Finding Your Voice: The Journey of Jon Schmidt

In this episode of the Franklin Planner podcast, co-hosts George Wright III and John Harding welcome special guest John Schmidt, an accomplished pianist and composer known for his work with The Piano Guys. John shares his journey from a musically inclined family to global recognition, emphasizing the importance of passion, hard work, and love in achieving success. He offers profound insights on finding one's mission, the power of discipline, and the impact of music. The episode culminates with John reading an influential poem that guided him through anxiety and uncertainty, advocating for a mission-driven life with God as a partner. The co-hosts challenge listeners to craft their personal mission and use music as a tool for inspiration and planning.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:56 Meet John Schmidt: A Musical Journey

02:48 Early Influences and Family Support

03:55 Finding Joy in Music

06:01 The Power of Sharing Your Gift

08:15 Talent, Hard Work, and Passion

13:01 The Birth of The Piano Guys

19:34 Overcoming Struggles and Finding Inspiration

21:46 The Role of Miracles and Perspective

26:11 A Poem That Changed Everything

27:21 Discovering a Life-Changing Book

28:07 The Power of Personal Gifts

28:58 Finding Your Divine Destiny

31:08 The Importance of Persistence

32:41 Overcoming Anxiety Through Faith

34:11 The Role of Mission and North Star

36:57 Collaborating with God on Your Mission

43:28 The Power of Music in Life

46:49 Final Thoughts and Challenges

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 John Schmidt

Jon Schmidt is a world-renowned pianist, composer, and founding member of The Piano Guys, known for blending classical and pop music into powerful, cinematic performances. With billions of views and sold-out shows worldwide, his work has inspired audiences of all ages. Now, Jon is returning to his roots with intimate solo acoustic concerts that focus on connection, emotion, and authenticity. He continues to use music as a tool for healing and inspiration.

Check out Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2YQ4MY2VwOMv43C0GemUY5 || https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jon-schmidt/5118375

Resources

Website: https://thepianoguys.com/pages/jon-schmidt2

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC41Po6yLBco1WoGQZpJ4ySg

Defying Odds: Harnessing a Personal Mission for Success with David Anderson

In this episode of the Franklin Planner Podcast, co-host George Wright III and John Harding sit down with David Anderson to discuss the essence of personal mission and its transformative power. David, a globally successful entrepreneur and speaker, shares his inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing in Chicago to becoming a prominent figure in various spheres. The conversation explores the impact of creating a personal mission statement, grounding one's life in intentional goals, and the importance of education and mentorship. David recounts overcoming significant obstacles, such as family mental health issues and career challenges, and emphasizes the value of daily personal commitments. The episode concludes with a challenge for listeners to create an audacious goal to stretch their potential and drive positive change.

00:44 Introducing David Anderson

02:28 David's Inspirational Background

05:45 The Power of a Personal Mission

07:56 Creating a Personal Pledge

10:22 Overcoming Adversity with Mission

18:07 Global Examples of Mission-Driven Success

20:05 Implementing Personal Pledges in Daily Life

20:43 A Personal Story of Overcoming Educational Challenges

21:34 The Importance of Personal Commitment and Support

22:03 Mental Health Struggles and Triumphs

22:50 Creating a Personal Constitution

23:07 The Power of a Mission Statement

24:56 Thriving vs. Surviving

27:24 The Journey to Goldman Sachs

34:23 The Importance of Anchoring Yourself

38:54 Challenge to the Audience

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 David Anderson:

David Anderson is the Vice President of Global Development at AAR CORP. AAR Corp is a $2 Billion Aviation services firm with 20 locations worldwide listed as a Fortune 1,000.

David works with Prime Ministers, global executives, and wealthy individuals to develop the aviation sector in the Americas, Africa and emerging markets. David was the International President of Kelikaien (Keep Global) a Chinese "Green" environmental products manufacturing and services firm with 6,000 employees and 16 locations worldwide. He was selected as a Global Shaper by The World Economic Forum and is a Senior Advisor to the Honorary Consul to the country of Moldova. David worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs in New York and investment management at JP Morgan in Chicago of a $5.6 Billion portfolio. Previously, he was a successful tech founder at School Loan 411 and he was also an aide in the Executive Office of the President at the White House.

He was the keynote speaker for TEDx Talks "Disruption" conference in Austria, along with an Amazon Category Top 100 & Bestselling Author of "The Delusion of Passion - Why Millennials Struggle to Find Success". His non-profit activities include the World Future Society, iGlow Mentoring and the James R Jordan Foundation (formally the Michael Jordan Foundation).

He is a proud graduate of Chicago State University with Honors and a participant in Harvard University’s Explorations Program. His proudest accomplishment is taking his grandfather (Korean War Veteran) to the White House West Wing and making him proud.

Connect with David...

1. Official Website: https://www.officialdavidanderson.com
2. David's TedX Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaECsnWJAWA&t=8s

In this episode, co-hosts George Wright III and Franklin Planner Board Member John Harding delve into the significance of defining one's mission, vision, and values. They discuss how these elements can help individuals find purpose and direction in their lives, referencing concepts from Stephen Covey and the Productivity Pyramid. The conversation covers practical steps for self-reflection, crafting personal vision and mission statements, identifying core values, and understanding life roles. The episode also highlights the inspiring story of David Anderson, who credits his personal mission with transforming his life. Listeners are encouraged to take time for self-reflection and to write down their mission, vision, and values to live a more meaningful and proactive life.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:32 The Importance of Mission, Vision, and Values

01:16 Stephen Covey's Influence and Key Concepts

03:29 The Productivity Pyramid Explained

07:31 Steps to Establishing Your Foundation

19:06 Defining Your Core Values

21:44 Understanding and Prioritizing Life Roles

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