Everything we think you (and your field) should be reading, listening to and utilizing in order to stay engaged, informed and one step ahead.
AI Tool / Perplexity
by Mintel
Designed for fast, decision-oriented research, Perplexity easily verifies facts and claims with inline citations. Perplexity is perfect for monitoring markets and competitors, tracking regulatory changes, reviewing numerous sources and synthesizing findings into clear reports. While ChatGPT excels at creative tasks, Perplexity is built for accuracy and research-driven insights.
Video / TED Talk: The Unexpected Benefit of Celebrating Failure
featuring Astro Teller
Astro Teller is an entrepreneur, scientist, author and the Captain of Moonshots at X, Alphabet’s innovation lab. In this timeless TED Talk, Teller explains why embracing failure is both a morale booster and a strategic advantage. For leaders in dynamic industries like direct selling, this talk reinforces the importance of experimentation, psychological safety and iteration.
Book / NEW ECONOMY: Flexibility, Freedom, Rewards
by John T. Fleming, with Robert A. Peterson and Kate Gardner
Technology and the rise of gig and platform economies are reshaping how people work—and workforce expectations are shifting alongside it. Independent workers are moving away from traditional employment to regain control over their time, income and lifestyle. In his book, NEW ECONOMY, Fleming blends data, trends and real world stories to explain this shift and what it means for direct selling.
Audiobook / Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us
by Seth Godin
Bestselling author and marketing guru Seth Godin demystifies leadership in Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us. He explores our innate desire to belong, showing how the internet and social media empower anyone to unite people around shared values. This audiobook illustrates how influence thrives through authentic connection, consistent communication and bold action.
Social Media Influencer / Sahil Bloom
Sahil Bloom is best known for turning complex ideas about business, wealth and personal growth into actionable insights as an influencer and thought leader. With millions of followers across social media and the goal of “helping you build a high-performing, healthy, wealthy life,” Bloom consistently shares practical lessons on strategic thinking and personal discipline, especially valuable for growing relationship-driven businesses.
Podcast / My First Million
with Shaan Puri and Sam Parr
The My First Million podcast, hosted by Shaan Puri and Sam Parr, is a compelling resource for ambitious business builders. The podcast blends creative thinking with real-world analysis of entrepreneurial success stories. For those focused on building a relationship-driven business, it boosts innovative thinking and a problem-solving mentality in the listener.
MAKE A RECOMMENDATION! Personal and professional development is the cornerstone of direct selling. We’d love to hear from
you about your essential books, podcasts and other media that keep you and your teams on track! Fill out this google form to make your recommendation. We’ll select one each issue to feature on these pages.
From the March/April 2026 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.
