1. Which Prospects Are Worth Your Time?

The way prospects engage with professionals has changed, and it is logical for us to change how we engage with prospects also. In the old days we qualified prospects on the basis of a clearly identifiable need, the capacity to pay, approachability, and “insurability”. This last one evolved over time into a wide ranging concept which went beyond just the physical characteristics of whether a person could obtain actual insurance cover, but extended to whether they had the desire to “go through the process”, whether that was for insurance, or investment planning or a mortgage application – but would they be willing to last the process and would a product supplier accept their business. — Tony Vidler

2. The “Spiderman Market”: Why Stocks Keep Climbing the Wall of Worry

It has been said that the stock market climbs a “wall of worry”.  The rationale behind that sentiment is that while risk is ever-present, a rising market is bent upon overcoming them. When we look at the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), it is quite clear that traders are not overcoming risks, they may instead simply be ignoring them. Thus, Mr. Market looks like Spiderman in scaling the current worry wall. — Steve Socnick

3. The Fed’s Biggest Misstep? “Transitory” Thinking Still Haunts Its Outlook

In 2023 and 2024, the Fed was under intense public and media scrutiny for calling the post-pandemic surge in inflation “transitory.” Critics argued that the Fed’s failure to anticipate the persistence and severity of rising prices undermined its credibility. Yet, with the benefit of hindsight and historical context, the Fed’s position wasn’t entirely misguided. Inflation proved temporary in a broader economic sense, and by 2025, the data confirmed a significant cooling of price pressures. — Lance Roberts

4. Could Crypto Eat the World?

In 2011, legendary venture capitalist Marc Andreessen wrote, “Software is eating the world.” The best investments seem obvious in hindsight. Of course you should’ve bought Apple (AAPL) in 2004. Obviously, you should’ve backed Nvidia (NVDA) when it was just a startup making gaming chips. And of course you wanted to own software stocks a decade ago. But it didn’t feel obvious in 2011. Back then, software was still considered something built by hoodie-wearing engineers in Silicon Valley for other engineers in Silicon Valley. — Stephen McBride

5. From Introductions to Ideal Clients: Mastering Referrals in Financial Advising

Why are ideal clients so critical to the referral process for successful advisers? Here’s the deal: The one downside of the referral process is that it relies heavily on interpersonal communication — and specifically, real-time connection. Face-to-face. On the phone. Over Zoom. That means your strategy must align with your time investment. You can't afford to waste hours with the wrong people. Your proactive efforts must be focused and intentional. — Mike Garrison

6. In Investing, Tech Is Vital, but Humans Are Heartbeats

Advisors are inundated with the benefits of becoming more tech-savvy. Whether it’s leveraging social media to better connect with younger prospects or using technology increase back-office efficiencies, there is merit in embracing tech. Not just merit. It’s a necessity. — Todd Shriber

7. 5 Lead Gen Mistakes That Keep Financial Advisors Stuck

Despite their best efforts, many financial advisors struggle to generate a consistent flow of quality leads. In many cases, the problem isn’t due to a lack of effort. Rather, it’s due to financial advisors unwittingly sabotaging their lead generation efforts. The biggest mistakes aren’t the obvious ones, like neglecting an online presence or failing to follow up. It’s the more subtle—even insidious—behaviors and approaches that can quietly push potential prospects away. — Don Connelly

8. Think Like a Filmmaker: How Smart Editing Can Accelerate Your Firm’s Growth

Three years ago, Nate Bargatze was your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian. Now? He’s selling out arenas and leading the world in comedy tour revenue. No cursing. No politics. Just slow-burn, dad-energy storytelling that somehow makes Costco feel like Carnegie Hall. His Amazon special broke streaming records. His podcast built a clean comedy empire. His book Big Dumb Eyes became a bestseller. Oh—and he’s hosting the 2025 Emmys. In the midst of his climb, Bargatze was invited to host SNL. His Sketch, Washington’s Dream, is noted as the top sketch in SNL Season 49. — Jud Mackrill

9. 4 Simple Steps To Promote Your Event on Social Media

Are you struggling to promote your event? Follow Samantha Russell’s formula for a GREAT social media post to promote your event. — FMG

10. How Elite Advisors Scale: 8 Must-Have Processes for Growth

Running a successful advisory firm isn’t just about giving great advice—it’s about building a business that runs smoothly, scales sustainably, and delivers an outstanding client experience. In this episode, Libby dives deep into the six core and two bonus processes every advisor should have in place to create a streamlined, self-running, and scalable practice. Whether you're solo, growing a team, or running a firm, this episode is your blueprint to operational efficiency. — Libby Greiwe

11. What Would Your Client Do if They Did Not Need To Work?

Financial planning can never get enough client attention. Some might think of it primarily as retirement planning. They rationalize retirement is a long way off. Others buy a lottery ticket and are despondent when they do not win. Some people like their jobs. Others do not. Some are concerned job security isn’t what it was in their parents’ or grandparents’ day. These concerns can lead into another aspect of financial planning. — Bryce Sanders