This week, we’re joined by author and speaker John O’Leary. John shares the story of a joyful Midwestern childhood that was forever changed at age nine by a devastating house fire that doctors said he would not survive. Through the unwavering love of his parents, the kindness of unexpected heroes, and a hard-fought choice to live, John’s life became a testimony to hope rising from unimaginable pain. 

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from finance executive and advisor Athanase Kadita Tshibaka, known as A.T., who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A.T. shares a journey shaped by poverty, displacement, and profound loss, and the faith that sustained him through imprisonment, injustice, and life-threatening trials.

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview:Alice Marie Johnson

Upcoming interview: Ed Newton

 

John O’Leary

Soul on Fire

Jack Buck

www.johnolearyinspires.com

 

Athanase Kadita Tshibaka

Son of the Congo

 

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference.https://trinitycredit.org

 

Interview Quotes:

“The heroes show up, and none of them wear tights. None of them wear capes. They just look like ordinary friends who faithfully live out the message of Jesus in life.” - John O’Leary

“I think when we get burned in life, whatever that looks like for all of us, we can become bitter about it and wonder where God is in our mess. Or you can recognize that God is all over this mess with you and that you can reveal that goodness and that grace and that mercy to others through your life.” - John O’Leary 

“I think when you go through a [difficult] event, at any age, it’s easy to really quickly decide whether I will be a victim or a victor to this. Even if you feel like you have no talent, your life is a precious, priceless gift. You have one job, to say yes to being used for good.” - John O’Leary

“Your life, in spite of what you’ve been through or done, can be used in mighty ways.” - John O’Leary 

“Even though we were essentially living in poverty… [my mother] had to struggle, she had to really work hard. But even with her very meager means, my mom showed me the value of hospitality and the value of generosity. There was never an instant where some strangers came and she let them just go hungry. Above it all, God’s grace.” - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka 

“When I decided to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, I had nobody pushing me, I had nobody influencing me except that very still voice, very gentle, saying that was my day of decision.” - Athanse Kadita Tshibaka

“Like most people, I am a cracked pot, a leaking vessel, and I need to be refilled by His Holy Spirit daily. Reading the Bible and being attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit helps keep us growing.” - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka

________________________

Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

________________________ 

Connect with Jesus Calling

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

YouTube

Website

TikTok

This week, we&rsquo;re joined by author and speaker <a href="https://johnolearyinspires.com/johns-story/">John O&rsquo;Leary</a>. John shares the story of a joyful Midwestern childhood that was forever changed at age nine by a devastating house fire that doctors said he would not survive. Through the unwavering love of his parents, the kindness of unexpected heroes, and a hard-fought choice to live, John&rsquo;s life became a testimony to hope rising from unimaginable pain.&nbsp;
Later in the episode, we&rsquo;ll hear from finance executive and advisor <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadita-tshibaka-7b04aa13">Athanase Kadita Tshibaka</a>, known as A.T., who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A.T. shares a journey shaped by poverty, displacement, and profound loss, and the faith that sustained him through imprisonment, injustice, and life-threatening trials.
&nbsp;
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/">Jesus Calling Podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/">Jesus Calling</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/">Jesus Always</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/">Jesus Listens</a>
Past interview: <a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/god-can-bring-hope-and-healing-to-anyone-alice-marie-johnson-christina-zorich/">Alice Marie Johnson</a>
Upcoming interview: <a href="https://www.communitybible.com/pastor-ed">Ed Newton</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://johnolearyinspires.com/johns-story/">John O&rsquo;Leary</a>
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28078628/">Soul on Fire</a>
<a href="https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/jack-buck/">Jack Buck</a>
<a href="http://www.johnolearyinspires.com">www.johnolearyinspires.com</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadita-tshibaka-7b04aa13">Athanase Kadita Tshibaka</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Son-Congo-Journey-Tragedy-Transformation/dp/163763479X">Son of the Congo</a>
&nbsp;
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity&rsquo;s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we&rsquo;re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
&nbsp;
Interview Quotes:
&ldquo;The heroes show up, and none of them wear tights. None of them wear capes. They just look like ordinary friends who faithfully live out the message of Jesus in life.&rdquo; - John O&rsquo;Leary
&ldquo;I think when we get burned in life, whatever that looks like for all of us, we can become bitter about it and wonder where God is in our mess. Or you can recognize that God is all over this mess with you and that you can reveal that goodness and that grace and that mercy to others through your life.&rdquo; - John O&rsquo;Leary&nbsp;
&ldquo;I think when you go through a [difficult] event, at any age, it&rsquo;s easy to really quickly decide whether I will be a victim or a victor to this. Even if you feel like you have no talent, your life is a precious, priceless gift. You have one job, to say yes to being used for good.&rdquo; - John O&rsquo;Leary
&ldquo;Your life, in spite of what you&rsquo;ve been through or done, can be used in mighty ways.&rdquo; - John O&rsquo;Leary&nbsp;
&ldquo;Even though we were essentially living in poverty&hellip; [my mother] had to struggle, she had to really work hard. But even with her very meager means, my mom showed me the value of hospitality and the value of generosity. There was never an instant where some strangers came and she let them just go hungry. Above it all, God&rsquo;s grace.&rdquo; - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka&nbsp;
&ldquo;When I decided to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, I had nobody pushing me, I had nobody influencing me except that very still voice, very gentle, saying that was my day of decision.&rdquo; - Athanse Kadita Tshibaka
&ldquo;Like most people, I am a cracked pot, a leaking vessel, and I need to be refilled by His Holy Spirit daily. Reading the Bible and being attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit helps keep us growing.&rdquo; - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka
________________________
Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Episodes: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7">https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7</a>&nbsp;
Bonus Podcasts: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw">https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw</a>&nbsp;
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:&nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C">https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C</a>&nbsp;
Peace for Everyday Life: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj">https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj</a>&nbsp;
Peace in Uncertain Times: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u">https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u</a>&nbsp;
What&rsquo;s Good? &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj">https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj</a>&nbsp;
Enneagram: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY">https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY</a>&nbsp;
________________________&nbsp;
Connect with Jesus Calling
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/">Facebook</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling">Twitter</a>
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&amp;etslf=5858">Pinterest</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1">YouTube</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/">Website</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en">TikTok</a>

Millions have been encouraged and inspired by the words of the #1 best-selling 365-day devotional "Jesus Calling." Listen to real-life stories of faith as told by those who have experienced the power of living in His presence.

Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

Millions have been encouraged and inspired by the words of the #1 best-selling 365-day devotional "Jesus Calling." Listen to real-life stories of faith as told by those who have experienced the power of living in His presence.

Jesus Calling

Choosing Victory Over Victimhood: John O’Leary & Athanase Kadita Tshibaka

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/f589dfe2-e453-4cd4-a551-b3f4012fc435/transcript