Alex Sheen joins John O’Leary on the the Live Inspired Podcast to bridge the gap between intention and action and how we can have life-changing impact simply by keeping our word.
Alex Sheen is on a mission to better humanity through promises made and promises kept. As the founder of the social movement and nonprofit “because I said I would,” Alex believes individuals can create a world where promises are kept, fostering trust, empathy, and positive change.
Inspired by his father’s legacy, Alex has distributed more than 14 million “promise cards” to 178 countries with the intention of bridging the gap between intention and action.
Today, Alex shares how his father’s accountability and commitment shaped him, how promises are more than just words—they are commitments that shape our character and define our relationships— and what it means for each of us.
My friends, in a society where it’s easy to leave ourselves and others disappointed with broken commitments, this conversation will remind you of the life-changing impact we can make simply by keeping our word.
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SHOW NOTES:
- As the son of a first-generation immigrant growing up in the suburbs of Ohio, Alex learned to embrace his differences.
- What set Alex’s father apart from others is when he said he’d do something, he did it – a quality he deeply admired.
- September 4, 2012: Al Sheen lost his battle with small cell lung cancer. Alex promised to deliver his eulogy and in it, he remind people of the importance of our commitments. Watch Alex deliver Al’s eulogy here.
- Promise Cards: Alex asked others to simply write a promise on the card and use it as a symbol of your honor. Then, he offered to send 10 Promise Cards to anyone anywhere in the world at no cost to them which would ignite a global movement.
- While maintaining a full-time job in 2013, Alex received a promise card a young girl who ended up being the daughter of his boss. This inspired him to leave his job to fully pursue his mission.
- Like Alex’s father, Garth Callaghan was diagnosed with cancer. Wanting to ensure his daughter would find a handwritten note inside her lunchbox each day until she graduates from high school, Garth wrote 826 notes in advance.
- In addition to working with schools and prisons by providing resiliency skills and character, Alex has started a camp for children and families in bereavement. Learn more about camp here.
- “You can pretend to care but you can’t pretend to show up.”
- Learn more about Alex’s social movement because I said I would here.
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
You’ll love my conversation with Ben Nemtin. Ben and three childhood friends started The Buried Life: a list of 100 things to do before you die. Featured on MTV’s The Buried Life, for every item on the list they accomplished, they helped a stranger cross something off their bucket list. Hear Ben share what inspired the bucket list quest and its impact on millions to thrive personally and professionally. Listen to ep. 336 now.
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ALEX SHEEN'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. The Great Courses audiobook series, specifically Your Deceptive Mind. - Q. 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. A framed promise card from the first set I printed. - Q. 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?
A. My dad and I would rush him the names of his three grandchildren. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. I don’t have to, I get to. - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. Don’t do the military press of 155 pounds at the gym. It’s going to press down on one of your discs and you’re going to feel it for the rest of your life. - Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. It wasn’t a show.
