Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

Latest Episodes:

How to Outperform the Competition (Fried Chicken + love #102) Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

Joe DeLoss is the founder of Hot Chicken Takeover, a Nashville-style, hot chicken restaurant chain based out of Ohio. What's more inspiring than delicious fried chicken? The mission behind the chicken and the resulting success and growth the company is enjoying.

Joe will share how his competitive advantage (what he calls fair 'chance employment') is leading Hot Chicken Takeover to outperform its competitors in productivity 2 to 1.

Join me and life-long entrepreneur Joe DeLoss to get inspired and to get new ideas to grow your business, life and relationships.

SHOW NOTES:

"How can we sustainably tackle problems in our community through entrepreneurship?"
Meaningful employment = building positive job experiences for people who probably haven't had many due to homelessness, poor work history, incarceration, criminal record.
One in 3 Americans have a criminal record from misdemeanor to felony. "The work we do isn't charitable. We hire really high character, high integrity people (who have been looked over by traditional employers) and have made our restaurant best in class."
"Our team members are proving that their futures are bright and look much different than the past so many others hold them to."
Turnover is 40% or less. We're performing 2 to 3 times better in terms of employee turnover + productivity in our segment. Love and community are disruptive for everybody and have been taken out of most environments. As an employer, these are key elements for us and it makes a difference for the community of employees and customers.
"Challenge and adversity is part of life, but suffering is optional."
"If you can reflect, empathize and lead with love instead of judgement you will start to understand that a lot can be done. You have that choice everyday. Take it. Lead with love, it will be more disruptive than any technology or application we will ever have."

Hear more inspired dialogue around meaningful employment, check out Ep. 92 Ex-Felons to Farmers, highlighting Ironbound Hard Cider.

JOE DELOSS LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Everytime I read it I find some peace and contentment. The idea of seeking and exploring a different way of living inspired me to take the reigns of what my life will look like. A life of exploration, understanding and reflection is the basis of growth.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Creativity and freedom from ego is really magical. Battling with my judgements of myself constrains me. The more I can be present, love and empathize with the world the way children do feels boundless.

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, if you press me I'll go straight tactical: My iPhone.

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 want mountains not beach! My wife, Lisa. Every meaningful conversation we have opens me up and gives me a different perspective.

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? As a leader, instead of answering the question, ask the question back. If you have the right community around you, they'll have the right answer. It is the most freeing thing.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Slow down and be present. Make decision for the moment you are in not the moment you want to be in. In my 20s, I escaped to my future a lot. It damaged relationships, because it is not the place to be.

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 empathetic, saw and communicated the value that everybody has.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

Living Inspired with Actress Stephanie Szostak #101 Sep 27, 2018

Show notes

Stephanie Szostak stars on A Million Little Things, a TV show that shares the story of a group of friends in the wake of suicide.

I'm honored to have Stephanie on the show to bring mental health into the light during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We'll also talk about her life, inspiration, work (Dinner for Schmucks, The Devil Wears Prada, Iron Man 3!) and how she became a fan of the Live Inspired Podcast.

SHOW NOTES:

Take our survey to be entered to win autographed goodies from past guests!
Stephanie shared that the director wrote A Million Little Things to honor his friend who died by suicide + hoped it would create opportunities to start conversations about this difficult topic.
"You only live once. It's an adventure! It will be great for the kids to see their mother pursue her dreams." The support her husband shared when taking a role that entailed commuting.
"You will always know what is right from wrong. You won't always do it, but you'll always know."
"Be curious and don't judge."
"Working on Iron Man 3 with Robert Downy Jr. was like doing a dance with an unbelievably talented and generous partner who led you. It was a really incredible experience."
"Show your vulnerability. We think it makes us weak, but it makes us free. It is courageous."
What would you say to someone going through a hard time? Talking is helpful. Sometimes we don't want to open up or be a drag. Pick up the phone, go to therapy, speak to somebody, so that you can get a tool to brighten your day and change your mindset.

STEPHANIE SZOSTAK'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. It changed my life. And The Power of Now by Eckhart Toehl.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Playfulness, as a mom when I am caught up in the domesticity of life, cooking dinner and all this, I wish I would just let go and be more playful.

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 old family pictures on our book shelf and passports.

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? Bob Marly, Mick Jagger, Patty Smith and my brother! We're looking at the ocean. They're all such poets and free spirits the conversation just starts; life, creativity and love. And I am in heaven listening to all of them.

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? To do the exercise called the Impossible Future. My husband and I went into different rooms and answered: "If there were no obstacles and anything was possible, what would every aspect of your life look like?" Then share it. It's a great way to get to know each other.

Also, give to each other without expecting anything in return or calling out what you did.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? You don't know who you are yet. It's okay. Take your time and be curious.

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 did it her way and inspired others to do the same.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

Don't Stop Believin' (Hit band JOURNEY celebrates our 100th episode) (Ep. 100) Sep 20, 2018

Show notes

Jonathan Cain is the keyboardist + songwriter for one of the most popular American rock bands of all time: JOURNEY. Jonathan shares about his life, his inspiration behind the song song Don't Stop Believin' and so much more. Stay until the end, Jonathan will play a mini-live concert for you!

This is our 100th episode, my friends, and it is an all-out celebration! Look for all of the special features in the show notes. Don't miss it!

100th EPISODE SHOW NOTES:

Enjoy Live Inspired Podcast? Then you'll LOVE joining John for live inspiration via webcast as a member of his Live Inspired IN STUDIO membership community. Registration rarely opens; it's open NOW! For 2 days only. Register here.
Please take our 100th Episode Survey + be entered to win a package of autographed goodies from past guests! We want to know what you love, what you don't + what guests you'd like to see on the next 100. Thanks for listening!
This episode was recorded via Facebook Live. Watch the video here. (Stay until the end to see Jonathan play LIVE!)

JONATHAN CAIN SHOW NOTES

Order a copy of Jonathan's book Don't Stop Believin' here.
This article shares about the fire at Our Lady of Angels School.
If you get down on yourself and bitter, it's better to move away and get space. - Jonathan Cain
Hear how a conversation with his dad helped Jonathan pen the lyrics to Don't Stop Believin'.
"I just smile. If you write something like that, you did something pretty good." Jonathan about playing his hit Don't Stop Believin'.
See the video of JOURNEY meeting Kenny, the fan whose "Make A Wish" was to meet them.
What would you say to listeners who are struggling today? "There is a blessing beyond all of this struggle. Keep hope and let the Lord take you where you're supposed to go. Get yourself out of the way."

If you enjoyed hearing about the person behind music you love, check out episode #60 with Matt Maher, the wildly popular contemporary Christian musician, or Ep. #23 with Brian Vander Ark of the band Verve Pipe with 90's hit Freshman.

JONATHAN CAIN'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? The Power of Now by Eckhart Toehl. It took me awhile to get into, but it changed my life. I woke up the next morning looking at the world differently.

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

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 computer with my lyrics on it.

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? Abraham Lincoln. I'd ask him 'How do you write like that?' His wisdom and words resonate so strong.

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? Pay attention. Stay in the moment. I've seen a lot of people having a conversation that aren't in the conversation. My father would say, 'Are you really connecting with everyone you meet?' There is probably some wisdom you need to take. People don't meet by accident but for a reason.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? You are not always who they say you are. You are uniquely unique, so don't be afraid.

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? Never stop believin' in who you are. You are uniquely you.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

If you like this podcast, you will love Live Inspired IN STUDIO. It's my membership community where like-minded friends join me via live webcast to live inspired together. Registration is OPEN NOW for two days only. Don't miss it. Register today.

The Truth about Mental Illness (From a comic + brother of a suicide victim) #99 Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

Comic Adam Cayton-Holland's book Tragedy + Time is a tragi-comic memoir about his sister's death as a result of suicide. It was released just in time for Suicide Prevention Awareness month, September 2018.

Adam took pause in his favorite Denver park to join us for this personal conversation. Adam shares about life, family, comedy, anxiety and how his book helped him process losing his sister. Listen to live inspired and bring mental health into the light.

SHOW NOTES:

Adam's book Tragedy + Time is a tragic story with moments of great joy, laughter, love + redemption. Warning, there are quite a few cuss words.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is September. Join the conversation, get involved + support at Suicide Prevention Lifeline or National Alliance on Mental Health.
Goal of his book was to show that even in an idyllic family, mental illness can rear its head and take a family member.
"I felt stuff strongly." Adam Cayton-Holland on growing up with anxiety.
Getting his start in comedy, Adam did stand up in secret for 6 months. When he finally invited his friends, he bombed + had to figure out how to get back up on stage after bombing.
It's a a scary thing. Mental illness can come snatch a person away. When you have this one idea of life and then what truly matters is [taken from you] it is shocking, it is like the whole access of your being shifts.
"People work on their physical health and we pat them on the back. It should be the same for people working on their mental health. We should say, "Hey good for you! Going to a therapist... Bring it into the light. You don't have to be ashamed of feeling it or your family member who is feeling it."

Continue the Suicide Prevention Awareness conversation with Ep. #46. Guest Dennis Gillan share how he's committed his life to reducing the number of completed suicides + removing the stigma around mental health after losing his own two brothers to suicide.

If you like this podcast, you will love Live Inspired IN STUDIO.It's my membership community where like-minded friends join me via live webcast to live inspired together. Registration opens soon! Join the waitlist.

ADAM CAYTON-HOLLAND'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? Sometimes a Great Notion, by Ken Kesey who wrote One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. It's beautifully written.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Empathy. I've put up walls. We need pure empathy for everyone, we button ourselves up in our world. I need to do better.

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? Lydia. I'd say 'I miss ya. I miss the hell out of you.'

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? A beloved family friend died when we were young and my Dad tried to explain to us how to deal with grief. He showed us pictures of comets and black holes and just turned the pages, sitting with us kids and said 'Isn't this amazing. We don't know why any of this exists or what it means and we get to live in all of it.' That is my religion right there. I am not an atheist, I am agnostic. I'm a seeker.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Don't take yourself so seriously. You are going to be alright.

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 died as he lived, with humor.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

The Loneliness Epidemic (How to find your people) #98 Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

Loneliness epidemic. Did you know we're currently experiencing this? A recent Harvard study found that 1 in 4 Americans feel they have no one to confide in. So, if you feel lonely or like you're lacking something, you are (ironically...) not alone.Today's episode can help.

Radha Agrawal shares simple tools from her new book, BELONG: Find your people, create your community & live a more connected life. My friend, the Live Inspired community is absolutely a place where you belong. My hope is that today's episode helps you strengthen the community where you live, too.

NOTES:

Check out these recent articles about the loneliness epidemic: New York Times, Washington Post.
Get a copy of Radha's new BELONG book.
Meaningful relationships are the key to a healthy, happy life. Isolation is as detrimental to your health as being an alcoholic; twice as detrimental as obesity, according to the same study noted above.
Learn more about Radha Agrawal on her site radhaagrawal.com.
The cornerstone of belonging is participating. Don't just be a bystander.
Begin architecting your community:
1. Ask yourself: Who am I and what do I care about?
2. Write down the qualities you're looking for in a friend.
3. Write down the qualities you do not want your friend to have.
4. Realize you need to have the qualities you're seeking (i.e. less judgmental, listen well).
5. Be gently self-aware of how you're showing up.
6. Begin with "exploratory" phase (try new things, show up at new events, observe).
7. Move into "participatory" phase: Which events would you like to go back to and push yourself to participate, volunteer, strike up real conversation?
  - Stop asking questions like "what do you do." Ask bigger questions: What are you most excited about? What's a moment when you were most afraid?
Be patient in the process. It takes 80 hours to call someone a friend. Prioritize this.
ALL of our issues ladder down to one thing: NOT belonging.
It's exhausting to hang out with people who don't get you. Take the time to find community members who fill up your tank.
Sometimes, the more successful you are the more at arms length you are from people. It can be lonely on top.
We're often part of a community because we're born into it. Cultivate a sense of belonging; feeling of "I'm home. I'm happy."

Want to get started making new friends? Listen to Ep. #87, Mel Robbins' 5-second rule will hold you accountable to getting out of your comfort zone + making new friends.

RADHA AGRAWAL'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? Sapiens, by Yuval Harari. And a children's book by Dallas Clayton, An Awesome Book.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? I wish I was less combative and a better listener instead of beating my own drum.

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 video that my partner made of our engagement.

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? Sacagawea! She helped Lewis and Clark get across harrowing parts of the country while pregnant. I'd ask her what it takes to be such an incredible explorer.

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? Choose your friends wisely. You're as good as the 5 closest and the sum of all the friends you keep. Pick your friends and nurture them.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Stop trying to be so cool and relevant. This is your time to discover who you are.

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 helped bring people together, find more connection, feel a sense of belonging and fully express and shine their unicorn light.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

From Jet-setting to Just Sitting (Digital Royalty's Amy Jo Martin) #97 Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

Amy Jo Martin's company Digital Royalty was wildly successful with partners like Zappos and NBA all-star "Shaq." She seemed to be on top of the world, when she realized she had a "purpose problem."

Amy Jo left the business to move into nature and reset. Now, she journals at home in the woods 15 miles outside of Mount Rushmore. She's again serving as an entrepreneur, angel investor + "the third most powerful woman on Twitter," but today she's got her purpose in place.

Join us to hear Amy Jo's story, see how to choose significance over success and ultimately live more inspired.

SHOW NOTES:

I attribute a lot of things that have gone well in my life to being comfortable with getting uncomfortable, adapting, getting curious + having an addiction to change.
"Amy Jo, come down to the [Phoenix Suns] locker room now! Shaq wants to Tweet and no one knows how but you."
It's amazing what happens when we stop looking for permission.
When I was 30, in a room consulting billionaires, I had a trick. I painted my nails red. It was a trigger, because when you lose confidence your head goes down. When I saw my nails, it was a reminder to look up + just own it.
I had a purpose problem.
Sometimes you are supposed to let things happen (instead of make them happen). How do you know the difference?
Amy's Podcast "Why Not Now?" I got great advice from people I respect (Tony Robbins, Mark Cuban, Jessica Alba). I thought, I should record this to share with others.
I realized there were probably many times my intuition was screaming at me and I needed to learn to listen.
Great leaps in life come from intuition.
If you find yourself hopping onto Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and feeling drained and annoyed: Stop following those accounts. Check in + see how you feel. If you wouldn't invite them in to have dinner, don't expose yourself them; they don't bring you positive energy.
Live Inspired Podcast Ep. 80 guest Erik Wahl, performance graffiti artist and innovation guru, introduced me to Amy Jo.
If you'd like more tips on how to better manage technology to live your most inspired life, check out Ep. #50 with Curt Steinhorst.
Get a copy of Amy Jo's book Renegades Write the Rules.
Learn more at AmyJoMartin.com.

AMY JO MARTIN'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Playfulness.

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? I have so many journals. Especially my 2011 - 2012 journal when I was really struggling. I'd like to be able to reflect and look back on it and continue to learn from it.

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 who was the founder of the city that I lived near by. I would ask him about intuition: How do you know how to make things happen v. letting them happen?

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? Be where your feet are. Be present. Don't borrow from yesterday or tomorrow.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? I would tell her that she has nothing to prove.

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? Gratitude is a strategy.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

Drinking Water in Africa: How to Serve with Less (#96) Aug 23, 2018

Show notes

Tom Logan and the Marion Medical Mission built 2,835 wells in rural Africa in 2017. Each well costs $400. Similar organizations need 10 times as much to produce the same results. How do they do it? "We provide the boots with the straps."

Learn how Tom's program empowers Africans to develop the skills needed to maintain their wells and the health of their rural community. Get ideas on how to serve others + see how doing so will lead you to a more inspired life.

SHOW NOTES:

As a society we spend a lot of time talking about what is wrong. Tom Logan spends all of his time working on solutions.
Learn more about Tom Logan's mentor; whom he called "the Mother Teresa of the time," Albert Schweitzer.
"Sustainable drinking water" means that once a well is in, the local people can maintain it without any outside help.
Being involved in the impossible is extraordinary. It drives me.
Learn more about Marion Medical Mission.
See the photo John mentions of a smiling man digging a well.
Tom references this great video that share's John story.
Since 1985, 100% of donations to Marion Medical Mission goes to its designated purpose; no overhead cost. Donate here.
If we share what we have, there's more than enough.

If you liked this episode and Tom's knack for making the impossible possible - you'll love episode #94 with Mick Ebeling from "Impossible Labs." Listen here.

TOM LOGAN'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? Tony Campello, several of his books. My favorite quote from him:"What is the point of tiptoeing through life? So you arrive at death safely?"

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Having refugees in our home and learning from their different culture.

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? Picture albums.

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? Jesus. How can I keep my fear from becoming hate. I've told you. I've showed you. The answer is there.

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? Best advice was from my mom. "If you want it bad enough, you can do it."

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Don't forget to love.

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 provided the boots that had the straps.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

From Juvie to Jail to Harvard (Andre Norman) #95 Aug 16, 2018

Show notes

Andre Norman went from juvie, to jail to Harvard.

Andre began selling marijuana in 6th grade to pay for pants so he wasn't seen as the "poor, smelly kid with only two pairs of pants."

Vulnerable insights like this one from Andre will allow you to expand your humanity and understand the very real, everyday struggles that can snowball into time spent in jail.

Join me for an amazing conversation that will shed light on an often forgotten part of our community... and share the redemption that can come with setting a lofty goal and sticking to it.

From jail to Harvard, our friend Andre is here. Don't miss it.

SHOW NOTES:

"Please speak kind words to your kids and never stop. The day I wanted to change my life, it was those kind words I was able to hold onto. I've seen people who wanted to change their lives, but they had nothing to hold onto so they got blown back in."
"Every Wednesday, the rabbi taught me how to be a better person. He taught me things I'd never learned before; to say I'm sorry."
If you want to get to a new place at the next level, it's about forgiveness. Empathy v. forgiveness - choose empathy. Once you do, forgiveness will come.
I'm the sum total of all of my mentors.
Don't speak to their potential; speak to their pain.
I try to teach kids to ask for help. I realize I wanted my parents to be the ones, so I passed up good help. Take the help that is offered from teachers, etc.
www.AndreNorman.com
If you like this podcast, you will love Live Inspired IN STUDIO. It's my membership community where like-minded friends join me via live webcast to live inspired together. Registration opens soon! Join the waitlist.

ANDRE NORMAN'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen. I am in control of my thoughts, there fore I am in control of myself.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? I laughed way more. I loved traveling and had a sense of adventure. I rode the bus after school. I rode everything I could for a dime.

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? Hebrew Psalms book from my Rabbi's wife.

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 grandfather, I never got to meet him. I'd ask if he's happy watching the work I've down in his hometown, Petersburg, VA.

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? I just got it from a group of friends, they saved me from a low point. "You are going to be you. You have a wonderful gift and you have people to help. Be you. Go back to being you."

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Go to school sooner. Get counseling. You can do great things. It's not where you start, or who you are around. Be your own best friend. Stop selling yourself short.

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 helped all people.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

Not Impossible Labs #94 Aug 09, 2018

Show notes

People with ALS often lose their ability to move and speak. The Eyewriter technology allows them to communicate through writing with their eyes.

Mick Ebeling and his team at Not Impossible Labs created the Eyewriter. Their mission is to create technology that helps people by "recognizing an absurdity [that limits people] and committing to figure it out."

Mick's story, work and heart transformed the way I view life, business, relationships, challenges and possibility. Today, Mick will share how he turns the "impossible" into "possible" in his lab and how you can do it in your life.

SHOW NOTES

Figure it out mode: Start talking to people and asking questions. The more questions you ask, the smarter you get and the more you realize who knows what they're doing.
Maybe you've viewed it as being bad for too long and it's time to change your perspective.
Instead of thinking of technology for the sake of making things pretty and entertaining, how about for the sake of humanity.
Hear Not Impossible Podcast episode 7 about the device celebrated by Pharell + Lady Gaga that helps deaf people experience music.
Hear Not Impossible Podcast episode 3 about the Eyewriter.
Check out Mick's book Not Impossible.
If you want a critical tip to launch your from impossible to possible, check out the 5-Second Rule from Mel Robbins on Ep. #87.
If you like this podcast, you will love Live Inspired IN STUDIO.It's my membership community where like-minded friends join me via live webcast to live inspired together. Registration opens soon! Join the waitlist.

Mick Ebeling's Live Inspired 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, The Alchemist and Man's Search for Meaning. They're all stories of owning your life and making change.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? To play and turn anything into a game. As a kid I could have a pile of sticks and turn it into a game. I wish I had more of a sense of play, fascination and wonder.

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? Photo album. Memories ground you in naivety; that sense of wonder of the person you are and the person you were and when you meld those together... that gives you the fodder for growth in the future.

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? Without a doubt my dad. He passed 11 years ago; before I started Not Impossible. What do you think he'd say? "Good job. Keep it up."

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? I was graduating from college in Santa Baraba, CA. My uncle said, "Responsibility is over rated. You're going to get a mortgage, school and car payments. It's going to come. Avoid it as long as you can." That was good advice. I should have heeded.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Don't take yourself so serious. Every mistake I've made has basically just been a contribution to my life MBA. If I was able to just reflect on that in the moment, I'd be able to get even more out of it later on.

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 absolutely did not believe in the impossible.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

Mind Platter: A poet on sharing your voice and feeling your feelings Aug 02, 2018

Show notes

Najwa Zebian, poet, advocate, author of the book Mind Platter and Lebanese Canadian, was recently thrown into the spotlight when her poetic #MeToo Tweet went viral via New York Times, CBS News, the Times of India.

Today, Najwa shares her life, her incredibly moving poetry and an invitation to feel our feelings, own our stories and share our voices.

SHOW NOTES:

John mentions this Goalcast video that shares his story.
John mentions hearing Najwa's story through her Goalcast video.
Get Najwa's books Mind Platter and The Nectar of Pain.
"When excluded from activities, I felt like it was my fault. This is something not only children internalize, but that adults do too."
"I couldn't understand what I was going through. That pushed me to find other means to express myself."
"Belonging is a basic human need."
I had good grades, good manners. I convinced myself that settling for that was enough.
There's no progressing in life if you don't come to terms with your story.
Even the strongest of us go through moments where we feel let down or taking advantage of.
Just to visualize it: These mountains you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb. I gives me so much power.
I must believe in myself before I expect anyone else to believe in me. I must raise my own voice and not expect someone to fight for me.
To get heard, I was the one who had to raise my voice. There wasn't anyone saying, you've been going through a hard time, is there anything I can do.
I can't expect anyone to lead me. I need to start paving that road.
If you like this podcast, you will love Live Inspired IN STUDIO. It's my membership community where like-minded friends join me via live webcast to live inspired together. Registration opens soon! Join the waitlist.

NAJWA ZEBIAN ON HOW SHE BECAME A WRITER:

"On my 13th birthday, I had one friend who I only saw at school because we did not live in the same village. She gave me a journal. It was the first time I wrote my feelings out on paper. It was weird at first... unfamiliar. I found myself going back to it day after day. It became the home that I was searching for because nobody was telling me that I was being too sensitive or that I shouldn't be feeling that way."
"They didn't want to be here, but felt like they had to be grateful. They felt out of place and made to feel that they were not good enough." Najwa said of her Libyan students in Canada. "I started to write to help them feel empowered. I thought I was writing for them, but I was writing to heal my 16 year old self. That was a pivotal moment."

If you enjoyed Najwa's story of advocacy, owning your story and using your voice, check out Ep. #82 with Christine Caine.

NAJWA ZEBIAN'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? The Prophet. I love hat it talks about elements of love and life and purpose and friendship and that it's timeless. It was written decades ago and if I were to read it in 2000 years, it would still make sense.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Innocence. When I was young I used to take everything at face value. I wouldn't hesitate to smile. If I saw someone struggling, I'd get emotional and try to help them.

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 journal.

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 grandma. I lived with her and I remember so many lessons that she taught me as a child. She would tell me old stories of going through the war and what she learned about life. I never got a chance to give her a proper good bye.

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? I need to put myself first in order to be able to give to others. When I feel depleted, it's because I didn't honor my boundaries.

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Forgive yourself for being hard on yourself and tying your happiness to whether or not people welcomed you into their lives.

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? Truly lived and owned her own story.

***

If you enjoyed today's episode: Subscribe, rate & review wherever you get your podcasts. See you here next Thursday!

Live Inspired with John every day on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and get his Monday Motivation email: www.JohnOLearyInspires.com/Monday-Morning

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Live Inspired Podcast with John O’Leary

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected