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Gender-Focused Investing Is The Future
Author Interview
The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk focus on the financial impact of gender-focused investing and why women need to have a greater role. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Our collective and extensive experiences in the financial sector, as well as in the field of women’s health, has shown us time and again that women have a transformative impact on the world when they are financial decision-makers.
As investors, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of integrating a gender analysis in financial decision-making. Patience has spearheaded the development of multi-billion-dollar financial platforms and the structuring of large global funds centered around women. On the other hand, Ruth’s experience as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist and founder of Tara Health Foundation gave her insights into the pressing need for innovative programs promoting the health and well-being of women and girls.
However, the mainstream financial sector, which could greatly benefit from more gender-focused investing, is largely not aware of the significant advantages it presents. This lack of awareness inspired us to share our insights in a more accessible and impactful way.
The XX Edge is our answer. We make a compelling data-driven case for investing with a gender and broader diversity focus. Specifically, across all asset classes, when women are central to financial decisions and apply their skills, the results are higher returns for investors leading to significant economic growth.
The book is an invitation to embrace a new paradigm of gender-focused investing where women are not just beneficiaries but also key decision-makers and agents of change. We emphasize this role of women in the economy, as it holds the potential for a more inclusive and profitable future. This isn’t just a theoretical concept but an achievable reality, one that benefits everyone.
Writing The XX Edge has given us a platform to amplify this reality and, we hope, to inspire more individuals and institutions to harness the transformative power of gender-focused investing.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
The research process for The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk was both extensive and rewarding. Given the depth of the financial analysis we were presenting and the critical nature of the social issues we were addressing, we knew it was essential to be thorough and meticulous in our research.
We combined our decades of professional experiences with a wide range of external resources. We analyzed the latest financial data, explored studies on gender-focused investing, and took a deep dive into economic and social impact research. We also held numerous discussions with experts in the field to ensure that we had a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and potential future developments.
The research process took approximately 6 months. It was an exciting opportunity to consolidate the compelling data and insights that reinforced our message. The writing process went relatively well once we had a clear understanding of the data and could articulate the financial case for gender-focused investing.
We both cherished our partnership during this journey. We brought to the table our unique insights and experiences, and this collaboration enriched the book immeasurably.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
First, there is an irrefutable financial case for gender-focused investing. Our research shows that when women are at the table for business decisions and investments, enterprises are stronger and financial returns are higher. This is an underutilized strategy that can benefit individual investors and the global economy at large.
Second, we highlight the importance of women as economic agents. Too often, conversations about gender and finance focus solely on how women can benefit from financial resources. But women are more than just recipients; they are innovators, decision-makers, and leaders. When women apply their skills and insights across capital markets, we’ve seen firsthand that they drive significant economic growth. This means recognizing the potential of women to effect change in all areas, including economic, environmental, and social spheres.
Lastly, we wanted to present a vision for a new paradigm in investing – one where gender-focused investing is not seen as a niche strategy but is mainstream and central to financial decision-making. We envision a future where financial institutions and individual investors alike understand and capitalize on the benefits of gender-focused investing.
These ideas have the potential to transform how people think about finance and investment, and we hope that The XX Edge will inspire readers to explore these possibilities further.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The XX Edge?
If there’s one takeaway we hope readers will glean from our book, it is the understanding that gender-focused investing isn’t just a social or ethical choice, but a sound financial strategy that brings differentiated analysis to decision-making leading to higher returns and lower risk.
Readers will come to appreciate the transformative potential that lies in elevating women as key decision-makers in finance. When women apply their skills and insights across capital markets, it leads to more than just equitable representation; it catalyzes greater economic growth and fosters a more sustainable and inclusive financial ecosystem.
We envision a future where gender-focused investing is mainstream, and we hope that our readers will become ambassadors of this change, understanding its potential and carrying this knowledge into their own lives and communities. Whether they are seasoned investors, financial advisors, or individuals hoping to increase the balance in their retirement accounts, we hope they recognize that investing with a gender and diversity lens is essential for our collective future.
There’s a simple but often overlooked investment strategy to earning higher returns—include women as financial decision-makers within your organization or team. That’s The XX Edge.
Seasoned executives and investors Patience Marime-Ball and Ruth Shaber demonstrate the new paradigm where women are at the center of investing as agents and actors—not just as beneficiaries.
If you manage investments—either your own or others’—you’ll want to understand the data and discover the financial power of The XX Edge:
Gender-inclusive teams are 21% more likely to see outperformance in profitability relative to peers
Female CFOs deliver a 6% increase in profits and an 8% stock performance bump compared to overall performance under male predecessors
New companies with a female founder performed 63% better than those with all-male teams over an observed ten-year period
Women-run hedge funds outperformed the average of larger hedge funds by a margin of 6% over a six-and-a-half-year period
You’ll discover the inherent gender differences between women and men and why these differences make women excellent financial decision makers and investment collaborators. Patience and Ruth unpack the evidence that proves this point across all asset classes.
The XX Edge shows that when women make financial decisions and apply their skills across all capital markets, it leads to higher returns for individual investors and greater economic growth—a true win-win for all.
The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk
Patience Marime-Ball and Ruth Shaber’s The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk is a powerful book that provides a comprehensive guide to investment, financial balance, and money management. The authors’ extensive experience in running an investment and non-profit organization is evident throughout the book, and they use facts, scientific data, and personal experience to break down their content into distinct chapters that are both elaborate and eye-opening.
Although the book is relevant for all audiences, the authors primarily target male investors. They focus on the financial impact of gender-focused investing. The book is an easy read, and the authors use layman’s terms to explain multifaceted financial subjects and give relatable examples for readers’ understanding. The authors make the case for how gender diverse decision-making generates the best returns possible when managing investments. Their passion for gender-focused investing and how different men and women are in financial decision-making is intriguing.
What’s remarkable about The XX Edge is that it provides a unique perspective on socio-economic development from the perspective of investors, corporations, business executives, leaders, and economists. The arguments made in the book are level-headed, and the advice given is solid. If you want to get into investment, entrepreneurship, or expand your finances, this book will be helpful to you. It’s a comprehensive guide that covers everything from financial management to running companies.
What I love about this book is that, while the authors share ideas and facts, they also give their individual stories. For example, Ruth shares her journey in healthcare, while Patience’s journey is that of a Zimbabwean-born girl who grew up to become a powerful and knowledgeable woman in finance. The stories of the two women and their partnership are phenomenal and motivational.
In conclusion, The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk is a must-read book for anyone seeking to ascend economically and financially. The authors went above and beyond with their content, and the book is a valuable reference for anyone looking to make socio-economic changes in their sphere of influence.
Pages: 287 | ASIN : B09SGLQV8V
To rescue all the plushies!
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher is a collection of stories and life lessons that you gained from your days in the local arcade and the people you met. What inspired you to write this book?
There were several inspirations for writing this book. First and foremost is my mother who once told me: “Your life is weird. You should write a book.” As the old saying goes, mother knows best. So I ended up writing a book. Whether it’s a good book or not, I’ll leave that to the readers to decide.
Second, the process of writing my doctoral dissertation was an indirect inspiration for me to write this book. My final year of grad school was spent either couped up in my room or in the library plugging away at my dissertation. The writing process was obviously not a 24/7 affair and I did take breaks every now and again. During those breaks from dissertation writing or number crunching my research data, I found myself typing, handwriting, and even doodling random stories and anecdotes from my life. Some of those random stories eventually became the basis for Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher. Random fun fact: The original working title for the book was Weird Things, echoing my mom’s comment that my life is “weird.”
Third, while I was living in Japan and South Korea, my favorite pastime was hanging out in arcades, mostly playing retro video games and of course, crane games—or as they’re referred to in Japan, “UFO catchers.” I actually got pretty good at them, and soon my newfound hobby became an obsession and life mission of sorts: To rescue all the plushies! This is a major reason why the setting of the story is an arcade.
Fourth, being an otaku—and proud of it!—and having grown up an avid viewer of Japanese anime and manga, I knew I wanted to take more of a creative approach to my memoir. So instead of just writing words on a page, I reached out to a friend of mine whose artistic skills far surpass mine, and we partnered up to create an autobiographical manga… although this book is only the first part of a multi-volume series that I have planned. There are more stories and life lessons to come!
Lastly, I had a desire to share with others some of the important lessons I learned in life, while encouraging others to reflect on the lessons learned from their own life experiences.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
I identify as both a Christian and as a Buddhist, and as my pastor once told me, the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. That being said, I obviously don’t know with 100% certainty if God is out there and what happens after we reach our end of days. Do we reincarnate? Do we become ghosts? Do we become star stuff? Do we go to heaven or hell… or somewhere else? Or do we simply cease to be? What I do believe in though is that things do happen for a reason, and that there are signs and omens in our lives that attempt to push us in the right direction or detour us from going the wrong way. The question is: Do we notice those signs, and if we do, do we follow them or ignore them?
To get to the point, the hardest thing for me to write about in this first volume of Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher wasn’t any particular story or lesson, but how to portray the signs in my life. In the end, I took some creative license for this memoir and chose to personify those signs and portents in the form of a guardian spirit named Somi who attempts to guide the main character in the right direction and steer him away from taking a course of action that he’d regret. However, as we can see in the story, Somi often fails in her mission… mostly in part to Kenny ignoring her.
Whether my guardian spirit is actually out there and if her name is indeed Somi, I don’t know. But I like to think that there’s someone or something watching over me.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
I’ve received a lot of valuable advice from many different people when I was growing up. One that still sticks with me today is the focus of the lesson featured in the final story of the book, a Chinese proverb that my grandfather often told me: 忍得一时之氣，免得百日之忧, or in English, “If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape one-hundred days of sorrow.”
Needless to say, my hothead got me into a lot of trouble and regrettable situations in my younger days. The climax of Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher is a perfect example of that. Although there are still times when my blood will boil in certain situations, I do my best to remember my grandpa’s words and to remain calm and collected, using my logic and my heart, instead of my rage and my fists, to resolve conflicts.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
The entirety of the story, with the exception of the epilogue, takes place entirely in an arcade, and the lessons the protagonist learns come about from him playing those arcade crane games and his interactions with others in the arcade. It’s a fairly simplistic story, but with what I believe are some valuable life lessons that the protagonist shares through his inner monologue that can be attributable to various situations and circumstances, and that people from all walks of life can appreciate and connect with. I hope that readers will be able to connect with the life lessons I’ve learned—and I have many more to share in the next volume of Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher—while reflecting on the important lessons in their own lives.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Kenny Loui is a Ph.D. student, university professor, and self-proclaimed “UFO Catcher.” This is the story of Kenny’s experiences playing arcade UFO catchers, “rescuing” cute plush dolls trapped inside claw machines, while “capturing” important life lessons along the way… Like Aesop’s Fables, but with a modern-day twist (and an awesome 80’s soundtrack)! Based on a true story.
This graphic novel collects all stories originally published in Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher #1-3 and features bonus content including extended scenes, an epilogue, BGM-enhanced stories, and character sketch art.
Extreme Vulnerability
Learning to Feel is a personal story for you, sharing your path of emotional discovery and guiding others on how to do this as well. How hard was it to put this story out in the world for people to read?
This was a difficult book to write since it differs from all of my previous writing. I am accustomed to writing as a subject matter expert on topics from my field. Learning to Feel however was my first attempt to write a personal experience of exploration. Writing in a way that was not overly autobiographical (afterall the book is not really about me – but about the process of discovery) and yet revealing of the challenges I faced was a real tightrope walk. The most difficult part was when I submitted the book for reviews. I experienced a moment of panic and extreme vulnerability I had not felt before.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I think the things that are important drivers for writing Learning to Feel were a sensitivity for how so many of us today are numbed out by the pain, terror and violence evident wherever we look. At some point, many have just said “I can’t handle any more, so I don’t want to feel.” In addition, as a man who has been involved in men’s work and counseling men since back in the late 1970’s I am attuned to how men have been programmed not to feel and not to allow their thinking to be swayed by emotion. But the point here is that the warrior spirit is heavily attuned to emotions as part of our early warning system. SO I am hoping to reach a certain segment of the male population.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about feelings and emotions?
Many people say “I don’t let my emotions rule the day” meaning that when they get up and don’t “feel” like going to the gym, they summon the guts to do it anyway. However I submit that isn’t a feeling – it is a thought! And those folk, having denied their emotions, have also blocked access to their inner thoughts (the producers of emotions). I also think that many people believe that if they access their full array of emotions, they will be run by their emotions – that they will become “too emotional.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Emotions are natural and part of our evolutionary process. Everything we have as elements of our current life form has evolved for a reason and emotions are no exception. It is therefore incumbent on each of us to understand our emotions and the clues they provide about our thoughts and beliefs. That is where the real work is.
What is one thing readers take away from your story?
1. Emotions are natural and good. 2. Emotions provide us clues to how we perceive the world around us and therefore provide a path to how we can become more aware and effective in life by understanding our emotions and their antecedent thoughts and beliefs.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
The Author’s Little Red Guide to Editing
The Author’s Little Red Guide to Editing is every author’s dream book. Debbie Burke compiled writing, editing, and publishing fundamentals in this short and well-written book. Every topic in every chapter has critical information that aspiring authors and editors need.
Writing is an old, beautiful art that will stay with humanity forever. If you want to stand out from your peers, you need people like Debbie Burke, who have done it and even gone further to document the experiences, challenges, tricks, tips, and good and bad aspects of writing. The Author’s Little Red Guide to Editing is an evergreen book and ideal for all who want to be the best writers and editors in their spaces.
I like that the author starts the book by sharing her experience getting edited. The author writes about her first book, her pioneer roles, the rookie mistakes she made, and the learning process, and she even includes some personal incidents. I also appreciate the author for the questions that she infused in her narration. Burke had a few questions in writing, which she comprehensively answered as she told her story. The author brilliantly responded to questions like how to tell your editor not to change your essay, how to write fantasy, how to use tenses, and more.
The first chapter in the book was my favorite, but I also had multiple other topics that I enjoyed. Throughout the book, the author tackles various literary areas. Topics range from editing to basing writing skills from how to choose an editor, writing regionalisms, proofreading, tips that can guide your writing journey, taking from other authors, different ways of publishing, and other related subjects. As a reader, you are assured that you have all the required information gently shared with you.
The Author’s Little Red Guide to Editing is the perfect companion for anyone in the literary field looking for information on publishing and editing. This handy reference guide will answer many questions and those you didn’t even think to ask.
Pages: 73 | ASIN : B09Y4TFP63
Mind Candy
Your mind is a powerful tool that will either get you moving or have you stagnate in one position for a long time. How do you ensure that you take the right path in life and make weighty decisions? Does your general perspective of life influence your lifestyle? How does your subconscious mind control you, and what can you do about things you are not in command of? In Mind Candy: The Code to Program your subconscious Mind to Achieve Any Goal, Felicia Pizzonia takes the reader on a commanding journey of the subconscious mind. The author writes about mental wellness, setting and achieving goals, having a different view of things, embracing what is beneficial, and dealing with obstacles along the way; It all starts with your mind before anything else.
Even before getting to the main content, the reader is welcomed with an excellent foreword from Dr. John Demartini. This forward was crucial as it prepares the reader for the author’s discussion. From the foreword, my main lesson was self-discovery and self-love. I like that Dr. Demartini briefly wrote about the author and shared gems about living a rewarding life. The first chapter of the book felt like a continuation of the foreword. I appreciate Felicia Pizzonia for starting with an easy-to-digest topic; success. In this chapter, the author extensively writes about how to achieve success and be a winner in all you do. The points the author gives are realistic and level-headed.
Each of the topics Felicia Pizzonia wrote about was critical. From discussions about the conscious mind, receiving information, analyzing situations, changing one’s mindset, learning from experiences, setting goals, creating habits, taking care of your mind, body, and soul, and personal growth, among others, Felicia Pizzonia has advice on everything one needs for their well being and personal growth. One thing you are assured after reading this inspirational book is that you will expand your brain capacity and accomplish your goals within a set time.
I enjoyed Felicia Pizzonia’s writing and the phrases she used to enable the reader to comprehend the discussion. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “Your purpose isn’t meant to be another’s, just as their purpose isn’t meant to be yours.” The laidback tone in the book, arrangement of the chapters, separation of the various topics, and the warm and friendly language used by Felicia Pizzonia is encouraging. As a reader, you get pleasure from reading the book as you take hold of the knowledge being shared.
Mind Candy: The Code to Program Your subconscious Mind to Achieve Any Goal is the perfect book for you if you want to change how you view life, explore a bit of the liberal side and learn about your conscious mind. This is a wonderful book for young adults who are thinking about college and career paths and older adults who want to improve their own lives and take control of their futures.
Pages: 172 | ASIN : B07ND2NWG9
Heal From My Life’s Baggage
How To Eat A Shit Sandwich: and Keep Smiling tells readers your story about dealing with the bad things that happen and how you managed to get through them and get on with your life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have been a writer since I could hold a pen. I have always been intrigued and fascinated by people’s stories; especially the stories of people the world considers ‘ordinary’. I find these are the most compelling stories – the ones where true grit and determination are displayed; not to get attention, but from necessity and survival. I want those who have lived extraordinary lives quietly and humbly to know that their stories matter, and no matter what has happened to them, there is an opportunity to help others heal. Writing my book was a cathartic experience – I shed a lifetime of pain by letting it pour from my head to the screen/paper. I wanted to finally heal from my life’s baggage. I also wanted to share that our stories do not define us. Yes, they shape up but you can have a life that has been so hard, but still dig deep to heal and go on to bigger and better things.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Writing about my childhood was hard; realising how many times I have been abandoned and abused by people who were meant to love and protect me. It was also hard to write about the sexual abuse I experienced. There was one chapter that just flowed out of me…I had forgotten it happened until I put my fingers to the keyboard. I was only 13 when it happened and it changed how I looked at my body and my sexuality … and I think it left me vulnerable to future abuse. I got to the end of that chapter and sobbed. How can people be so cruel and horrible to each other?
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
Whether people love me or hate me, it has nothing to do with me. It took me a while to get this because my whole life I have worked hard to get people to like me. I’ve yearned for approval from all and sundry. Yet, it didn’t make my life any better. When I realised how people see me, whether they like me or not, is not something I can control, because people make judgements about others based on THEIR life experiences. Our beliefs, life experiences and inner thoughts shape how we look at the world… and it is not always based on reality. So if someone doesn’t like me, it could be because I remind them of someone who was horrible to them – how do you control that? You can’t. So I stopped bothering. I just be the best I can, and as long as I show up without the intention to hurt others, those who want to be in my space will and those who don’t won’t.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I want people to see that everyday ordinary people can make an impact on the world. There is nothing special about me beyond I survived my childhood. I found a way to dig deep and heal through my pain. It is possible. Bad things happen to good people, and while we cannot control how those bad people impact our lives, we can control how we deal with it. I chose to live my life, despite the terrible things that have happened to me, with joy, expectancy and determination. You can eat a shit sandwich, you can eat a buffet of them, but you control how you let that impact you. I want readers to see that there is a silver lining, that good can come from bad, and that there is always a way forward to a happier life. It starts with what goes on between your ears. You control your thoughts, feelings, and how you show up in the world. Take control. Don’t let those who hurt you win, but being a victim.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
The only difference between you and Annette Densham, is she decided to share her shit in a memoir. Is she famous? Ah ah! Is she an intellectual giant? She is smart but nothing extraordinary. Is she popular? Only in her own lunch time. But she does have a lot to say. You dear reader, get to follow the bouncing ball of her life as she shares the gut wrenching lows and moments of hilarity.
How To Eat A Shit Sandwich & Keep Smiling may sound messy and yucky, and in some parts it is. Annette takes a trip down memory lane – exploring key events in her childhood and adolescence. Written in the voice of the age she was at the time, some parts will make you cringe and blood boil as she shares stories of abandonment, bullying, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, will others will remind you life is what we make of it. You can eat a shit sandwich and still find joy and happiness. Some people call it resilience and grit, Annette calls it getting on with life.
Countless Strange and Humorous Situations
Memoir of a Nerd shares your personal stories growing up in the ’50s and the hilarious situations you got into. Why was this an important book for you to write?
My children and friends are used to me telling stories about the countless strange and humorous situations I found myself in, and they encouraged me to “write them down.” I feel fortunate to have had a very full and satisfying life and felt compelled to share my story with others.
There were a lot of humorous situations in the book. What is a moment in the book that makes you laugh every time you think about it?
My favorite story is the chapter titled “A McDonald’s Bag of Cash.” I cashed a check for over $18,000, and the only thing the teller had to put it in was a used McDonald’s bag. My second favorite is the chapter “Déjà vu,” about a prank we played on a fellow missionary.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Life is better when you enjoy what you are doing. Looking back on my life, I realize that my enjoyment was more of a state of mind than the circumstances or situation.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
I hope that readers will enjoy reading about my escapades enough to brighten their day.
Author Links: Facebook | Website | Instagram
In these tense times of uncertainty and division, this remarkable book is just what the doctor ordered! The book is filled with hilarious and humorously told stories.
A self-described nerd, the author recounts his experiences growing up in the ’50s and the endless predicaments he has found himself in throughout his life. From spending formative years as a missionary in Japan to learning life lessons in Las Vegas, Mancini’s antics seem never-ending. His days looking for love, as he says in all the wrong places, are very funny.
You will surely laugh at the hilarious and often absurd events in this very personal memoir! The author writes with wit, optimism, and humor. This book is a rare gift of humor that will give anyone a good laugh. Recommended to anyone who needs a break from these crazy times.
Read Memoir of a Nerd and find out why the author admits that if there were an award for “Worst Chapter Title,” the last chapter of his book would likely win it!
LITERARY TITAN 