Social Innovation

Social innovation and entrepreneurship are rising forces in the world. As stakeholder capitalism takes root, and as the extent of systemic challenges becomes clear - from climate change to income inequality to food security to health care and beyond - more and more of the best and brightest will hear the calling to become innovators and entrepreneurs who develop and deploy solutions to the world's thorniest problems. 

You're not just a business leader or an aspiring entrepreneur; you are a changemaker with the potential to drive significant impact. However, navigating the intricate paths of social entrepreneurship can feel daunting without a comprehensive roadmap. Inside this handbook, you'll uncover a step-by-step guide to transforming your innovative ideas into successful ventures while making a positive impact.

Look out for Johnson’s new book, Wonderland, on sale November 15, 2016. From the New York Times–bestselling author of Where Good Ideas Come From and Everything Bad Is Good for You, a new look at the power and legacy of great ideas. In this illustrated history, Steven Johnson explores the...

In an irresistible invitation to lighten up, look around, and live an unscripted life, a Stanford University professor and master of the art of improvisation explains how to adopt the attitudes and techniques used by generations of musicians and actors. These secrets are currently being taught to entrepreneurs, engineers, and first responders in a crisis as well as housewives and Alzheimer caregivers. Let's face it: Life is something we all make up as we go along.

The quest for social justice is a powerful crusade of our time, with an appeal to many different people, for many different reasons. But those who use the same words do not always present the same meanings. Clarifying those meanings is the first step toward finding out what we agree on and...

Published in more than two dozen countries, How to Change the World has become a bible for the field of social entrepreneurship. It tells the stories of people building innovative and pattern-changing solutions to social and economic problems. 

The story of human civilization can be read most deeply in the materials we have found or created, used or abused. They have dictated how we build, eat, communicate, wage war, create art, travel, and worship. Some, such as stone, iron, and bronze, lend their names to the ages. Others, such as gold, silver, and diamond, contributed to the rise and fall of great empires.

Early True Believers: The Untold Story of Silicon Alley is a 1990s saga of ambition and innovation set in Manhattan’s Silicon Alley, a swath of downtown that served as New York City’s nerve center of tech entrepreneurship. The series features the stories of a forgotten cohort of early internet visionaries, countercultural social networks, the digital gold rush, and the lavish events that came with it, including one held in an underground Tribeca bunker that abruptly ended in a police raid—a harbinger of the upheaval to come.

Africa is changing faster than many outsiders realize, and relying on outdated assumptions can leave you confused, unprepared, or missing opportunities entirely. Whether you are considering doing business in Africa, investing in emerging markets, traveling across the continent, or even moving to Africa, the differences between countries, technologies, cultures, and economic systems can feel overwhelming. Where do you begin? Which developments actually matter, and which headlines are simply hype? Modern Africa in the Digital Age gives you an accessible, engaging, and research-driven guide to...

Understanding that the psychological well-being of individuals is inextricably linked to the health of their communities, environments, and cultures, the authors propose a radical interdisciplinary reorientation of psychology to create participatory and dialogical spaces for critical understanding and creative restoration.

The long-awaited audio version of the seminal book by legendary space pioneer, Dr. Gerard K. O'Neill, credited with inspiring the likes of Jeff Bezos, Peter Diamandis, and Dylan Taylor.

Learn why the concept of "weird" is being reclaimed and turned into a badge of honor, used to show how being different—culturally, socially, physically, or mentally—can be a person's greatest strength. "An insightful ode to oddballs." —The Washington Post Most of us have at some point in...

Gabriel Tarde Explained: Imitation, Innovation, Public Opinion, Crime, and the Hidden Mechanics of Social Change introduces one of sociology’s most distinctive thinkers through the ideas that made his work enduringly useful. Tarde argued that social life does not begin with large structures or abstract systems. It begins with people copying, adapting, resisting, and combining what they encounter in others. From everyday habits to legal rules, from fashions to political slogans, society takes shape through repeated acts of imitation and through the arrival of inventions that alter what can...

Cognitive behavior therapy, which has been adapted to treat so many problems, has also brought data-driven and data-yielding treatment to insomnia. Focusing on this evidence-based modality, cognitive behavioral treatment of insomnia (CBT-I) is a much-needed treatment manual that provides clinicians with the whys and hows of this approach in concise and practical terms.

In this book, Nobel Prize-winning economist Edmund Phelps draws on a lifetime of thinking to make a sweeping new argument about what makes nations prosper--and why the sources of that prosperity are under threat today. Why did prosperity explode in some nations between the 1820s and 1960s, creating not just unprecedented material wealth but "flourishing"--meaningful work, self-expression, and personal growth for more people than ever before?

Discover the intricate tapestry of rural life with "Rural Ties," a compelling exploration of the unique challenges and vibrant opportunities inherent in rural communities. This enlightening eBook delves into the heart of rural areas, unveiling the dynamics and historical context that shape them. You'll journey through the essential roles that rural cooperatives play, driving economic resilience and fostering social ties. In "Rural Ties," explore the diversity of rural cooperatives, from agricultural innovations to renewable energy projects, each illuminating a path towards community ...

What do the Roman Empire, Sears catalogs, television commercials, Google, TikTok, and ChatGPT have in common? They all transformed the way people persuade, communicate, and buy. The History of Marketing (2026 Edition) tells the remarkable story of how marketing evolved from simple word-of-mouth exchanges into one of the most powerful forces shaping modern business, culture, politics, and technology. Along the way, you'll discover that marketing has never been just about selling products—it has always reflected the values, innovations, and aspirations of the societies that created it. ...

What do the Roman Empire, Sears catalogs, television commercials, Google, TikTok, and ChatGPT have in common? They all transformed the way people persuade, communicate, and buy. The History of Marketing (2026 Edition) tells the remarkable story of how marketing evolved from simple word-of-mouth exchanges into one of the most powerful forces shaping modern business, culture, politics, and technology. Along the way, you'll discover that marketing has never been just about selling products—it has always reflected the values, innovations, and aspirations of the societies that created it. ...

The Magic of Public Speaking is a comprehensive step-by-step system for creating highly effective speeches. It is based on research from the top 1000 speakers in the modern world. The techniques you will learn have been tested on hundreds of professional speakers and work! You will receive the exact steps needed to create a speech that will keep your audience on the edge of their seats. The book is easy to follow, entertaining to read and uses many examples from real speeches. This system will make sure that every time you go on stage your speech is an outstanding one.

The future is here—are you ready to navigate it? In a world defined by rapid technological advancements, shifting cultural norms, and unprecedented environmental challenges, "Future Shock: The World of Tomorrow Is Here" offers a comprehensive guide to thriving amidst the complexities of a constantly evolving landscape. Inspired by Alvin Toffler's original concept of "future shock," this book dives deep into how our society, economy, and individual lives are being transformed at breakneck speed—and what you can do to stay ahead. From the rise of artificial intelligence and autonomous ...