Joel Courtney and Masey McLain discuss why they were drawn to Soul on Fire, a true story they say is saturated with hope, resilience, and the power of personal choice. The film follows John O’Leary, who survives a devastating burn accident as a child in 1987 and later grows into a man whose life points others toward what it means to truly live, a journey the actors say reflects the heart of the gospel.

As believers themselves, Joel and Macy reflect on how this story reshaped their understanding of resilience, vulnerability, and the gospel—revealing a hope that isn’t naïve, but hard-won and deeply rooted in faith.

Highlights


Why telling true stories of hope and overcoming matters now more than ever


The idea of agency: choosing life, joy, and freedom one decision at a time


How John’s journey mirrors biblical resilience, including parallels to Job


A powerful picture of the gospel: being fully known and fully loved


What it was like meeting the real-life John and Beth and how it shaped the performances


The promise of restoration—what’s been stolen can be replenished, resurrected, and rebuilt


Why hope isn’t automatic… but it is always available

Join the Conversation

What part of this story resonated with you most—choosing hope, embracing vulnerability, or seeing restoration firsthand? How has faith helped shape your own resilience through hard seasons?

Share your thoughts with a review!

And if today’s episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and explore more faith-filled conversations across the LifeAudio network.

Resources Mentioned


Joel Courtney – Actor known for Soul on Fire and Super 8


IMDb


Official Instagram


Masey McLain – Actress featured as Beth O’Leary in Soul on Fire



IMDb:


Official Instagram:


Soul on Fire (2025) – Official film page with cast and details


John O’Leary – The real-life inspiration for Soul on Fire (author & speaker)

Joel Courtney and Masey McLain discuss why they were drawn to Soul on Fire, a true story they say is saturated with hope, resilience, and the power of personal choice. The film follows John O&rsquo;Leary, who survives a devastating burn accident as a child in 1987 and later grows into a man whose life points others toward what it means to truly live, a journey the actors say reflects the heart of the gospel.
As believers themselves, Joel and Macy reflect on how this story reshaped their understanding of resilience, vulnerability, and the gospel&mdash;revealing a hope that isn&rsquo;t na&iuml;ve, but hard-won and deeply rooted in faith.
<hr>
Highlights
<ul data-start="852" data-end="1424">
<li data-start="852" data-end="934">
Why telling true stories of hope and overcoming matters now more than ever
</li>
<li data-start="935" data-end="1017">
The idea of agency: choosing life, joy, and freedom one decision at a time
</li>
<li data-start="1018" data-end="1100">
How John&rsquo;s journey mirrors biblical resilience, including parallels to Job
</li>
<li data-start="1101" data-end="1176">
A powerful picture of the gospel: being fully known and fully loved
</li>
<li data-start="1177" data-end="1272">
What it was like meeting the real-life John and Beth and how it shaped the performances
</li>
<li data-start="1273" data-end="1367">
The promise of restoration&mdash;what&rsquo;s been stolen can be replenished, resurrected, and rebuilt
</li>
<li data-start="1368" data-end="1424">
Why hope isn&rsquo;t automatic&hellip; but it is always available
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="1426" data-end="1429">
Join the Conversation
What part of this story resonated with you most&mdash;choosing hope, embracing vulnerability, or seeing restoration firsthand? How has faith helped shape your own resilience through hard seasons?
Share your thoughts with a review!
And if today&rsquo;s episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and explore more faith-filled conversations across the <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/">LifeAudio network.</a>
<hr>
Resources Mentioned
<ul data-start="929" data-end="1913">
<li data-start="929" data-end="1178">
Joel Courtney &ndash; Actor known for Soul on Fire and Super 8
<ul data-start="929" data-end="1913">
<li data-start="1000" data-end="1084">
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1525807/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_Joel%2520Cour">IMDb</a>
</li>
<li data-start="1087" data-end="1178">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/joel_courtney/?hl=en&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com">Official Instagram</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/joel_courtney/?hl=en&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/joel_courtney/?hl=en&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com"></a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="1087" data-end="1178">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/joel_courtney/?hl=en&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com"></a>Masey McLain &ndash; Actress featured as Beth O&rsquo;Leary in Soul on Fire
</li>
</ul>
<ul data-start="1256" data-end="1569">
<li>
<ul data-start="1256" data-end="1569">
<li data-start="1256" data-end="1340">
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4558567/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">IMDb:</a>
</li>
<li data-start="1343" data-end="1443">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/maseymclain/">Official Instagram:</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="1571" data-end="1712">
<a href="https://soulonfiremovie.com/">Soul on Fire (2025) &ndash; Official film page with cast and details</a>
</li>
<li data-start="1714" data-end="1913">
<a href="https://johnolearyinspires.com/soulonfire/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">John O&rsquo;Leary &ndash; The real-life inspiration for Soul on Fire (author &amp; speaker)</a>
</li>
</ul>

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.

Some of our favorite interviews include:

⭐️ Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Discuss Their Heartwarming Children's Book on Prayer

⭐️ Patricia Heaton and David Hunt Talk Faith, Life and Their Adoption Film Unexpected

⭐️ Willie and Korie Robertson Open Up About The Blind and the Generational Impact of Faith

⭐️ Phil Wickham Talks New Album, Songwriting, and the Deconstruction Movement

Let us know what famous Christian celebrities you want us to interview for the show!

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.
Some of our favorite interviews include:
⭐️ Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Discuss Their Heartwarming Children's Book on Prayer
⭐️ Patricia Heaton and David Hunt Talk Faith, Life and Their Adoption Film Unexpected
⭐️ Willie and Korie Robertson Open Up About The Blind and the Generational Impact of Faith
⭐️ Phil Wickham Talks New Album, Songwriting, and the Deconstruction Movement
Let us know what famous Christian celebrities you want us to interview for the show!

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.

Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews

Join us each week on Crosswalk Talk where we interview your favorite Christian celebrities. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment.
Some of our favorite interviews include:
⭐️ Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Discuss Their Heartwarming Children's Book on Prayer
⭐️ Patricia Heaton and David Hunt Talk Faith, Life and Their Adoption Film Unexpected
⭐️ Willie and Korie Robertson Open Up About The Blind and the Generational Impact of Faith
⭐️ Phil Wickham Talks New Album, Songwriting, and the Deconstruction Movement
Let us know what famous Christian celebrities you want us to interview for the show!

The Faith and True Story Behind Soul on Fire: A Conversation with Joel Courtney and Masey McLain

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1cb32db3-d72d-456e-a197-b3d20166027e/transcript