Stephanie Szostak joins John O’Leary on the Live Inspired Podcast for The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series. Portraying Susan O’Leary in the film, Stephanie shares her journey of family, resilience, and authenticity, and why tough love and grace can carry us through life’s hardest seasons.
This week, The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series welcomes my dear friend Stephanie Szostak.
Stephanie has brought memorable characters to life in A Million Little Things and The Devil Wears Prada. Now, in the upcoming film SOUL ON FIRE, she steps into her most meaningful role yet as my mom Susan O’Leary. She brings her talent to the screen with depth and grace, and in this conversation she shares her heart, her wisdom, and the life lessons that have shaped her along the way.
Today, Stephanie shares stories from her childhood in France, the values she’s carried from her parents and brother, and the pivotal moments that shaped both her career and her outlook on life. She opens up about grief and resilience, the gift of tough love, and what it meant to step into my mom’s shoes for SOUL ON FIRE. Together, we talk about family, faith, and the power of showing up for the people we love.
My friends, you’ll leave this conversation reminded that resilience is born in relationships, that love can carry us through even the hardest seasons, and that your story (yes, yours!) can be a beacon of hope for others. If you need encouragement today, this one is for you.
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SHOW NOTES:
- Family roots: her American father taught her golf as a metaphor for life (“play one shot at a time”), and her French mother modeled caregiving, independence, and tough love.
- Her brother Mark was her hero and teacher who she describes as brilliant, rebellious, and courageous, and whose struggles with addiction and faith shaped her perspective on resilience and grace.
- “Golf is a game of honor. You call penalties on yourself, and so is life.” Golf carried her from childhood into college at William & Mary, where she competed on the women’s team.
- After working in marketing at Chanel, a chance modeling opportunity led to commercials, acting classes at 29, and eventually film roles.
- Career highlights: The Devil Wears Prada (opposite Meryl Streep), Dinner for Schmucks (lead role with Paul Rudd and Steve Carell), and Iron Man 3.
- Married nearly 30 years to her husband Brit, their relationship was tested in the wake of 9/11 but reaffirmed through a “Penn Station moment” that renewed their commitment. Together they’ve raised two sons, Max and Eli.
- In SOUL ON FIRE, Stephanie portrays Susan O’Leary. She prepared by meeting Susan personally and embodying her caregiving spirit and tough love, especially the pivotal moment when Susan asked John, “Do you want to die?”
- Favorite memories on set: filming the church wedding scene where the real Denny stood despite illness, laughter with John Corbett and William H. Macy, and learning from young actors playing John’s siblings.
- Central message: tough love can give us strength, quirks make us unique, and scars do not define us.
- “We should all try to embrace our own quirkiness.”
- “People are so obsessed with making their careers and having a big house; then you realize that kills your dreams. It even kills what makes your life because you get so busy inside.”
- “Just like sports teams rely on playbooks to adjust, pivot, and better respond to what’s happening on the field, create your own playbook. A dynamic tool that will evolve as you continue to learn and grow and transform.”
- She wrote Selfish: Step Into a Journey of Self-Discovery to help others create their own “life playbook” for confidence, joy, and meaning. Get a copy here.
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STEPHANIE SZOSTAK'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A. Just playfulness. Sometimes I get too serious, especially when things are hard. I can forget to have a sense of humor. - 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. The folder with the passports and birth certificates. - 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 brother, Robert Redford, and Bob Marley. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. From my dad: You will always know what's right from wrong. You may not always do the right thing, but you'll always know what the right thing is. - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. Trust yourself and keep exploring. - 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. She did it her own way and inspired others to do the same thing.
