The Truth Tellers
In a world full of financial noise, conflicts of interest, and products designed to profit the seller — these are the voices Paul Merriman trusts. Independent thinkers. Evidence-based educators. People who put your financial wellbeing first.
What Makes a Truth Teller?
No conflicts of interest. They don't profit from what they recommend to you.
Evidence-based. Their advice is grounded in data and academic research, not opinion.
Long-term focus. They think in decades, not market cycles.
Paul's stamp of approval. Voices Paul has read, listened to, and personally recommends.
Voices
The Truth Tellers
Every person here has earned Paul's trust through years of honest, evidence-based, investor-first content.
One of Morningstar's most trusted voices, known for cutting through complexity and writing for real investors — not for the industry. Her work on retirement, asset allocation, and financial planning is essential reading.
A former attorney turned financial educator, Rob Berger delivers practical, no-nonsense personal finance content through his podcast, YouTube channel, and writing — always without agenda or commission.
One of the most important voices in individual investor education. A practicing neurologist who taught himself finance, Bernstein wrote the books that changed how millions of people think about investing — including Paul.
The founder of Vanguard and the father of the index fund. John Bogle's lifelong mission to put investors first — through low-cost, broadly diversified index investing — changed the financial industry forever.
Author of the beloved A Wealth of Common Sense blog and several books, Ben Carlson translates complex financial research into clear, practical wisdom for everyday investors. Rare, steady, and refreshingly honest.
An emergency physician who built one of the most trusted financial education platforms for high-income professionals. Dr. Dahle proves that expert medical training and expert financial wisdom can live in the same mind.
A portfolio manager at PWL Capital who has built one of the most rigorously evidence-based YouTube channels in personal finance. Ben doesn't just say what works — he shows you the academic research behind it.
Founder of the Merriman Financial Education Foundation, host of the Sound Investing podcast, and author of multiple investing books. Paul has spent over four decades providing free, evidence-based financial education to investors of all ages.
A CPA who writes plain-English books on taxes, Social Security, and investing — and built Open Social Security, the free tool Paul recommends for Social Security optimization. No fluff, no upsell.
One of the most prolific and rigorous voices in evidence-based investing. Larry Swedroe has authored more than 20 books and continues to cut through Wall Street mythology with research-driven analysis.
The financial industry spends billions creating the illusion of expertise. These Truth Tellers cut through that noise — they educate without trying to sell you something.
How Paul Chooses Truth Tellers
Not everyone who talks about money belongs on this list. Here's what Paul looks for.
No Conflicts of Interest
They don't earn commissions on what they recommend. Their income doesn't depend on steering you toward specific products. Their loyalty is to you, the investor.
Evidence Over Opinion
They anchor their advice in peer-reviewed academic research and long-term data — not market predictions, hot takes, or what's trending on financial Twitter.
Education First
Their mission is to make you a smarter, more confident investor — not to impress you with jargon or keep you dependent on their advice.
Long-Term Thinking
They think in decades. They understand that investor behavior over time matters more than any single investment decision.
Investor-First Values
They would give the same advice to their own family. They treat you as an intelligent adult capable of making your own informed decisions.
Paul's Personal Stamp
Paul has read their books, listened to their podcasts, or met them personally. These are not algorithmic recommendations — they're genuine endorsements.
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