Candace Lightner: Founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and We Save Lives (ep. 856)
Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary
John O'Leary
4.8 • 695 Ratings
🗓️ 19 February 2026
⏱️ 57 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Candace Lightner is the founder of MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving and We Save Lives, nationally and internationally recognized organizations reshaping America's response to drunk driving. After her 13-year-old daughter, Cari, was killed by a repeat drunk driver in 1980, Candace transformed unimaginable grief into a grassroots movement that has saved more than 600,000 lives and led to the passage of over 700 state and federal laws, including raising the drinking age to 21.
Today, Candace shares how she turned heartbreak into bold action, why anger can be a catalyst instead of a curse, and what it takes to change laws and culture. She explains why words matter—it's not an "accident," it's a crash or a crime—and how ordinary people, especially grieving mothers, became powerful advocates nationwide. She also reveals how her work continues today through campaigns addressing drunk, drugged, and distracted driving, empowering passengers to speak up and pushing for accountability.
My friends, if you've ever looked at injustice and thought, "Someone should do something," this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that one voice (your voice!) can spark change, and that grief and anger can be turned into impact.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | You know that Keeley companies is all about fostering the world-class culture through their incredible cultural pillars. |
| 0:07.5 | Well, it was time to add a seventh cultural pillar, Kewley Green. |
| 0:12.5 | Guided by the mission to raise the sustainability standards by which they design, build, operate, and live. |
| 0:18.8 | Keeley Green is dedicated to using a holistic approach to leave a positive impact on our |
| 0:24.6 | environment, create a future that is sustainable for generations to come. |
| 0:29.4 | In the words of Rusty Keeley, we are just getting started. |
| 0:34.3 | You can learn more about that just getting started mentality and all the work they do |
| 0:38.7 | by visiting my friends at Keeley Companies online at keelie Companies.com. Welcome to the Live Inspired |
| 0:47.7 | Podcast with John O'Leary. John is the two-time national bestselling author of On Fire and In Aw. |
| 0:54.9 | He's a world-class inspirational speaker, the host of the Live Inspired podcast. |
| 1:00.0 | And he's the real-life inspiration behind the major motion picture, Soul on Fire. |
| 1:05.4 | Each week, John interviews extraordinary individuals about their life stories so you can more fully live your life story. |
| 1:13.1 | Here's your host, John O'Leary. |
| 1:15.8 | Well, hello, my friends, and welcome to the Live Inspired podcast with John O'Leary. |
| 1:21.6 | As you know, by now, week after week, we bring you these incredibly inspirational stories |
| 1:27.2 | of individuals who have not only done something mighty in their life, |
| 1:31.9 | but oftentimes in doing so, they're doing something mighty in the lives of others. |
| 1:36.0 | Sometimes that even means saving the lives of others. |
| 1:41.0 | Today's guests, though, has something that none of our previous 855 guests before her can say, |
| 1:49.0 | she can claim to have saved the lives, are you ready for this, of some 600,000 people around the world. |
| 2:01.9 | 600,000 lives are here because of this woman's efforts. |
| 2:05.7 | How's that possible? |
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