Franklin Planner Podcast

John Harding & George Wright III
  • 4.8 (77)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

Are you ready to discover the keys to greater productivity and lead your life and team with principles that stand the test of time? Welcome to The Franklin Planner Podcast, your weekly guide to achieving your best life through proven strategies, timeless values, and expert insights. Whether you're looking for ways to boost your personal productivity, lead your team to new heights, or find lasting success, this podcast is your trusted companion on the path to intentional living. For more than 40 years, Franklin Planner has helped millions infuse their lives with meaning and clarity. Inspired by the principles of Dr. Stephen R. Covey and his groundbreaking work, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this podcast builds on that enduring legacy. Hosted by Franklin Planner Board Member and Owner John Harding, alongside industry expert George Wright III, each episode dives deep into the essential habits, disciplines, and leadership principles that transform both individuals and teams. Together, John and George bring decades of experience, combined with interviews from accomplished business leaders, productivity experts, and success coaches, offering valuable lessons you can apply today. From overcoming roadblocks and staying focused on the "Big Rocks" in your life to fostering collaboration and trust in your team, the discussions are rich with actionable takeaways and practical wisdom. The Franklin Planner Podcast is more than a tool for learning; it’s an invitation to a community committed to growth, purpose, and intentional living. If you're ready to take charge of your time, lead with integrity, and craft a legacy of success, this is the podcast for you. Tune in weekly, and let's unlock your full potential—one timeless principle at a time.

  1. 1d ago

    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’s disciplined transformation. In his 20s, after success at Harvard, early political rise, and marriage to Alice Hathaway Lee, he lost both his mother and wife on February 14, 1884, prompting him to seek renewal in the Dakota Territory and form his “Strenuous Life” philosophy. They cover his decision to fight in the Spanish-American War by forming the Rough Riders, his anti-corruption, pro–working class leadership, his unexpected ascent to the presidency after McKinley’s assassination, and his Square Deal priorities: corporate control, consumer protection, and conservation, concluding with “The Man in the Arena” and a call to face fears and act on values. 00:00 Why Roosevelt Matters 03:37 Childhood Weakness to Strength 15:34 Rebuilding in the Dakotas 20:23 Rough Riders and War Hero 25:08 Fighting Corruption in Politics 29:32 Unexpected Path to Presidency 36:41 Man in the Arena Lessons Thank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together.   Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/ The Franklin Planner Team About Misty Howard Misty Howard is a historian‐enthusiast and podcast host who brings a fresh, youth-oriented voice to timeless values and historical wisdom. She serves as the creator and host of the podcast Faith Ignited (described as “Immersive, real stories from history, seen through the lens of faith”). Her work focuses on exploring the lives of influential historical figures—especially from the founding era of the United States—and connecting their personal values with modern leadership, mission-driven living, and character development. Misty emphasizes the importance of self-improvement, purpose, and narration of historical truths often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Her style blends historical research, faith-based insight, and practical application for younger audiences. Her contributions bring depth, perspective, and inspiration to conversations about proactive living and principle-centered leadership. Guest Resources: Podcast Link: Faith Ignited — available via Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, etc.

    Theodore Roosevelt: Turning Weakness into Greatness

  2. Sep 10

    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 bank account,” emphasizing that a deposit is only a deposit if the recipient sees it that way and that deposits must be consistent and frequent. In leadership, he contrasts fear-based command-and-control with trust-based approaches that create synergy. Covey outlines the seven habits along the maturity continuum from dependence to interdependence and notes principles remain relevant despite technological change. He recommends daily alignment practices (including The Miracle Morning) and rebuilding low-trust relationships by identifying withdrawals and experimenting with deposits. 00:00 John Covey Background 02:23 Uncle Steve Connection 05:12 Why Principles Matter 09:01 Values Drive Behavior 13:56 Principles Are External 16:38 Social Principles and Trust 19:32 Emotional Bank Account 22:59 Deposits That Count 26:15 Leadership Applications 29:34 Fear Versus Trust 31:58 Alignment Drives Results 33:41 Learning Principles Daily 36:34 Benefits And Seven Habits 38:42 Maturity Continuum Explained 42:12 Principles In Modern Change 44:41 Stormproof Core Principles 48:43 Hardest Principles To Live 50:39 Daily Alignment Practices 52:14 Rebuilding Low Trust Thank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together.   Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/ The Franklin Planner Team

    The Power of Timeless Principles with John P. Covey

  3. Aug 20

    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 pursue the “four freedoms” (time, money, mission, relationships) and ultimately leave corporate life with Tony Robbins’ coaching and encouragement. He shares key lessons from mentorship and “proximity is power,” the role of meaning and reframing, and frameworks he teaches including VCR (vision, capabilities, reach), focusing on outcomes, and “best next step.” The conversation emphasizes values-based leadership, building trust over competence, developing resilience from past reference points, and fulfilling a promise to pass mentorship forward. 00:00 Hudson Crash Replay 00:27 Podcast Welcome 02:14 Dave's Flight Story 03:48 Aisle Up Out Mindset 06:28 Resilience Built Over Time 08:06 Aftermath And Oracle Wakeup 09:43 Four Freedoms Escape Plan 12:18 Mentorship With Tony 13:26 Proximity And Meaning 17:08 VCR Resilience Framework 20:57 Vision Values Leadership 23:10 Trust Over Competence 25:40 Focus With Next Steps 28:27 Building Team Resilience 32:07 Leading Your Life 34:37 Mentor Promise Story 38:26 Mentorship Call To Action Thank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together.   Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/ The Franklin Planner Team Guest Bio LInks Website: https://davesandersonspeaks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredavesanderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveSandersonSpeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davesandersonspeaks/

    Miracles and Leadership with Dave Sanderson

  4. Aug 10

    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 attention, interruptions, and the value of uninterrupted “deep work.” Using examples from NASA checklists, the brain’s filtering of attention (including noticing opportunities once a goal is set), Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile, and Churchill’s purpose-driven leadership, they connect goals to belief, executive functions, and self-coaching. They invite listeners to write down what matters most, choose 2–3 goals, and review them for three weeks, and they preview an upcoming member event with Stephen M. R. Covey on building and restoring trust. 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 01:41 Why Goals Matter 02:45 Goals Change You 05:22 Why Write It Down 08:30 Reflection vs Technology 11:18 Paper Protects Focus 14:25 Brain Filters Attention 17:37 Belief and Possibility 21:07 Leadership and Purpose 26:07 Daily Review Practice 28:10 Self Coaching Research 30:59 Two Part Goal Exercise 33:20 Events and Closing Thank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together.   Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/ The Franklin Planner Team

    The Transformative Power of Goals

  5. Jul 24

    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 individuals changed history through determination, resourcefulness, courage, and service. Along the way, they connect each story to modern leadership, emphasizing that greatness is not determined by status or circumstance, but by the choices we make and the values we live. The conversation concludes with a reminder that history is more than something to study—it is a guide for living a meaningful life today. 00:00 Courage Shows Up In Ordinary People 00:40 Welcome And America's 250th Anniversary 04:22 Henry Knox And Determination 07:18 The Impossible Cannon Mission 09:38 Lessons In Perseverance 12:01 Francis Marion The Swamp Fox 15:16 Guerrilla Warfare And Resourcefulness 17:08 Character Over Circumstance 20:20 Sybil Ludington And Courage 22:10 A Sixteen-Year-Old Answers The Call 23:24 Defining Moments Require Courage 26:00 Benjamin Rush And A Life Of Service 28:47 Medicine As A Calling 29:27 Serving The Poor And Forgotten 30:20 Purpose Beyond Success 31:56 Four Leadership Principles 33:10 Finding Unsung Heroes Around You 34:41 Applying History To Everyday Life 35:19 Choices Define Our Legacy 36:15 Closing Thoughts Thank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together.   Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/ The Franklin Planner Team About Misty Howard Misty Howard is a historian‐enthusiast and podcast host who brings a fresh, youth-oriented voice to timeless values and historical wisdom. She serves as the creator and host of the podcast Faith Ignited (described as “Immersive, real stories from history, seen through the lens of faith”). Her work focuses on exploring the lives of influential historical figures—especially from the founding era of the United States—and connecting their personal values with modern leadership, mission-driven living, and character development. Misty emphasizes the importance of self-improvement, purpose, and narration of historical truths often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Her style blends historical research, faith-based insight, and practical application for younger audiences. Her contributions bring depth, perspective, and inspiration to conversations about proactive living and principle-centered leadership. Guest Resources: Podcast Link: Faith Ignited — available via Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, etc.

    Heroes of the Revolution

  6. Jul 16

    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 about 60% of millennials struggle to deeply connect. Townsend shares practical tools: a “time left” circle exercise (two years to two hours) to clarify who and what matter most; the “four lights” questions—self-awareness, empathy (others’ needs and wants), vision, and conscience; and conflict guidance to move from “smoke” to “fire” by identifying unmet “STARVE” needs (safety, trust, appreciation, respect, validation, encouragement, dedication) and “get real” by recognizing emotion, exploring stories, attending to needs, and lifting the conversation. 00:00 Relationships Matter Most 01:11 Podcast Welcome And Guest Intro 02:59 Matt Townsend Origin Story 06:06 Roles Goals And Connection Crisis 13:48 Two Years To Live Exercise 16:29 Four Lights From 9 11 22:01 Using Four Lights In Teams 25:10 Smoke Versus Fire In Conflict 26:06 Bag Fight Spiral 27:35 Smoke Versus Fire 28:15 Starve Needs Framework 28:42 Safety Trust Appreciation 31:05 Respect Validation Encouragement 32:00 Dedication And Motivation 34:42 Suspend Certainty 37:23 Get Real Method 40:17 Leadership And Influence 46:26 Closing Invitation Thank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together.   Check out the New Membership Program Here: https://store.franklinplanner.com/lps/membership/ The Franklin Planner Team About Guest Dr. Matt Townsend has been energizing and involving audiences with his unique approach to building and maintaining successful relationships. Known as one of America’s top presenters in the field of Human Relations and Development, Matt blends humor and storytelling with interactive, real-life solutions that inspire motivation and immediate results in his audiences. Having dedicated his life to the study of communication and interpersonal relationships, Matt has worked extensively in the areas of results-oriented communication, conflict resolution and time management training. As a lead presenter for industry leader, Franklin Covey, Matt worked with the Family & Special Market Division and created the company’s largest train-the-trainer program, certifying more than 900 trainers to teach his customized time management curriculum. Links Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drmatttownsend LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmatttownsend/

    Lifelong Journey of Relationship Building with Matt Townsend

  7. Jun 25

    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 father), his early writing success, and his Boer War capture and daring escape that made him famous and launched his political career. They cover Churchill’s flaws, depression (“black dog”), and major mistake in World War I (Gallipoli), emphasizing that leaders need purpose and commitment more than perfection. Misty explains Churchill’s “wilderness years,” his warnings about Hitler, and how appeasement failed, leading to his rise as prime minister and his “We shall fight” speech in 1940. The hosts conclude with takeaways about mission, courage, preparation, and daily intentionality, then promote upcoming episodes, a Lead Your Life magazine, and a Franklin Planner membership. 00:00 Welcome and Guests 00:31 Why Study Leaders 01:58 Churchill Relevance 04:45 Early Life Struggles 10:48 Boer War Escape 16:27 Flaws and Resilience 20:12 Gallipoli Setback 23:27 Wilderness Years Warning 26:12 Standing Alone 31:23 Destiny and Preparation 34:59 Fight on the Beaches 41:03 Final Takeaways 46:12 Closing and Next Steps Thank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together.   The Franklin Planner Team About Misty Howard Misty Howard is a historian‐enthusiast and podcast host who brings a fresh, youth-oriented voice to timeless values and historical wisdom. She serves as the creator and host of the podcast Faith Ignited (described as “Immersive, real stories from history, seen through the lens of faith”). Her work focuses on exploring the lives of influential historical figures—especially from the founding era of the United States—and connecting their personal values with modern leadership, mission-driven living, and character development. Misty emphasizes the importance of self-improvement, purpose, and narration of historical truths often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Her style blends historical research, faith-based insight, and practical application for younger audiences. Her contributions bring depth, perspective, and inspiration to conversations about proactive living and principle-centered leadership. Guest Resources: Podcast Link: Faith Ignited — available via Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, etc.

    Winston Churchill: The Bulldog's Path to Leadership

  8. May 28

    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, and diminished cognitive capacity, even from a phone’s mere presence. Harding explains the four quadrants (urgent/important crises; not urgent/important planning, relationships, growth, renewal; urgent/not important interruptions and others’ priorities; not urgent/not important time-wasters) and argues that leadership and effectiveness come from living in Quadrant 2. They emphasize paper planning and the Franklin Planner system as tools that reduce distraction, deepen thinking, and help individuals and teams align personal mission and values with organizational goals through weekly and daily planning.    02:12 Why Distraction Wins  03:24 Overwhelm and Interruptions  04:37 Time Matrix Explained  06:58 Quadrants One Three Four  09:07 Quadrant Two Leadership  12:44 Paper Beats Digital  16:47 Weekly Daily Practice  22:12 Teams Alignment and Goals  Thank you for joining us on this Journey to create your best life and to lead your Life and Teams. Please share this show, and we look forward to the journey we will take together.   The Franklin Planner Team

    The Time Management Matrix for Navigating Life
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4.8
out of 5
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About

Are you ready to discover the keys to greater productivity and lead your life and team with principles that stand the test of time? Welcome to The Franklin Planner Podcast, your weekly guide to achieving your best life through proven strategies, timeless values, and expert insights. Whether you're looking for ways to boost your personal productivity, lead your team to new heights, or find lasting success, this podcast is your trusted companion on the path to intentional living. For more than 40 years, Franklin Planner has helped millions infuse their lives with meaning and clarity. Inspired by the principles of Dr. Stephen R. Covey and his groundbreaking work, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this podcast builds on that enduring legacy. Hosted by Franklin Planner Board Member and Owner John Harding, alongside industry expert George Wright III, each episode dives deep into the essential habits, disciplines, and leadership principles that transform both individuals and teams. Together, John and George bring decades of experience, combined with interviews from accomplished business leaders, productivity experts, and success coaches, offering valuable lessons you can apply today. From overcoming roadblocks and staying focused on the "Big Rocks" in your life to fostering collaboration and trust in your team, the discussions are rich with actionable takeaways and practical wisdom. The Franklin Planner Podcast is more than a tool for learning; it’s an invitation to a community committed to growth, purpose, and intentional living. If you're ready to take charge of your time, lead with integrity, and craft a legacy of success, this is the podcast for you. Tune in weekly, and let's unlock your full potential—one timeless principle at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    John Harding & George Wright III
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Franklin Planner Corp. FranklinCovey is a registered trademark of FranklinCovey Co. Used by permission.
  • Show Website
    Franklin Planner Podcast