Dave Sanderson from the Miracle on the Hudson (ep. 838)
Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary
John O'Leary
4.8 • 695 Ratings
🗓️ 18 December 2025
⏱️ 55 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Dave Sanderson is a nationally recognized leadership speaker, accomplished author, and the last passenger of US Airways Flight 1549, the Miracle on the Hudson. On January 15, 2009, Dave survived what should have been a tragedy, emerging from the icy Hudson River alive and forever changed. In the years since, he has dedicated his life to sharing lessons on leadership, faith, preparation, and purpose.
Today, Dave shares what it means to face fear head-on, how the decisions we make in uncertain moments define who we become, and why the meaning we attach to adversity shapes the rest of our lives. From the deafening silence after the engines failed, to the prayer he whispered as the plane descended, to the choice to turn back and help others instead of racing to safety, Dave opens up about leadership under pressure, faith when the outcome is unknown, and the quiet courage required to do the right thing when it matters most.
My friends, if you're walking through uncertainty, stress, or a moment that feels heavier than you expected, this conversation is for you. You'll leave reminded that preparation builds confidence, that every setback carries the seed of purpose, and that even your hardest moments can shape you into who you're meant to become.
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. |
| 0:46.0 | Welcome to the Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary. John is the two-time national bestselling |
| 0:51.7 | author of On Fire and In Aw. |
| 0:54.9 | He's a world-class inspirational speaker, the host of the Live Inspired podcast. |
| 1:00.1 | 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. |
| 1:13.2 | Here's your host, John O'Leary. |
| 1:15.9 | Well, hello, my friends, and welcome to the Live Inspired podcast with John O'Leary. |
| 1:21.3 | Dave Sanderson is our guest today, and that's a name you may recognize, not only because he's a |
| 1:27.1 | nationally known leadership speaker and an accomplished author, name you may recognize, not only because he's a nationally known leadership |
| 1:28.4 | speaker and an accomplished author, but you may most know him as being the last passenger |
| 1:34.4 | to depart flight U.S. Airways 1549. Well, that's the flight that was the miracle on the Hudson. |
| 1:42.0 | On January 15th, 2009, Dave survived what should have |
| 1:46.7 | been a tragedy, emerging from the icy Hudson River alive and forever changed. Today, he travels |
| 1:54.8 | the globe sharing lessons on leadership, faith, preparation, and purpose. Today, Dave Sanderson shares what it means to face fear head-on, |
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