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 daily rituals that have guided his success, emphasizing the importance of setting clear goals, involving supportive people, and maintaining a rigorous daily routine. The conversation also delves into Ben's upcoming movie 'Standout', which documents his journey and aims to inspire others to realize their potential and overcome obstacles. The film, releasing on January 23rd, aims to reach a wide audience to spread its powerful message. Ben's story and advice offer valuable insights for anyone looking to lead a successful and fulfilling life.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:44 Ben Kjar's Early Life and Challenges

01:44 Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Success

04:52 The Power of Setting Goals

07:31 Support Systems and Accountability

18:40 Daily Rituals for Success

19:31 Morning Routine and Workout Priorities

21:07 The Crown Code: A Way of Living

22:23 Principles and Goals: A Personal Story

24:01 Overcoming Adversity: Wrestling Journey

30:59 The Impact of the Movie 'Stand Out'

36:25 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

About Guest: Ben Kjar

Ben Kjar was born with Crouzons syndrome (a craniofacial anomaly), and as a young boy the doctors told him that he would live a different life.....and that’s exactly what he’s done! He has risen above any of life’s challenges and become a Victor not a victim. Ben is Utah Valley University’s first-ever NCAA Division 1 Wrestling All-American and has represented the USA team internationally. Ben is an international professional speaker and has told his story to millions around the globe, in front of crowds of up to 10,000 people!

Guest Resources:

• Website: https://www.benkjar.com/
• Instagram: @benkjar
• Facebook: Ben Kjar
• X (formerly Twitter): @benkjar
• LinkedIn: Ben Kjar
• Film Website: https://standoutfilm.com/

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. He also delves into personal stories that shaped his values and career, including caring for his quadriplegic brother and the creation of the Milton and Mary Danko Golden Rule Award. Dr. Danko emphasizes the importance of intentional living, charitable giving, and practical financial planning for achieving both financial success and life satisfaction.

01:27 Dr. William Danko's Background and Family Influence

07:19 Core Concepts from 'The Millionaire Next Door'

17:38 The Golden Rule and Charitable Living

23:04 Timeless Principles for Financial Success and Happiness

26:17 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice

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 Guest: Dr. William D. Danko

Dr. William D. Danko is a much-sought after adviser on marketing and the behavior of the affluent. He co-authored The Millionaire Next Door, a research-based book about wealth in America that has been ranked as a bestseller by The New York Times for more than three years. Over four million copies have been sold and it continues to be featured in national book chains. More recently, he coauthored Richer Than A Millionaire ~ A Pathway To True Prosperity, a book that shows how to build wealth with a greater purpose in mind. It offers special value to younger people with the ambition to be wealthy and happy, yet lacking sustainable strategies and tools. His publications have appeared in the Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Advertising Research, and other leading journals. He has presented his research findings in nearly every State, as well as in Australia, Canada, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, and Taiwan.

Guest Resources

THE MILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR

RICHER THAN A MILLIONAIRE

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 through the principles of the Franklin Planner. Dr. England elaborates on core components like values, goals, intermediate steps, and the weekly and daily planning process. Additionally, the episode explores the benefits of integrating both digital and paper planning tools to maximize productivity and maintain focus on what matters most. Ending with a tribute to Benjamin Franklin's influence, this episode is a comprehensive guide to enhancing personal and professional life through thoughtful planning.

00:52 Introducing Dr. Breck England

01:30 Breck's Professional Journey

03:49 Margot's Story: Overcoming Challenges

07:47 The Franklin Planner System

10:26 Defining Personal Values and Goals

13:38 The Productivity Pyramid

27:10 Mission, Vision, and Purpose

33:47 Setting Meaningful Goals

34:20 The Power of the Calendar

36:20 Achieving Goals with Intermediate Steps

39:28 The Importance of Writing Things Down

41:34 Balancing Digital and Paper Planning

45:12 Weekly and Daily Planning

53:38 The Planner System's Impact on Life

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 Guest: Dr. Breck England

Dr. Breck England is Senior Product Architect and Writer-in-Chief for FranklinCovey. As a senior consultant, Breck has 25 years of field experience in helping some of the world's prime corporations become more effective in leadership and communication. He has directed projects for some 200 organizations around the world, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Bank of America, GE, AT&T, Groupe Bull, Hoffmann-La Roche, Chevron, and Lawrence-Livermore Laboratories.

Before joining FranklinCovey, Breck served as Vice President of Intellectual Property for FranklinQuest and Vice President of Consulting for Shipley Associates, an international communication training firm. Breck earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Utah and was adjunct professor of organizational leadership and strategy in the Marriott School of Brigham Young University for seven years.

Book: Presentation Advantage: How to Inform and Persuade Any Audience

Podcast: https://breckengland.podbean.com/

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 principles from the 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,' highlighting their universality and relevance across different cultures and organizational levels. Shawn emphasizes the significance of weekly planning and daily personal victories as foundational to effective leadership. He also provides a sneak peek into his upcoming book, which distills wisdom from interviews with 100 CEOs. Personal anecdotes about Stephen R. Covey underscore the enduring power of these principles in both professional and personal life. This episode offers actionable advice for leading oneself and others effectively in today's complex world.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:35 Meet Shawn Moon: A Leader's Journey

03:39 The Impact of the Seven Habits

06:58 Applying Principles in Business and Life

16:03 The Power of Weekly Planning

23:21 Daily Private Victory: Sharpening the Saw

28:09 The Power of Choice: Habit One

28:48 Defining Your Values: Habit Two

29:11 Executing Priorities: Habit Three

29:43 Foundations of Personal Leadership

30:03 Effective vs. Ineffective Leaders

31:06 The Importance of Principles

32:37 Researching Leadership Insights

33:30 Lessons from Top CEOs

42:07 Remembering Stephen R. Covey

46:47 The Role of Empathy in Leadership

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 Guest: Shawn Moon

CEO, DIRECTOR & BOARD MEMBER OF BOTH THE USA AND UK COMPANIES

Shawn is our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held since September
2017; previously he served as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Moon has over 35 years
of executive experience, having spent over 25 years with the FranklinCovey Company where he
served as the Executive Vice President and had responsibility for the company's direct offices
and operations globally. He was also a principle with Mellon Financial. Since joining as CEO, Mr.
Moon has transformed Zerorez, increasing revenue, profitability, and securing private equity
funding with PE firm Banner Ventures. For his accomplishments, he was recently named as a
finalist for EY Entrepreneur of the Year. Mr. Moon is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author,
and he and his wife live at the base of the Wasatch Mountains and have 4 children 7 wonderful
grandchildren.

Guest Resources:

Website

UK Website

Instagram

Facebook Page

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 challenging youth to becoming a pivotal historical figure through virtues like temperance, silence, and resolution. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-evaluation, developing a personal value system, and the correlation between virtue and happiness. The episode concludes with actionable advice for listeners of all ages on how to cultivate character and transform their lives by aligning with timeless principles.

00:34 Benjamin Franklin's Early Life and Virtues

02:42 Discovering Your Mission and Purpose

04:20 Benjamin Franklin's Youth and Determination

15:04 The Turning Point: From Drifting to Deliberate Purpose

20:06 The 13 Virtues of Benjamin Franklin

27:34 Applying Franklin's Principles Today

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 Guest: 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.

Guest Resources:

Podcast Link: Faith Ignited — available via Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, etc.

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, love, and maternal instincts in governing a city and building effective teams. The discussion delves into her guiding principles, mission statement, and the balance between her professional role and personal life, offering valuable insights for individuals and leaders looking to make a significant impact in their communities.

01:04 Mayor Michelle Kaufusi's Background

04:01 Challenges and Early Life

06:59 Path to Leadership

10:12 Values and Vision

17:56 Maternal Instincts in Leadership

19:16 Leadership and Team Management

19:56 The Role of a Mayor: A Lifestyle, Not a Job

20:14 Choosing the Right Deputy Mayor

21:34 Mission Statement: Exceptional Care for an Exceptional Community

23:18 Building Trust Within the Community

28:31 Balancing Growth and Community Values

29:37 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Leaders

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 Guest: Mayor Michelle Kaufusi

Michelle Kaufusi has served as the 45th mayor of Provo, Utah since December 5, 2017, and is the city’s first female mayor. Born and raised in Provo, she earned a B.S. in Geography from Brigham Young University. Prior to being mayor, she served on the Provo School Board and in other civic roles; as mayor her oversight has included major infrastructure projects, an emphasis on fiscal responsibility, public safety, and smart growth. Her leadership has seen Provo earn national recognition as a “Best-Performing City” multiple years in a row.

Resources:

Michelle Kaufusi Provo Mayor

Facebook

Instagram

Provo Website

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 through different lenses—wide angle, telephoto, and standard—to emphasize the need for balance and intention. Through weekly planning, individuals can align their tasks with their long-term goals and mission, prioritizing what truly matters over the urgent but less important distractions. The episode concludes with Dr. Covey's advice on identifying key roles, setting 'big rocks' or essential goals, and scheduling these priorities to lead a principle-centered life.

01:06 Stephen Covey's Three Lenses

01:59 The Power of Weekly Planning

02:52 Applying Weekly Planning in Today's World

03:45 Dr. Stephen R. Covey on Perspective

06:30 Steps to Effective Weekly Planning

08:52 Real-World Example of Prioritizing

10:16 Conclusion: Organize Around Priorities

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