The BK Exchange

The BK Exchange

on Sep 10 2026

As our latest book shows, US President Donald Trump has taken the Economic Hit Man approach of using fear, debt, insufficiency, and the old divide-and-conquer game to manipulate and control others for profit to a new and flagrant level. But did such hit men always operate so brazenly? Not often, but history does provide this list of five predecessors who came pretty dang close:

#Social Change

The BK Exchange

5 Egregious Examples of Companies That Bought Their Way to Influence

on Aug 06 2026

Our latest book with Thom Hartmann explores how a single legal error paved the way for corporate power to increasingly determine political outcomes by allowing corporations to outspend and out-influence virtually everyone else. American history is filled with examples of concentrated corporate influence shaping public policy, but here are five particularly galling cases:

#Social Change

The BK Exchange

5 Major Companies That Fought Against the DEI Backlash—and Won

on May 01 2026

Our newest release talks about the importance of standing up to measures that reduce equity in the workplace. Many companies—including Google, Target, and Walmart—scaled back DEI efforts in response to backlash, citing marketplace and social pressures. The five companies below did not—and were rewarded for holding their ground:

The BK Exchange

5 Real-World Examples of DEI Done Wrong

on Jan 06 2026

Diversity and inclusion are important and relevant strategies for creating a more level playing field—but, as our book Fixing Fairness makes clear, they have to be done right. When poorly designed or executed, DEI efforts can backfire and create more problems than they solve. Below are five real-world examples of well-intentioned DEI initiatives that went wrong—and why.

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Support Authors, Not Algorithms: Why This Black Friday, We're Doing Things Differently

on Nov 28 2025

Black Friday has become synonymous with doorbuster deals, shopping cart battles, and the frantic pursuit of discounts on things we don't really need. But what if we redirected that energy toward something more meaningful? While big-box retailers and tech giants compete for your clicks and dollars, we're inviting you to make a different kind of investment this year—one in knowledge, independent voices, and the people who dedicate their lives to ideas that matter.

The BK Exchange

5 Times in History When the Resolutions for Chaos Resulted in Further Chaos

on Oct 10 2025

Because our current new release (Navigating the Age of Chaos) addresses the need and importance for addressing unpredictability and uncertainty with well-reasoned strategies, it got us thinking: Times of chaos in history beg for resolutions and fixes. However, sometimes the most well-intentioned but poorly executed measures to counter the most challenging times resulted in even further chaos. Here are just five of many examples of chaotic times in history where a promising resolution turned out to do more damage than good:

#Social Change

The BK Exchange

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Voices That Shape Our World

on Sep 19 2025

We believe that connecting people and ideas creates a world that works for all. This principle has never been more crucial than during Hispanic Heritage Month, as we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities while acknowledging the challenges they continue to face in our current political climate.

The BK Exchange

The Six Dark Lessons Roy Cohn Taught Trump (That He Still Uses Today)

on Jul 31 2025

Roy Cohn taught Donald Trump the six rules of managing and dominating situations and people. These are those rules and you can see them being utilized to this very day by the man to brutal ends (this is excerpted from the book, The Last American President):

The BK Exchange

Small Shifts, Big Change: An Excerpt from Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems

on Apr 22 2025

We’re excited to share an excerpt from Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems by Adam Kahane, one of the world’s leading voices on navigating complex change. Adam is the author of several influential books—including the bestselling Collaborating with the Enemy—that offer practical guidance for people working to tackle deep systemic challenges in their organizations, communities, and societies.

The BK Exchange

Independent Publishing: A Beacon of Hope for a Diverse and Democratic Future

on Mar 06 2025

In today’s rapidly evolving cultural and political landscape, independent publishing stands as a vital counterbalance to dominant narratives. At Berrett-Koehler Publishers, we believe that nurturing diverse voices and unconventional ideas is not just an artistic choice—it’s a democratic imperative.