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.

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

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

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