# 276: JOHN O'LEARY & JOEL COURTNEY on Faith, Survival, and "Soul on Fire"
About this episode
John O'Leary and Joel Courtney discuss the inspiring true story behind the film 'Soul on Fire' and the themes of faith and survival.
This is a story of hope, faith, and purpose you'll never forget. Actor Joel Courtney and inspirational speaker John O'Leary connect with nine-time Emmy winner David Sams to share the real-life miracle behind the upcoming film Soul on Fire , a powerful true story of survival and redemption hitting theaters October 10, 2025. At just nine years old, John O'Leary survived a devastating explosion that left him burned over 100 percent of his body and with less than a 1 percent chance to live. Decades later, his journey from unimaginable pain to living with unshakable purpose has inspired millions through his bestselling books, On Fire and In Awe , as well as his Live Inspired Podcast . Now, his story comes to life on the big screen with Joel Courtney ( Jesus Revolution , The Kissing Booth , Super 8 ) taking on the role of John. In this heartfelt conversation, Joel shares how he prepared for such an emotional and challenging role, the incredible cast he worked alongside — including William H. Macy, John Corbett, and Devon Franklin — and the unforgettable moments on set that brought this true story to life. John opens up about seeing his life portrayed on film for the first time, the…
People in this episode
Guests: John O'Leary, Joel Courtney
Topics covered
- faith
- survival
- inspiration
- redemption
- film production
Keywords
- hope
- faith
- survival
- redemption
- film
- inspiration
- John O'Leary
- Joel Courtney
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Soul on Fire, On Fire, In Awe, Live Inspired Podcast
More episodes of CIA: Contagious Influencers of America
- # 285: TIM STOREY says Detours Aren't the End — They're God's Road to Your Destiny
- # 284: TIM TIMMONS defies a 5-year cancer prognosis, and his story is told in "I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2" in theaters Friday!
- # 283: COLTON DIXON From Anxiety to Authenticity and How AI Is Impacting Music
- # 282: MARQ JAMES of Medi-Share on Cutting Costs, Finding Hope: A Faith-Filled Approach to Today's Healthcare Crisis
- # 281: TASHA LAYTON on Finding God's Light in the Valley, Her New Album and Christmas Music Too!
- # 280: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA'S AL PITRELLI shares about the lights, legacy and music that makes the season bright!
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the CIA: Contagious Influencers of America podcast page.