. 7 1. What is the best book you've ever read? Best book - Steinbeck, The Winter of our Discontent. I identify with the main character. I've read it 25 times! Best song - God Only Knows by the Beach Boys. I'm not a huge beach boys fans but that has to be the most beautifully crafted song ever written. 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do? Immediately put it in a safe place. I would call my brother who is an accountant. I'd take my kids and wife to Europe. Save most of it. Had millions at a long age and lost them too - it's a boring, easy answer, but true. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? Lawrence Carol a painting by him. He painted us a picture and it's specific to my family and painted it for us. It hangs in our living room. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? No one inspires me or interests me as much as my wife. It's cheesy but true. 5. What is the best advice you've ever received? Best advice comes from my wife: Do it for the process. If you don't enjoy it, then don't do it. 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? Remember to enjoy it and have a good time. And remember what it felt like. Don't worry about what is next... so worried that I was going to fail. 7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? He was a terrific addition to the creatives in the world. It's important to me to have a legacy, to leave a catalog of art I'm proud of and people can appreciate for years. His contribution to t e art world was important. *** Live Inspired – IN STUDIO: For the first time ever, John is launching IN STUDIO – a LIVE, virtual monthly experience for his Live Inspired community. Registration opens in April for a limited time. Learn more: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/In-Studio If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts. I can't wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

Your journey is limitless and your life is profound. The guests on our show are ordinary people doing extraordinary things on purpose. On this episode, we'll celebrate the best insights from each guest AND how it has impacted the inspired lives we're living. After just two seasons, we've got 250,000 downloads. Which means more lives are being touched and more people are living inspired with us. Thanks for being part of the this Live Inspired movement and for sharing it with your friends. Make sure you're subscribed for Season 3 (starts next week)! We'll be announcing exciting news about the Live Inspired community that you won't want to miss. Also, get inspiration and updates from me via email: JohnOLearyInspires.com/email Show notes: Hear my full Jack Buck story here (at 32:30). See the MLB Hall of Fame crystal baseball Jack gave me here. Jinny Ditzler (author, Your Best Year Yet) "Live your best life by answering these 10 questions; begin by looking back at where you've been." Jon Gordon (author of The Energy Bus) "Stay positive. Too often we give it away: To bad weather, traffic, crabby coworkers. Feed yourself so you can feed others." Meg Meeker, MD (parenting expert, author, pediatrician) "Parents are so much more worried today. They so desperately want to be 'good parents' that they're exhausting important energy on stuff that doesn't matter." Mike Matheny (head coach, St. Louis Cardinals) "Discipline, toughness, enthusiasm and selflessness. If you have these, you've maximized what you can control." Mike's story reminds us "Leadership is caught not taught." Rocky Sickmann (veteran, former POW) "Freedom is not free." Rocky is an epic reminder of the sacrifices made by men and women in the military AND: We tend to focus on the big things, but its the little things that give us the most joy. Dale Partridge (author & entrepreneur) "Sometimes a company can grow faster than people. Prioritize what actually matters... and act with honor. We need more people who can say 'follow my example.'" Jill Blashack Strahan (founder, Tastefully Simple and author) "If you don't have motors in your life, the anchors are going to pull you down and drown you. Be around positive people that pull you up and plant positivity, not fear." Wm. Paul Young (author of THE SHACK; movie debuted in March) "When you have fear you either control or you trust. Choose trust." Travis Thomas (author, coach and Yes And! founder) Travis gave us a concrete tool to get unstuck in life and relationship. Do not miss it! Kim Scott (podcaster; past exec, Google; book Radical Candor published in March) Kim debunks the popular phrase "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" and taught us to serve others and achieve goals, through radical candor: Speaking honestly from a place of love. 250,000 have chosen to wake up and live inspired with us through the Live Inspired Podcast. Wow! Season 2 - was it good for you? It was awesome for me! It was a blast to have these men and women in studio. Sharing with us their lives, lessons and mistakes what it meant for them and more importantly: What it means for each of us in our inspired lives. Season 3 - is going to be just as good. make sure you are subscribed and ready for the first episode next week! Get my weekly inspiration and updates in your inbox at: JohnOLearyInspires.com/email Thanks for being here. Thanks for being part of the movement to live inspired and touch lives along the way.

"Most of us don't know how to have real honest conversation. Culturally today there's a lot of yelling and finger pointing. Radical candor creates a bridge to connect the two sides." Kim Scott, who literally wrote the book on radical candor (released this week!), will ROCK the way you communicate with colleagues, loved ones, neighbors and everyone in between. Whether working at her own start up or at Apple or Facebook, Kim has spent her career disproving the old saying "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Kim believes that - when coming from a place of love and humanity -honesty is the only policy. Stay-at-home moms, CEOs, educators, everyone: Radical candor is going to help you make a bigger impact. Here are my main takeaways: The most important thing is to stop looking up. There's nothing more damaging to intimacy than hierarchy. We often get so focused on what we have to accomplish we forget the person standing in front of us is a human being. (Don't look at your boss as a tyrant to be toppled, but as a human to engage with.) Every person you disagree with deserves common human decency. (Remember not to let go of humanity as you enter political conversations.) Don't set aside who you are in order to accomplish something. Bring who you really are first. Stay centered, give yourself the time to be your best. Love is not all you need. You need to be willing to challenge directly. When you challenge someone, you must expect to be challenged in return. In practicing radical candor, your goal should be to show that you care about this human being and owning your truth. When we challenge each other, we help each other find the best answer and be our best selves. We can fix our mistakes. But if we don't know that we have mistakes, we can't fix them. It's so important to have conversations and honor the opinions of the people we disagree with. We get to such divided places because we're afraid of having these conversations. You can't have a real conversation over email or social media. Quit insulting and focus on ways to work together to get the best answer. You learn the most from people who believe things that you don't. Get Kim's new book Radical Candor here. Listen to Kim's Radical Candor Podcast here. KIM SCOTT'S LIVE INSPIRED. 7 1. What is the best book you've ever read? Middlemarch, by George Eliot, offers a great inquiry into human consciousness and a warm view of humanity. 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do? I would seek to give it away. I have been really lucky in my life. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? My journal from my childhood, age 12 until 18. Its so interesting how the promises you make to yourself as a kid guide you for the rest of your life. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? I love talking to my kids. They always say the most interesting things. 5. What is the best advice you've ever received? Someone told me there are two ways to be rich: You have to adjust your income to your desires or adjust your desires to your income. 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? Relax. It's all gonna work out better than you imagine! I have watched things that I thought were disasters turn out well. Through experience you relax; being 20 is hard. There are so many unknowns and you try to control everything. 7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Radical candor helped to restore civil discourse in American politics. *** If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts. I can't wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook & Twitter and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

What does improvisation bring to business and life? The idea that we are not competing. We are in agreement, working together, have each others' back and building a relationship. Travis Thomas is an author, speaker, coach, improviser and expert at applying the cornerstone of improv - "YES AND!" - to succeed in life and business. Today, you'll learn how improvisation has shaped Travis's life and how it will shape yours. Don't miss this fun, intensly meaningful conversation. You will leave with a concrete tool that will help you to live inspired like never before. My Main Takeaways: Being nervous means you care. As an improviser, we don't think "oh no" instead, we reframe it from nervous energy to excited energy. "You cannot progress until you say yes." The bedrock of improvisation, whether you are on a stage or the "stage of life" is Yes and... YES is acceptance (not trying to control because you can't change the facts). In improvisation, you have an understanding that no matter what the other person says, you are accepting it (YES!). The 'AND' is where you build off of the accepted truth to get to the next level. Why work from an "improv" framework? "The understanding in improv is that at no point are we competing or trying to sabotage. We are in agreement, working together, have each others' back, and creating a relationship." Imagine doing life and business in a world like THAT. Un-programming the "no but" response. It makes us fall into a victim mindset. When you hear it, let it be a red flag. Replace it with "yes and!" Be aware of BCE: Blaming, complaining or making excuses. When you catch your self BCE-ing, take ownership and ask yourself, "How would I respond if I was on purpose/my best/in the "yes and" mindset?" If you're stuck: Go back to your beliefs because they create your perspective; and your perspective informs your actions and behavior. Read a great a book that will challenge your belief about yourself and the world to raise your expectation and mental model. We influence through our interactions. Every interaction we either bless or hinder. Bless with love, forgiveness, compassion. It will positively impact. The members of teams and cultures based on improv have people who feel safe, trusted and respected ("psychological safety"). These are the teams that thrive and have life-forming collaboration, because there is so much trust you don't have to worry. There are no mistakes. This is a key improv principle. Imagine a business or a relationship where there were no mistakes? What could you do? It's not about figuring it out. It's about saying 'yes and' now because the momentum comes from accepting it right away and taking action. Leap and the net will appear. Improv is like this African proverb; trust and know the outcome will be good even if we don't know what it is. Get a copy of Travis's book Three Words for Getting Unstuck: Live Yes And! I was a guest on Travis' Live Yes And! podcast. Check it out here. Care less about what people think about you and care more about what is purposeful to you. TRAVIS THOMAS'S LIVE INSPIRED. 7 1. What is the best book you've ever read? The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do? The first annual Yes! Fest. I want to help inspire to put on an event that are youth oriented, because everyone tells me they wish they had this when they were a teen. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? A collection of letters that my wife and friends have written me and a book that, when I was the assistant coach at Principia College, my players each wrote a page about the impact I had on them. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Jesus. "Hey Jesus, look where we are? Is this what you meant? What is your one suggestion to get on the path that you know we should be on." 5. What is the best advice you've ever received? It is also the hardest advice for me to take. Care less about what people think about you and care more about what is purposeful to you. 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? Don't care what people think. Don't worry about the outcome. You know what you're passionate about. You know whats in your heart. Don't be rational. Don't be realistic. 7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? He never stopped growing and he tried to do his best everyday. *** If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts. I can't wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook & Twitter and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

"Just because you work through your stuff and you own it doesn't mean the evidence of it disappears." - William Paul Young William Paul Young's childhood broke him. As a husband and father, he hit rock bottom and began a journey to reconstruct the life he was meant to lead. Young shared this process in his book The Shack, written as a gift for his children to better understand his experience. He printed copies at his local printer to give them in 2005. To date, 22 million have sold... and The Shack Movie is premiering in theaters around the world today! Paul shares how to move past trauma, embrace consequence and stay within the grace of one day. This is one of the most epic interviews I've been a part of. Don't miss it. Key Takeaways: "Good creative works open up space for people to hear for themselves, what matters to them." How could this "little book" so deeply with so many around the world? Paul attributes it to "timing - where we are in human history. The Shack has given people a language to have a conversation about God that is much more authentic." For me, I believe this books allows people permission to cry, grieve, be angry and realize it is okay. It's a part of life and we are not alone. "When you have fear you either control or you trust. Choose trust." Paul feels there is one major mistake in the book. He did not include the idea that "just because you work through your stuff and you own it and deal with it doesn't mean the evidence of it disappears." "Guilt is 'I've done something wrong.' Shame is 'I am something wrong - something at the core of my being is wrong.' Shame can leave us feeling like we've got no where to go." "Choices matter. Consequences are not punishment, but rather they exist because learning to live with the consequences and own what we've done, that becomes the fire that burns away all the 'crap.'" "Religious people believe in hell but spiritual people have been there." "When you hit the bottom, you stop pointing fingers. You deal with it and own what you did." "Stay living inside the grace of one day. It has the greatest place of healing for me inside the entire journey." (WILLIAM) PAUL YOUNG'S LIVE INSPIRED. 7 1. What is the best book you've ever read? Greek New Testament. The Little Prince. Unspoken Sermons. 2. Tomorrow you discover your wealthy uncle shockingly dies at the age of 103; leaving you millions. What would you do? I would ask the Holy Spirit and stay living inside the grace of one day; it has been one of the greatest places of healing for me inside this entire journey. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? First edition George McDonnell Unspoken Sermons book. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? The Holy Spirit or Jesus. The first question I would ask, "Am I right in hoping that one day every single human being without the violation of their will be fully restored to relationship with you?" 5. What is the best advice you've ever received? Learn to laugh at yourself. Don't take yourself so seriously. Live inside the grace of the day. 6. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at age 20? Go see a therapist. You're dragging a big corpse of history, come out of the shadows. The sooner the better. 7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? You finally became a child. *** If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe (automatically get new episodes), rate & review (help spread the word!) this podcast anywhere you get your podcasts. I can't wait to see you here next Thursday! Today is your day. Live Inspired. Live Inspired with John everyday on Facebook & Twitter and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning