Franklin Planner Podcast
The Franklin Planner Podcast is a weekly show that explores productivity strategies, timeless values, and leadership principles. Hosted by John Harding and George Wright III, it draws on the legacy of Dr. Stephen R. Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Each episode features interviews with business leaders and experts, offering practical advice for personal and team effectiveness.
Episodes
The Productivity Pyramid: Capture the Power of Inner Peace and Success
George Wright III and co-host John Harding explain Franklin Planner’s foundational Productivity Pyramid as a companion to the Time Matrix, designed to connect what matters most to daily action and “inner peace.” They outline four levels—governing values, goals, weekly planning, and daily actions—framing the key question of how priorities make their way into everyday life. They discuss identifying
The Quest for Inner Peace: Hyrum Smith's Teachings on Time and Life Management
George Wright III is joined by Misty Howard to introduce a new series covering Hyrum Smith’s book "The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management." They explain that audience feedback prompted more content on the planner’s timeless principles, emphasizing that the methodology is about more than efficiency in an “age of time famine.” They discuss Smith’s concept of inner peace as the re
Theodore Roosevelt: Turning Weakness into Greatness
On the Franklin Planner Podcast, George Wright III with John Harding and Misty Howard highlight Theodore Roosevelt as a model of resilience, character, and leadership, emphasizing that while we can’t choose everything that happens, we can choose our response. They discuss Roosevelt’s sickly childhood with severe asthma and nearsightedness, his father’s challenge to “make your body,” and Roosevelt’
The Power of Timeless Principles with John P. Covey
Host John Harding interviews John P. Covey on timeless principles and how aligning with them improves personal and professional effectiveness. Covey explains that values are internal and drive 100% of behavior moment by moment, while principles are external and govern consequences, using gravity as an analogy. He applies principles socially through trust, honesty, and Stephen R. Covey’s “emotional
Miracles and Leadership with Dave Sanderson
On The Franklin Planner Podcast, George Wright III interviews Dave Sanderson, the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549, who recounts the Hudson River landing, the 36-degree water evacuation, and how preparation, mindset, and teamwork mattered as much as landing the plane. Sanderson explains how the experience reshaped his priorities, exposed feeling undervalued at Oracle, and led him to pursu
The Transformative Power of Goals
Co-hosts George Wright III and John Harding revisit why goal setting is one of the Franklin Planner podcast’s most popular topics, emphasizing that the greatest power of goals is not what they accomplish but what they awaken and change in the person pursuing them. They discuss why writing goals down and reviewing them matters amid digital overload, citing research on handwriting, sustained attenti
Heroes of the Revolution
George Wright III, John Harding, and historian Misty Howard celebrate America's 250th anniversary by exploring four overlooked heroes of the American Revolution whose examples continue to teach timeless leadership principles. Rather than focusing on famous Founding Fathers, they examine the remarkable lives of Henry Knox, Francis Marion, Sybil Ludington, and Benjamin Rush, showing how ordinary ind
Lifelong Journey of Relationship Building with Matt Townsend
On the Franklin Planner “Lead Your Life” podcast, host John Harding interviews Dr. Matt Townsend, who describes how his parents’ divorce led him to study communications and conflict resolution, work at FranklinCovey for seven years, then leave about 25 years ago to coach couples and mediate divorces. They argue that relationships are central to purpose, roles, and planning, and note a study that a
Winston Churchill: The Bulldog's Path to Leadership
George Wright III hosts John Harding and resident history expert Misty Howard on the Franklin Planner/Lead Your Life podcast to discuss Winston Churchill as a leadership model and why studying historical figures reveals timeless principles from “beginning to end.” Misty outlines Churchill’s difficult upbringing (wealthy but neglected, poor student, speech impediment, harshly criticized by his fath
The Time Management Matrix for Navigating Life
On the Franklin Planner Podcast, co-hosts George Wright III and John Harding discuss an upcoming magazine article co-written with CEO Bob Sumbot titled “Why Quadrant Two Thinking on Paper Matters More Than Ever,” focused on Steven R. Covey’s Time Management Matrix. They describe how constant digital interruptions—often 50+ a day with 20+ minutes to refocus—create decision fatigue, overwhelm,
Lead Your Life: Franklin Planner's New Membership Program
Introducing the Lead Your Life Franklin Planner Membership. George Wright III and John Harding discuss Franklin Planner’s 40-year legacy, its principles-based productivity system inspired by Steven R. Covey, and modern challenges like digital distraction and overwhelm. They announce a new “Lead Your Life” membership program designed to extend the planner into a community and resource hub that help
Protect Wealth, Lower Taxes and Build Legacy with Don Pendleton
In this masterclass-style episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, George Wright III sits down with wealth strategist and Protect Wealth founder Don Pendleton to unpack the pillars of long-term financial leadership: tax strategy, asset protection, estate planning, and wealth creation. Don shares the personal story that launched his career in asset protection after being sued following a tragic inc
No Excuses: Unlocking Success with Noelle Pikus Pace's Olympic Mindset
George Wright III is joined by two-time world champion and Olympic medalist Noelle Pikus-Pace to discuss her journey from skeleton racing to becoming a global speaker and author. Noelle shares the pivotal moment of her devastating 2005 injury while ranked #1 in the world and the conscious choice she made to push through rather than let the setback define her.They talk about the importance of knowi
On Signal: Leading Brilliant Growth Through Deep Stakeholder Respect
George Wright III and co-host John Harding discuss leadership and propose that an organization’s greatest growth opportunity lies in deeply valuing and investing in its key stakeholders: employees, customers, suppliers, partners, and others. They talk about “deep respect” as a growth strategy and cite research linking engagement and organizational health to higher profitability, productivity, and
Building Trust and Resilience: George Washington
This week on the Podcast, co-hosts George Wright III and John Harding talk with resident history expert Misty Howard about the U.S. 250th anniversary and the leadership lessons of George Washington. They frame Washington as a case study in value-based leadership: choosing duty over personal comfort, anchoring to civil and religious liberty, and living for a cause greater than self. Misty desc
Governing Values & Proactive living: History's Greatest Leaders
Are you living intentionally — or simply reacting to everything life throws at you? In this episode, discover how history’s greatest leaders mastered personal responsibility, emotional control, and proactive decision-making to shape their destiny. In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, host George Wright III is joined by Franklin Planner board member John Harding and historian and podcas
10X Leadership with Grant Cardone
In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, George Wright III hosts an Exclusive Interview with Cardone, a renowned business expert and author. Grant delves into his philosophy on achieving success, emphasizing the importance of self-respect, personal responsibility, and maintaining integrity in all affairs. He shares insights on his practical approach to growth, elaborating on his 10X rule,
Born To Standout: Ben Kjar's Journey of Courage, Discipline and Purpose
In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, hosts George Wright III and John Harding welcome special guest Ben Kjar. Ben, an American wrestler, international speaker, real estate investor, and motivational figure, shares his remarkable life story of overcoming Crouzon syndrome to become a NCAA Division One Wrestling All American and a world champion wrestler. Ben discusses the principles and
Stephen M.R. Covey: How High-Trust Leaders Get Better Results in Life and Work
In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, host George Wright III welcomes esteemed guest Stephen M.R. Covey, a global authority on leadership, trust, and organizational performance. Covey discusses his legacy of timeless principles in leadership and trust, stemming from the influential teachings of his father, Dr. Stephen R. Covey. The conversation delves into the importance of trust as bot
A Pathway to Prosperity with Dr. William D. Danko
In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, host George Wright III interviews Dr. William Danko, bestselling author and wealth-building expert. Dr. Danko shares insights from his landmark books, 'The Millionaire Next Door' and 'Richer Than a Millionaire,' discussing habits of ordinary millionaires, the importance of frugality and saving, and the Golden Rule's role in achieving true prosperity
Living with Purpose with Breck England
In this episode of the Franklin Planner podcast, host John Harding converses with the versatile and insightful Dr. Breck England. They delve into Dr. England's extensive background, his work with leadership and productivity solutions at Franklin Covey, and the impactful Franklin Planner system. The discussion centers around the story of Margot, a woman striving to find balance in her chaotic life
Cultivating Success: Timeless Principles with Shawn Moon
In this episode of the Franklin Planner podcast, hosts George Wright III and John Harding welcome special guest Shawn Moon, chairman and CEO of Zerorez. Shawn shares insights from his extensive background in leadership, having held executive roles at Franklin Covey and worked with Fortune 500 companies and government organizations worldwide. The discussion covers the importance of timeless princip
Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues with Misty Howard
In this episode of the Franklin Planner podcast, hosts George Wright III and John Harding welcome special guest Misty Howard, a passionate advocate for timeless values and historical wisdom. They delve into the life of Benjamin Franklin, exploring his early years, the values that inspired the Franklin Planner system, and how he discovered his mission. Misty shares Franklin's journey from a challen
Values-Driven Leadership: Mayor Michelle Kaufusi's Story
In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, hosts George Wright III and John Harding are joined by Mayor Michelle Kaufusi of Provo, Utah. As Provo's first female mayor with a background on the Provo City School Board, Mayor Kaufusi shares her inspiring story of overcoming a challenging childhood, her drive for excellence, and her journey into leadership. She highlights the importance of trust
The Power of Perspective by Stephen R. Covey on Weekly Planning
In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, host George Wright III explores the common struggle of feeling busy but unproductive. Drawing on the insights of Dr. Stephen Covey, particularly Habit 3: 'Put First Things First' from his renowned book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,' the episode delves into the importance of weekly planning. Wright explains Covey's analogy of viewing life
A Journey of Intention: The Campbell Family's Year-Long World Travel
In this episode of the Franklin Planner podcast, the host welcomes special guest Ashley Campbell, an author, photographer, and community leader who, along with her family, embarked on a 17-year-long journey culminating in a year-long trip around the world. They discuss Ashley's inspiration behind the trip, the steps and sacrifices made to achieve this dream, and the importance of intentional livin
Brain Fitness After 40: How FranklinPlanner Strengthens Your Mind, Memory & Purpose
In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, co-hosts George Wright III and John Harding delve into the science of brain fitness after 40. They discuss how the Franklin Planner can support mental health and enhance productivity through various life stages. The episode covers the structural changes in the brain from the forties to the eighties, identifies the challenges of digital overload, and
Finding Your Voice: The Journey of Jon Schmidt
In this episode of the Franklin Planner podcast, co-hosts George Wright III and John Harding welcome special guest Jon Schmidt, an accomplished pianist and composer known for his work with The Piano Guys. Jon shares his journey from a musically inclined family to global recognition, emphasizing the importance of passion, hard work, and love in achieving success. He offers profound insights on find
Overcoming Adversity: The Power of Personal Mission with David Anderson.
Defying Odds: Harnessing a Personal Mission for Success with David AndersonIn this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, co-host George Wright III and John Harding sit down with David Anderson to discuss the essence of personal mission and its transformative power. David, a globally successful entrepreneur and speaker, shares his inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing in Chicago to bec
Creating a Vision for Your Life: Vision, Mission, Values
In this episode, co-hosts George Wright III and Franklin Planner Board Member John Harding delve into the significance of defining one's mission, vision, and values. They discuss how these elements can help individuals find purpose and direction in their lives, referencing concepts from Stephen Covey and the Productivity Pyramid. The conversation covers practical steps for self-reflection, craftin
Balancing Digital & Paper Planning with Carl Pullein
In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, hosts John and George welcome time management expert and productivity coach Carl Pullein. Carl shares his journey from a middle school student fascinated with time management to becoming a globally recognized specialist in the field. He introduces his groundbreaking programs, including the the COD Task Management System, and discusses the benefits o
The Transformative Power of Goal Setting: Achieve 10x Success
In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, host George Wright III and co-host John Harding delve into the immense benefits of goal setting. They reveal that individuals who set goals are 10 times more likely to succeed, emphasizing the crucial role of writing goals down to increase productivity and focus. They explore the science behind goal writing, share practical tips on setting challengi
Strategies to Conquer Overwhelm
In this episode of the Franklin Planner podcast, host George Wright III and guest John Harding, Franklin Planner expert, address the growing issue of overwhelm in today's fast-paced world. They explore the underlying causes, such as lack of clarity, overcommitment, and digital distractions, and offer actionable solutions to tackle this pervasive problem. Key strategies discussed include defining p
Welcome to the Franklin Planner Podcast
In the inaugural episode of the Franklin Planner podcast, hosts George Wright III and John Harding introduce themselves and set the stage for the series, emphasizing the importance of helping people solve big problems and seize opportunities. They delve into their backgrounds, outlining their expertise and roles. The episode covers the history of the Franklin Planner system, highlighting its impac
