Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Robert Irvine is a world-renowned chef, successful entrepreneur, and champion for our military and first responders. Perhaps most recognized from Food Network's Dinner: Impossible and Restaurant: Impossible, Robert has helped transform over 300 failing restaurants, and more importantly, the lives of those behind them. Today, Robert shares how a childhood marked by poverty and homelessness shaped his view of leadership and service. He explains how food became his way to connect, serve and heal and how one unforgettable moment with a child on set changed everything. From peeling potatoes on warships to building a life of purpose, Robert's story is raw, real, and deeply inspiring. My friends, you'll leave this episode with practical wisdom on leadership, empathy, and the quiet power of showing up for others. It's a reminder that no matter where you start, you can choose to lead with love, live with purpose, and make a difference... one meal, one moment, one life at a time.

Have you noticed it is frequently the people who say the least about themselves who have the most incredible stories to share? On this Memorial Day holiday, I wanted to share one such example of a heroic, humble servant who never needed to tell you how great he was.

Dr. Henry Cloud is an acclaimed leadership expert, clinical psychologist, and New York Times bestselling author of Boundaries, Necessary Endings, and more than 40 other life-changing books that have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. For the past four decades, Henry has coached CEOs, guided families, and walked alongside everyday people in their most vulnerable moments to help them grow, heal, and lead. Today, Henry shares what it means to rise through pain, reframe failure and rewire the way we grow. You'll hear how his mother's tough love (and a trusted friend named Emmet) gave him the strength to rise after every fall—literally, how he lost his sense of purpose in college and the unexpected moment a stranger inspired him to change his life forever. Together, we explore boundaries, endings, vision, relationships, and the courage it takes to keep moving forward when life feels heavy. My friends, you'll leave today's conversation with renewed hope, practical wisdom, and a deeper understanding of why the right people in your life can make all the difference. You'll be reminded that the most important work we'll ever do is in relationships—with ourselves, with others, and with the future we dare to believe is still possible.

Thirteen years ago, I was invited to visit a critically ill man in a hospital. All I knew was the hospital where he was being treated, his room number, that his first name was David and that he was dying. What happened during that visit, and over the years since, impacted my life. In reading about it today, it's my hope it impacts yours, too.

Jessica Cox was born without arms, but she's never let that stop her from soaring. A certified pilot, fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, author, global speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities, Jessica is also the visionary behind The Impossible Airplane, a first-of-its-kind aircraft designed to be flown entirely by foot. Her life is a powerful reminder that our greatest limitations are often the ones we place on ourselves. Today, Jessica shares how she turned "Why me?" into "Why not me?" She opens up about her journey to becoming the world's first armless pilot, the faith that helped her push past fear, and the creativity required to thrive in a world not built for her body. She talks about the love story that began in a martial arts class, the plane she's building to inspire kids around the world, and the freedom that comes from radical self-acceptance. My friends, if you've ever doubted your worth or felt held back by fear, this conversation is for you. Jessica's story will reignite your belief in what's possible. You'll walk away with a renewed sense of courage, fresh perspective on your own challenges, and the reminder that with faith, resilience, and a little ingenuity, nothing is out of reach.

A tent in Colorado A canoe in Georgia Friend's couch Church pew Airplane seat ER waiting room Classroom desk This is a truncated list of places I dozed off as a child. Regardless of where I fell asleep, though, I always had the certainty of ultimately going back to my house, my room, my bed. But many children do not sleep with that same certainty. When Luke Mickelson learned this reality, he began to do something about it. And what he did changed not only his life, but his entire community. In learning about his story, I believe your life will be positively changed, too. Let me explain.

Luke Mickelson is the founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that has built and delivered more than 300,000 beds to children in need across the world. With nothing but hope, hammers, and heart, Luke traded his corporate success for a movement rooted in dignity, compassion, and community. Today, Luke shares how one "tiny moment" changed everything. From witnessing a little girl named Haley receive her very first bed to walking away from a steady career to serve full time, Luke proves that a willing heart and a power drill can change lives... starting with your own. My friends, if you need a reminder that purpose can begin with the simplest of actions, this conversation is for you. You'll leave this episode with a deeper belief that your tiny moments matter, and that one small "yes" can transform a community.

A couple of years ago, I had the immense honor of delivering the commencement address for the Class of 2023 at my alma mater, Saint Louis University. (Believe me, the only people more surprised than I that O'Leary was the commencement speaker…. were the professors who taught me back in the late 1990s!) As I watched the graduates cross the stage full of excitement, trepidation, nerves and ultimately hope, I couldn't help but think back to the miracle that appeared the night of my own graduation. Let me explain.

Kim Becking, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Unstoppable Momentum Movement, shares her inspiring journey from a trailer in Missouri to overcoming breast cancer at 30. She discusses the delicate balance of resilience and grace, emphasizing that grit without grace can lead to burnout. Listeners will discover how to embrace emotional expression, the vital role of community support during adversity, and practical tools for building resilience. Kim's insights remind us that personal struggles can become stepping stones toward growth.

Several years ago, I was getting ready for work when my oldest son, Jack, walked into the bathroom as I was shaving. Just five years old at the time, he stood next to me for a while pretending that he, too, was getting rid of the "stubble" on his cheeks. But then he stopped pretending and began gently touching the scars that cover my torso. These are the deep red scars, with ridges and lumps that traverse my stomach. These are the scars that remind me of all I went through and would rather forget. They're the scars that even today I avoid looking at because they're just too painful. But on this day Jack traced those scars with his little finger. What he said next changed how I saw everything.