University of California, Los Angeles

I teach and research in the Communication Department in the College of Letters and Science at the University of California, Los Angeles. My areas of specialization include: rhetoric and the neuroscience of words; persuasion and leadership; creative communication and leadership; emotionally intelligent communication; meaning-making in the context of purpose and happiness; and entertainment education.

In addition to my role in my home Department of Communication at UCLA, I also teach the history, theory, research, and application of happiness and well being in UCLA Extension's Department of Public Health & Sustainability, the continuing education arm of UCLA.

Faculty Member

Harvard Business Review

Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.

Advisor

Workshops & Trainings Around The World

If you're interested in working with me to deliver workshops, trainings, or keynotes for your organization on happiness, creative leadership, or compassionate and emotionally intelligent communication for interpersonal and group relationships, here are some common topics I speak on:

Workshop Topics and Trainings:

"Happiness for High Achieving Individuals & Institutions"

"Mastering Happiness In Your Personal & Professional Relationships"

"Compassionate & Emotionally Intelligent Communication For Positive Well Being & Conflict Resolution"

"Creative Communication & Leadership"

Organizations I've spoken at and presented to (partial listing):

-Harvard Chan School of Public Health
-Oxford University
-South by Southwest EDU
-Pacific Clinics
-The Irvine Unified School District
-Square, Inc., Cash App, Inc., Block, Inc.
-The LA Chamber of Commerce
-Sony Studios
-American Apparel
-Boston Congress for Public Health

Happiness, Emotional Intelligence, & Leadership Trainer, Workshop Presenter, & Keynote Speaker

Selected Scholarly & Popular Press Articles

-Carpenter, R. (2009). Spreading Public Knowledge, Los Angeles Business Journal, Los Angeles, CA.

-Carpenter, R. (2020). Communicating the Learning Sciences Through Entertainment: The Next Frontier, New America Foundation, Washington, D.C.

-Carpenter, R. (2020). Self-reflection in the age of distraction and radical change. LinkedIn, Los Angeles, CA.

-Carpenter, R. (2021). Youth Trauma is a Silent Epidemic That Must Be Stopped, Harvard Public Health Review (HPHR), Cambridge, Massachusetts.

-Carpenter, R. (2021). Dear Dr. Rob: How Do I Heal From My Traumas?, Flapper Press, Los Angeles, California.

Carpenter, R. (2021). Dear Dr. Rob: How Do I Eliminate Imposter Syndrome?, Flapper Press, Los Angeles, California. 

-Carpenter, R. (2021). Dear Dr. Rob: How Do I Overcome My Insecurities?, Flapper Press, Los Angeles, California.

-Carpenter, R. (2024). How to Make Hollywood (And America) More Humane, UC Berkeley Greater Good Magazine, Berkeley, California.

-Carpenter, R. (2024). Three Actions We Can Take Now to Heal Our College Campuses, UC Berkeley Greater Good Magazine, Berkeley, California.

-Carpenter, R. (2024, August 7). 9 ways to create an “intellectually humble” classroom. JSTOR Daily

Publications

UC Berkeley, New America,  LA Chamber of Commerce, Et Al

-Fellow, Bridging Differences Learning Fellow (Project-Based Cohort), UC Berkeley Center For Greater Good (2024-2025)

-Fellow, Bridging Differences (Campus Cohort), UC Berkeley Center for Greater Good (2023-2024)

-Fellow, Learning Sciences Exchange, New America Foundation (2018-2020)

-Fellow, Talma (2016)

-Fellow, Reality Global, Shusterman Foundation (2015)

-Fellow, Global Innovation Fellows, CSULA (2013-2014)

-Fellow, California Connections, LA Chamber of Commerce (2012)

-Fellow, Leadership LA, LA Chamber of Commerce (2009-2010)

Fellowhips

How to Adapt a Novel Into A Screenplay (A Red Carpet Manuscript Book, Debuted May 7th, 2024)

Unlock the Secrets to The Hollywood Adaptation

In this comprehensive yet short and easy-to-read guide, Dr. Rob Carpenter invites you on an exhilarating journey into the heart of Hollywood adaptation. Drawing on adaptations from the last 50 years in Hollywood, How to Adapt a Novel Into A Screenplay reveals the essential tools and strategies you need to transform your beloved novel or intellectual property into a captivating screenplay fit for the silver screen. Using examples of both successful and unsuccessful adaptations as well as a step-by-step formula for how to convert your novel or IP into a screenplay, How to Adapt a Novel Into A Screenplay shows the everyday novelist what Hollywood is looking for in an adaptation, what elements to keep and exclude from the original manuscript, how to format an adapted screenplay, and the next steps to take to get your book into the right Hollywood hands.

Non-Fiction Author

Icons & Legends (Debuted April 2023)

Everyone has the ability to live a legendary life. But only those bold and brave enough actually do. In Icons & Legends: Success Strategies of the World's Most Influential Celebrities, you will discover the secrets that iconic celebrities have used to live the life of their dreams, re-make society in their own image, and inspire millions of people to be their best. As importantly, you will also discover how to take their secrets and apply them to every area of your life starting right now. If you desire to get to the next - and highest - level of success, this book is for you.

In Icons & Legends, you will:

-Discover the top life lessons of nearly 50 celebrities, including "old-school" celebrities ranging from Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplain to "new school" celebrities like The Rock and Jennifer Lawrence.

-Learn the specific 5 strategies each icon employed to reach - and stay at - the top

-Uncover the business philosophies these legends tapped into that made them unstoppable

-Dive into the special life moments that gave them "the keys" to their destinies

-And be taught how to apply their wisdom to your personal and professional life

In this easy-to-read and highly-entertaining book, each chapter can be completed in only 5 to 7 minutes a day and you can skip around out of order without losing any of the insights these icons have fought so hard to attain. In other words, Icons and Legends is your BITE-SIZED ENCYCLOPEDIA for success you can use anytime, anywhere.

"The wisdom and life lessons you'll learn from this book are profound." - Kayona Ebony Brown, Emmy Award Winning Screenwriter, Producer, & Author

"Dr. Rob has captured the magic of media celebrities in a bite-sized and inspiring way. The stories and lessons of these stars are words to live by." - Bob Boden, Emmy-Nominated Television Producer, Network & Studio Executive, College Professor, TV Historian

"A treasure trove of insight." - Phil Ramuno, Primetime Television Director

SULA Visual & Performing Arts Program

Film, Animation, & Sports Lecturer

Boston Congress of Public Health Public (Summer) Health & Leadership Academy

Public Health Lecturer

Red Carpet Manuscript: How Authors Can Bring Their Book to the Big Screen (Debuted January 2022)

*** Red Carpet Manuscript is a #1 International Best-selling book on Amazon (in Authorship & Two Hour Arts & Photography Short Reads) ***

In the book, authors are provided with a clear, compassionate, and entertaining roadmap for how they can conquer Hollywood. They learn about the Hollywood mindset they need to win, the contracts Hollywood offers authors, and the specific adaptation documents Hollywood needs before it can seriously begin considering their work. In this book, they also learn how to find and directly reach out to busy Hollywood executives and be given practical strategies and tools to be as successful as possible as an author in Hollywood.

From a review: "If you are serious about wanting success, start with Red Carpet Manuscript and then take it from there. I'm glad I did!"

Hi there, I’m Dr. Rob! I’m a UCLA faculty member, author of four books, and a specialist in storytelling, leadership, and mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of wearing many hats: working at the White House, running a tech startup, working on many Hollywood sets, and serving as the Transportation Commissioner of Los Angeles. These diverse experiences have shaped my passion for helping individuals, organizations, and society unlock their full potential.

I’m a firm believer in the power of creativity and storytelling to drive change, inspire innovation, and foster leadership. Let’s connect and explore how we can make an impact together! Learn more at robcarpenter.org.

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