

Evolving with Gratitude
Lainie Rowell
Evolving with Gratitude examines the science and stories that optimize happiness, relationships, and performance in work and life. Host Lainie Rowell sits down with leading thinkers, researchers, authors, and practitioners to explore evidence-based insights on gratitude, well-being, resilience, leadership, and human connection. Each episode offers practical ideas we can apply immediately to thrive personally and professionally.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 14, 2023 • 34min
Episode 44 - Bamboo Moments on the Road to Awesome with Guest Darrin Peppard
Buckle up for an inspiring ride! Dr. Pep's honesty and vulnerability combined with his message of positivity and hope make this an engaging and delightful listen. Darrin provides powerful ways to create a culture and climate where everyone can succeed feeling seen, heard, valued, and trusted.
Shoutouts to Betsy Parker, Eric Lillis, Jessica Peppard (wife) and Liz Peppard (daughter).
Transcript available at LainieRowell.com
About Our Guest:
Traveler of the Road to Awesome, professional speaker, leadership coach, & author helping leaders gain clarity, walk in purpose, and find joy in their work - Host of the Leaning into Leadership Podcast.
Website: roadtoawesome.net
Twitter: @DarrinMPeppard
Instagram: @darrin_m_peppard
About Lainie:
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, her expertise includes learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.
Twitter - @LainieRowell
Instagram - @LainieRowell
Evolving with Gratitude, the book, is now available! Purchase here!
You can also get bulk orders for your staff (10 copies or more) at a discounted price! Just fill out the form linked below and someone will get back to you ASAP! bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount

Feb 7, 2023 • 28min
Episode 43 - FreshAir is Better Together with Guest Bryon Carpenter
Are you ready for a breath of fresh air??? Bryon Carpenter is an educator working with kids at every age and stage teaching math, digital media design, and chemistry! In this very cool episode, Bryon reveals a personal decision he made as an adult that has made all the difference!
Transcript available at LainieRowell.com
About Our Guest:
Husband, father, Christ-follower, teacher, chemist, outdoors, enthusiast, fisherman, content creator, podcaster, glad for the journey.
Website: Bryoncarpenter.com
Twitter: @bryoncar
About Lainie:
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, her expertise includes learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.
Twitter - @LainieRowell
Instagram - @LainieRowell
Evolving with Gratitude, the book, is now available! Purchase here!
You can also get bulk orders for your staff (10 copies or more) at a discounted price! Just fill out the form linked below and someone will get back to you ASAP! bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount

Jan 31, 2023 • 38min
Episode 42 - Moving Through the World Using Magic Words with Guest Marva Hinton
How can we ReadMore, write more, and share more? Writer, editor, podcaster, and reader, Marva Hinton is always honoring people and their stories! Whether she is editing for Edutopia or hosting her podcast ReadMore, she asks the questions that bring us to a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Transcript available at LainieRowell.com
About Our Guest:
Marva Hinton is a freelance journalist and a contributing editor for Edutopia. She also hosts the ReadMore Podcast, an interview show that primarily features writers of colors. As a freelance journalist, she tends to cover issues regarding marginalized communities, particularly in education. She has a degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MFA in creative writing from Antioch University Los Angeles. She’s a big sports fan. She also loves cooking shows and game shows. She lives in South Florida with her husband, their two kids, and their beloved geriatric cat.
Website: readmorepodcast.com
Twitter: @MarvaAHinton
Instagram: @marvaahinton
About Lainie:
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, her expertise includes learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.
Twitter - @LainieRowell
Instagram - @LainieRowell
Evolving with Gratitude, the book, is now available! Purchase here!
You can also get bulk orders for your staff (10 copies or more) at a discounted price! Just fill out the form linked below and someone will get back to you ASAP! bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount

Jan 24, 2023 • 29min
Episode 41 - Choosing Our Lens Each Day with Guest Tom Murray
What lens did you choose today? In this heartfelt episode, Tom shares how we can be intentional about recognizing great things that are happening without minimizing the real challenges we have in our world around mental health and the real struggles people are facing. Tom encourages us and inspires us while also lovingly challenging us to show our care, show our concern, show our love, and be intentional about doing so.
Blog post mentioned in the show: EVERY DAY...SHE RAN TO YOU
Transcript available at LainieRowell.com
About Our Guest:
Tom serves as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools®, a project of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. He has testified before the United States Congress and has worked alongside that body, the US Senate, the White House, the US Department of Education and state departments of education, corporations, and school districts throughout the country to implement student-centered learning while helping to lead Future Ready Schools® and Digital Learning Day. An ASCD best-selling author, Murray serves as a regular conference keynote, was named the "2018 National/Global EdTech Leader of the Year," by EdTech Digest, the "2017 Education Thought Leader of the Year," one of "20 to Watch" by NSBA in 2016, and the "Education Policy Person of the Year" by the Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2015. His best-selling book, Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow’s Schools, Today, co-authored with Eric Sheninger and published by ASCD, was released in June 2017. His most recent book, Personal & Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences that Impact a Lifetime, was released in October of 2019.
Website: thomascmurray.com
Twitter: @thomascmurray
Instagram: @thomascmurrayedu
About Lainie:
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, her expertise includes learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.
Twitter - @LainieRowell
Instagram - @LainieRowell
Evolving with Gratitude, the book, is now available! Purchase here!
You can also get bulk orders for your staff (10 copies or more) at a discounted price! Just fill out the form linked below and someone will get back to you ASAP! bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount

Jan 17, 2023 • 29min
Episode 40 - Naming the Impact and Sharing the Story with Guest Bri Hodges
Bri is my "sister from another mister"! She also inspires innovation, fosters empathetic learning cultures, and puts purpose into practice with educators throughout the country. She wears many hats including a cowboy hat and she is known as a horse wrangler! This episode is a #MustListen!
Transcript available at LainieRowell.com
About Our Guest:
An experienced leader in education, strategy, culture development, and implementation, Brianna Henneke Hodges helps develop and enact human-centered transformational strategies that personalize experience, elevate engagement and enhance outcomes. Bri is Learner-Centered Collaborative's Director of Strategic Partnerships. She was named K12 Administrator to Watch (2018) and Texas EdTech of the Year (2017). Brianna is also National Advisor & Spokesperson for Future Ready Instructional Leaders, Future Ready Faculty member, and co-host of the Lemonade Learning podcast and host of Learning Through Uncertainty, a Future Ready Schools Podcast.
Website: briannahodges.com
Twitter: @bhodgesEDU
Instagram: @bhodgesEDU
About Lainie:
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, her expertise includes learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.
Twitter - @LainieRowell
Instagram - @LainieRowell
Evolving with Gratitude, the book, is now available! Purchase here!
You can also get bulk orders for your staff (10 copies or more) at a discounted price! Just fill out the form linked below and someone will get back to you ASAP! bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount

Jan 10, 2023 • 33min
Episode 39 - Making the Invisible Visible with Guest Jerry Almendarez
If you are looking for a master class in authenticity and making the invisible, visible, look no further! Jerry Almendarez is an inclusive, listening leader, who continuously shares the brilliance of learners of all ages.
Transcript available at LainieRowell.com
About Our Guest:
Jerry Almendarez’ career in education spans 28 years and includes experience as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. As the Superintendent of Schools for the Santa Ana Unified School District, he is responsible for leading the 11th largest school district in the State, with 56 schools and programs, approximately 5,000 employees, and an expense budget of $890.6 million. In 2019, Jerry Almendarez was named a 2019 Ted-Ed Innovative Educator and in 2020 was named CALSA Region 6 Superintendent of the Year.
Website: sausd.us
Twitter: @JerryAlmendarez
Instagram: @JerryAlmendarez
About Lainie:
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, her expertise includes learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.
Twitter - @LainieRowell
Instagram - @LainieRowell
Evolving with Gratitude, the book, is now available! Purchase here!
You can also get bulk orders for your staff (10 copies or more) at a discounted price! Just fill out the form linked below and someone will get back to you ASAP! bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount

Jan 3, 2023 • 36min
Episode 38 - Mutual Care and Happiness with Guest Robert Dunlop
Get ready for heartfelt stories, empowering strategies, and the joyful attitude of Robert Dunlop! He inspires us to S.T.R.I.V.E for happiness in all aspects of our lives. This episode will nurture your heart and your mind!
Transcript available here.
About Our Guest:
Robert Dunlop is a teacher, speaker and author who has a passion for helping other educators love their careers. His work with thousands of teachers, principals and support staff has given him insight into the importance of happiness in education. He believes that all students deserve to be surrounded by educators who are passionate and love coming to school each day. To help make this a reality, he has made it his mission to help educators make happiness and well-being a priority. Recently, he published STRIVE for Happiness in Education and speaks regularly to spread his message.
Website: motivatedu.com
Twitter: @robdunlopEDU
Instagram: @robdunlopedu
About Lainie:
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, her expertise includes learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.
Twitter - @LainieRowell
Instagram - @LainieRowell
Evolving with Gratitude, the book, is now available! Purchase here!
You can also get bulk orders for your staff (10 copies or more) at a discounted price! Just fill out the form linked below and someone will get back to you ASAP! bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount

Jan 1, 2023 • 2min
Trailer: #EvolvingWithGratitude
Welcome to the Evolving with Gratitude Podcast. I’m your host Lainie Rowell and I’m thankful you are here!
In this podcast, we're exploring the incredible power of gratitude in improving our well-being, nurturing relationships, and making our world a better place. And those ideas are the foundation of this podcast. We will:
discover ways to continuously improve ourselves and boost overall well-being, helping us lead fuller, more satisfying lives.
delve into how gratitude can enhance our relationships and create a profound sense of belonging, fostering happiness and deeper connections in all communities.
uncover how gratitude can ignite a spark that inspires all of us to make the world a better place through acts of kindness and compassion.
These episodes will feature a blend of solo explorations and engaging conversations. We'll share practical gratitude practices that you can start using immediately, and we'll bring you heartfelt stories from individuals across various walks of life who demonstrate the transformative power of authentic gratitude in their interactions with the world.
If you are looking to enrich your life, #EvolvingWithGratitude is here to spread joy and empower us to flourish.
Join us as we have the conversations about improving well-being, nurturing relationships, and making the world a better place—one thankful moment at a time.

Dec 27, 2022 • 51min
The 2022 #EvolvingWithGratitude Podcast Highlights
Get ready to be filled with joy, hope, and inspiration as you listen to highlights of Season 1 of the pod! There are so many takeaways from these #EvolvingWithGratitude guests! The hardest part of producing this episode was picking just one highlight per episode! I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed putting this together.
PS- My hubby, Lawrence, decided to join in the fun so there is a cameo of him as he introduces one of the highlights!
About Lainie:
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, her expertise includes learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.
Twitter - @LainieRowell
Instagram - @LainieRowell
Evolving with Gratitude, the book, is now available! Purchase here!
You can also get bulk orders for your staff (10 copies or more) at a discounted price! Just fill out the form linked below and someone will get back to you ASAP! bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount

Dec 20, 2022 • 27min
Episode 37 - Hope and Serendipity with Guest Allyson Apsey
Prepare to be delighted by an amazing human, Allyson Apsey! She shares her philosophy of life with hope and how her new role (which could be described as detective meets Iron Chef) is bringing energy, light, and focus to wherever she goes.
Transcript available here.
About Our Guest:
Allyson Apsey has been an award-winning school leader for nearly 20 years, leading all levels from elementary to High School. She is a best-selling author of several books—including Leading the Whole Teacher and The Path to Serendipity.
Website: allysonapsey.com
Twitter: @AllysonApsey
Instagram: @AllysonApsey
About Lainie:
Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner and a contributing author of Because of a Teacher. Her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, her expertise includes learner-driven design, community building, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.
Twitter - @LainieRowell
Instagram - @LainieRowell
Evolving with Gratitude, the book, is now available! Purchase here!
You can also get bulk orders for your staff (10 copies or more) at a discounted price! Just fill out the form linked below and someone will get back to you ASAP! bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount


