Libsyn Directory

John O’Leary | Speaker and Coach| Inspiring Change Through Personal Struggle

Release Date: 10/22/2025

Leading With Grace Through Prison Fellowship | Heather Rice-Minus on Justice, Purpose, and Restoring Hope

The Wow Factor

is the President and CEO of , the nation’s largest ministry serving those impacted by incarceration. With a background in law, public policy, and justice reform, Heather has dedicated her career to helping people encounter hope, dignity, and restoration through faith and community. Through her leadership, Prison Fellowship continues to expand its mission of supporting incarcerated individuals, their families, and the churches and volunteers who walk alongside them. In this episode, Brad and Heather Rice-Minus explore the mission and impact of Prison Fellowship, the organization founded by ...

Building Wealth Beyond Retirement | Derek Coburn on Purpose, Planning, and Redefining the Future

The Wow Factor

is a financial advisor, entrepreneur, and author of Let’s Retire Retirement, a book that challenges the traditional idea of retirement and encourages people to think more intentionally about wealth, work, purpose, and the future. Through his work, Derek helps leaders and families rethink what it means to plan well, live generously, and build a meaningful life beyond financial success. In this episode, Brad and Derek Coburn explore why the old model of retirement may no longer serve people well and how a more purposeful approach can lead to greater fulfillment. Derek shares his perspective...

From Dairy Farm Roots to Purpose-Driven Business | Jennie Groff on Entrepreneurship, Community, and Impact

The Wow Factor

Jennie Groff is a co-founder and leader behind , a purpose-driven business rooted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that creates handcrafted stroopwafels while providing meaningful employment opportunities for resettled refugee women. Raised on a dairy farm, Jennie’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t traditional, but through faith, persistence, and a deep commitment to community, she and her husband transformed a simple idea into a growing business that blends quality products with real human impact. In this episode, Brad and Jennie Groff explore the story behind Stroopies beginnings,...

From Rock Bottom to Rewriting Health | Steve Hochman on Purpose, Discipline, and Reversing Diabetes

The Wow Factor

Steve Hochman is a fitness entrepreneur, coach, and international bestselling author of , known for helping thousands achieve lasting fat loss and improved health without restrictive dieting. As the founder of OC Fit Body, a multi-location fitness and coaching business, Steve has spent over two decades helping clients transform their bodies and reverse chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes through simple, science-backed methods. In this episode, Brad and Steve Hochman unpack a powerful journey of adversity, breakthrough, and purpose-driven work. Steve shares his early struggles with...

Mark Batterson | Pastor of National Community Church and Bestselling Author | The Power of “Gradually, Then Suddenly” in Faith, Leadership, and Life

The Wow Factor

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of in Washington, D.C., and a prolific bestselling author known for his ability to blend faith, leadership, and personal growth into practical, lived-out wisdom. With more than two decades of writing and nearly 30 years of pastoral leadership, Mark has built a legacy centered on long obedience, bold vision, and unwavering trust in God’s timing. In this episode, he joins Brad to unpack the core idea behind his latest message: “gradually, then suddenly.” Brad and Mark explore the tension between patience and ambition, and why most meaningful growth...

Josh Block | CEO of Block Imaging and Author of People Matter at Work | Building Cultures Where Team Members Thrive and Everyone Wins

The Wow Factor

Josh Block is the longtime leader of , a global healthcare equipment company known for its distinctive people-first culture and multigenerational family leadership. After unexpectedly stepping into the president’s role at just 29 years old, Josh spent the next decade and a half guiding the organization’s growth from a $30 million business into a thriving enterprise of over 425 team members. In this episode, he joins Brad to share insights from his new book, , a practical framework for helping leaders create cultures where team members feel safe, seen, and successful, and where the...

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs | Author & Speaker | Light Bulb Moments in Marriage and the Path Back to Love and Respect

The Wow Factor

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is a longtime marriage teacher, speaker, and author, that has helped couples for decades. A former senior pastor at Trinity Church in East Lansing, Michigan, Emerson’s work blends pastoral experience, biblical study, and real-world marriage dynamics into practical tools couples can use immediately. In this episode, he joins Brad for his third visit to this time to talk about his newest book, , a collection of insights and stories designed to bring clarity when couples feel stuck, distant, or worn down by years of misunderstanding. Brad and Emerson dig into why...

David McDonald | Owner of Escalante Golf | Entrepreneurship, Stewardship, and Building a Golf Culture Rooted in Service

The Wow Factor

David McDonald is the owner of and a third-generation car dealer originally from Roswell, New Mexico, raised in the Denver area. A former college tennis player at the University of Oklahoma, David carries deep work ethic values shaped by family, faith, and decades of business leadership. Today, he leads Escalante Golf with a long-term stewardship mindset, building private clubs and experiences that prioritize customer service, culture, and community. Brad sits down with David to explore how Escalante Golf was born out of a simple observation: golfers, especially young golfers, weren’t...

Dick Stricklen: Owner of Motor City Auto | Focusing on Company Culture Rather Than Profits

The Wow Factor

Dick Stricklen is the owner of Motor City Auto Center in Bakersfield, CA, a sprawling campus which includes a Buick/GMC dealership, a Lexus dealership, and a large used car & truck operation. Dick’s team devote themselves to helping and serving their customers and providing staff with the opportunity to develop their skills and interests. Dick took over the GMC dealership at the age of 19 after his father’s death and since then has followed his passion for building authentic relationships with team members and clients alike. Dick joins me on the show today to share how he started in...

Gracie Formsma | Co-Founder of Love Gives & Storyteller for Generous Family | Calling, Vulnerability, and a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in John 3:16

The Wow Factor

Gracie Formsma is a college student at Samford University, co-founder of , a hat brand in the ecosystem. She’s also the daughter of The Wow Factor host, Brad Formsma. Originally from Michigan, Gracie moved with her family to California about a decade ago, growing up in a home shaped by faith, generosity, and the gritty reality of launching the nonprofit I Like Giving and its Generous Family initiative. Today, she brings her marketing eye, creative direction, and heart for discipleship to Love Gives, a lifestyle brand built around the simple but profound truth of John 3:16. Brad sits...

More Episodes

In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given a 1% chance to live.

This epic story of survival was first showcased in his parents’ book, Overwhelming Odds, in 2006. It was this book that first invited John to embrace his miraculous recovery and share it with the world. John inspires nearly 75,000 people at 100+ events each year. John’s first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life, was an instant #1 National Bestseller; his Live Inspired Podcast is a top 20 for business on iTunes & Inc. Magazine. His online community is 200,000 strong. John considers his greatest success to be his marriage to his wife, Beth, their four children, and his relationships with friends and family.

I’m so honored to welcome John to the show to share his journey from near death to striving to multiply his talents and repay the generosity of others. He discusses his path to becoming a speaker and how saying yes to opportunities led to speaking in 50 states, dozens of countries, and at over 2,500 events. John also shares lessons from his own life to encourage leaders to be grounded and not worry too much about life's setbacks, as they will inevitably pass.

“Generosity is not only about money. It's about time and attention.” - John O’Leary

“Seeds are taking deeper root, the right next steps are happening, and God's Will be lived out.” - John O’Leary

“The cool thing about generosity is it's never one plus one is two, it's a multiple.” - John O’Leary

This Week on The Wow Factor:

The shocking fire that burned 100% of 9-year-old John’s body and his long process of recovery
John’s memory of lying in a hospital bed wrapped in bandages and hearing the voice of his hero Jack Buck and how his daily visits inspired John in his recovery
How Jack, by speaking life and challenge over John, helped support his wider family
How John managed to earn 60 signed baseballs and learn how to write again from his hospital bed
The importance of being interruptible in life and making time for people who need us
How John became a speaker, and he shares his experience of his first speaking engagement for an audience of three Girl Scouts
John discusses the upcoming movie production for the film inspired by his story, with director Sean McNamara
How John was able to finally help his parents in return when they suffered a second fire in their home

John O’Leary’s Words of Wisdom:

My reminder to you is that this too shall pass. Almost everything on this side of eternity, the good and the bad, will eventually pass.

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