Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Thais Gibson is a counselor, relationship expert, and founder of The Personal Development School. And yet, before helping others transform their lives, she was a teenager struggling with addiction, anxiety, and the lingering effects of a difficult childhood. Her own healing journey led her to study why we think, feel, and react the way we do, and today she helps people build healthier relationships with themselves and others. Today, Thais shares how our subconscious mind influences so much of our daily lives, why emotional safety matters more than most of us realize, and what it takes to break free from old patterns. We talk about her battle with addiction, the loneliness so many people are experiencing today, and the simple practices that can help us become more connected, compassionate, and present. My friends, if you've ever wondered why you keep repeating the same habits, struggling with the same fears, or feeling disconnected from the people you love, this conversation is for you. You'll walk away with practical tools, fresh perspective, and the reminder that no matter where you've been, it's never too late to create a different future.

Stephen (Steve) Starring Grant spent decades helping some of the world's biggest brands, including IBM, Prudential, Jaguar, and Burger King, better understand human behavior. But after losing his corporate job during the pandemic and facing a cancer diagnosis, he found himself in an unexpected role: delivering mail through the mountains of Appalachia. Today, Steve shares the identity crisis that followed losing a career he'd spent decades building, the surprising lessons he learned as a rural mail carrier, and how serving others helped him rediscover purpose. We discuss the dignity of work, the power of community, and why our worth is about far more than what we do for a living. My friends, if you're facing a setback, navigating change, or wondering what's next, this conversation is for you. You'll leave encouraged to see purpose in unexpected places, embrace life's detours, and remember that your value has never been tied to a title.

Neil Pasricha is a 10-time New York Times bestselling author, one of the world's leading voices on happiness, and the creator of 1000 Awesome Things, the award-winning blog that has attracted more than 100 million readers. Through his books, research, and storytelling, Neil has inspired millions to find joy, gratitude, and meaning in everyday life. Today, Neil shares the personal setbacks that changed his life, the heartbreaking season that inspired 1000 Awesome Things, and the lessons he learned from his parents' extraordinary resilience. We discuss why happiness is often hiding in plain sight, how gratitude can reshape our perspective, and the simple daily practices that help us live more intentionally. My friends, if life feels busy, heavy, or uncertain, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with practical ways to slow down, notice the good around you, and rediscover the joy that's been there all along.

Kevin Clark is an entrepreneur, Emmy Award-winning producer, and co-founder of Blessn, a faith-based social media platform designed to bring more positivity, encouragement, and connection into the digital world. After building a successful career in entertainment, Kevin discovered his greatest purpose was creating businesses and communities that serve others. Today, Kevin shares how a chance meeting backstage at the Academy Awards led to a lifelong friendship and business partnership, why he shifted his focus from chasing success to creating impact, and what inspired him to launch a social media platform centered on hope instead of outrage. We discuss doom scrolling, the influence of our digital habits, and the role intentional community plays in helping us thrive. My friends, if you're feeling overwhelmed by negativity or craving more meaningful connection, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with practical ways to be more intentional with your attention and a powerful reminder that goodness is still all around us.

Glenn Sturm is an attorney, entrepreneur, photographer, and cancer survivor whose life changed forever after receiving a stage four cancer diagnosis nearly two decades ago. What once was a relentless pursuit of professional success became an invitation to slow down, refocus on what mattered most, and live with greater purpose and gratitude. Through years of treatment, setbacks, and unexpected joy, Glenn has become a passionate advocate for holistic cancer care, meaningful relationships, and finding beauty even in difficult seasons. Today, Glenn shares how cancer unexpectedly freed him from an exhausting cycle of overwork, why rediscovering photography and chasing solar eclipses reignited his sense of wonder, and the life-changing impact of a strong support system. He opens up about facing fear and grief while continuing to choose hope, curiosity, and joy. Glenn also reflects on the lessons passed down from his family and why he believes our greatest legacy is the love we leave behind. My friends, if you're walking through uncertainty or trying to remember what truly matters, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that even in life's hardest seasons, there is still beauty to notice, purpose to pursue, and hope worth holding onto.

Haley Scott DeMaria is a speaker, author, and former University of Notre Dame swimmer whose life changed forever after surviving a tragic team bus crash that left her temporarily paralyzed. Told she may never walk again, Haley endured years of recovery before ultimately returning to compete for Notre Dame. Today, Haley shares the heartbreaking aftermath of the 1992 bus crash that claimed the lives of two teammates, the physical and emotional battle to rebuild her life, and the people who carried her through it all. She reflects on grief, survivor's guilt, returning to the pool, and learning how to move forward when life takes an unexpected turn. My friends, if you or someone you love is walking through disappointment, grief, uncertainty, or a season that feels impossibly heavy, this conversation is for you.

Nicholas Epley is a behavioral scientist, bestselling author, and professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business whose groundbreaking research explores why we as human beings often misunderstand each other. From studying social connection and happiness to teaching students how to design a meaningful life, Nicholas has spent his career helping people better understand themselves and those around them. Today, Nicholas shares why we're far more connected than we think, why our fears around talking to strangers are usually wrong, and how one simple conversation can change the course of a day… or even a life. Drawing from the research behind his latest book, A Little More Social, we talk about the real cost of isolation, the lessons he's learned through personal loss and fatherhood, and why meaningful connection starts when we move past surface-level small talk and become genuinely curious in one another. My friends, if you want to learn why expressing gratitude, asking better questions, and taking small social risks can lead to deeper joy, stronger relationships, and a more fulfilling life, this conversation is for you.

Chad Robichaux is a former Force Recon Marine, USA Today bestselling author, and founder of Mighty Oaks, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of veterans and first responders recover from PTSD, trauma, and the invisible wounds of war. After eight deployments to Afghanistan and years serving in elite special operations, Chad now dedicates his life to helping others rediscover hope, healing, and purpose. Today, Chad shares how growing up in a violent and broken home shaped his life, the heartbreaking loss of his brother, and the journey that led him into the Marines and eventually into some of the darkest battles of his life. We discuss how accountability, faith, and serving others helped him rebuild his family, restore his purpose, and launch Mighty Oaks to help others do the same. My friends, if you are walking through pain, regret, or hopelessness, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that healing is possible and even our deepest scars can become a source of hope for someone else.

Erik Rees is the founder of NEGU, Never Ever Give Up, which is a global movement inspired by the life of his daughter Jessie. What began as a father walking through unimaginable grief has become a mission that has delivered nearly 600,000 JoyJars to children battling cancer around the world, each one carrying a simple but powerful message: you are not alone. Today, Erik shares the extraordinary life of his daughter Jessie, why she chose to focus on bringing happiness to other kids in the middle of her own fight, and how her legacy continues to impact families across the globe. My friends, if you are walking through grief, searching for purpose, or wondering how something painful could ever be used for good, this conversation is for you. You'll leave ready to live courageously, love constantly and lead compassionately.

Willow Weston is an author, speaker, and founder of Collide, a ministry impacting women nationwide through honest conversations around pain, faith, and healing. Drawing from decades of mentoring and her own deeply personal story, Willow invites us to stop running from our wounds and begin facing them with courage and hope. Today, Willow shares how a childhood marked by trauma led to an unexpected calling, why avoiding pain keeps us stuck in cycles we don't understand, and how healing begins when we choose to face our wounds instead of hide. My friends, if you've ever felt stuck in your past, unsure of your purpose, or weary from carrying pain you don't know how to heal, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that your story is not something to hide… it's something that can be redeemed.

Claude M. Steele is a legendary social psychologist whose groundbreaking research on stereotype threat, self-image, and self-affirmation has reshaped how we understand identity. His latest work explores "churn," the mental and physical stress that can arise in everyday interactions across differences, and the tension shaping so much of modern life. Today, Claude shares what it was like growing up outside Chicago in a racially diverse and complex environment, the values instilled by his parents, and how his identity shaped his perspective. We discuss his acclaimed book Whistling Vivaldi and the silent weight of stereotypes, along with the subtle, powerful actions that can help dissolve them. He also unpacks his newest research on "churn" and explains why ignoring our differences often deepens tension, while building trust is the most effective path forward. My friends, if you want to better understand one another, reduce tension, and unlock the potential that exists across our differences, this conversation is for you.

Piera Gelardi is a creative entrepreneur passionate about helping others reclaim creativity and possibility through the power of play. As the co-founder of Refinery29 and author of The Playful Way, Piera helps individuals and organizations rediscover something many of us have lost along the way: the courage to play. Today, Piera shares how growing up in a small town in Maine shaped her sense of wonder, how building a global brand led to unexpected self-doubt and burnout, and how reclaiming play became her path back to creativity, connection, and joy. She explains practical ways to integrate playfulness into our daily lives and how small moments can shift perspectives, deepen connection, and bring more curiosity, wonder, and joy into everyday life. My friends, if you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like life has become more about checking boxes than actually living, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with a fresh perspective on how to break free from perfectionism, reconnect with your creativity, and find joy again in the small, everyday moments that make a life truly meaningful.

Demond Martin is an investor, philanthropist, and CEO of WellWithAll, a health and wellness company committed to closing gaps in care by reinvesting profits into underserved communities. As a leader shaped by experiences ranging from the White House to Wall Street, Demond uses his platform to champion a powerful idea: that the relationships we build ultimately shape the lives we live. Today, Demond shares how a childhood marked by instability and hardship became the foundation for a life of purpose, how mentors and "second fathers" helped him see a future beyond his circumstances, and how the concept of "friends of the good" has guided his journey from surviving to serving. He reflects on the power of vulnerability, the responsibility we have to give back, and why true friendship is one of the most overlooked forces behind success. My friends, if you've ever wondered how the people in your life are shaping your future, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that no one succeeds alone, that your story is still being written, and that the right relationships can lift you higher than you ever imagined.