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Military + First Responders

Live Inspired Podcast Military + First Responders Playlist features John O’Leary discussing life, love and service with veterans and first responders.

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Zach Didier and Chris Didier
Thursday Episode | June 15, 2023

Advocating for a Safer Future: Chris Didier’s Journey to End Fentanyl Deaths (ep. 576)

John O’Leary welcomes Chris Didier to the Live Inspired Podcast as he brings life-saving awareness to fentanyl’s deadly role in our communities, and how his advocacy work has brought him healing. Chris Didier is turning his own heartbreak and pain into…
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Robert "Cujo" Teschner
Thursday Episode | January 19, 2023

How to Practice Accountable Leadership with Robert “Cujo” Teschner (ep. 534)

John O’Leary welcomes F-15 and F-22 fighter pilot, Weapons School Instructor and Squadron Commander, Robert “Cujo” Teschner on the Live Inspired Podcast to discuss hope, resiliency and how to live with purpose. After decades of teamwork and the highest…
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Dr. Calvin Sun
Thursday Episode | December 8, 2022

Dr. Calvin Sun: Healing From the COVID Frontlines (ep. 522)

John O’Leary welcomes ER physician who tirelessly worked in seven emergency rooms in New York City since the early days of the global pandemic to the Live Inspired Podcast. In March 2020, as state of emergencies were issued, stay-at-home…
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Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch
Thursday Episode | November 11, 2021

A Veteran’s Story of Courage, Combat + Recovery (ep. 410)

Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch joins John O’Leary on the Live Inspired Podcast to share his story of courage combat and recovery. One of my favorite groups to partner with each year is FOCUS Marines Foundation. FOCUS does…
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Lt. Col. (ret.) Waldo Waldman
Thursday Episode | October 14, 2021

Take Charge + Never Fly Solo: Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman (ep. 402)

Lt. Col. (ret.) Waldo Waldman joins the Live Inspired Podcast with John O’Leary to share techniques to overcome obstacles, break barriers, take charge during adverse times and never fly solo. Lt. Col. (ret.) Waldo Waldman is a Hall of…
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Thursday Episode | July 8, 2021

How Purpose Helped Captain Plumb Survive as a POW (ep. 374)

Retired aviation pilot Captain Charlie Plumb joins John O’Leary on the Live Inspired Podcast to share the power of purpose + appreciating the value of challenge. Former Navy fighter pilot Captain Charlie Plumb is a testament to the strength of the…
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Jim Lovell of Apollo 13
Thursday Episode | June 10, 2021

Apollo 13’s Captain Jim Lovell on Staying Mentally Strong (ep. 366)

Apollo 13 Spacecraft Commander Captain Jim Lovell joins the Live Inspired Podcast with John O’Leary to share how he stayed mentally strong when met with unforeseen adversity. Captain Jim Lovell has travelled further into space than any other person and…
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Evy Poumpouras
Thursday Episode | February 13, 2020

Evy Poumpouras: Ex-Special Agent Lives Fearlessly (ep. 228)

Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Evy Poumpouras joins John O’Leary on the Live Inspired Podcast to share how she lives fearlessly. What’s your fear? Is that fear serving you or hindering you? Evy Poumpouras is one of the…
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Smitty and Louise Harris
Thursday Episode | December 12, 2019

The Epic 60-Year Survival Story of One Couple (Col. Smitty + Louise Harris ep. 210)

John O’Leary welcomes Col. Smitty Harris + his wife Louise to the Live Inspired Podcast to share their enduring love story 60 years in the making. Colonel Carlyle Smith “Smitty” Harris spent 2,871 days (that’s nearly 8 years!) as…
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Jonathan Lopez
Thursday Episode | November 7, 2019

Operation Enduring Warrior: A Veteran’s Story of Redemption (ep. 200)

John O’Leary welcomes Army veteran Jonathan Lopez onto the Live Inspired Podcast for a raw + emotional conversation about embracing unexpected challenges in life. There are many adversities we face in life. Some of outward-facing while many are scars…
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Live + virtual speaker. 2x bestselling author. Live Inspired Podcast Host. Best last: Husband. Dad.

John O'Leary
Why does @Philminator believe that having healthy Why does @Philminator believe that having healthy debate and conversation is important? @TheAmazingRace
Need a little dose of John O'Leary? Each month, we Need a little dose of John O'Leary? Each month, we host a live Zoom for members of our Live Inspired Together community. We always laugh, we sometimes cry and no matter what we go into a new month FIRED UP. 
Our next meeting is Monday, October 2 at 4 pm CST. We hope you’ll join us to see what it’s all about. To attend, join our Live Inspired Together community and we'll send you the Zoom link! 
https://community.liveinspiredtogether.com/registrations/groups/66867
In it's 35 seasons, @philiminator reminds us that In it's 35 seasons, @philiminator reminds us that @TheAmazingRace is a great adventure of like-minded people who share a passion for storytelling.
For 35 seasons, @TheAmazingRace and @philiminator For 35 seasons, @TheAmazingRace and @philiminator are celebrating the best of what the world has to offer.
Phil Keoghan is arguably the most traveled televis Phil Keoghan is arguably the most traveled television host on the planet. As the host of @TheAmazingRace on @CBSTV and @ParamountPlus, the multiple Emmy Award-winning reality series where teams of two embark on a trek around the world, Phil has experienced a life full of travel and adventure.
Today, fresh off the milestone 35th season premiere of The Amazing Race, Phil joins us to share how he’s been globetrotting since a young boy, how his working-class parents and grandparents inspired his other hit show @ToughAsNails on CBS and so much more.
My friends, today’s conversation will inspire you to take risks, accept and love all of those around you, and live life to the fullest.
Listen to @Philminator on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 606 now! Links in bio!
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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

14 hours ago

John O'Leary - Live Inspired
Need a little dose of John O'Leary? Each month, we host a live Zoom for members of our Live Inspired Together community. We always laugh, we sometimes cry and no matter what we go into a new month FIRED UP. Our next meeting is Monday, October 2 at 4 pm CST. We hope you’ll join us to see what it’s all about. To attend, join our Live Inspired Together community and we'll send you the Zoom link! community.liveinspiredtogether.com/registrations/groups/66867 ... See MoreSee Less

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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

2 days ago

John O'Leary - Live Inspired
Phil Keoghan is arguably the most traveled television host on the planet. As the host of The Amazing Race on CBS and Paramount+, the multiple Emmy Award-winning reality series where teams of two embark on a trek around the world, Phil has experienced a life full of travel and adventure.Today, fresh off the milestone 35th season premiere of The Amazing Race, Phil joins us to share how he’s been globetrotting since a young boy, how his working-class parents and grandparents inspired his other hit show Tough As Nails on CBS and so much more.My friends, today’s conversation will inspire you to take risks, accept and love all of those around you, and live life to the fullest.Listen to Phil Keoghan on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 606 now!🌎 My website: johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/phil-keoghan/🌎 Your favorite podcast app: link.chtbl.com/tOmM9ExS ... See MoreSee Less

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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

5 days ago

John O'Leary - Live Inspired
“Sympathy is easy because it comes from a position of power. Empathy is getting down on your knees and looking someone else in the eye, and realizing that you could be them, and that all that separates you is luck.” -Dennis LahaneWhile on my knees next to my fallen dad several years ago, I thought of this quote.Dad has been living with Parkinson’s disease for almost three decades. Over this time, he’s lost the ability to walk, drive and earn. It’s difficult for my dad to speak and lately, becoming more difficult to swallow.And yet today, Dad, seated in his trusty wheelchair, is the perfect embodiment of the joy we all wish we possessed.He engages with those around him. He smiles and laughs easily. He’s grateful for all he has and content with his life. Dad deals with constant pain and is racked with continuous challenges, but simply refuses to be a victim to his circumstances.But even as his son, it’s easy to miss the totality of his difficulties. When I see Dad, he’s got his khaki pants on, shirt tucked in, hair brushed, and smile on. He makes it look easy.But with Mom away for a weekend with her daughters several years ago, I saw firsthand how hard it actually is.Every single movement Dad made was ripe with risk and a chance of pain. Due to a torn rotator cuff, he was unable to use his right arm, which created far greater stress on his left arm. Simple activities many of us take for granted – rising from his bed, sitting up, pivoting into a wheelchair, rolling toward the bathroom, getting dressed – required great effort.I obviously suspected it was hard, but staying with my dad and caring for him in my mother’s absence gave me a totally different understanding.As we prepared for bed, I rolled Dad into the bathroom. I helped him change, wash his face, and use the bathroom. As he stood to transfer, Dad lost his balance, I lost my grip, and we both fell.It wasn’t physically painful for either of us, but it was eye opening for me.There we were, on a cold tile floor. My sweet dad struggling to get back into the chair. His under-powered son trying to help, but also mindful of sore limbs and cautious not to cause greater injury.On our hands and knees, we caught our breath. For a long while, we just stared at each other.No words were spoken. None had to be. And perhaps for the first time since my father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis I had sincere, heart-wrenching, eye-opening empathy for what this brave man deals with each day.As his caretaker that evening, though, my heart expanded even more for his primary caretaker, his awesome wife, my remarkable mom.Like my dad, Mom never complains. A mighty reason why their life is as beautiful as it is stems from her steadfast faithfulness, ferocious optimism, and loving stubbornness. She just refuses to give in or to give up. She simply loves life too much for that attitude. And she loves her husband too much.It just took laying on their tile bathroom floor for me to see it clearly.(I was reminded of this experience while interviewing Dr. Sarah Teten Canter on our podcast last week. If you are one of the more than 54 million people responsible for caregiving for a loved one, she’s an expert on positive caregiving and has an amazing life story to share. Check it out here: johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/sarah-teten-kanter/)My friends, the best way to really know about someone else is to be humble enough to get down on our knees, meet them where they are, look them in the eye, and realize that we could be them.Sometimes the person we’ll connect more deeply with will be someone we may not look, vote, worship, or act like. Other times, it will be a person you’ve loved your entire life that you’re fortunate enough to call Dad.This is your day. Live Inspired. ... See MoreSee Less

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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

1 week ago

John O'Leary - Live Inspired
“Lord Jesus, just be with this young couple as they try to make it home. We know all things are possible with you, so help them get home. Amen”Flying from Houston through New Orleans back home to St Louis. Our first flight was delayed about an hour giving us 12 minutes from when we landed to when the next flight was set to takeoff. Even less by the time our plane parked. The woman one row ahead of us heard us talking about how tight this connection would be. She turned around and said, “You two are going to make this flight. You got this …. because God’s got you.” She then offered the prayer above. My friends, three things here: 1. I didn’t know that lady praying for us. She just cared enough to make our problem hers and then lift us up in prayer. 2. I also didn’t know the lady sitting next to me either! We weren’t a couple! She just happened to be flying up to be with friends for the weekend in St Louis. 3. I type this while being seated. In a middle seat. Out of breath. But on that flight home! So what’s the point?My friends, let’s strive to be a little more like the unlnown, unnamed, beautiful lady in row 7. It costs nothing to be loving and kind to others. But it just might change their day. It might even help them catch a flight. This is your day. Live Inspired. J ... See MoreSee Less

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John O'Leary - Live Inspired

1 week ago

John O'Leary - Live Inspired
Each day, more than 54 million Americans are responsible for serving as a caregiver for a loved one.Three decades with Parkinson’s disease has made movement for my father Denny O’Leary nearly impossible. But with the help of another person, guiding him from spot to spot, supporting him in the shower, assisting as he gets dressed, and guiding a wheelchair from room to room, the absolute impossible becomes possible. And this care happens all day, every day.For Dad, the person doing all that work is my mother, Susan O’Leary. She’s remarkable, and she’s not alone.Often caregiving is a burden to bear and a problem to be solved. And yet as an expert in gerontology, Dr. Sarah Teten Kanter is on a mission to make caregiving and care receiving a time to savor and an opportunity for personal growth.Today, Sarah shares the simple activities, conversation-inspiring questions, and self-care practices designed to immerse caregivers and their care partners in gratitude, empathy, forgiveness, love, and awe. Why these five specific emotions? By exuding these positive emotions, it’s been shown to improve health, reduce stress and create meaning in daily life in the relationships of caregivers and care receivers.My friends, this conversation reminds us to embrace the full gift of life at every stage and every age.Listen to Dr. Sarah Teten Kanter on Live Inspired Podcast ep 604 now:My website: johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/archive/sarah-teten-kanter/Your favorite podcast app: link.chtbl.com/tOmM9ExS ... See MoreSee Less

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