Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moment” segments.

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In honor of this great man’s birthday and national holiday, I am sharing an excerpt from my first book ON FIRE that best demonstrates the immense power of love in my own life + the three simple words that changed my life.

Not read ON FIRE yet? The first three people to email me at Podcast@JohnOLearyInspires.com will receive a personalized copy!

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

Rudy Pérez is the definition of a music legend and has earned international success by shining the spotlight on others. He's written + produced hundreds of chart-topping songs for superstars like Beyoncé, Julio Iglesias and Christina Aguilera and has earned five Grammy Awards.

As the first Latin music artist to win Billboard Magazine's Producer of the Decade, Rudy candidly shares about fleeing Cuba under Fidel Castro's reign and surviving a street gang. He also shares how he learned to embrace his talents and behind-the-scenes stories of his unprecedented career. 

Today's conversation will remind you that with hard work, dedication and faith, anything is possible. 

SHOW NOTES:

• Rudy grew up in Cuba during the 1960s when Fidel Castro came into power before escaping to Miami on one of the last Freedom Flights.
• It takes a village: Rudy's life was shaped by his parents + grandparents but he credits his uncle Enrique for his love of music.
• His mother taught him the importance of hard work in order to purchase his first guitar and amp at 13 years old.
• The Vulcan Gang: During one of his first tasks as a gang member, Rudy was caught and sent to juvenile detention, teaching him a lesson in true friendship.
• "Be the artist." This heartfelt wisdom from Ronaldo Lluis made a profound impact on a young Rudy + has continued to inspire him to provide opportunities for other young musicians.
• Rudy + music legend David Foster wrote Latin superstar Luis Miguel's hit Ayer, and inspiration came after watching a movie with his wife Betsy. Ayer became a chart-topper and sold over 11 million copies.
• Rudy and Academy Award winner Burt Bacharach produced Live to See Another Day, dedicated to survivors of school gun violence. Watch the incredible video here.
• Get Rudy Pérez's book The Latin Hit Maker here.

If you enjoyed hearing from a Grammy Award winner, you'll love my conversation with gospel singer Erica Campbell. Erica shares her journey of finding her angelic voice, becoming a wife + mother and her faith in God. Listen to Erica on ep. 190.

RUDY PÉREZ LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? The Bible, specifically the book of Job.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? My tenacity and curiosity. Curiosity is so important and I wish young musicians today would be more curious about the greats of the past.

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 guitar my wife bought me.

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? Beethoven, Bach or one of those geniuses.  

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Happy wife, happy life!

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Love. Love everyone.

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 the guy that did everything and never said he did anything.

***

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts!

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moments” segments.

Today's question was submitted by Live Inspired community member Robert. 

Robert asked: In your life, you've had to cross that bridge of acceptance. Was there a moment, another event, a six-month, one-year or multi-year turning point? Can you say what moved your mindset forward?

Tune in to hear my answer.

If you have questions or want to share how the Live Inspired Podcast has impacted your life, send them to me and my team at podcast@johnolearyinspires.com. Can't wait to hear from you!

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

In his three-decade-long NASCAR career, Kenny Wallace has competed in over 900 races, earned nine wins, and was named Most Popular Driver three times. Yet, he hasn't let this hard-earned success change who he is.

Today, Kenny shares the snapshots that changed his life forever, including the death of his brother Mike Wallace's young son + helping Dale Earnhardt Sr. win the last race of his life.

You're going to love this hearing his humble roots shaped him, the passion he has for racing, his recent self-reflection and how he strives every day to be his iconic, happy, fun-loving self.

SHOW NOTES:

• Family affair: Growing up, racing was something that brought Kenny's family together.
• Kenny has been married to his high school sweetheart Kim for over 30 years.
• “Kim is all Kenny all the time. It would crush me to let her down.”
• Trials + tribulations: Kenny opens up about the death of his brother Mike Wallace’s son and how it’s helped him appreciate moments with his children and grandchildren
• Today, Mike is paying it forward including supporting former NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart.
• Dale Earnhardt Sr. and his brother Rusty Wallace gave Kenny his first-ever NASCAR start at Martinsville Speedway in 1988.
• Career highlight: “It’s not the wins, the Most Popular Driver awards, not some of my favorite trophies. It has to be helping Dale Earnhardt, Sr. win the last race of his life, and I finished second, at 2000 Winston 500 at Talladega Speedway.
• Herman the German: Kenny’s nickname came from his father Russ winning races at St. Louis-area dirt tracks.
• Out of sight, out of mind: Recently Kenny brought out old NASCAR trophies in a moment of self-reflection + forgiveness, and shared with his fans. Watch that video here.
• “Being happy is abnormal. People should work at being happy – not mask it.”

Did hearing from a professional sports athlete inspired you? You'll love our Sports + Athletes playlist! From Olympic medalist Scott Hamilton to undefeated boxing champion Laila Ali, our Sports + Athlete playlist will inspire you to step off the sideline + get back into the game of life. Listen to our Sports + Athlete playlist here.

KENNY WALLACE'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? Walk This Way by Aerosmith.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? It’s not that I talk, it’s that I break the silence.

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? This tiny picture of my dad as a kid.

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? My dad. I’d ask him things that I never had enough nerve to ask him like, “why was I never good enough for you?” I’d think his answer would be, “I didn’t mean it that way. I just wanted to know so I could tell my friends.”

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Rusty Wallace told me, "Hope for the best; prepare for the worst."

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? 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? Excessive happiness.

***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moment” segment.

“It’s not only the scenery you miss by going fast. You also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” – Eddie Cantor

All the buzz and excitement, planning and time away from work, exchanging gifts and catching up with loved ones... and now it's over. We're headed back to work, to school... to real life.

Today I share the sage advice from my grandmother: slow down and not miss the gifts that are in front of you right now.

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

Steve Jobs is widely recognized as one of the most influential inventors of our time, pioneering the personal computer, the iPod and iPhone.

Yet his eldest daughter Lisa Brennan-Jobs often remembers a painful childhood spent seeking recognition, acceptance and approval from Apple's visionary leader.

Today, Lisa courageously opens up about the complicated relationship with her iconic father, how taking a decade to write her memoir Small Fry was therapeutic and what she wishes her father would have told her before his death.

SHOW NOTES:

• Lisa's mother, artist Chrisann Brennan, insisted that Lisa understand her story to prevent repeating it.
• "I found solace in writing things I wanted no one ever to know about."
• Lisa shares that the memories of her childhood were deeply woven in with emotions and had to first process those feelings before she was factually clear on events.
• The relationship between her mother and father was just ending when Lisa was born.
• Case 239948: The state ordered Steve to pay for back welfare payments and child support. After months of delays, Steve suddenly agreed to pay a larger monthly allowance just days before Apple went public, and Steve became worth over $200 million.
• Longing to belong: "When he was in a good space, he was so sweet. It's hard to balance all the cruelty and difficulty with his sweetness." 
• At 27, Lisa learned that the Apple Lisa was, in fact, named after her, something Steve denied for years.
• "I'd take five extra really good hours with my father over the iPhone."
• Even if you can't change someone's perspective, acknowledge it.
• Get a copy of Lisa Brennan-Jobs' memoir Small Fry here.

If you enjoyed today's episode, listen to Live Inspired Podcast ep. 19 with William Paul Young. Paul shares he moved past his trauma and learned to embrace his faults. Listen to ep. 19 here.

LISA BRENNAN-JOBS' LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? I was bossier then.

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? One of my mother’s paintings.

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’d have one more conversation with my father. Not because he was famous.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? “Go all out,” from my therapist when I was younger.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Keep on working in the direction of what you love. No shortcuts. Make lots of new friends. Date kind men.

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? She was big-hearted, powerful, a force! She contributed greatly to the lives of many many people, including huge numbers of children.

***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moment” segments.

The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”– Melody Beattie

How can you ensure that 2020 is your best year yet? Follow these 4 simple tips:

1. Take off the restrictor plate. 
2. Do NOT be reasonable. 
3. Connect your dreams with your purpose – so your dreams can become a reality.  
4. Don’t set goals in a vacuum. 

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Today I’m excited to welcome someone who had a profound influence on me in my late twenties.

Patrick Lencioni is the New York Times bestselling author of 11 books, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, and has sold over 6 million copies around the world. He also launched The Table Group, which has pioneered the organizational health movement.

Pat is a polished author and speaker, but today we discuss topics he seldom shares: his childhood, his marriage, parenting. You’re going to hear some of the mistakes he’s made, the lessons he’s learned, and what it means for you.

You are going to leave today’s conversation with new insight and understanding of leadership, having courageous conversations, and life.

SHOW NOTES:

• Pat founded The Table Group, a company dedicated to helping organizations get healthy and helping employees feel fulfilled in their work.
• "Meetings are not the problem. Bad meetings are the problem."
• Perfectionism: Growing up, Pat struggled with the constant worry of being perfect.
• Pat's relationship with God has shown him love + acceptance regardless of his mistakes or successes.
• Joel Mena was a friend that had a profound impact on Pat simply because he delighted in who Pat was. 
• In The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family, 
  1. What makes your family unique?
  2. What are your family values?
  3. How does your family implement these values?
• "You want to be loved and love."
• "When your whole pursuit in life is importance and popularity, it leads to misery."
• Cancel culture: not associating with someone because of differing beliefs or values.
• Iron sharpens iron: Failing to hold someone accountable is ultimately an act of selfishness and cruelty.
• "The key ingredient to building trust is not time, it's courage."
• Meetings matter. One of the best ways to raise the level of healthy conflict on a team is by mining for conflict.
• Get Patrick Lencioni's New York Times bestselling books here.

Pat + I chat about our mutual friend and past Live Inspired Podcast guest Matt Maher. Matt is an internationally acclaimed Christian singer and joined us to share about living a life of outwardly focused abundance. Listen to ep. 60 here.

PATRICK LENCIONI'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? Be Healed by Bob Schuchts and Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? I was more determined, but I like who I am today better than I was then.

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? Pictures of my family.

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? My wife. If it couldn't be my wife or kids, it'd be you and I'd call my wife and kids over. 

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? The purpose of marriage is to become holy, not happy.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Seek healing early in your life so you don't have to act on them.

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 imperfect but strove for humility and trusted Jesus.

***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moment” segments.

This time of year often creates stress and disappointment for so many. We're focused on the stuff -- parties, food, presents -- and missing out on the things that really matter.  The true joy, peace, and love that are often born in the least likely of places.

This Christmas week, I challenge you to take pause. Take time to celebrate the amazing gifts of your life. It’s the greatest gift you’ll ever open: that regardless of what you encounter today or face tomorrow, there is reason to rejoice, celebrate and sing out. [Tweet this.]

I wish each of you a healthy and happy holiday, a very merry Christmas and a joy-filled New Year. The best is yet to come.

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Jess Ekstrom, founder + CEO of Headbands of Hopes, has had a front-row seat in finding inspiration in frustration.

As Bernie Madoff's great-niece, Jess channeled the embarrassment of that highly-publicized scandal into the reason she's changing the world, one headband to a child fighting life-threatening illness at a time.

Today’s episode will warm your heart, spark motivation, and have you asking yourself, "what more can I do?"

SHOW NOTES:

• For every headband sold, Headbands of Hope donates one to a child with cancer. Since launching in 2012, they’ve donated over a half-million headbands to every children’s hospital in America and 15 countries!
• Front row seat to watching ambition: Jess’s mother + father inspired her in business + life.
• Make the ask: Jess’s grandfather reminds her it’s okay to throw out the plan and ask for what you want. 
• Entrepreneur at heart: Jess got her start in business by selling American Girl Dolls on eBay.
• "We can’t always control what happens but we can control the meaning we give to it + how we respond."
• The Bernie Madoff investment scandal personally affected Jess + her family, yet it taught her incredible lessons.
• "Optimism is not about staying in your happy place. Sometimes it’s about sitting in the dark, absorbing it, and then fully coming to an understanding of what you can do about it."
• Inspiration from frustration. Hard times give us a choice. They can be an excuse to do less or the reason to do more.
• “Failure will always feel better than regret”
• “I’m not living a life. I’m building a legacy.”
• "Every expert was once a beginner."
• Stay connected with Jess Ekstrom on her website, Instagram or through Headbands of Hope.
• Get Jess Ekstrom's latest book Chasing the Bright Side here.

Jess + I chat about my friend and past Live Inspired Podcast guest Travis Thomas. On ep. 20, Travis shares how living "yes, and..." has shaped his life + how it can shape yours. Listen to our conversation on ep. 20.

JESS EKSTROM'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? That Will Never Work by Marc Randolph
2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Having no shame.
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 photograph of my family from a photo booth when I was a kid. It's on my refrigerator. 
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? Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx.
5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Say yes and figure it out.
6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Just because you hear crickets doesn’t mean no one is listening. Keep putting your truth out there, keep going after what you believe in, and eventually, people will find you.
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? The girl who went for it.

***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moment” segments.

It's easy to get so overwhelmed by what is on our agenda that we forget to enjoy any of it, especially during this time of year. Today I share 4 things I do to keep myself and my family present during this holiday season:

1. Make a list each. Each morning, I make a list of the three most important things I need to do. Make a list of what’s most important for you; then be bold enough to do it.

2. Set an alarm. One feature, perhaps surprisingly, I use with great effectiveness is the alarm. When it goes off, it is my reminder to refocus on what actually matters. I have it set to go off at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Regardless of what I am doing, I step away for 60 seconds of quiet reflection; quiet time helps me to be thankful for what matters. This allows me to step back into “work” with renewed focus.

3. Forget your phone on purpose. When I get home at the end of a trip or at the end of the day, I put my phone on silent. This allows me to engage with the people that matter most. Instead of responding to every beep, tweet, and ring, I am able to savor every laugh, smile and moment.

4. Stop being so serious! I remind myself that the world will not fall apart if I don’t accomplish the task at hand. I take a moment to remember that my family’s lives, my travel, my work, my problems are not the only ones that matter. This gives me perspective to realize I am just one person in more than 7 billion on earth… this doesn’t just take the pressure off, but it also drives me to strive to make a greater difference for all.

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

Colonel Carlyle Smith “Smitty” Harris spent 2,871 days (that’s nearly 8 years!) as Vietnam POW. At the same time, his beautiful bride Louise was courageously raising three young children while becoming an advocate and role model.

Today, Smitty + Louise take us on a 60-year journey that’s packed with love, but also the horrors of a North Vietnam prison and how a forgotten military code changed everything.

If you’re looking for a story of forgiveness from a decorated war hero or a romantic love story filled with drive, sacrifice and compassion, you’re going to love today’s episode.

SHOW NOTES:

• Smitty + Louise have been married for over 60 years.
• On April 4, 1965, Smitty became the sixth POW captured in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
• For nearly 8 years, Smitty and hundreds of other American POWs, including John McCain and George “Bud” Day, suffered torture, solitary confinement and abuse at the infamous Hoa Lo prison, nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton.”
• Louise returned to America to raise her three young children and went on to become an advocate + role model for the other wives of the POWs.
• Smitty lost about 20% of his body weight, bringing him to about 90 pounds.
• Miracles presented themselves: Smitty and his fellow POWs learned that their faith was stronger, their resistance to the enemy would continue and strength to continue.
• Tap code is a way to communicate letter-by-letter using taps or knocks using this chart below, and gave them strength and unity, even allowing them to have weekly church service.
•  
• Smitty's tin drinking cup is in the Smithsonian Institute.
• "Hi Jane, it's Tarzan." The first words that Smitty spoke to Louise after his time as a POW, proving their love hadn't missed a beat.
• "You will never be tested beyond your power to endure."
• Get a copy of Smitty Harris' Tap Code here.

If today's story inspired you, you'll love our Military + First Responders Playlist. This specially curated list includes Capitan Charlie Plumb. Listen to the Military + First Responders Playlist here.

SMITTY + LOUISE HARRIS' LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? Louise: The Bible, and  Losing Cooper by J.J. Jasper.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Smitty: I've always been inquisitive, optimistic and a risk-taker, but I also had a deep abiding love of God and I still have that today.

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? Louise: Letter from Smitty and the three pastel portraits of our children.

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? Smitty: Louise, and I talk with her every day and enjoy doing so.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Louise: "You will never be tested beyond your power to endure."

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Smitty: Make the same decisions you made because you'll have a blessed and wonderful life.

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? Louise: I am profoundly grateful for every single day. I have been truly blessed. Smitty: I am the most fortunate man I know. My health is good, my attitude towards life and God is good.

***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moment” segments.

Today's question was submitted by Live Inspired community member CB. 

CB asked: My brother and I were best friends growing up. Now it’s been years since we’ve even spoken. Any suggestions on reconnecting when it’s been so long?

Tune in to hear my answer. Then, listen to Live Inspired Podcast ep. 88 where I share the heroic acts of my siblings did that saved my life.

Have you successfully reconnected with a family member or friend after months or years of not talking?

If you have questions or want to share how the Live Inspired Podcast has impacted your life, send them to me and my team at podcast@johnolearyinspires.com. Can't wait to hear from you!

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

What is the hard-to-define, touchy-feely idea of empathy and why is it so important?
 
Business expert Michael Brenner joins us to share how empathy, kindness + self-reflection can save us both professionally and personally.
 
You will leave today’s conversation understanding how being kind, cool + being yourself is the best path to happiness + success.

SHOW NOTES:

• Is society meaner? A recent University of Michigan study shows a 40 point drop in empathy in the last 20 years.
• Michael's parents were ultimate examples of empathy and it teaches him to be the same way with his kids.
• Of his 53 jobs, Michael shares about being let go from one, only to be hired back weeks later. 
• Bullseye: What's in it for the customer or person we are serving?
• "Bureaucracy kills good ideas."
• Break down the walls that divide us by using Michael's Pushback method: Who is this for? What is the impact it's going to create for them? How do we measure it?
• "Behind every bad idea is an executive that asked for it."
• "The customer is not always right, but they should always be heard."
• "Be kind. Be cool. Be you."
• Microsoft is focusing on a cultural shift to demonstrate more empathy, and it's leading to more innovation.
• Jørgen Vig Knudstorp turned the fate of Lego around by focusing on the mission rather than profits.
• "Do you champion your employee's ideas?"
• Pivot from being the victim: Develop a personal mission statement by asking who are you serving, where is your passion, and how can you measure that result?
• "We have a choice."
• Check out the Mean People Suck Companion Guide here, which includes my favorite: the Bullseye organizational chart.
• Get a copy of Michael Brenner's Mean People Suck here.

Did today's episode inspire you? 

• Listen to Liz Fosslien shares the importance of embracing our emotions, and simple tips to be the best versions of ourselves at work and in life. Listen to ep. 122 here.
• Hear Andre Norman share his journey from juvie to jail to Harvard and how choosing empathy led him to find forgiveness. Listen to ep. 95 here.

MICHAEL BRENNER'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Fear. There is a lot to learn from the things we're afraid of.

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 picture of my wife and I walking down the aisle on our wedding day.

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? Martin Luther King, Jr. I'm completely inspired by the environment he grew up in, the person he became and the fight that he led with such compassion and empathy. What allowed him to turn what must have been rage into such an effective form of change?

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? A piece of paper from my dad's workbench that said, "quityerbellyachin'"

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? It's going to be okay.

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? Focusing on others is the counterintuitive secret to success.

***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moments” segments.

Today, I share some very exciting news around my new book In Awe, the inspiration behind its mission and even an exclusive excerpt. In Awe hits bookshelves in May 2020, but I want to give Live Inspired Podcast listeners the first opportunity to pre-order a copy.

Visit ReadInAwe.com to order a copy of In Awe and gain access to bonus features like the In Awe Playbook. This 20-page, full-color Playbookwill introduce you to the basic concepts of the book, show you how you can begin to apply them in your life and give you something tangible to enjoy (or gift!) in time for the holidays.

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

I consider Thanksgiving one of my favorite family holidays. It's certainly a wonderful time away from work, enjoying good food, viewing football, and taking inventory of the many blessings in life.

Join me as I share the original reason for this holiday + a new tradition I'll be implementing at my family feast. Today's episode will ignite an abundance of gratitude and help you celebrate Thanksgiving on fire.

SHOW NOTES:

• Read Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation here.
• I share a longstanding tradition Live Inspired community member Rona's family does before their Thanksgiving meal.
• Download + print the Meal Tickets I'm using with my family here.

Five-time New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown shares how practicing gratitude enables you to pivot away from negativity and towards hope + courage. Listen to our conversation on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 103.

***

Did you enjoy today’s episode? Subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts!

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moments” segments.

“Every solution to every problem is simple. It’s the distance between the two where the mystery lies.” – Derek Landy

Being a good friend, courteous neighbor, helpful coworker, visionary leader or humble servant are all challenging roles, and every worthy relationship is certain to endure periods of tension.

Whatever challenge you're facing, I’m convinced that these questions and the honest answers to them can ignite reconciliation and rebirth. 

1. If this meeting was extremely successful, what would I want to achieve?
2. When things were better, what were we doing and how did we interact and feel?
3. What changed that lead us to where we are today?
4. What could a super healthy, engaged relationship achieve? What am I willing to do to bring about the desired change?
5. In order to bring about the desired change so we can move forward, together, I am asking that you…

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Did you know that almost three-quarters of us find meetings ineffective or unproductive, and they waste more than $37 billion dollars every year?

Elise Keith, CEO and co-founder of Lucid Meetings, joins us to share about her expertise and her mission to make it easy for teams to run successful meetings every day, in the business world + in life outside of work.

Whether you’re leading a meeting at your child's school or an executive at a Fortune 500 boardroom, Elise is here to share real-life examples + practical methods that will lead to more productive + effective meetings and happier participants.

SHOW NOTES:

• "Every meeting is walking into another room with another group of individuals that aren't the same as you, and hopefully having a moment to connect and create something great."
• Get curious: Productive meetings happen when individuals can treat each other with respect, let their voices be heard and their opinions valued without judgment.
• Meetings aren't just transactional. It's about being successful with people.
• "Bad" meetings are always a reflection of something deeper going on in the culture. 
• Many leaders are leading bad meetings because that's what's always been done.
• Doing a job their not trained to do: Leaders are spending 70-80% of their workweek in meetings, and fewer than 25% of them have any training on how to lead effective meetings.
• Look at how high-performing organizations meet successfully to drive performance. In an effort to improve employee engagement at the technology company Cisco, teams regularly touch-base in a positive way.
• Frequency of care: How often do you show interest in what your team members are working on, say thank you, recognize others for bringing meaning + value to our work?
• Breaking the doom loop: You can't get a positive result when you start with a negative belief.
• "Every meeting is an opportunity to bring people together and achieve something that you can't achieve on your own."
• Get clear on your "why": Use this Lucid Meeting resource to define which of the 16 types your meeting is, and design it to be most productive.
• Elise shares a strategic technique on how to use silence to increase critical feedback to be shared + heard by all members of the meeting.
• Organizations that design meetings with a clear end goal in mind meet far less and waste fewer resources.
• Start meetings with icebreaker techniques to create bonds between team members and combat loneliness.
  
  • Live Inspired office: Share an experience from the past week on how our individual work ties to the overall mission.
  • Starbucks: Share a coffee tasting together.
  • Lululemon: Clearing to be present before a Vibes Watcher.
• Elise shares 4 practical tips to have better meetings starting today:
  1. Take a moment before every meeting to create a clear vision of the purpose + desired outcomes of the meeting.
  2. Connect with each other as people first.
  3. Close the meeting by getting clear on your promises.
  4. Say "thank you."
• Get a copy of Elise Keith's book Where the Action Is.

Elise Keith shared that she practices Hal Elrod's Miracle Morning principals every morning. On Live Inspired Podcast ep. 77 my dear friend Hal Elrod shares the techniques of his international bestselling book The Miracle Morning and how those practices helped him overcome two near-death experiences + build a highly successful business. Listen to Hal's Live Inspired Podcast episode today.

ELISE KEITH'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? Don Miguel's Four Agreements.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Sit still and not be fretting about everything I need to do.

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 laptop + a box of my kids' precious school pictures.

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? My great, great grandfather Jake Patrick Aldridge. There are all types of family legends about him and I'd love to hear them come straight from the source.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Eat all the chocolate while you can.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Just do the work.

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? Well, that was fun!

***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Ten years ago, Susannah Cahalan's life pivoted rapidly in a radically different direction. Recounted in her New York Times bestseller Brain on Fire, Susannah bravely shares her harrowing story of being diagnosed with a rare + newly discovered neurological disease.

Fully recovered + thriving, Susannah calls in from the tour of her newest book, The Great Pretender. It dives deep into an investigation of Stanford psychologist David Rosenhan + his landmark 1970s study which led many to question the validity of psychiatric diagnoses.

If you’re seeking a miraculous story of triumph, this episode is for you. Susannah will articulately show you how to overcome with gratitude, grace + tenacity.

SHOW NOTES:

• In 2009, 24-year-old Susannah was working as a tabloid reporter for the New York Post when what seemed like depression rapidly morphed into psychosis, paranoia + hallucinations.
• Various diagnoses were presented during her month-long hospitalization including alcohol withdrawal, bipolar, schizoaffective disorder before a creative thinking Dr. Souhel Najjar was able to properly diagnose Susannah with anti-NMDA-receptor autoimmune encephalitis. 
• Road to Recovery: It took a year and a half of treatment for Susannah to fully recover. Looking back, she is able to pinpoint a belief of a bedbug infestation as the beginning of her tailspin.
• Before being diagnosed, Susannah vividly remembers “high emotional content” like the belief that Abraham Lincoln was following her around her father’s house.
• She credits her family taking her to a hospital versus a psychiatric hospital as the reason she was able to get the proper care + be alive today.
• Mirror Images: Susannah has met others who have diagnosed with her same illness, but were given different + unsuccessful treatments at their psychiatric hospitals. 
• The Half Clock: Clinician + researcher Dr. Najjar asked Susannah to draw a clock, which was the piece of evidence to the puzzle that didn’t make sense in diagnosing schizoaffective disorder. It led to a brain biopsy + spinal tap which confirmed the suspicion of anti-NMDA-receptor autoimmune encephalitis.
• Medical Marvel: Writing The Great Pretender helped Susannah recognize the full extent of her journey + how lucky she was to be the 217th patient properly diagnosed with her illness.
• In her latest book The Great Pretender, Susannah examines a 1970s experiment created by Dr. David Rosenhan, where eight volunteers posed with classic mental illness symptoms to challenge the validity of psychiatric diagnosis.
• Watch Susannah Cahalan's TEDx Talk here.
• Get a copy of Susannah Cahalan's New York Times bestseller Brain on Fire here.
• Get Susannah Cahalan's latest book The Great Pretender here.

If you enjoyed hearing from a New York Times bestselling author, listen to our Bestselling Authors playlist, featuring my conversations with bestselling authors like Mitch Albom, Judith Viorst + Gary Sinise.

SUSANNAH CAHALAN'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? I had a strong sense of tenacity.

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 journal I kept when I was sick. It has mine + my father’s recollections of that time.

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? William Shakespeare and I'd ask, “Did you really write all of your masterpieces?”

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Dr. Najjar: You have to look backwards to see the future.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Stop obsessing about how you look, how much you weigh, the unimportant things.

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? She was curious, she was fair, and she was compassionate.

***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moments” segments.

Recently I had the honor of speaking at a Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) event. Afterward, I had the opportunity to speak with incredible leaders and surprisingly, the most emotional conversations were not with the soldiers but with the spouses of those soldiers.

As we celebrate Veteran's Day today, let's be mindful of the sacrifices being made for our freedom by the soldiers + their spouses courageously serve their households.

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

There are many adversities we face in life. Some of outward-facing while many are scars we carry on the insides of our hearts. Today's guest can speak to both.

Jonathan Lopez is an Army Infantry veteran + member of Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW). OEW is a veteran-founded non‐profit whose mission is to honor, empower, and motivate our nation’s wounded military and law enforcement veterans through physical, mental and emotional rehabilitation.

Jonathan joins us for a raw, emotional and honest conversation about serving our country, learning how to accept unexpected circumstances + challenges in life and inspiring others to do the same.

(Thank you to Live Inspired community member Martina for sharing her special relationship Jonathan, his connection her late son Thomas + the work OEW is doing in our communities. Share your guest recommendations with us at podcast@johnolearyinspires.com)

SHOW NOTES:

• According to the 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, more than 16 United States veterans die by suicide every day.
• At 17 years old, Jonathan joined the Army seeking brotherhood + community, something that was lacking in his life.
• During Special Forces Training, Jonathan realized the community he always sought was already in the barracks + quit.
• Days later, Jonathan was involved with a head-on motorcycle accident that resulted in 17 fractures in his left leg, broke every rib on his left side + the amputation of his left arm.
• Finding peace: "Not too long ago, I let go. It was one of the most liberating things." 
• Jonathan's focus + determination on rehabilitating his leg helped him cope with the loss of his arm.
• Unleashing a monster: While rehabilitating his leg, Jonathan became addicted to opioids, which eventually led to a suicide attempt.
• "Figuring out how to do things with one hand is not that complicated. Mental rehabilitation is hard."
• Redemption: During induction to Operation Enduring Warrior's Masked Athlete Team, Jonathan's mentor Jeff Farmer presented an opportunity for redemption.  
• "Face your obstacles, smile + get it over with."
• Jonathan attempted suicide not wanting his children to grow up with a "deadbeat father". Today, he's choosing to live because of his kids.
• Learn more about Operation Enduring Warrior here.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Other Live Inspired Podcast guests have shared about suicide prevention + awareness.

• Kevin Hines speaks of overcoming his "brain pain" + thriving in spite of mental illness on ep. 164. 
• Dese'Rae Stage speaks about sharing stories of other suicide attempt survivors on ep. 156. 
• Dennis Gillan discusses the loss of two brothers to suicide on ep. 46. 

JONATHAN LOPEZ'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? Raising Men: Lessons Navy SEALs Learned from Their Training and Taught to Their Sons by Dina Santorelli and Eric Davis.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? I was never afraid of the unknown.

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. Part of my evolution in life has to become a minimalist, be purer and not be attached to anything.

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? My grandmother.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? My grandmother taught me to plant a tree, write a book and have children. My friend Scott encourages me to leave my footprints to guide others.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Nothing. It would change where I am today.

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? Die first, then quit.

 ***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our Live Inspired Podcast Monday Moments segment.

Today I am honored to welcome back international bestselling author Mitch Albom. Mitch shares the heartwarming + emotional story about a young girl who taught him the true meaning of family. This conversation will remind you the importance of family, regardless of how they're made.

• Chika was born into extreme poverty three days before the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
• After being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, Mitch and his wife Janine brought 5-year-old Chika to America in search of quality medical care.
• Finding Chika: Chika enjoyed playing hide-and-seek but it was an eloquent question that inspired the name of the book.
• "We didn't lose a child. We were given one."
• Proceeds from Finding Chika go to the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage. Learn more here.
• Get Mitch's new book Finding Chika here.

Mitch joined me for a full interview on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 81. He shared about his relationship with his beloved professor Morrie Schwartz and how that inspired him to write the bestselling memoir Tuesdays with Morrie. Listen here.

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

How do we react when an unwanted diagnosis appears? Or when adversity arises with a child, a loved one or for ourselves? How do we move forward with compassion, courage, love, respect, possibility, and certainty that the best remains in front of us?

Dr. April Jones holds many professional credentials. Yet it’s her personal journey that makes her an authority on transforming pain into purpose. Before her son's 2nd birthday, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer... and April + her husband were faced with an agonizing, life-changing decision.

April's heartfelt journey + uplifting story is sure to help those seeking to turn struggle into strength!

SHOW NOTES

• At 16 years old, April met future husband Billy. He offered encouragement when she wasn’t sure if she believed in herself + they had similar goals and sense of adventure to grow as a person outside of their small town
• Embracing change: Billy and her married at 19 + unexpectedly became pregnant 3 months later.
• “We can always learn from our feelings, even if we don’t like them. We control how we react to situations.”
• Tyler’s cancer: Her oldest son was almost 2 years old when he was diagnosed with cancer.
• February 2, 2004: April makes the life-changing decision to amputate Tyler’s leg, and cancer, to achieve full remission.
• “Sometimes it takes losing everything we thought was important to us to find that we have everything we actually need. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we will force ourselves to finally look up.”
• Some of their greatest supporters were a couple named Todd + Dawn. After losing their son to cancer, they supported other families dealing with life-threatening childhood illnesses and became an inspiration to many families.
• Little reminders were helpful + impactful:
  • Support through First Baptist Church in South Haven was a reminder that they weren’t alone in Tyler’s fight.
  • The support from the community celebrating Tyler’s life during his Make-a-Wish grant was life-changing.
• Advice for others in a similar situation: Have hope. Allow yourself the freedom to feel what you feel + know that’s okay.
• “Life is fleeting. Just like the good moments are fleeting, so are the bad.”
• “At some point, what your current situation is, is going to be the story that inspires someone else or helps you relate to someone else so that they can listen to what you have to say.”
• Tyler was 2018 Paralympic High School All American for Track and Field.
• “How someone treats you says nothing at all about you and everything about them.”
• “Whether you are proud of where you came from, ashamed of it or pretend it does not matter, you either let where you came from propel you forward or hold you back. But the good thing is this: you get to choose.”
• Get a copy of Dr. April Jone's book No Mess, No Message here.

Are you or someone you know dealing expected diagnosis or illness? We’ve compiled to Live Inspired Podcast guests that are living inspired after cancer or other illness has affected their lives. Listen to the Cancer + Illness playlist here.

APRIL JONES' LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? The Shack by William Paul Young.

[William Paul Young was a guest on the Live Inspired Podcast! Listen to my conversation with him on ep. 19.]

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Imagine without analyzing.

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 first little diamond necklace on this delicate chain with a handwritten note from my grandmother that says “a little something special for someone special.”

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? If Jesus is not an option, Oprah.

5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? My friend Julia said, “what’s the worse that could happen? What are you worried that could be the worst outcome of this decision on each side? How would you deal with that situation if it happened?”

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Regardless of what happens, you’re going to be okay.

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? She sparkled.

***

Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts.

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moments” segments.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Today I share the story of someone choosing to be happy and striving to make every experience a gift for his clients. As you head into this week, I encourage you to embrace your responsibilities + to make the best of your day, your work and your life.

***

Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.