John O'Leary
Parade Magazine
Saint Louis, MO, United States
Contact John
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by John:
Ask John: How to Deal with Unexpected Change?
“’You cannot progress until you say ‘yes.’ (YES = acceptance; not trying to control because you can’t change the facts).” —Travis ThomasIt’s my kids’ spring break this week, so my wife and kids were road tripping with me to a few cities in which I have speaking events. Then, unexpectedly, it snowed! So, the road trip was cut short and I had [...] → Read More
Ask John: How to Overcome Fear?
“Fear is a gatekeeper to strength always.” —Jill Blashack StrahanThis profound, yet simple quote was recently shared with me by Jill Blashack Strahan. Jill shared on my Live Inspired Podcast how she found significance as an author, speaker and CEO of Tastefully Simple despite tragically losing her spouse and brothers much too early in life.Jill’s unbelievable lessons on fear, grieving [...] → Read More
Ask John: How Can I Simplify My Life?
“Act with honor. We need more people who can say ‘follow my example.'” I was interviewing bestselling author Dale Partridge on my Live Inspired Podcast when he said this quote. I was blown away by its simplicity and its power.Dale was discussing significant professional and personal challenges he faced years ago when I asked how he had journeyed from that [...] → Read More
Ask John: Give Expecting Nothing in Return
I end each episode of my Live Inspired Podcast by asking my guest to answer the “inspired 7.” These questions have become an anticipated moment on the show and often once we’re off the air, I’m asked how I’d answer them. Below, are my answers:What is the best book you’ve ever read? I have a five-way tie: Return [...] → Read More
Ask John: What Scars Are the Most Difficult?
What physical scars from your house fire make it difficult to remain “all in” and living a radically inspired life? —RobinRobin, it would be easy to say my hands—I lost all of my fingers to amputation. But when you lose your fingers as a young child like me, you realize you don’t really need them! I don’t have any real [...] → Read More
Ask John: How Can I Simplify Parenting?
As a father of four, I often I find myself talking with peers — at school pick up, in line to board a flight, at the end of the day with my wife Beth — about parenting. What’s working. What’s not. How we are falling short. How we are succeeding! What we could be doing better. What new way [...] → Read More
Ask John: 4 Ways to Live Inspired this Week
Can you give me a few ways I can “live inspired” this week and beyond?Often when I first meet new friends at speaking engagements, while traveling, after they’ve read my No. 1 national bestselling book ON FIRE or in any other way: I’m asked how best to keep in touch and continue living inspired together. Here’s my [...] → Read More
Ask John: How Can I Better Share My Faith?
“I have a close friend who goes out a lot drinking and doing drugs, but also is extremely interested in knowing more about my Catholic faith. I share about my experience, but wonder if you have a resource I could share with him, too?” —AnaAna, thanks for your thoughtful question—and clear love both of your friend and your faith. [...] → Read More
Ask John: How Do You Get Rid of the Winter Blues?
It’s just about that time of year where the holidays are far enough in the rearview mirror that I begin to hear friends and family talking about “gray January” and symptoms of the winter blues. Whenever I hear this, I remind myself and my loved ones of what Richard Rohr once said, “Faith is remembering [...] → Read More
Ask John: How Do You Set Goals?
Nine years ago I came across Jinny Ditzler’s book Your Best Year Yet: 10 Questions for Making the Next 12 Months Your Most Successful Ever. I went through her 10-step process on goal setting and absolutely loved it.This year, I wanted to have a focused goal-setting session with my team and so we went through Jinny’s process [...] → Read More
Ask John: Are There Routines You Do Daily to Stay Energized?
“Are there routines you do daily to stay energized?” —Area Development PartnershipI have a ritual of waking up early, making coffee and going outside and watching the sunrise. The miracle of the darkness fading into the light ignites my heart every time I see it. While sipping on coffee and being bathed in sunlight, I’ll calm myself [...] → Read More
Ask John: 3 Ways to Get Get Ready for the New Year
How should I get ready for the New Year?“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” —Ralph Waldo EmersonAs we grow nearer and nearer to flipping the calendar to the New Year, I find myself talking with friends and clients about how they can prepare for an inspired year ahead. Here [...] → Read More
Ask John: What Are Your Favorite Books from 2016?
“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.” —J.K. RowlingFacebook led a #ReadtoLead campaign asking people to share their favorite books from 2016. Here are my favorites in no specific order (many of the authors of these books have been guests on my Live Inspired Podcast, listen in here.): Love is the [...] → Read More
Ask John: What Books Inspire You?
“I was inspired by your book ON FIRE. What books inspire you?”As I travel to speak at events around the country and world, I am blessed to hear this statement and be asked this question often. I love to read so I love answering it!I’ve been inspired by every book I’ve read by Napoleon Hill, [...] → Read More
Ask John: The 'Quick Fix' Lie
“What’s your ‘quick road map’ for success?”I was asked this question recently when meeting someone for the first time. He was interested in becoming a speaker and hoping to learn some shortcuts from someone with experience. I get asked this question a lot, so I thought I’d share the answer with you, too.Have you noticed [...] → Read More
Ask John: 7 Ways to Be Grateful this Thanksgiving
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.” —Melody BeattieThroughout the year, I’m asked how I stay grateful after experiencing so much adversity. As we near Thanksgiving and the idea of gratitude is on all of our hearts, I thought I’d share my top 6 posts on the topic to help you reflect on new ways to be [...] → Read More
Ask John: How Do You Serve Others without Depleting Yourself?
At the end of a work day I find myself drained because I tend to take on my patients’ stuff. I’ve seen your writing about empathetic listening. What tips can you offer on how to do this so that I can leave work, and lead life, invigorated? —Robin G.Robin, thanks for the great question. The words [...] → Read More
Ask John: How Did Your House Fire Shape Your Faith?
How did your experience impact and shape your faith life? —Ryan W.What I know today is this: I can’t do anything by myself. I am who I am today because of who God was for me as a 9-year-old boy.I didn’t realize this as I was going through it, but looking back on it: I realize it [...] → Read More
Ask John: How Can I Encourage my Kids to Do Their Best Work?
I get questions about parenting a lot! Sometimes I share from my experience. Other times, I recommend connecting with two of my friends and parenting gurus Meg Meeker, MD or Rachel Macy Stafford of the Hands Free Revolution.For this specific question, I have a new answer that I am so fired up to share! I recently had [...] → Read More
Ask John: How Do I Get Started Writing My Book?
How did you get started writing your book? How long did it take? Did you set goals? —Eliza S.Eliza, I wrote my first book almost 10 years ago, over the course of several months. I had a friend edit it and then I emailed it to publishers in New York. I waited for my phone to ring. [...] → Read More