SFN Dad To Dad 410 - John O'Leary of St. Louis, MO, A Motivational Speaker, Best-Selling Author, Podcast Host & Father of Four - Part 1

Our guest this week is John O’Leary of St. Louis MO who is a motivational speaker, bestselling author, host of the Live Inspired Podcast, the subject of the recently released major motion picture SOUL ON FIRE and perhaps most importantly, the father of four children.

John and his wife, Beth, have married for 22 years and are the proud parents of four children ages 14 to 20.

At age nine, John was badly burned in a horrific gasoline fire, leaving him with third-degree burns on more than 80% of his body. Given less than 1/2 of 1% chance of survival, he somehow beat the odds. Central to John’s story is the role Jack Buck, the iconic St. Louis Cardinals sportcaster, played in John’s life.

After graduating from St. Louis University and a 15 year career in real estate, John became a motvational speaker and two-time best selling author of the books:

· On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life
· In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning, and Joy

The theatrical release of the movie Soul On Fire took place in October 2025, which is an inspiring true story about John, who survives a devastating childhood burn accident and transforms unimaginable suffering into a life of gratitude, resilience, and purpose—showing how hope, faith, and human connection can triumph over tragedy. The movie is now streaming on: Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube and elsewhere.

This is Part 1 of the interview with John O’Leary, a story about faith, family and perseverance, on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Notes –
Email – [e-mail]
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-o-leary-08b2805/
Website – https://johnolearyinspires.com/
Book – On Fire: The Seven Chocies To Ignite A Radically Ispired Life – https://tinyurl.com/vn5d733u
Book – In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning, and Joy – https://tinyurl.com/4h4duvjt
Movie – Soul On Fire Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CslVGLETWps

Special Fathers Network –
SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: “I wish there was something like this when we first received our child’s diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through.”

SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..