John O’Leary on How to Stay Positive in Tough Times

What would your life look like if you stopped playing it small? If you pursued your dreams wholeheartedly? Savannah Guthrie is one of the biggest names in television and she’s reached that level of success because she’s not afraid to take risks. Savannah is the co-anchor of TODAY, NBC News’ chief legal correspondent and a primary anchor for the network’s election coverage. She’s interviewed some of the most recognizable figures in the world from former Presidents to the biggest celebrities and newsmakers. Her work has been recognized with the Edward R. Murrow Award and multiple News Emmys. Savannah is a New York Times bestselling author for her book “Princesses Wear Pants” and the sequel “Princesses Save the World.” Her new book, Mostly What God Does, is her most personal yet as Savannah explores the place of faith in everyday life and the many ways God loves us. In our conversation today, we talk about the value of taking risks in your career, finding fulfillment, and never downsizing your dreams.

Healthy boundaries. We all know we should have them. But what does that really look like? And how can we set, communicate and stick to them? Nedra Glover Tawwab is a licensed therapist, sought-after relationship expert and the author of the bestselling book Set Boundaries, Find Peace. Her new book, Drama Free and the accompanying The Drama Free Workbook, is a guide for understanding and moving past family struggles—and living your life, your way. On this episode, we talk about signs you might have a boundary problem, why healthy relationships need healthy boundaries, and how to communicate boundaries effectively.  

Are you a net giver or a net taker? Chris Anderson says this is the most powerful moral question we can ask ourselves. As head of TED, Chris has overseen the transformation of TED from an annual conference into a global beacon of ideas by giving away talks online, allowing millions access to free learning. Now he’s ready to share his own “idea worth spreading.” In his new book, Infectious Generosity, Chris explains how each of us can be a catalyst for the amplification of human kindness. Through acts of generosity great and small, we have within us the power to create a ripple effect that can transform the world. In our conversation today, we talk about the surprising science behind generosity, its psychological links to happiness, and how we can rethink generosity in today’s world.

Fulfillment doesn’t come from isolated peak experiences, but rather from many consistent good days. So how do we sustain performance, while avoiding burnout and maintaining balance? Daniel Goleman is a Harvard-trained psychologist and author of the bestselling book Emotional Intelligence, which transformed how we think about success and leadership. He has worked with organizations around the world, studying how social and emotional competencies impact the bottom-line. In his latest book, Optimal, Daniel reveals how emotional intelligence can help us have a great day, any day. On this episode, we talk about why EI matters, how to develop it in ourselves and others, and practical methods for applying the skill set more readily. We also dig into new research on EI and what it means for us, our teams, and our organizations.

One in three Americans are trying to drink less alcohol in 2023, reflecting a growing trend in the sober curious movement. Do you want to cut back or stop drinking, but don’t know where to start? This conversation with Annie Grace will give you the tools to make a change. Annie is the founder of This Naked Mind, a program that’s helped millions of people find freedom from alcohol through her groundbreaking emotion-based change framework. Instead of focusing on behavior change and sobriety, she offers a grace-led, science-based approach so that whether you want to cut back, moderate or cut out alcohol completely, you are empowered with the tools to take back control. Annie’s book This Naked Mind has sold millions of copies and she also hosts a popular podcast by the same name. On this episode, we talk about rethinking the benefits of alcohol, the key questions to ask yourself before you try to stop drinking, and how you can quit drinking without missing out.

How would your life be different if you started asking yourself: What’s possible? Johnny Agar was born with cerebral palsy, a muscle disorder that makes it difficult to walk and talk. From an early age, Johnny’s parents Becki and Jeff taught him that no obstacle was insurmountable and Johnny exemplifies this by willing himself to become the athlete he always dreamed of being. Team Agar participates in endurance races all over the world, with Jeff pushing, pulling and hauling Johnny as they swim, bike and run. At each race, Johnny walks the last mile on his own. They’ve completed more than 200 races from 5Ks to marathons to Ironmans. And in 2024, they will compete in the iconic Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. In our conversation today, we talk about overcoming limits, finding the gift in failure, and staying positive in the face of adversity. 

Click here to support the Agars journey to Kona for the 2024 Ironman World Championship.

What does it take to step into the shoes of a legend and write your own legacy? At age 33, Jon Scheyer was named the new men’s basketball coach at Duke University, taking over one of college basketball’s biggest jobs from coaching legend Mike Krzyzewski. Now in his second season at the helm, he’s one of the youngest head coaches in college basketball. In his first season as head coach, Jon led the Blue Devils to a 27-9 mark and the ACC tournament title. He spent nine seasons on Coach K’s staff and was an All-American and two-time team captain as a player at Duke. In his 14 seasons as player and coach at Duke, Jon has been part of two national championships, three Final Fours and five ACC Tournament crowns. On this episode, we talk about being prepared for your opportunity, the importance of authentic leadership, and how to handle pressure and high expectations.

Do you sometimes feel like you're not living up to your full potential because you're afraid of putting yourself out there? In her new book BE SEEN, Jen Gottlieb will show you how to step into the life you know you were meant to live. Jen is a powerhouse entrepreneur, speaker, host of the I Dare You Podcast, and co-founder of Super Connector Media. With a successful five-year stint as a VH1 host and a career as a Broadway actress, Jen has been making waves in the entrepreneurial world by teaching business owners how to build profitable brands and become the recognized expert in their field. On this episode, Jen shares how to stop hiding and embrace your unique talents so that you can make your greatest impact in the world by being authentically YOU!

Is your fear of other people’s opinions holding you back from fulfilling your potential? Dr. Michael Gervais is one of the world's top high-performance psychologists and leading experts on the relationship between the mind and human performance. He has spent his career helping the best of the best when they need to achieve the extraordinary. His clients include world record holders, Olympians, internationally acclaimed artists and musicians, MVPs from every major sport and Fortune 100 CEOs. In his new book, The First Rule of Mastery, Dr. Gervais shares a guide for overcoming what may be the single greatest constrictor of human potential: our fear of people’s opinions. In our conversation today, we talk about the science of peak performance, how to stop worrying about what people think of you, and live life on your own terms. 

Jana Kramer is an actress, country music singer, New York Times bestselling author and host of the popular podcast Whine Down with Jana Kramer. She starred on the hit television series One Tree Hill and has appeared in numerous shows and films since. Jana has also made her mark in the music industry, winning ‘New Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards and earning a nomination for ‘Best Female Vocalist of the Year’ in 2015. In her new book, The Next Chapter, Jana chronicles the end of her marriage and the year that follows, revealing how she found the courage to write the next chapter of her story. This episode is a conversation about moving from heartbreak, pain and anger to forgiveness, confidence and peace.