Expected to die, today he’s inspiring others to truly live. World-renowned inspirational speaker + national bestselling author John O’Leary wants to help you wake up from accidental living so you can do, be, achieve and impact more through your life. Every Monday, John shares a quick burst of inspiration to help start your week on fire. Every Thursday, John interviews an amazing guest on their story, successes, failures, lessons, and life to help you uncover tips to apply in yours.
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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.By John O'Leary
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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…
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The Gift of Second Chances (Monday Moment ep. 777)
6:50
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6:50Thirteen 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.…
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Jessica Cox: Soaring Without Limits as the World's First Armless Pilot (ep. 776)
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49:26Jessica 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 …
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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. …
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Luke Mickelson: Founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (ep. 774)
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1:03:19Luke 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 eve…
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Say Yes to Being Used for Good (Monday Moment ep. 773)
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7:14A 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 ful…
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Kim Becking: Grace, Grit, and Getting Back Up (ep. 772)
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54:17
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54:17Kim Becking is a New York Times bestselling author, founder of the Unstoppable Momentum Movement, cancer survivor and mom of three. A leading voice on navigating change, she’s on a mission to help people lead with purpose, build real resilience, and face life’s challenges with courage. Today, Kim shares how she went from growing up in a trailer in …
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What We Seek, We Find (Monday Moment ep. 771)
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5:12Several 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 a…
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Dr. Blaise Aguirre: How to Overcome Self-Hatred (ep. 770)
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56:25Dr. Blaise Aguirre is a renowned child and adolescent psychiatrist who has dedicated his life to helping thousands of young people struggling with thoughts of suicide and self-hatred. As a father of four and the author of I Hate Myself, Blaise brings both clinical expertise and a compassionate presence to his work by offering hope and healing to th…
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So many powerful stories go untold. Most books are never read, most scripts never make it to screen, and most independent films never find distribution. That’s why we’re especially excited to share the news about the SOUL ON FIRE movie... let me explain.By John O'Leary
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Diane Kahn: Founding Member of Humans of San Quentin (ep. 768)
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47:30As a former elementary school teacher and founding member of Humans of San Quentin, Diane Kahn is a fierce advocate for second chances and shared humanity. By spending the past seven years working inside the walls of California’s most notorious prison, Diane empowers those incarcerated to earn their high school diplomas, tell their stories, and be …
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The Best Standing Ovation I've Ever Witnessed (Monday Moment ep. 767)
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5:41
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5:41It can be rare to receive – or maybe more importantly to give – meaningful recognition for the important work being done all around us. In our race to the next activity, next location, next appointment, we often hurry right past the individuals providing worthy service directly in front of us. Rarely do we pause and thank the janitor for the clean …
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Jeff Glasbrenner: First American Amputee to Climb Everest (ep. 766)
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55:31Jeff Glasbrenner is a three-time Paralympian, two-time wheelchair basketball world champion, 25-time Ironman finisher, and the first American amputee to summit Mount Everest. And yet, beyond the titles and the records, Jeff is a man who’s said yes to life again and again, even when the odds were stacked against him. Today, Jeff shares what it reall…
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The One Time I Cried in High School... (Monday Moment ep. 765)
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5:39
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5:39I only cried once during high school. No, it wasn't the first day when Mom dropped me off. And it wasn't when I saw my first report card, received my first demerit, or experienced my first detention. It wasn't even when a friend accidentally ran over my foot in the parking lot or when none of my friends stood up to a bully making fun of my hands. N…
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Dr. Jessica Peck: Raise Holistically Healthy and Resilient Kids (ep. 764)
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57:45
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57:45Dr. Jessica Peck has spent more than two decades as a pediatric nurse practitioner, a professor, and a nationally recognized advocate for children and families. She’s treated teens battling anxiety, depression, and self-harm, helped parents navigate the challenges of raising children in a rapidly changing world, and fought to protect young people f…
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Do Small Things with Great Love (Monday Moment ep. 763)
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7:23
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7:23With so much negativity spewed by the media, each month we share examples of individuals who are grateful for all they have, joyful in all they do and profoundly impactful in the communities where they serve. This month’s On Fire For Good honoree’s journey is remarkable and his professional impact is stunning, but what he celebrates most are the th…
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Carlos Whittaker: Rediscover the Art of Real Connection (ep. 762)
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52:42Carlos Whittaker, renowned thought leader and bestselling author of Reconnected, is on a mission to help us rediscover the art of real connection. In a world dominated by screens and constant noise, Carlos did something radical. For seven weeks, he lived among Benedictine monks and Amish farmers, immersing himself in silence, simplicity and the rhy…
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Learn to Savor the Ride (Monday Moment ep. 761)
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5:45What do you do when the weight of the world seems to fall directly on your shoulders? And how do you show up when you’re pulled in so many directions that it feels hard to do anything particularly well? As I struggled with these questions in my own life, one person cruising past me showed me not only how to turn around my outlook but also revealed …
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David Vincent: From 18 Felonies to Freedom and Purpose (ep. 760)
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53:23By 28, David Vincent had been arrested over 30 times, faced 18 felonies, and was staring down a 15-year sentence. Raised in the streets of Memphis by a mother who taught him to steal and a violent stepfather, his future seemed set—until he cried out for another chance. Today, he’s the founder and CEO of the Warrior Center, a faith-based rehabilitat…
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Why me? This was the question I wrestled with frequently after getting burned. When I was finally able to communicate with my parents after more than a month, the first question I asked wasn’t “When will I get out of here?” or “What’s next?” or “Who is watching my siblings while you sit at my bedside around the clock?” No, it was simply, “Why me?” …
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Orv Kimbrough: Building a Finer Life Through Hardship and Hope (ep. 758)
1:10:57
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1:10:57Orphaned at eight years old, Orv Kimbrough spent his childhood navigating the foster care system, facing setbacks that could have defined his future. And yet, he instead chose a different path. Today, he’s the chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre, leading with purpose and creating opportunities for others to thrive. Join me as Orv shares how he r…
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The Beauty in our Scars (Monday Moment ep. 757)
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4:28
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4:28Each summer I have the honor of speaking at a camp for children who have one thing in common. No, it isn’t a political party or a shared ethnicity. It’s not a singular sex nor a similar economic background. What galvanizes the children at Midwest Children’s Burn Camp is the shared experience of being burned. One of the most difficult aspects of end…
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Gina Jernukian: Founder of Soul Survivor Ink (ep. 756)
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48:55Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to more than 25 million individuals around the world. Gina Jernukian is the founder of Soul Survivor Ink, a nonprofit dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking and former gang affiliation heal from the pain of their past by assisting them in the removal of “…
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Redefining Perfection (Monday Moment ep. 755)
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5:26Life’s most beautiful moments are often wrapped in imperfection. We all wonder if we are enough and worry about the opinion of others. Reading a book recently reminded me that the most beautiful things are often imperfect. Let me explain.By John O'Leary
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