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Home | | Student to Student Leaders on Breaking Stereotypes Through Conversation (ep. 860) | Student to Student

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John O'Leary @jolearyinspires ·

For more than a quarter of a century, @RobinSharma has been devoted to helping others realize their native gifts. As a legendary personal growth expert, Robin has advised business leaders, superstar athletes, and heads of state realize their highest leadership capacities.

John O'Leary @jolearyinspires ·

ICYMI: Have you ever noticed that the best moments in life are frequently unplanned and completely unscripted? One such moment for me was the highlight of the entire filming process for the On Fire movie. Let me explain in today's #MondayMotivation.

https://johnolearyinspires.com/2024/04/sliding-home/

John O'Leary @jolearyinspires ·

Have you ever noticed that the best moments in life are frequently unplanned and completely unscripted? One such moment for me was the highlight of the entire filming process for the On Fire movie. Let me explain in today's #MondayMotivation.

https://johnolearyinspires.com/2024/04/sliding-home/

John O'Leary @jolearyinspires ·

ICYMI: In today's #MondayMotivation, I share why we shouldn't wake up from accidental living, and live an uninspired life. https://johnolearyinspires.com/2024/04/uninspired-life/

John O'Leary @jolearyinspires ·

In today's #MondayMotivation, I share why we shouldn't wake up from accidental living, and live an uninspired life. https://johnolearyinspires.com/2024/04/uninspired-life/

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johnoleary.inspires

🎤 Motivational Speaker
📕 Bestselling Author
🎧 Live Inspired Podcast Host
🎥 Subject of Major Motion Picture SOUL ON FIRE
❤️ Son, Husband, and Dad

The visit that changed my life began with a chain

The visit that changed my life began with a chain of conversations I never heard.
The night I was burned, Jack Buck was at a charity event when he learned about a little boy who was not expected to survive. Hours later—just as depicted in these shots from @soulonfiremovie—he sat beside my hospital bed.
In my scariest, bleakest days, that visit gave me a promise to cling to. But Jack only heard my story because one person told another… and another… and another.
News of our fire and the odds against my survival spread quickly. Years before social media, this tragedy went viral in our community as neighbors, friends and family encouraged prayer and action.
My next-door neighbor called a friend, who told another friend, who shared the news with her neighbor, Colleen Schoendienst. Colleen then called her dad and asked him to keep a little boy from their community in his prayers.
That phone call changed my life.
Colleen’s father, baseball great Red Schoendienst, attended the same charity event that night. Sitting beside his friend Jack Buck, he mentioned that a little boy burned earlier that day was not expected to live. That was the extent of the conversation.
But it was enough.
Jack’s visit and encouragement changed my life. But it really wasn’t just Jack, was it?
Without Red sharing the news, Jack would never have known, never visited, never inspired me. So the credit goes to Red.
Well, actually, it wasn’t Red, either. It was Colleen.
She made the phone call. She told her father about the fire. She’s the reason Red knew. She’s the reason Jack found out.
Right?
Or was it her neighbor?
Or the friend?
Or my next-door neighbor?
My friends, we frequently cheapen our ability to influence radical change. We underestimate our ability to be a spark that ignites and influences the world in profoundly important ways.
But every action matters. Every word, every choice and every ordinary act of care becomes part of something larger.
Simple actions by ordinary people change the world. It starts with one.
It starts with you. ❤️‍🔥
#SoulOnFire #LiveInspired #JackBuck #JohnOLeary #InspiringStories

“You don’t need a cape to be a hero. You just

“You don’t need a cape to be a hero. You just need a hammer."
Those words from Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s founder @shpluke have stayed with me ever since our interview in April 2025. And they’re words many of you have shared stayed with you, too.
But one Live Inspired community member didn’t just hear those words and feel moved by them. He acted on them.
Dan Rogers—whom I introduced you to this morning—reached out to Luke’s organization, helped bring a @shpbeds chapter to his community and began inviting others to join him.
That’s the power of a story.
It can touch us. It can inspire us. And if we’re willing to say yes, it can move us to action.
Listen to the original conversation that moved Dan (Live Inspired Podcast Ep. 774 with Luke Mickelson): https://johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/luke-mickelson/
#LiveInspiredPodcast #MondayMotivation #SayYes #LiveInspired #EverydayHeroes

Years ago, I sat in the back of church and heard a

Years ago, I sat in the back of church and heard a simple challenge: Say ‘yes’ to opportunities where your life can be used for good.
At the time, I had no idea where that yes might lead. I never imagined the next day I’d be invited to share my story with a small group of Girl Scouts. Or that in time, living the ‘yes’ would grow into a career speaking around the world, lead to books and a movie, or open the door to meeting so many extraordinary people.
I just felt moved by something I heard: Say “yes” to being used for good.
Which is why I love the story of this month’s On Fire For Good honoree, Dan Rogers.
Dan was also sitting in an audience when he heard a message that struck him. In his case, the venue wasn’t a church, and the speaker wasn’t a pastor, but a super ordinary guy who reminds people what happens when they live yes.
Dan and I connected after the keynote. He began listening to the Live Inspired Podcast and was deeply moved by our 2025 conversation with the incredible @shpluke, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
Luke’s mission is wonderfully simple: No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.
Thousands heard that podcast. Most were deeply moved by it. Dan, however, acted on it.
He contacted the organization and began exploring how to bring @shpbeds to his own community. He brought others with him, including Michael Tyler, someone Dan hadn’t previously known but who shared his enthusiasm for the mission. Together, they began building a local chapter, forming a team and inviting others into the cause.
And that last part matters because it’s key to changing lives. You see, one of the phrases we share frequently around our organization is the importance of Saying yes. Showing up. Coming back. And bringing friends.
Dan embodies all four.
He said yes to the nudge telling him this mattered. He showed up to learn how he could help. He kept coming back as an idea became a plan and a plan became a chapter. And now he’s bringing along his wife, kids, friends, neighbors and co-workers to bring this vision to life.
[Finish reading below...]
#MondayMorningMotivation #OnFireForGood #LiveInspired

Our September #LiveInspiredTogether call is almost

Our September #LiveInspiredTogether call is almost here!
Join me on Zoom Monday, September 14 at 4 p.m. CT for an hour of connection, encouragement and inspiration. Absolutely anyone is welcome—and, as always, it’s completely free to attend.
I can’t wait to see you there! Let us know you’re coming by registering here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YpVcVYcPSKeDBK8ADB_tcg
#LiveInspiredTogether #JohnOLeary #VirtualCommunity #LiveInspired

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation endured un

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation endured unimaginable loss. In the days that followed, we mourned those who had been taken, honored the heroes who ran toward danger and struggled to imagine how we might ever move forward.
When @mlb returned six days later, my sister Susan and I were among more than 40,000 people gathered at @buschstadium—not simply for a game, but to stand together in defiance of fear.
Before the first pitch, Jack Buck stepped toward the microphone. He was a World War II veteran, an icon of baseball, a man battling advanced Parkinson’s disease—and as you all know, a personal hero of mine.
The paper trembled in his hands, but his voice remained steady and resolute as he asked, “Should we be here?” His answer was an emphatic: “YES.”
Jack then shared the poem featured in this video. His words honored all that had been taken from us while reminding us of what was still expected of us: courage, unity and hope.
Today, on this 25th anniversary, choose to treasure the simple moments, celebrate our shared humanity, and act with a bit more kindness, compassion, and hope in a global marketplace that still aches for it.
Choose to recognize the immeasurable value of your life–and the lives of those you encounter.
And choose to believe the little things you do matter.
Because, ultimately, our children will receive the future we’ll be giving.
#NeverForget #September11 #JackBuck #LiveInspired

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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

7 hours ago

The visit that changed my life began with a chain of conversations I never heard.The night I was burned, Jack Buck was at a charity event when he learned about a little boy who was not expected to survive. Hours later—just as depicted in these shots from Soul On Fire Movie—he sat beside my hospital bed.In my scariest, bleakest days, that visit gave me a promise to cling to. But Jack only heard my story because one person told another… and another… and another.News of our fire and the odds against my survival spread quickly. Years before social media, this tragedy went viral in our community as neighbors, friends and family encouraged prayer and action.My next-door neighbor called a friend, who told another friend, who shared the news with her neighbor, Colleen Schoendienst. Colleen then called her dad and asked him to keep a little boy from their community in his prayers.That phone call changed my life.Colleen’s father, baseball great Red Schoendienst, attended the same charity event that night. Sitting beside his friend Jack Buck, he mentioned that a little boy burned earlier that day was not expected to live. That was the extent of the conversation.But it was enough.Jack’s visit and encouragement changed my life. But it really wasn’t just Jack, was it?Without Red sharing the news, Jack would never have known, never visited, never inspired me. So the credit goes to Red.Well, actually, it wasn’t Red, either. It was Colleen.She made the phone call. She told her father about the fire. She’s the reason Red knew. She’s the reason Jack found out.Right?Or was it her neighbor?Or the friend?Or my next-door neighbor?My friends, we frequently cheapen our ability to influence radical change. We underestimate our ability to be a spark that ignites and influences the world in profoundly important ways.But every action matters. Every word, every choice and every ordinary act of care becomes part of something larger.Simple actions by ordinary people change the world. It starts with one.It starts with you. ❤️‍🔥#SoulOnFire #LiveInspired #JackBuck #JohnOLeary #InspiringStories ... See MoreSee Less

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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

1 day ago

“You don’t need a cape to be a hero. You just need a hammer."Those words from Sleep in Heavenly Peace's founder Luke Mickelson have stayed with me ever since our interview in April 2025. And they’re words many of you have shared stayed with you, too. But one Live Inspired community member didn’t just hear those words and feel moved by them. He acted on them.Dan Rogers—whom I introduced you to this morning—reached out to Luke’s organization, helped bring a Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter to his community and began inviting others to join him.That’s the power of a story. It can touch us. It can inspire us. And if we’re willing to say yes, it can move us to action.Listen to the original conversation that moved Dan (Live Inspired Podcast Ep. 774 with Luke Mickelson): johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/luke-mickelson/#LiveInspiredPodcast #MondayMotivation #SayYes #LiveInspired #EverydayHeroes ... See MoreSee Less

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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

1 day ago

Years ago, I sat in the back of church and heard a simple challenge: Say ‘yes’ to opportunities where your life can be used for good.At the time, I had no idea where that yes might lead. I never imagined the following day I’d be invited to share my story with a small group of third-grade Girl Scouts. Or that in time, living the ‘yes’ would grow into a career speaking around the world, lead to books and a movie, or open the door to meeting so many extraordinary people.I just felt moved by something I heard: Say “yes” to being used for good. Which is why I love the story of this month’s On Fire For Good honoree, Dan Rogers.Dan was also sitting in an audience when he heard a message that stuck with him. In his case, the venue wasn’t a church, and the speaker wasn’t a pastor, but a super ordinary guy who works to remind people of what happens when they live yes. Dan and I connected after the keynote. He began listening to the Live Inspired Podcast and was deeply moved by our 2025 conversation with the incredible Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.Luke’s mission is wonderfully simple: No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.Thousands heard that podcast. Most were deeply moved by it. Dan, however, acted on it.He contacted the organization and began exploring what it would take to bring Sleep in Heavenly Peace to his own community. He brought others with him, including Michael Tyler, someone Dan hadn’t previously known but who shared his enthusiasm for the mission. Together, they began building a local chapter, forming a team and inviting others into the cause.And that last part matters because it’s key to changing lives. You see, one of the phrases we share frequently around our organization is the importance of Saying yes. Showing up. Coming back. And bringing friends.Dan embodies all four. He said yes to the nudge that told him this mattered. He showed up to learn how he could help. He kept coming back as an idea became a plan and a plan became a chapter. And now he’s bringing along his wife, kids, friends, neighbors and co-workers to bring this vision to life.It turns out that inspiration alone changes very little. But action changes lives.We can listen to the podcast. Read the book. Attend the keynote. Hear a story that breaks our heart or opens our eyes. We can think, Someone should do something about that.Or…We can recognize that perhaps that someone is us.Dan Rogers heard about kids who needed beds. He realized there was something he could do. And instead of waiting for someone else to step forward, he did.My friends, imagine what might change if more of us did the same.Say yes. Show up. Come back. Bring friends.Then watch how much good can grow from one simple yes.Today is your day. Live Inspired.#MondayMorningMotivation #LiveInspired #JohnOLeary #OnFireForGood ... See MoreSee Less

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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

3 days ago

Our September #LiveInspiredTogether call is almost here!Join me on Zoom Monday, September 14 at 4 p.m. CT for an hour of connection, encouragement and inspiration. Absolutely anyone is welcome—and, as always, it’s completely free to attend.I can’t wait to see you there! Let us know you’re coming by registering here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YpVcVYcPSKeDBK8ADB_tcg#LiveInspiredTogether #JohnOLeary #VirtualCommunity #LiveInspired ... See MoreSee Less

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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

4 days ago

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation endured unimaginable loss. In the days that followed, we mourned those who had been taken, honored the heroes who ran toward danger and struggled to imagine how we might ever move forward.When MLB returned six days later, my sister Susan and I were among more than 40,000 people gathered at Busch Stadium—not simply for a game, but to stand together in defiance of fear.Before the first pitch, Jack Buck stepped toward the microphone. He was a World War II veteran, an icon of baseball, a man battling advanced Parkinson’s disease—and as you all know, a personal hero of mine.The paper trembled in his hands, but his voice remained steady and resolute as he asked, “Should we be here?” His answer was an emphatic: “YES.”Jack then shared the poem featured in this video. His words honored all that had been taken from us while reminding us of what was still expected of us: courage, unity and hope.Today, on this 25th anniversary, choose to treasure the simple moments, celebrate our shared humanity, and act with a bit more kindness, compassion, and hope in a global marketplace that still aches for it.Choose to recognize the immeasurable value of your life–and the lives of those you encounter.And choose to believe the little things you do matter.Because, ultimately, our children will receive the future we’ll be giving.#NeverForget #September11 #JackBuck #LiveInspired ... See MoreSee Less

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