What's Trending: Can Unemployment Predict the Next Recession?

Most financial advisors think the prospect journey begins when someone schedules a meeting. In reality, it starts much earlier. In this episode of the Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook, Mark Mersman breaks down the modern prospect journey and explains how today's prospects research advisors before ever picking up the phone. From Google searches and websites to reviews, videos, social proof, and follow-up systems, you'll learn how to identify hidden trust gaps and improve the client experience before the first appointment ever takes place.

In this October episode of The Trending Report, Tyler Krzciok examines the growing divergence beneath the stock market's surface. While major indexes remain near record highs, sector performance tells a very different story. Energy emerged as the standout winner of the third quarter, technology leadership continues to dominate market returns, and momentum is shifting within the AI and technology ecosystem itself. Tyler breaks down three key numbers shaping today's investment landscape, explores what the latest sector performance data reveals about market leadership, and explains why disciplined investors should focus on diversification, balance sheet strength, and systematic rebalancing rather than chasing short-term trends.

Knowing when to hire is important. Knowing who to hire may be even more important. In this episode of The Rare Advisor, Aaron Grady explores one of the most common hiring mistakes growing advisory firms make: hiring for the wrong constraint. Learn how to identify whether your firm truly needs another advisor, additional support staff, a servicing advisor, or a business development professional. Discover a practical framework for evaluating capacity, removing bottlenecks, and making hiring decisions that unlock growth instead of simply adding payroll.