What Fraternal Professionals Are Recommending Right Now

Speakers, authors, and voices worth following in the financial services profession

Several names consistently stood out in the responses and discussions around professional development in the field today. Whether it’s retirement planning, communication, leadership, mindset, or advanced sales strategies, these are voices many fraternal professionals continue to learn from.

David McKnight

Known For: Tax-efficient retirement planning and The Power of Zero

• Explains retirement tax concepts in language clients can understand
• Provides strong conversation frameworks around future tax concerns
• Helps advisors think more strategically about retirement income distribution

Joe Jordan

Known For: Purpose-driven financial conversations and Living a Life of Significance

• Connects emotional purpose with practical client communication
• Reinforces the long-term value of protection and planning
• Encourages agents to lead conversations with belief and service

Tom Hegna

Known For: Retirement income planning and guaranteed income education

• Simplifies retirement income concepts for clients and advisors
• Focuses heavily on retirement risks and income security
• Provides highly usable consumer-friendly messaging

Ed Slott

Known For: IRA expertise and retirement tax strategy

• Breaks down complex retirement tax rules into understandable strategies
• Provides valuable insight around changing retirement legislation
• Helps advisors identify planning opportunities clients may overlook

John Maxwell

Known For: Leadership, communication, and personal growth

• Offers timeless lessons around influence and relationship-building
• Improves communication skills both with clients and teams
• Provides highly practical leadership principles that apply immediately

Dr. Shad Helmstetter

Known For: Self-talk, mindset, and personal performance

• Focuses on how internal dialogue shapes confidence and performance
• Provides tools for maintaining consistency through difficult seasons
• Helps professionals strengthen long-term mindset and resilience

Van Mueller

Known For: Retirement planning, tax strategies, and long-term financial education

• Focuses on helping advisors simplify complex retirement and tax concepts
• Encourages long-term thinking and education-based client conversations
• Provides practical strategies agents can apply immediately in the field

Jim Effner

Known For: Sales process training and field production strategies

• Focuses on practical activity and prospecting strategies
• Delivers ideas agents can immediately implement in the field
• Emphasizes consistency and disciplined production habits

Bobby Samuelson

Known For: Life insurance trends and industry strategy

• Provides insight into where the insurance industry is heading
• Combines strategic thinking with practical application
• Helps professionals think beyond short-term sales conversations

Tom Wall

Known For: Advanced sales concepts and estate planning strategies

• Helps advisors better understand complex planning opportunities
• Provides advanced strategies for business owners and higher-net-worth clients
• Encourages deeper technical knowledge without overcomplicating conversations

Dave Resseguie

Known For: Professional development and relationship-driven growth

• Combines motivation with practical business experience
• Encourages adaptability and long-term professional growth
• Focuses heavily on communication and relationship-building

Thank You

Thank you to all of the NAFIC members who contributed recommendations to this edition—and to everyone who continues to share ideas, resources, and insights from the field.

Have a recommendation? Send us a speaker, book, podcast, video, or resource that has helped you professionally. We may feature it in a future Field Notes edition.