Debra Gonsher Vinik, Ph.D.
My Mission
Let's be honest: being told to 'just be grateful' is often a well-intentioned but ultimately useless platitude. It doesn't hold up in the face of real stress, cynicism, or the sheer chaos of modern life. My mission is to wrangle gratitude—to turn it from a vague concept into a practical, evidence-based tool for mental fitness. I’m Debra Gonsher Vinik, Ph.D. and I re-frame gratitude for cynics, realists, and anyone tired of toxic positivity. As The Gratitude Wrangler, my work is backed by neuroscience—specifically the brain's ability to rewire itself (neuroplasticity). My keynote, 'Gratitude for Cynics,' provides a street-smart system to build resilience and fortify well-being, giving people a grounded strength that works even when life doesn't.
Meet Debra
Debra Gonsher Vinik is a 6-time EMMY award-winning documentary producer, author, entrepreneur and Professor Emeritus (CUNY). For over thirty years, she has uncovered vital human stories—from the front lines of the opioid crisis to the science of gratitude. This lifelong work culminates in her latest documentary, "I Thank, Therefore I Am," which directly explores the transformative power of gratefulness she now brings to the stage.
Driven by a commitment to social justice, she translates her decades of documentary research into actionable gratitude practices on stage, giving audiences the tools to reshape their own narratives.
A highly sought-after speaker, Debra has presented her documentary work to organizations like the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and Johns Hopkins University. She has helped teams, congregations, and campus groups to reignite their purpose and build a sustainable foundation for success.
To book Debra for your next event or to learn more, visit gratitudewrangler.com.
(She credits her 6 EMMYs to a combination of grit, gratitude, and a steady supply of malted milk balls.)
Debra's Talks
Gratitude for Cynics:
The Hard Science of Beating Burnout and Building a Better Organization
Tired of toxic positivity? This talk is for you. Drawing on her 30 years of storytelling and the latest neuroscience, 6-time EMMY winner Debra Gonsher Vinik reveals gratitude not as a soft skill, but as a hard strategy for neuroplasticity. Learn how a deliberate gratitude practice can rewire the brain to combat burnout, boost resilience, and foster connection. We’ll move far beyond simple lists to explore actionable, research-backed practices that build a more innovative and productive culture. This is gratitude, deconstructed for the real world and backed by hard science.
Your Most Strategic Asset:
Leading with a Grateful Mindset
The most effective leaders cultivate energy, not just manage resources. In this session, Debra Gonsher Vinik lays out the neuroscience-based business case for gratitude as a core leadership competency. Discover how a grateful mindset—activated through specific, sophisticated practices—directly impacts retention and innovation. We’ll move beyond basic thank-yous to frameworks that make your team feel truly seen and valued, unlocking their full potential. Transform your leadership from transactional to inspirational by leveraging the proven power of gratitude to shape your culture and your bottom line.
The Sustaining Power of Thanks:
Gratitude as a Caregiver's Daily Practice
For those who give so much of themselves, gratitude isn't a luxury—it's a lifeline. Drawing on three decades of human stories, Debra Gonsher Vinik reveals how a simple gratitude practice can be a powerful tool to combat compassion fatigue, reduce stress, and rediscover the profound meaning in your vital work. This talk offers compassionate, research-backed strategies to help caregivers and staff protect their own well-being, fostering a more resilient and joyful environment for themselves and those they care for. Learn to replenish your spirit so you can continue to give from a full cup.
“Having witnessed Debra speak is to watch a master educator at work. Her Emmy-winning credibility (22 films 6 Emmys) isn't just impressive– it’s the foundation for something rarer: a speaker who makes complex neuroscience feel like a lifeline. In this fractured world, I left not just moved but rewired. If you seek science with soul– and tangible armor against burnout– hear her.”
Marvin Seppala, MD | Medical Director Emeritus Hazelden Betty Ford
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