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.
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 values , translating values into season-specific goals, and why weekly planning creates the best daily plans. John offers a weekly planning review process, cautions against too many or misaligned goals, and shows how daily planning and the important/urgent Time Matrix help handle interruptions while staying aligned with values.
00:00 Why the Pyramid Matters
06:17 Four Levels Overview
07:23 Governing Values Foundation
11:23 Turning Values Into Goals
15:41 Weekly Planning Power
20:57 Weekly Planning Checklist
22:51 Daily Planning and Time Matrix
26:58 Quotes and Listener Challenge
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 Howardis 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.
On The Franklin Planner Podcast, hosts George Wright III and John Harding explore the core framework of personal effectiveness: The Productivity Pyramid. From bridging the gap between high-level values and daily actions to achieving true inner peace, this conversation illustrates how clarity, discipline, and intentional choices help you align your calendar with what matters most.
John breaks down the four foundational levels of the pyramid, offering insights on defining governing values, setting goals tailored to your current season of life, and utilizing weekly planning to navigate daily demands. The conversation highlights the synergy between the Productivity Pyramid and the Time Matrix, key wisdom from productivity pioneers like Hyrum Smith and Stephen R. Covey, and actionable Franklin Planner practices—such as a 5-step weekly review process—to help you eliminate daily noise, focus on Quadrant 2 priorities, and lead your life with purpose.
Episode Timeline
00:00 – Welcome to The Franklin Planner Podcast
00:54 – What is the Productivity Pyramid?
02:09 – Overview of the 4 Levels of the Pyramid
07:24 – Level 1: Discovering Your Governing Values
11:20 – Level 2: Translating Values into Goals
15:43 – Level 3: The Power of Weekly Planning
20:58 – 5 Steps to Execute a Weekly Review
22:52 – Level 4: Daily Actions & The Time Matrix
27:00 – Timeless Quotes & The Weekly Challenge
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.
