The Clean Money Revolution: Reinventing Power, Purpose, and Capitalism

What a great story! What a great resource! Pros: Joel Solomon's personal story is interesting, and it is told engagingly. His insights about the ways we use (or ignore) our money are obviously the result of deep knowledge about financial systems AND a lifetime of careful investigation about both the underpinnings of those systems as well as the ways those systems influence (for good or for ill) us and our world. Reading this book made me realize that I personally have a responsibility to become more involved in and knowledgeable about the way my money is managed; I just can't turn it over to the brokers ever again. I hope Joel's concerns and wisdom will get into the minds and hearts of younger, capable, talented, and driven people -- especially in Canada and the States! Cons: Sometimes the lists of names and the quick mention of organizations and businesses left me wanting more -- yes, yes: I need to do my own research! But because so many of those names were unfamiliar to me, I felt slightly adrift -- not knowing where, even, to begin looking for that information. I have read this book and already find myself going back to it; I am confident that it will continue to spur me on in this lifelong process of becoming more and more responsible in the ways I manage my money; thank you, Joel!

Some people wish they were rich. Some people wish for long life. Joel Solomon began with one and not the other: he inherited both wealth and a fatal kidney condition that could end his life at any time. When I met Joel in 2010, he told me that nothing focuses the mind on one's legacy like a terminal illness. In this seminal book, Joel and writer/entrepreneur Tyee Bridge take us through Joel's journey from personal tragedy to a vision quest that led to nature, spirituality, business, and finally to a life as a "billionaire of love" who invests his wealth in others: promising entrepreneurs working to help our planet. His stellar credentials as a venture capitalist are rooted in his deep conviction that ethical investing can be profitable in terms of financial, social, and environmental dividends. Those who know Joel can hardly be surprised that a friend generously offered him a kidney a decade ago and ended his battle with early death. That's the kind of goodness this man inspires in others. This book is his story. It is my favorite book of the decade. Reading it is the best investment I've made since I flew out to meet Joel at Hollyhock.ca nearly seven years ago. Highly recommended!

The Clean Money Revolution is proof that the Serenity Prayer no longer applies to investing. As Joel writes, there are many ways to "use money as a sacred substance, as if the future matters." Sure, index funds are sound investments from a financial perspective, but they don't feel good. One of Joel's missions is to design "innovations that make our financial system more direct, transparent, and personal – unlike typical Wall Street innovations, which generally make things more complex, opaque, and anonymous." In The Clean Money Revolution, you'll find evidence-based answers to a host of practical questions. Here are two that I particularly enjoyed mulling over with Joel: (1) "How can we unwind the knot of pain that ambition and greed medicate for us?" (2) "How might we shift our investment dollars to encourage growth of socially conscious, regenerative businesses?" If finding answers to these questions interests you, I couldn't recommend The Clean Money Revolution more wholeheartedly.

Joel's book is a brilliant combination of excellent writing, diverse perspectives, facts and anecdotal evidence. He has done an excellent job of expressing the issues relating to dirty money and the many solutions presented by clean money. His writing is non-confrontational and compassionate. His humility of expression and genuine appreciation for the people that have influenced him is inspiring. The words come from a place of truth and egolessness. They are also intensely person which takes courage. Being in the financial services industry this book gives me hope that change will come and a new clean money rejuvenative economic model is a possibility. It encourages me to continue to build our business to help accelerate this shift in any way we can. I had no idea how much positive work is happening in the world around me until I read this book. I bow down to all those pioneers who have bravely taken on the task of bringing about the clean money revolution. Thanks to Joel and everyone in the book for all your hard work.

Joel Solomon illustrates how purposeful and personal our investments can be. Always wondered: can we keep our hands - and money - clean, as we deal with a dirty world? His stories show how we can use capital for driving change in our current system. It's as much culture as it is finance. I enjoyed the interviews with diverse co-conspirators of this growing vector of history.

Joel Solomon's Clean Money Revolution is a fresh, timely and inspiring book. With practical tips to move us revolutionary financial system change agents into action right away, this book is packed with real world examples of how to move the needle on our money footprint. Whether new to impact investing or a high net worth individual wanting to align with your values, you'll be inspired to have courageous conversations. Beautiful and vulnerable storytelling takes you on a journey from shopping malls of Tennessee to Whales in the Pacific Northwest, to frameworks for investing to the current landscape and organizations leading in the field. Thanks Joel for these stories, ideas, insights and tips from one who has truly walked the walk and continues on his own growth journey. You are the real deal! Stephanie T. NY

The perfect book for anyone concerned about people and the planet, and looking for models and solutions to build on. Joel's leadership balances pragmatism and idealism -- grateful for this voice and this message, now more than ever!

Put your money where your mouth is... It's so obvious yet, in our complicated financial and distracted world, it takes a higher level of awareness and actions to move mountains...but, as Joel writes, it can be done. The adage, "follow the money" needs to be taken to heart so that we can redirect the money for better and good. It's beginning to happen! Joel's book gives me hope with clarity around "why" and what to do steps, philosophical and practical.

Joel Solomon’s book The Clean Money Revolution is a MUST READ for anyone in the impact investing space or frankly any business leader that wants to bring a “more enlightened state — compassion, joy, honesty, and self-esteem” into their work and life. Joel sees money as a tool and clean money as being aligned with purpose as opposed to just self-interest. In this regard, it becomes a way to empower individuals and their community. The other reason to read Joel’s book is that it is about his life and his dedication to a cause that is bigger than himself. It makes Joel “huggable” and his book a treat.

Thank you for creating such a beautiful and powerful body of work! Deep bow.

What a great story! What a great resource! Pros: Joel Solomon's personal story is interesting, and it is told engagingly. His insights about the ways we use (or ignore) our money are obviously the result of deep knowledge about financial systems AND a lifetime of careful investigation about both the underpinnings of those systems as well as the ways those systems influence (for good or for ill) us and our world. Reading this book made me realize that I personally have a responsibility to become more involved in and knowledgeable about the way my money is managed; I just can't turn it over to the brokers ever again. I hope Joel's concerns and wisdom will get into the minds and hearts of younger, capable, talented, and driven people -- especially in Canada and the States! Cons: Sometimes the lists of names and the quick mention of organizations and businesses left me wanting more -- yes, yes: I need to do my own research! But because so many of those names were unfamiliar to me, I felt slightly adrift -- not knowing where, even, to begin looking for that information. I have read this book and already find myself going back to it; I am confident that it will continue to spur me on in this lifelong process of becoming more and more responsible in the ways I manage my money; thank you, Joel!

Some people wish they were rich. Some people wish for long life. Joel Solomon began with one and not the other: he inherited both wealth and a fatal kidney condition that could end his life at any time. When I met Joel in 2010, he told me that nothing focuses the mind on one's legacy like a terminal illness. In this seminal book, Joel and writer/entrepreneur Tyee Bridge take us through Joel's journey from personal tragedy to a vision quest that led to nature, spirituality, business, and finally to a life as a "billionaire of love" who invests his wealth in others: promising entrepreneurs working to help our planet. His stellar credentials as a venture capitalist are rooted in his deep conviction that ethical investing can be profitable in terms of financial, social, and environmental dividends. Those who know Joel can hardly be surprised that a friend generously offered him a kidney a decade ago and ended his battle with early death. That's the kind of goodness this man inspires in others. This book is his story. It is my favorite book of the decade. Reading it is the best investment I've made since I flew out to meet Joel at Hollyhock.ca nearly seven years ago. Highly recommended!

The Clean Money Revolution is proof that the Serenity Prayer no longer applies to investing. As Joel writes, there are many ways to "use money as a sacred substance, as if the future matters." Sure, index funds are sound investments from a financial perspective, but they don't feel good. One of Joel's missions is to design "innovations that make our financial system more direct, transparent, and personal – unlike typical Wall Street innovations, which generally make things more complex, opaque, and anonymous." In The Clean Money Revolution, you'll find evidence-based answers to a host of practical questions. Here are two that I particularly enjoyed mulling over with Joel: (1) "How can we unwind the knot of pain that ambition and greed medicate for us?" (2) "How might we shift our investment dollars to encourage growth of socially conscious, regenerative businesses?" If finding answers to these questions interests you, I couldn't recommend The Clean Money Revolution more wholeheartedly.

Joel's book is a brilliant combination of excellent writing, diverse perspectives, facts and anecdotal evidence. He has done an excellent job of expressing the issues relating to dirty money and the many solutions presented by clean money. His writing is non-confrontational and compassionate. His humility of expression and genuine appreciation for the people that have influenced him is inspiring. The words come from a place of truth and egolessness. They are also intensely person which takes courage. Being in the financial services industry this book gives me hope that change will come and a new clean money rejuvenative economic model is a possibility. It encourages me to continue to build our business to help accelerate this shift in any way we can. I had no idea how much positive work is happening in the world around me until I read this book. I bow down to all those pioneers who have bravely taken on the task of bringing about the clean money revolution. Thanks to Joel and everyone in the book for all your hard work.

Joel Solomon illustrates how purposeful and personal our investments can be. Always wondered: can we keep our hands - and money - clean, as we deal with a dirty world? His stories show how we can use capital for driving change in our current system. It's as much culture as it is finance. I enjoyed the interviews with diverse co-conspirators of this growing vector of history.

Joel Solomon's Clean Money Revolution is a fresh, timely and inspiring book. With practical tips to move us revolutionary financial system change agents into action right away, this book is packed with real world examples of how to move the needle on our money footprint. Whether new to impact investing or a high net worth individual wanting to align with your values, you'll be inspired to have courageous conversations. Beautiful and vulnerable storytelling takes you on a journey from shopping malls of Tennessee to Whales in the Pacific Northwest, to frameworks for investing to the current landscape and organizations leading in the field. Thanks Joel for these stories, ideas, insights and tips from one who has truly walked the walk and continues on his own growth journey. You are the real deal! Stephanie T. NY

The perfect book for anyone concerned about people and the planet, and looking for models and solutions to build on. Joel's leadership balances pragmatism and idealism -- grateful for this voice and this message, now more than ever!

Put your money where your mouth is... It's so obvious yet, in our complicated financial and distracted world, it takes a higher level of awareness and actions to move mountains...but, as Joel writes, it can be done. The adage, "follow the money" needs to be taken to heart so that we can redirect the money for better and good. It's beginning to happen! Joel's book gives me hope with clarity around "why" and what to do steps, philosophical and practical.

Joel Solomon’s book The Clean Money Revolution is a MUST READ for anyone in the impact investing space or frankly any business leader that wants to bring a “more enlightened state — compassion, joy, honesty, and self-esteem” into their work and life. Joel sees money as a tool and clean money as being aligned with purpose as opposed to just self-interest. In this regard, it becomes a way to empower individuals and their community. The other reason to read Joel’s book is that it is about his life and his dedication to a cause that is bigger than himself. It makes Joel “huggable” and his book a treat.

Thank you for creating such a beautiful and powerful body of work! Deep bow.

Clean Money is a vital resource for this movement to align our passion and beliefs with our livelihoods and investments. Joel has been a powerful leader for decades and its a treat to learn the deep motivations and stories that drive his career and learn how to activate your money/energy to drive a healthy business revolution.

To great effect, Joel mixes an unusually self aware personal story and how that led to his pioneering work to forge this redefinition of capitalism. I really loved reading this book -- for its insights and inspiration.

How rare it is for an established leader to share his most intimate and hard-earned stories, all in the name of a better future. In the Clean Money Revolution, Solomon unravels complicated layers from a deep-south Jewish upbringing, his profound journeys in nature, health, and later in the privileged and benevolent world of green money investing. His generous tales show us that we can make sense of our own lives by seeing money as a tool for positive change. If you're looking for a fresh and revolutionary take on your life and the world's future, read this book!

This book is easy to read with good thoughts on how to improve the world with your investments

Joel Solomon is a pioneer in demonstrating that capitalism, applied with the right purpose, can be a powerful tool for building sustainable systems - not just hoarding wealth. The Clean Money Revolution is a must read for any modern entrepreneur.

Joel Solomon is my friend and colleague and I have enormous regard for him. Though I come to this review with this prejudice, I can tell you that Clean Money is the revolution we seek. Joel has been designing strategies and using money in transformative ways to counter the negative impact of self-serving use of funds for years. Think about it this way; "Clean Money" is actually the SOLUTION! If we can transform the use of money by the few so that ethics and sustainability FOR ALL are reached, we will create a sustainable planet. This is what the Fourth Sector is trying to accomplish and this is exactly what Joel Solomon is doing to lead the way. Read this book as a means of understanding what the North Star is moving forward in the 21st Century.

An inspiring account of how values-based capitalism can be an incredible catalyst for solving some of the worlds most challenging issues.

Simply brilliant!

Wonderful vision of regenerative economy and insights on investing for impact from Joel Solomon.

If you think making money has to be bad or evil, read this book for stories about people making money kindly, effectively, brilliantly and making huge contributions to where they live and well beyond. Well written, well organized, not at all dry, this book describes how making money this way does take hard, smart work but what a difference!

Some context: I am the 25-year-old software engineer and public advocate deep on a spiritual journey to discover how he can transform himself into someone capable of helping restore the world for future generations. I feel like the book... found me. I was already looking for answers on how to live a moral, productive, meaningful, fulfilled, connected life in this absurdly distracted age; already looking for how to reconcile being a ridiculously ambitious young problem solver who both sees the extraordinary power of business but also its ugly, extractive, exploitative tendencies; already looking for inspiration on how to empower people with decentralized, democratized business practices. Joel answered all this for me in his book and more. It’s a must-read not just for responsible people of great wealth (not me!), but anyone who wants to feel hope for the future and use their skills to make the world better. I would share some of my favorite insights from the book, but I honestly don’t know where I would start. I highlighted so much of your book that I literally surpassed the Kindle highlighting limit of 10%! The book may have single-handedly transformed the mind of a major skeptic of today’s capitalism on if and how capital can be deployed to advance our species and restore our planet. So, I am very grateful for Joel. I am now a believer in the Clean Money revolution.

This is a great book. It’s personal, committed, passionate, informative, and full of great stories. For an addicted change-the-worlder, what more can you ask? And the stories, from Joel’s personal life and those of his colleagues, are about one of the most important challenges we need to embrace on our planet - changing the way we invest our money. That’s no small challenge. Over the next thirty years the baby-boomers will pass $100 trillion to the next generation. That’s a hundred million $1,000,000 legacies. If we are thoughtless, if we act without vision or if we act without purpose, that money will support the dying decades of fossil-fuel felonies. It will pump more carbon into the atmosphere, suck more fish out of the sea and drive more species to extinction. If we are not thoughtless, however, it could have a tremendous impact. “Over the next the decades,” Joel writes, “I propose we shift that $100 trillion from destructive and misdirected uses to regenerative ones.” If you have a comfortable amount of savings, you can do one of three things: First, you can do nothing, trusting your bank or investment advisor to invest your money for you. Right. Or, you can find a socially responsible investment advisor and direct her or him to invest your money in funds that are free of fossil fuels and other undesirables. Or, you can do what Joel Solomon has done for much of his life and invest your money in start-ups that are committed to making a difference in the world. It’s called impact investing, social ventures, or mission venture investing, and Joel’s book is full of examples, many in the field of healthy organic food and farming, such as Stonyfield natural yoghurt and Ben & Jerry’s, and regenerative urban design - Joel used some of his inheritance to invest in urban start-ups that helped turn Nashville around and make it what it is today. Back in the 1980s, when some early pioneers wanted to be sure that their savings were not supporting apartheid in South Africa, there were no socially responsible investment funds. By the end of 2016 one in five of every dollar was under professional management in the US. That’s $8.72 trillion that was being invested with socially responsibility in mind. The movement is steaming along, and we’ve hardly begun. I was speaking to an audience of environmentally conscious elderly people in Vancouver recently, and I asked how many knew where their savings were being invested. Out of a hundred people, only eight hands went up. Imagine the change we will be able to nourish when it becomes the norm to invest our savings with the same level of attention that we give to personal washing, washing up, and recycling. We understand the word ‘clean’ - so we need to clean our money too, and Joel’s book is a great guide to the adventure. Each of us has brain cells that are sitting idle, waiting to be inspired by stories of the clean money revolution, and once they are fired up they want to get engaged. If you want an advisor who can shift your investments to socially responsible funds, in Canada go to the Responsible Investment Association (www.riacanada.ca), and click on the map to find a local advisor. In the US, go to www.ussif.org, and click on the Financial Services Directory. In Britain, go to www.ethicalinvestment.org.uk and click on ‘Find a financial advisor’. If you want to be socially adventurous, I can’t think of a better start than Joel’s book. It’s a great field guide to investing with purpose, and it’s also full of the honesty and wisdom that older age hopefully brings. “Intellectually,” Joel writes, “I’m highly pessimistic. Logic tells me we are in a heap of trouble. But I have no clue what the future will bring. I’m simply not smart enough for that. I’ve planted my flag in the camp of hope, faith, love. I must believe in a brilliant, resilient future.” And what about that $100 trillion? To cap off his storytelling, Joel takes a stab at investing it: $10 trillion to make reparations for colonialism and slavery; $20 trillion for the transition to 100% renewable energy; $10 trillion for wars and weapons industry reduction; $10 trillion for the transition to a steady state economy; $10 trillion for soil restoration and carbon capture; $10 trillion for sustainable transportation; $10 trillion for green living buildings; $10 trillion for guaranteed income, healthcare and education; $10 trillion for zero waste. It makes it sound easy - and the money will be there, if we choose to invest it in our planet’s future, our children’s future. As Joel says, “Let's be billionaires of good deeds, billionaires of love, billionaires of meaning and purpose.” If we all share in the effort, we can do this.

Someone once asked Neils Bohr how physics changed and evolved when there was so much resistance to new ideas. "Funeral by funeral" he replied. Joel Solomon is someone worth listening to. He's spent decades in the worlds of investment and social change and his work has seen him connect with some of the leading thinkers and doers of our times. He's woven a lifetime of hands on experience together into this book under the incredibly provocative premise, what happens when the boomers, with their $40 Trillion or so, die and pass the money onto the next generation? This is a generation that has grown up with alternative energy and sees the potential of its boom in a way that boomers never could. If you feel hopeless about the world, let this book be the shot in the arm you need. May it inspire you to put your money where your mouth is and shift your personal investments into the highest aspirations of humanity.

Joel Solomon makes the point early on in this ground-breaking book that, "Consciously choosing one's direction is the root of a meaningful life." He did just that early in his own career in the late 1980s and the powerful impact he has made in helping individuals and investors from every facet of the financial world rethink how and why they invest their money and the powerful impact this clean money revolution is having on making the world a far better place for all of us as told here is a powerful story on every level and a must-read. Bravo to you and to the fine writing by Tyee Bridge.

The idea of “Clean Money” is an attractive one. We are intimately familiar with the harms that concentrated money can cause, whether it’s the corrosive effect of money on politics, the ability of large corporations to buy legal immunity by dragging out the legal process indefinitely, or the fact that the financial system is set up to benefit the 1% at the expense of the 99%. We are less familiar with the ways that concentrated money can be used in positive ways. Joel Solomon’s The Clean Money Revolution provides passionate proof that money is a tool, and it’s the quality of the people using it that determines the quality of the effects it has. It’s at once a moral plea to those with money to recognize the power that money grants them and a memoir of Joel’s successes in living that morality by helping others put their money (and Joel’s) to good use. It’s hopeful and inspiring in its attempt to envision a world where our financial and social systems evolve gracefully into a more sustainable, stable, just future rather than collapsing around our ears into chaos and anarchy. In a world where corporate money ensures that governments stay impotent against the various social and environmental crises that might cost those corporations their quarterly profits, the idea that Clean Money used well can be a force for positive change is a refreshing, if idealistic vision. And, thanks to Joel’s intimate knowledge in the arcane arts of investing and business, it’s also a seductively convincing vision. Joel knows how money works. He knows how to use it wisely, and he’s also not afraid to point out how it can be (and is being) used badly. He’s candidly aware that the current level of socially aware investing is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of capital that is pulling in the other direction. And yet, his book is the Clean Money Revolution, and he believes that the revolution has started. He believes that, at the very least, there is a path forward that will shift vast amounts of money from the old, profit-at-any-cost mentality to a new, more sustainable and socially responsible mindset. And he believes that this transition will be shepherded by the Millennials as they take over management of the funds from the Boomer generation. As a Millennial, I find that flattering. Unfortunately, I also find it unrealistic. And, to be honest, on an intellectual level at least, I think so does Joel. He comments that if we use only our intellect, we have no reason to believe we will be able to avoid the social and environmental collapse that is the consequence of unsustainable use of resources and misuse of money. To be successful, his revolution requires spiritual fortitude and a deep sense of purpose, both on a personal level and in our culture. Wise words from a member of the hippy generation: Change comes from the heart, not from the head. I have two major criticisms of his book, both of which are intellectual. Thus, I hope they will be useful for understanding the flaws in the book, but not fatal to the intent of it. The first major criticism is that it relies on those who have wealth to develop the spiritual conscience necessary to invest their wealth responsibly. And it’s not just some of the wealthy. It must be all of them, or at least a large majority. There must be a cultural shift among the very wealthy that pushes them in the direction of “Clean Money”. He believes this will happen when control of the wealth shifts to Millennials. In other words, it will happen through inheritance. Unfortunately, a key part of Joel’s own relationship to money is defined by the fact that he inherited his wealth young, while he was still in his idealistic 20’s, and before he had been fully groomed as an heir to his family’s fortune. And, most of the other Clean Money investors whose stories he tells share similar backgrounds. There is no reason to expect that most of the Millennial heirs to the $100 trillion that will change generational hands will inherit young. There’s much reason to think that, in addition to inheriting wealth, the rarefied group of multi-million dollar heirs will also inherit their parents’ strongly profit-driven values. Sadly, a plan that counts on the majority of those in power to naturally use that power for good is not a very good plan. The second criticism is perhaps the more serious one. Joel correctly identifies wealth inequality as one of the most serious issues that must be solved. It’s an issue that directly relates to money. Yet, the book advocates that wealthy investors can have it all: They can invest Clean Money and still profit at the end of it. Perhaps they do not take as much profit, but the model is still a capitalistic one in which investments are ultimately expected to pay off monetarily. Such an approach cannot solve the issue of inequality — not alone at any rate. The reason is structural. It’s a fundamental law of money that wealth generates money. This is the way that the wealthy have lived for generations, and it’s the reason why the wealthy stay wealthy. Once you have a pile of wealth, you hire a money manager to invest the wealth and you live off the profits of the investments. The bigger the pile of wealth, the bigger the profits you have to live on. This is the principle that endowments, hedge funds and foundations operate on: The principal is invested, and only the profits are spent, thus ensuring the perpetual financial security of the person or organization that owns the wealth. It’s a sound financial strategy. Unfortunately, it’s also the fundamental cause of wealth inequality: The more quickly wealth gets accumulated, the less that wealth is available for everyone else. Joel has lots to say about this. He writes extensively about spending down the principal, about ensuring that foundations invest their principal as Clean Money, and about divesting money that is supporting harmful organizations. Unfortunately, as important as all those things are, they are still all in service of profit: Endowments are still intended to preserve wealth, and even the strategies for spending down principal involve making investments that are ultimately intended to recoup with a profit. No matter how well the money is invested, it’s still expected to accumulate over time. Such an approach is impossible. Inequality builds up pressure, and historically the only ways that pressure is released is through appropriation (as in the French Revolution), warfare (as in WWII), or inflation. Of these, inflation is the safest — though still tumultuous — option. Only when the rate of inflation rises above the rate of return that endowments generate — only then does the distribution of wealth become more equal: The inflation in everyone else’s wealth out-paces the natural tendency of wealth to grow. In such a situation, the return on investment is no longer “profitable”, because the real value of the wealth at the end of the investment is less than the value that that wealth would have had if it has just been left on its own. The Clean Money Revolution does not solve this problem — wealth inequality is inevitable as long as our central banks maintain policies that are designed to minimize or prevent inflation. Thus, the Clean Money Revolution is not the panacea that Joel hopes it is. It’s not enough of a revolution. We cannot escape the financial, environmental, and social crises that face us solely through enlightened investment. There is more to the story (there always is). But … intellectual flaws aside, there is still much value in stories of hope and inspiration that Joel writes about. Just because Clean Money is not the solution does not mean it cannot be part of a solution. Investing generously and selflessly is certainly better than investing blindly and selfishly. Even if we must shrink our collective wealth for the sake of surviving sustainably, the organizations and institutions that help us live sustainably must still be grown — and will inevitably produce financial profits while they grow. Clean Money must be part of that growth. On a more personal level, the book is not just inspiring in general; it inspired me to seek out the environment in which Joel nurtured his skills with Clean Money: Hollyhock. As a documentary filmmaker, I’m driven by the desire to create social change. And I’m also painfully aware of how difficult it is to find money to support that social change. And, once I’ve created a documentary, I’m aware that it needs to be seen by the people with the power to help create social change: People with money and big ideas. If nothing else, Joel’s book has convinced me that I can find all of those things at Hollyhock. I’ve signed up for a workshop at Hollyhock called Story, Money, Impact. Here’s hoping that my journey there helps me find people who believe in Joel’s vision: The vision of Clean Money.

This book is absolutely phenomenal. Joel Solomon, from his role at Renewal Funds, is one of the few people who can actually speak--from experience--about creating a Clean Money revolution. He is not an academic, policy-maker, or author who is saying we need these solutions--he is actually doing it in his daily work. This is an invaluable insight that makes the book more credible and relevant. Highly recommended.

Joel Solomon’s The Clean Money Revolution: Reinventing Power, Purpose, & Capitalism is by far the most refreshing financial book I’ve read in a very long time. Joel insightfully unfolds a strong argument for the potential for — and the current momentum towards — the business of doing good. His weaving of autobiographical stories throughout his persuasive perspective quickly drew me in and will likely feel just as familiar to many others drawn to this book. This book is written for optimists and skeptics alike. It will appeal most to those who have already begun either questioning or actually doing the work of unravelling our layers of conditioned beliefs. This is where Joel’s wisdom really hits home. For several years, I’ve shared a similar message of the necessity of inner clarity, personal development work, and a seamless connection between our inner and outer realms in order to fully show up as a ‘whole investor.’ In chapter 9, Joel dives into this premise in depth. His many years of self-examination and transcendent discoveries shine brightly through this chapter. Joel points out the root of many of today’s problems — be them economic, environmental, social, or personal: an unquestioned, reactionary life. He calls for the need to inquire into our own motivations and patterns, our inheritance of limiting beliefs, our deepest values and the calling in our lives that truly lights us up. After presenting the real potential for a global transformation of the way capital serves humanity and the planet in the previous 8 chapters, Joel settles on the personal work each of us must do in order to even be able to step up and embody the values we want our money to extend into the world. He beckons us to be the change we wish to see. My copy of The Clean Money Revolution has several underlined passages and emphatic “Yes!” markings throughout. Joel has thoroughly unpacked the logic, psychological underpinnings, and desperate need for this revolution. My sincere hope is that it falls into the hands of those ready to make the necessary changes. We each have a role to play in this transition from destructive to regenerative capital, and I’m grateful for luminaries like Joel to help light the way.

Joel Solomon has a gift for inspiring people to join the movement, in whatever way they can, to affect sustained and impactful change for good. The writing style is approachable and conversational, and successfully invites the reader to embark on a journey of learning and personal growth. His candid transparency, authenticity, and insatiable curiosity, create a stimulating read, that is both humble and powerful, and leave the reader with an urgent desire to somehow get involved. It's not a matter of if, it's just a matter of when. If you're looking for a way to make a difference with your life and experience more personal meaning, this one's a gem. Enjoy the read! You'll never look back.

Money is a tool, and is neither inherently bad or good. For example, we can use knives for murder, for cooking, and for life-saving surgery. Solomon has envisioned a new way of seeing the world and each other, and spent decades honing the use of money to serve the highest human ideals in the future we hope to arrive at very soon. The sooner the better! This book is an important roadmap.

If you're wondering what can be done to get off the destructive path we're on, you must READ THIS BOOK. It connects the dots and presents a roadmap for the big shift to a resilient, regenerative economy. Joel has a deep understanding of wealth psychology, what it takes to effect systemic change, and how to leverage money for the greatest good. He's pragmatic, intensely insightful and knows what works (based on three decades of experience as a successful investor, entrepreneur and organizer). The Clean Money Revolution is a great read. And it gives me hope.

Joel has written a wonderful and very important work which is also a great read. Joel has managed to combine the history of the emerging clean money revolution, signposts to the future of Green economics and clean money, and a recounting of his own personal evolution story as a significant player in this space into one book that is easy and enjoyable to read. He also includes illuminating then yet’s of many of the other participants in the evolution of this part of our economy. Joel tops this all off by spinning some of his own business wisdom and experience into the tale. I highly recommend this book – the best book I read in 2017!

A thoughtful and inspiring treatise on money: how to use it to maximize social good and still make a profit. Extremely captivating story woven throughout on how Joel Solomon got to the point in his life where he asks “ how much money do you need ? "

This book was one I definitely couldn’t put down. Hearing Joel’s journey of discovery was both entertaining and inspiring. This book is not just for the wealthy. We all have something to invest whether it be time or passion, and this book will encourage you to become a conscious investor creating long term positive impact for our planet.

This book was a complete surprise. I thought it was going to be about Joel's investing history - which it is - but it gives us insight into his childhood and early life which led to his position as an investor. It made it more personal and accessible, and gave me hope. The real world examples are inspiring and I felt like I wanted to become an impact investor after turning the last page (and I still do). Honest, insightful, and hopeful, this is a must-read for anyone in the millennial generation (who will be responsible for the economic future), or anyone interested in money.

This is such a great book! Joel's story is a unique and fascinating one. I also found it really inspirational to hear about all the different people and organizations around the world who are reshaping the way business is done and contributing to the planet's greater good. The book has made me rethink the way to invest and do business. Highly recommended!

I loved this book! I am wanting to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Learning that it is possible to "put your money where your mouth is" as far as investing goes, as well as with everyday purchase choices, is very inspiring to me. Thank you Joel for writing this book explaining how this is possible!

Are you ready to consider (REALLY consider) your decisions and how they impact our world now, and our future ancestors? Joel Solomon speaks in a way that speaks to the heart of the matter. This is a GREAT read- deep, insightful, straightforward and visionary.

I have immense respect for Joel, who has been investing in companies and working with entrepreneurs who truly care about making the world a better place and using business as a force for good. The Clean Money Revolution asks readers to consider their relationship to money. And in today's age, consumers and their choices for what and how they make purchases can send a powerful statement to investors, government, advertisers and media. We can truly use our purchasing power to affect real change for good. A great read.

This book has really helped me reframe some of my frustrations around the wealth in the world. Mostly because Joel’s writing is full of hope, easy ways to make changes, and transparency in his stories. Rich, poor, it doesn’t matter. This book makes sense for everyone.

I am both moved and motivated after reading 'The Clean Money Revolution' by Joel Solomon, with Tyee Bridge. This book is a beautiful balance of expertise, manifesto and autobiography. The personal storytelling has really stayed with me. The content is rich with compelling narratives, ranging from triumphant to deeply vulnerable. I have some new tools now to put into action, but also a greater appreciation for the complexity around our human relationship with money.

I try and make clean food and energy choices whenever possible, and am a big fan of shopping locally, but The Clean Money Revolution takes things to the next level. Your money - no matter how much, or little, of it you have - can make a difference. It's exciting to become aware of the bigger picture around what your money is doing and make choices using that lens.

This book will change the way you think about money. For those interested in the power of conscious capitalism - and in the health of our planet - Joel Solomon's message is urgent and important.

An engaging, inspiring read, weaving in Joel's pioneering personal journey, with a bold vision for what's possible in a next economy. Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned impact investor, this is a really valuable read and re-frame. Highly recommended.

A transformational view of how money, done right, could very well be the source of change and renewal that we need in the world. Highly recommended.

If we are to build the world our children deserve, the next generation business not only need to be sustainable but deliver social impact. Joel and this book proves it is possible.

An inspiring, thoughtful and easy to read book that reminds us that by living by our values - in all aspects of our life including the financial side of it - we can make a big difference. Even if our path meanders a bit.

If you care about the planet and a more sustainable world, this book is a must read. Joel Solomon will motivate you to make financial decisions that will impact the planet and our lives for a 'cleaner' future.

A fascinating, deeply personal exploration of the current movement to re-imagine capitalism. Wonderful profiles of entrepreneurs and investors, and an inspiring reminder that we all have the power to change how we see and manage our financial lives for the better.

Common sense approach for recalibrating the monetary system, which needs to turn the corner now and not later if we are to see any substantial change to our footprint on the planet.

A truly inspiring book. I recommend to everyone who wants to make this a better world. You will learn new and better ways to deal with your money.

Excellent, incredibly insightful!

A perception changing book. This is an absolute must read.

Well worth the read.

This is a book that can spark a shift to a more equitable distribution of resources so that everyone can benefit.

Joel has a special wisdom born of decades of experience and fine-tuned intuition. This wisdom, along with his artful style, is expressed beautifully in this book.

Joel shows how he’s leading a movement.

Clean Money Revolution is an inspiring and necessary read for anyone who cares about, well, aligning your values with your investing. Solomon knows the subject inside and out and makes a really compelling argument for a new way to think about your money, your future and the health of the world. This is a call to action whose time has come.

A must read for all money managers and investors alike. Joel is a true visionary and exposes the real message of aligning our investments, large or small, with our values in a thought provoking way.

Joel Solomon's Clean Money Revolution is a fantastic read. One hour of this book will bring you multiple hours of thought and I can only imagine a lifetime of references. It's a great baseline to check back on and see if you are truly investing in your values. Additionally, I trust Joel's opinion, his heart is so open and inspiring. Buy this book as a favour to yourself and your children. Its intention is to bridge generations and offer something new. We have a real opportunity here, and Joel makes it incredibly accessible.

In a time when inherited wealth bears the stigma of unearned entitlement and privilege, one man has devoted his life to living a different truth. When I met Joel Solomon in 2010, he told me that nothing can motivate a person to think of the future like impending death. This book is the story of tragedy and renewal by a shining example of what Joel calls "billionaires of love" - fortunate individuals who use their wealth to better the planet rather than indulge in shortsighted hoarding and vanity projects. By sharing and investing with ethically evolved entrepreneurs and businesses, Joel is walking the talk and showing people of conscience and vision how to grow money for good. Superbly written with green entrepreneur and gifted writer Tyee Bridge. My favorite book of the decade! Can't recommend it highly enough.

Practical, inspiring, and great story of how investment is evolving to shape a more just and sustainable future. Tracking Joel's life story it unpacks and re-seeds our relationship to money and provides a great example of systems change playing out over decades. I've already started sharing this book with family and friends... whether they are just starting out in the world, seasoned investment executives, or social change activists... there's a dose of unexpected wisdom for everyone.