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 incident, and how that experience led him to decades of educating business owners, families, and professionals on protecting what they build.

The conversation dives deep into the mindset shift between tax preparation and true tax planning, why having a business structure can unlock powerful legal deductions, and how proactive estate planning prevents costly family disputes and probate issues. If you want to keep more of what you earn, reduce risk, and create a lasting financial legacy, this episode delivers actionable insights you can start applying today.

Key Takeaways

Tax Planning vs. Tax Prep: Learn why filing taxes is not the same as building a year-round wealth strategy.

The Leadership Mindset Around Money: Discover how the way you think about expenses, structures, and planning changes financial outcomes.

Estate Planning Essentials: Understand the must-have documents and trust structures that protect your family and legacy.

Business Structures & Tax Advantages: Why having an LLC, corporation, or even a sole proprietorship can create strategic tax opportunities.

Winning the Tax Game: Focus on lowering your effective tax rate instead of chasing refunds.

02:03 – The Lawsuit That Changed Everything

06:36 – The Four Pillars of Wealth Protection

09:05 – Why Tax Strategy Starts with Mindset

10:30 – The “Free Roads vs Toll Roads” Tax Analogy

12:44 – Why Having a Business Changes Everything

14:45 – Real Estate Losses & Paper Write-Offs

20:15 – Medical Expenses, Premiums & Business Deductions

22:22 – Stop Asking “Can I?” Start Asking “How Can I?”

30:27 – What It Really Means to Win the Tax Game

33:22 – Estate Planning Essentials Everyone Needs

36:25 – Trusts, Probate & Protecting Family Wealth

42:35 – Where to Start: The Protect Wealth Summit

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 the Guest:

Don Pendleton is an expert in the areas of lawsuit protection, tax reduction, and estate planning and has co-authored multiple textbooks and articles.Every year, he is a featured presenter during numerous seminars and workshops onasset protectionrelated subjects.His books and trainings have helped thousands of business owners, investors, and professionals save millions of dollars.He is one of the nation’s top asset protection advisors and has been helping professionals properly structure themselves for lawsuit protection and tax reduction.His knowledge, expertise, and straightforward teaching style have made him one of the top asset protection speakers in the nation

Guest Resource:

Website: https://protectwealth.com/our-team/don-pendleton/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donpendleton/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProtectWealthAcademy/

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 knowing your purpose, both lifelong and "in real time," to ensure your identity is not solely tied to professional success. Noelle introduces the "Friction Factor" using a bell curve to illustrate the "sweet spot" of peak performance located between disengagement (too little friction) and burnout (too much friction). She also discusses being "process-oriented" rather than "results-driven," citing how losing an Olympic medal by a 10th of a second due to dragging shoelaces taught her about the power of small margins and daily decisions.

Noelle concludes with the core message of her book, No Excuses: focusing on the next 60 seconds to take full ownership of one's life and align daily actions with long-term purpose.

01:22 Getting "Tricked" into Skeleton

04:30 The 2005 Injury and the Choice to Move Forward

06:00 Identity vs. Purpose in Real Time

08:56 Choosing Your Next 60 Seconds

09:20 Writing "No Excuses" in an RV

11:00 The 2010 Fourth-Place Finish

13:00 The Shoelace Margin

15:40 Realigning for the 2014 Olympics with Family

17:15 Process-Oriented vs. Results-Driven

19:10 Winning Silver vs. Losing Gold

22:20 The Friction Factor Bell Curve

26:00 Corner 12 and Root Cause Analysis

29:45 The Power of the Next Minute 

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 the Guest: Noelle Pikus-Pace

Noelle Pikus-Pace is a retired American skeleton racer and one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the sport. Beyond her medals, she is widely recognized for her extraordinary resilience and the "Moment of the Games" celebration with her family at the 2014 Olympics.

Guest Resources:

Official Website: NoellePikusPace.com

Instagram: @noellepikuspace

LinkedIn: Noelle Pikus Pace

Facebook: Noelle Pikus-Pace Fan Page

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 shareholder returns. Two primary obstacles are outlined: the “mission-strategy-success gap,” where few employees understand or connect daily work to strategy, and the “productivity avalanche,” driven by constant digital interruptions and low-value activity.

Harding introduces “being on signal” as the solution: dual alignment with the organization’s mission and each stakeholder’s definition of success, supported by clarity, rhythm, measurement, trust, and systems such as Franklin Planner.

01:26 Stakeholders Drive Growth

04:35 Respect as Strategy

09:05 Mission Strategy Gap

13:07 Productivity Avalanche

16:20 On Signal Solution

20:21 Franklin Planner System

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

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 describes Washington’s reluctance to accept command, the extreme hardship and losses of the Revolutionary War, including Valley Forge, and how he built unity, trust, and resilience by sharing deprivation and leading from the front. 

They highlight his refusal to take a salary, his role in defusing the unpaid officers’ near-mutiny, and his restraint in rejecting power after victory, emphasizing that freedom requires responsibility, sacrifice, and character.

00:26 America 250th Anniversary

02:12 Why Washington Served

04:26 Trepidation and Stakes

07:22 Cause Greater Than Self

09:53 Leading by Sacrifice

10:45 Defusing a Mutiny

13:16 Timeless Principles Today

18:24 Valley Forge Resilience

22:48 Rejecting Absolute Power

25:49 Final Lessons and Quote

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 the narration of historical truths that are 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.

How to Be Proactive: Timeless Lessons from History on Leadership, Responsibility, and Personal Growth

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 podcast host Misty Howard for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to be proactive.

Rooted in Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the discussion explores how individuals can shift from reacting to circumstances to intentionally choosing their responses. The guests explain how language shapes mindset, why governing values create long-term stability, and how focusing on what you can control expands personal influence.

Misty brings history to life through compelling examples of Viktor Frankl, Abraham Lincoln, and Abraham Clark, demonstrating how courage, discipline, and principle-based living enable people to rise above extreme adversity. John connects these timeless lessons to practical application, emphasizing how daily habits and values-driven planning empower leadership at every stage of life.

Listeners will walk away with actionable insights to strengthen personal accountability, emotional control, and purpose-driven living.

04:30 – Acting vs. Being Acted Upon

09:15 – Language Patterns and Personal Responsibility

15:40 – Viktor Frankl and Choosing Freedom in Adversity

25:10 – Abraham Lincoln and Emotional Discipline

34:20 – Governing Values and the Circle of Influence

42:45 – Abraham Clark and Loyalty to Principles

50:10 – Invictus Poem and Personal Ownership

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.

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, and discusses the significance of big vision and wealth as tools for broader goals. Grant also touches on the value of writing down goals as a daily discipline, the critical nature of completing tasks, and how his family integrates into his work life. Through anecdotes and personal examples, he inspires listeners to lead their lives actively, without excuses, and to hustle for opportunities in today's economy.

01:53 What Matters Most: Personal Responsibility and Integrity

03:56 The 10X Rule: Vision and Growth

12:46 Wealth and Success: Redefining Wealth

21:21 Daily Rituals and Personal Discipline

25:53 Blind Spots and Continuous Learning

28:43 Digital Overwhelm: Staying Focused

29:51 Avoiding Digital Distractions

30:58 The Power of Writing Goals

34:08 Leadership and Personal Responsibility

42:36 Creating a Balanced Life

47:29 Challenging Conventional Wisdom

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: Grant Cardone

Grant Cardone is an American entrepreneur, real estate investor, sales strategist, and motivational speaker. He is the founder and CEO of Cardone Capital, a real estate private equity firm with billions of dollars in assets under management, and the creator of the 10X philosophy, which focuses on massive action and goal achievement. Cardone is also a New York Times bestselling author of multiple business books, a frequent keynote speaker, and the host of popular business and entrepreneurship programs and events worldwide.

Guest Resources:

Website: https://grantcardone.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantcardonefan/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/GrantCardone

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantcardone/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GrantCardone

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

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: 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/ 

https://blog.franklinplanner.com/born-to-standout-ben-kjars-journey-of-courage-discipline-and-purpose/

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 both a social virtue and economic driver, emphasizing the concept of 'Smart Trust' as a strategic and calculated way to build trust in teams and organizations. Covey outlines his 'Five Waves of Trust' model, which starts with self-trust and ripples out to team, organization, marketplace, and societal trust. He shares practical daily actions such as identifying high-leverage behaviors, declaring intentions, and being more trusting to help individuals build self-trust and improve their leadership. The episode is packed with actionable insights aimed at helping listeners lead their lives more effectively by prioritizing trust and integrity.

00:49 Stephen Covey's Background and Legacy

02:07 Foundational Principles of Leadership

07:08 Building Trust in Organizations

10:56 The Economics of Trust

18:46 The Ripple Effect of Trust

25:49 Building Self-Trust

26:48 The Power of Small Commitments

30:45 Common Behaviors That Break Trust

36:22 Extending Smart Trust

41:01 Daily Actions to Build 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.

The Franklin Planner Team

About Guest:

Stephen M.R. Covey is a bestselling author, speaker, and leadership expert known for his work on trust, ethics, and high performance, particularly his book The SPEED of Trust, which frames trust as a crucial economic driver, not just a soft skill. He's the former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, instrumental in making his father's 7 Habits famous, and now leads FranklinCovey's Global Speed of Trust Practice, advocating for "Trust & Inspire" leadership over old "Command & Control" methods. 

Guest Resources:

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/StephenMRCovey

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenmrcovey/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100029016867179

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-m-r-covey-6400191a5/

Other Useful Online Links

• Personal / Project Website: Trust & Inspire — https://trustandinspire.com/
•  Insight Out Show
• Professional Site: Speed of Trust — https://www.speedoftrust.com/

https://blog.franklinplanner.com/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 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

https://blog.franklinplanner.com/a-pathway-to-prosperity-with-dr-william-d-danko/

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/

https://blog.franklinplanner.com/living-with-purpose-with-breck-england/