The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE: Sean McNamara (ep. 804)

Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary

John O'Leary

Self-improvement, Bestsellingauthor, Education, Dailyinspiration, Society & Culture, Liveinspired, Johnoleary, Inspiration, Joebuck, Inspiredliving, Onfire, Relationships

4.9 • 672 Ratings

🗓️ 21 August 2025

⏱️ 75 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As we begin the Voices of SOUL ON FIRE series, it only makes sense to start with the man who’s been with this story from the very beginning: Sean McNamara.

Sean McNamara is the director behind beloved films like Soul Surfer, Spare Parts, The Miracle Season, Reagan, and many more. Known in Hollywood as an “actor’s director,” he’s celebrated not only for the powerful performances he brings to the screen, but also for the humility, kindness, and joy he brings behind the camera.

More than seven years ago, Sean first read the script that would become SOUL ON FIRE, and he never let it go. From the earliest drafts to its upcoming nationwide release, his vision, passion, and persistence have been at the heart of bringing this story to life.

Today, Sean shares about childhood in a big Irish family, how his parents challenged him to dream big and do mighty things, his journey from delivering scripts as a production assistant to directing box-office hits, and what it meant to shepherd SOUL ON FIRE from page to screen.

My friends, if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to hold onto a dream, to pursue it with persistence, and to create with both excellence and heart, this conversation is for you. You’ll walk away reminded that great stories aren’t just told on screen... they’re lived out by those who refuse to let them go.

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.
0:46.2	Welcome to the Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary. John is the two-time national bestselling
0:51.8	author of On Fire and In Aw.
0:55.1	He's a world-class inspirational speaker, the host of the Live Inspired podcast.
1:00.5	And he's the real-life inspiration behind the major motion picture, Soul On Fire.
1:05.7	Each week, John interviews extraordinary individuals about their life stories so you can more fully live your life story.
1:13.3	Here's your host, John O'Leary.
1:15.8	Well, hello, my friends.
1:17.3	You are in for a treat today because we kick off the first episode of our multi-week series,
1:24.7	The Voices of Soul on Fire.
1:28.1	Over the coming weeks, as we look toward the launch of the film on October 10th, theaters
1:33.2	around the country and around the world, we're going beyond the screen with exclusive
1:38.2	conversations from the creative minds who brought this powerful film to life, and they
1:43.0	will be sharing behind-the-scenes stories,
1:45.5	personal reflections, and insights you won't hear anywhere else.
	...

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