Books published by New Degree Press

The importance of solitude - voluntary or otherwise - is always a timely subject. It is the hallmark of some of the world''s greatest minds who have gifted us with art, music, and culture. The Lonesome Thread: Reflections of Solitude, Boredom, & Creativity is a collection of stories gathered from history and around the globe. The book is broken into three sections:∩╗┐Time and Space contains stories about leaders, entrepreneurs, and warriors who have withdrawn from society, walked the world alone, and successfully returned transformed. From tech founders to medieval knights, circumnavigate the world of solitude.Tools and Reflections includes personal anecdotes that provide tactics and techniques to shape your mindset and rediscover your personal interests and goals. Can boredom make us more creative? How can we increase the value of our time? Does skydiving relate to mindfulness?Creation and Gratitude contains inspiring stories of people who use their time unplugged from society as a means to recharge and reenergize themselves to be better stewards of the human race. Learn about the mindsets of Ironman athletes and veteran poets. The Lonesome Thread is for those who have a curiousity to learn more about themselves. It is for anyone with a pile of unfinished projects or incomplete goals and a desire to create more time for creativity and self-fulfillment. Are you ready to dive in?

Life is full of swift transitions. It''s in those moments of transition that purpose plays a pivotal role, begging us to ask the questions, Why? and What can I do? With a youthful view on an ancient concept, The Power of Infinite Potential explores the intersections of purpose, potential and fulfillment through the examples of others. It shows us that endless possibilities can exist for everyone, at all times, when we learn to maximize our purpose and minimize our fear. This book is a welcome addition to anyone''s library who is on a path of self-discovery and seeking to learn more about yourself and how you fit into the context of your own world. The transformative power of the natural universe is present and available in all of us, and it''s yours for the taking. The Power of Infinite Potential helps point the way.  

A Blade knows all, sees all, and tells few.Warden Alexander Laurent faces returning to a kingdom and a life he left behind long ago. He didn''t expect to see her so soon, or the look on her face-the look he''s responsible for. When he stumbles onto a plot that endangers not only Caidy, but the entire kingdom, Alex takes the burden upon himself to stop it even if it costs him everything.Lady Caidelene is busy preparing for the fabled Harvest Festival, the most important celebration in Rosemoor Dell, when Alex returns suddenly. She had dreamed of his homecoming, but not like this - it''s like he can barely look at her. As the Festival draws closer, and Alex pulls further away, Caidy is left wondering: did he ever really love her?Summer Twilight is set in the intricate world of the Mezrani Empire, where not everything is as it seems. Can Alex and Caidy find a way to survive a dangerous plot to destabilize the throne? Or will they find themselves caught in the machinations of the Empire itself; their fates inextricably tied with that of the world?

We can achieve a lot by ourselves - we can create impressive and important things, even - but when we collaborate, what we can achieve is greatness.Enter a new renaissance with The Art of Collaboration: a collection of interviews from business owners and artists about their group efforts in their personal and professional lives. Author Sydney Welch will help you harness collaboration as she explores topics like: Utilizing emotional intelligence in the workplace. Working with introverts versus extroverts. Navigating conflicts amongst team members. Staying passionate about your art, especially when it does not pay the bills. Students, teachers, business owners, artists, and creative people alike will obtain better insight into how group efforts can positively affect workplaces, classrooms, studios, and the world. With advice from CEOs, filmmakers, clothing designers, professors, musicians, and more, you will learn how to turn your ideas into reality through the use of collaboration. 

How do you buy, build, and sell a business? Can accounting jargon, marketing idiom, or supply chain lingo help your firm be more profitable? What makes a leader successful?Through his experiences, author Ram Lokan demystifies basic business concepts and describes how they''ve helped him along his entrepreneurial journey running a chain of supermarkets in East Africa. In Sweat the Small Stuff!, you will learn how paying attention to the details helps motivate your team, grow your profits, and expand your business.Full of interesting and often humorous personal stories about running his business, you''ll learn:What responding to a customer complaint on the price of corn flakes taught him about supply chain and logisticsHow promoting a cashier earned the trust of the entire companyWhy showing up at a bakery at 4 a.m. every day made him a better leaderFollow Lokan as he reflects on his journey from acquisition to expansion, and why he eventually decided to sell his business.Future entrepreneurs, disruptors, innovators, and managers will glean from this book the journey that lies ahead and how they can be more successful in growing their business by sweating the small stuff.

You may recognize their names from your local news or online media, but you''ve never heard the stories of the changemakers behind the bylines. They''re CEOs and students, publishers and entrepreneurs-women whose passion for storytelling has propelled them on their unconventional career paths. Beyond the Title: Women in Journalism and Media brings them out from behind the scenes to tell their own stories. Their mold-breaking, glass-shattering achievements demonstrate the grit, resilience, and chutzpah required to chase a dream and pave a path for other women to follow. Everyone author Lauren Bannister meets along her journey into journalism makes unique and generous contributions to the book''s tool box of tips, tricks, and insights. In Beyond the Title, Bannister completes the tool kit and places it lovingly into readers'' hands.Among those who contribute to the book''s tool kit for aspiring journalists are Nicole Smithee, co-founder and CEO of digital media site Iridescent WomenMelissa Shook, owner and publisher of The Southern Social magazineCarole Sprunk, owner and publisher of Edge MagazineWhether you''re considering a career in media, building a portfolio of bylines, or dreaming of chasing a new adventure, the women of Beyond the Title will leave you feeling like anything is possible.  

As Julie Willis transitioned from being a government contractor inside Army Futures Command, to being an entrepreneur in defense innovation, she was thrown into the forefront of disruptive technologies and potential espionage during the beginning of the Covid lockdown.Conceal Reveal is about the gritty reality of the dysfunction of military modernization and the ecosystem that has been allowed to grow around it. It reveals the innovative, exciting new technology waiting on the sidelines and the obstacles stopping it reaching our operators.Told in a language we can all understand, you will discover:What is blocking the disruptive technology our warfighters need to protect and defend our countryThe true cost of research and developmentHow you can contribute to the success of our military in 2028 (and beyond)How DEFIANT Communication pivoted to serve the community of disruptors at the heart of defense innovationConceal Reveal speaks to public servants and entrepreneurs who are inspired to contribute to the real challenges of the defense industry and the people it serves: the warfighters. 

Have you always dreamed of living in Silicon Valley and having an easy, perfect life? Well, think again. In Jeremie Gluckman-Picard''s In the Shadow of Big Tech, you''ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what living in a region destined for advancement is really like. Hoping to illuminate the underbelly of Silicon Valley and unpack core assumptions about innovation, Jeremie shares how living in a region that prioritizes technology over trust has affected the general mindset and culture.With the help of this book, you''ll learn things about the Valley that will make Bay Area history and culture impossible to ignore including how the growth of technology has impacted relationships, emotional well-being, and people''s ability to engage with one another.After venturing into the shadows, you''ll leave with clarity on what to start, stop, and continue when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Usually being a woman in the startup world is perceived as a disadvantage. What if it could be turned into an asset? Inclusion and diversity in the entrepreneurial community are changing the industry for the better. People of all genders and ages are able to participate, which has caused immense progress in the business world, as a whole. Whether you are a quiet female wanting to break the mold, a traditional investor, someone ready to switch careers, or just a young person with a dream, The Female Founding Edit:A Pop of Startup Culture speaks to female creators and young entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business and raise funding for the first time. This book includes:stories and insights from female entrepreneurs such as Barbara Corcoran, Haley Hoffman Smith and Sophia Amorusotips and tools for how to use technology in your business and stand out at pitching eventseducation and inspiration for how best to navigate the intricate world of pitching events and networkingThe Female Founding Edit is a guidebook to help young women develop their entrepreneurial skills, find their voice and show up as their best self within the startup world.

Drugs, sex, and pop music serve as the focal point of Outstanding Youth!, a collection of vignettes about the junior year of a group of high school students. St. Dominic''s, a fictitious boarding school in western Massachusetts, is the setting. It follows the group''s friendships and youthful antics in today''s world, where nothing and everything are happening all at once.Readers will reminisce about or discover what it''s like to be young and dumb. The story provides what''s essential and unique about growing up in the 2010s and is a great escape from the unexpected realities of the 2020s.Regardless of alma mater or graduation year, this book will speak to those who enjoyed or detested their time in high school. It begs the questions of how much do we change after we graduate high school, or do we stay the same?At the heart of Outstanding Youth! there is something universally compelling about being 17 and unsure of who you are or where you are going. Looking forward or back, it''s all wonderfully human.

Myth: Painful sex is normal for women. Myth: All women and people with cycles have PMS.Myth: Your doctor always knows better than you. My Venus Flytrap Won''t Open disrupts and debunks commonly misrepresented ideas and myths about "normal" female sexuality and sexual health, topics that are massively under-discussed and under-researched. Millions of women who struggle with a health issue or who are marginalized by mainstream culture from the sex positivity sphere are continuously ostracized. This book highlights why we need to stop accepting the notion that female reproductive systems and sex are naturally painful.In this book, you''ll learn about:The history and limits of sex education and the sex positive movement in the United States.Perpetuated myths about female sexuality, sexual health, and pain.How physical disabilities and trans health are overlooked.The importance of advocating for oneself.Doctors who are making positive waves in sexual health care.If you have ever doubted your own intuition because a doctor invalidated your concerns; if you have ever hated that movies made sex look so easy and fun; if you ever wondered why you didn''t learn that in sex ed... Flytrap is a must-read. 

A man goes into a coffee shop.... Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, right? Wrong. A man goes into a coffee shop and comes out with a whole new mindset about life. One cup of coffee, one interaction, one small thing could be what is standing between you and a better perspective on life. In The Fire to Inspire Ethan Miller discusses the seemingly insignificant moments in life and how much they actually impact and drive us forward. Discover how just one conversation or moment can help motivate and inspire you to chase your dreams.  This book will help you:Ignite the mindset you never knew you needed.Gain satisfaction in all areas of your life.Better understand the world around you. The Fire to Inspire is the perfect book for you if you want tap into your dreams and have the courage to go after them. What are you waiting for?  

"We create monsters in our lives. Our response to them determines how our stories unfold. You can choose to cower in fear and ignorance of them, or you can choose to confront them head on, gathering the intuition and courage to defeat them."On the Tips of Her Fingers centers around Adela, a young girl leading a seemingly quiet life, whose mother spins beautiful stories for her at night. A series of strange events lead to Adela being gifted with magical abilities allowing her to escape from her world. We travel with Adela far from home where she begins to unravel a family secret, stumbling as she learns to use her powers, navigating difficult situations and her own complex feelings about growing up, and meeting friends, magical creatures, talking animals, and evil villains along the way.In a world that can seem complicated, Adela shows the reader the importance of perseverance, courage, and a little bit of magic. On The Tips of Her Fingers is a dark fairytale that will inspire fans of fiction, fairytales, and magical realism to grapple with the concepts of escapism and self-identity in a whole new way.

Do you feel like your passion and purpose are not aligned? Adam Jordan Arafat''s BE SOMEONE will challenge every thought you have on the topic and open your mind to what it fully means to tap into your true potential. Drawing on inspirational stories and personal experiences, Adam will show you how important it is to build your vision to guide your activity and how tapping into your full talent will impact your life, business, and the world.Inside this book, you will learn:What it means to have "vision," a concept used by CEOs to run companies, and apply it to life.How visions are formed and how to incorporate cultivating your vision into daily life.How to focus your ambition and discover who you want to be.According to an MHA Workplace Health Survey, 70% of the American workforce currently feels unfulfilled with their job due to their hard work and talent going unrecognized and unrewarded. If you are ready to change that statistic, if you are ready to feed your entrepreneurial spirit, if you are ready to be someone, this book is for you.

Spoiler: Happiness has very little to do with the hand life deals us, rather with how we view and play that hand. The Happiness Perspective explores happiness as it relates to adversity. During his physical therapy sessions, Farris Fakhoury, DPT noticed certain characteristics and common threads that his patients exhibited to help them in their recovery. He has wanted to share these lessons, hoping to help others going through life-changing injuries realize that happiness awaits - if they know where to look. In his book, Fakhoury shares: Personal stories (including his own)Statistics about overcoming devastating injuriesWays to unlock happiness, even in the darkest of times And more...Combining his four step guide with the three lessons his patients have taught him throughout his career, Fakhoury''s book is a unique road map to help support anyone looking to change their lives for the better. The Happiness Perspective is a ray of light in today''s too often gloomy reality.

Each and every day, approximately 10.7 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, fearing for their safety and uncertain of what tomorrow may hold. Immigration is about more than politics. It is about compassion, love, and putting humanity first.The Stories of U.S. is a collection of the experiences of ten undocumented and first-generation immigrants who are living in the United States today. In the current political climate, oftentimes the stories of immigrants and first-generation Americans are tokenized and made into something that they are not. Perhaps you have done the same thing and not even realized it when echoing something from the media without a second thought. It is time for that thoughtful reflection. This book gives you an intimate look into the lives of some of the immigrants whose daily lives are affected in sometimes dangerous ways by their immigration status.You will learn about individuals who have overcome immense barriers to live lives that others take for granted including:Aury, who immigrated to the United States with her mother. She now must navigate an educational system while trying to find her place in this strange new land.Kabira, a first-generation immigrant, who wonders if she''ll ever see her grandparents again.Pablito who lives each day knowing that his parents are knowing that his parents are undocumented. He wonders what the consequences might be for himself and his siblings.And many more...The Stories of U.S. will help you to gain a better understanding of both our own communities and the communities that surround us. While the immigration crisis is a political one, it is more so a humanitarian crisis at its core.

Our present understanding of economics is still in the Dark Ages. Held back by a fundamental misunderstanding between our economic relationships and wealth creation, for thousands of years the pursuit of money has unwittingly made us our own worst enemies. At every waking moment we have a near infinite number of possible choices and consequences, but we voluntarily limit ourselves to substandard outcomes through a broken economic structure. Money Chasing Behavior introduces a new understanding of economics where the incentive to pursue money results in counterproductive actions that leave us unnecessarily poor. The book takes the reader on an illustrative journey by breaking economics, labor, and wealth into bite-size logical relationships to unveil a new understanding of reality and how we create wealth to improve our lives. With a close focus on objectivity, the book is divided into three parts of fundamentals, policies, and present-day applications offering a new, mind-bending perspective on economics for readers of all backgrounds. Discover both our flaws and our true potential. Begin rethinking economics for a better future.

According to a 2019 Pew Research Center study, only 35 percent of Americans report a great deal of confidence in scientists to act in the public interest. With Necessary Symbiosis: What Happens When Government and Science Work Together (and When They Don''t), scientist Vyshnavi Karra intends to change that.In the age of the Internet, anyone can spin the facts in misleading ways. It is for this reason, argues Karra, that scientists must become their own advocates in order to fight misinformation, anti-science policy, and science illiteracy. In this book, you''ll learn how to weaponize science for good through topics such as:The complex history of the US government''s relationship with scienceThe implications of data privacy on our current and future security, andThe effect of misinformation on science policy.There must be a necessary symbiosis between science and government in order for society to deal with 21st-century problems. Whether you are a public official, a scientist eyeing politics, or even a concerned citizen, this book will give you the tools to become an effective advocate of science for the good of all. 

Trey Humphreys battled love all his life. He couldn''t define it, didn''t know why he disliked his life or himself, and really didn''t believe in love. Then, eight years ago, a business coach asked him a simple question that changed his life forever - "What is your definition of love?" It blindsided him. His answer was awful, and it set him on a journey around the world to define it. Love Is Bananas - One Man''s Journey to Discover the Most Important Word in the World is his story of enlightenment. From a broken man with a romantic story in Yemen to a snake-handling preacher in Kentucky to a 28-year-old, dying homeless girl in Nashville and countless more, Trey has asked the same three questions about love and been amazed by the answers. From it all, Trey has become a true believer in himself and others. His hope is that you find love in these pages and let it become contagious in your life. For anyone who has been in love, wants to find it, or needs to discover self-love, come laugh, cry, and love with Trey. His witty charm and brutal honesty will wash over you like a refreshing forest stream.

We have a trust problem.Due to the rapid proliferation of data and technology across society, a disconnect has formed between employees and customers; the organizations they service and those that service them. This is causing an erosion of trust. Given that trust is the single most important asset of any organization, that''s a problem.However, there is good news on the horizon. Pioneering business leaders and organizations have begun leading a charge to restore trust. The Business of Trust explores how thought leaders are rebuilding trust and uncovers insights you can apply across employee and customer experiences.In this book you''ll discover:The economics of trust and how it translates to the bottom lineWhy employees are your most important customersThe three trust drivers that will have the most impactThis book is for working professionals looking to better understand how trust shapes their organization. Building trust is a journey with no end. It will be built; it will be lost, and it will need to be built again. This book is just the beginning, your trust-building journey starts now.

Music revenues are predicted to hit $131 billion by 2030 according to Goldman Sachs.Soundstorm analyzes the business and culture of the modern music ecosystem as it straddles unprecedented growth and unforeseen challenges in the ever-evolving digital age. Through a collection of essays, 22-year-old Saransh Desai-Chowdhry narrates his experience as a multicultural product of modernity, exploring his individual relationship with music and the insights of artistic and commercial trailblazers, including...Blu DeTiger, recording artist, bass virtuoso, and TikTok starAmanda Petrusich, Staff Writer at The New Yorker Nick DeMasi, Data Scientist at Spotify and Manager of Juletta and IshanJason Lipshutz, Senior Editor of Music at Billboard Magazine... and more!Optimistic in the face of uncertainty, Desai-Chowdhry tells his coming of age story through the lens of music. Contextualizing the global music ecosystem''s most pressing problems and possibilities, he imagines musical landscapes of the future. Inspired by essayists from Water & Music''s Cherie Hu to The New Yorker''s Jia Tolentino, he bridges the gap between art and commerce with nuance. By understanding the context that surrounds music, can we develop systems that better serve artists, listeners, and business leaders alike?

Welcome to Speculo City, a society that runs off of you hating yourself. In Mirror Mania, your worth is determined by one thing-your weight. If that wasn''t bad enough Influencers, known for their media expertise decide what your goal number is and the punishment for being under or over. After spending her life being at the perfect midpoint weight, Ropashna realizes she is suddenly heavier than she''s ever been, causing her to lose her closest friends and her self-worth. After deciding she has nothing more to lose, Ropashna sets off to destroy Speculo City once and for all, along with every Influencer inside.When she becomes an undercover intern, a charming-yet-confused fellow named Deslin questions her motivations, causing Ropashna to second-guess herself. Is she doing the right thing or will she destroy the system, possibly destroying herself in the process? What happens when your whole world is a reflection, a mirror, of your imprisoned mind?