Be the Sun, Not the Salt

What happens when two powerhouse women from distinctly different professional backgrounds bring science, soul, and a whole lot of humor to the podcast mic? In this inspiring episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine welcome Lori Schulweis, a longtime (Emmy Award-winning!) television producer known for her years on “Live with Mark and Kelly”, and Jenn Giamo, a certifi...

Ever wonder how to actually practice being the sun, not the salt, in daily life? In our very first episode of the “How Do I…” series, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine dig into the practical side of living heliotropically, starting with the question: “How do I start my day off right?” Here’s what you’ll hear: - Honest, real-life routines from Harry and Connie, including gratitude lists, positive...

Ever wondered if you could actually turn back the biological clock? In this game-changing episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine welcome Dr. Michael Roizen —pioneering longevity expert, Chief Wellness Officer Emeritus at the World-Renowned Cleveland Clinic, author of 9 best selling books and 195+ Peer-Reviewed Papers, and Holder of 14 Patents—for a conversation th...

Ever wonder how Be the Sun, Not the Salt came to life? In this special origin story episode, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine pull back the curtain on the journey from a single TED Talk to a bestselling book and a podcast that’s sparking positive change around the world. What’s the story behind the sun and the salt? Harry shares how the phrase “lead people with an afterglow, not an aftertaste—b...

Ever find yourself nodding along to good advice… but not actually putting it into action? You’re not alone! In this final episode of our Gentle Nudge series, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine go all in on Chapter 30: “Frickin Do It” —the ultimate rally cry for turning knowledge into action and making positive habits stick. Why should you tune in? Get a burst of motivation to move from “knowing”...

Ever wish people really heard you—or that you could be the kind of listener everyone trusts? In this episode of “Be the Sun, Not the Salt,” Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine continue their Gentle Nudge series with Chapter 29: “Be an Olympic Listener” —your invitation to level up from “just hearing” to truly connecting. Why tune in?  Listening is an everyday superpower: Discover why being an “Oly...

Ever feel like there’s a daily battle between your best self and… well, the other one? What if winning was as simple as choosing which one to feed? 🤔  In this powerful episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine unpack Chapter 28: “Practice, Practice, Practice” —a transformative look at the one habit that changes everything. Why should you tune in? Discover the ancien...

Ever feel like giving up when things get tough or when others don’t play fair? What if the most powerful choice is to shine your light anyway? 🌟 In this Gentle Nudge episode of “Be the Sun, Not the Salt,” Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine dive into Chapter 27: “Do It Anyway”—your ultimate anthem for resilience, perseverance, and choosing to be heliotropic no matter what. Why should you tune in?...

Ever wondered what it means to make a difference—even when no one’s watching? 🌟 In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine guide you through Chapter 26: Fill in the Potholes—a thought-provoking conversation about small acts, big impact, and the quiet magic of doing good. Why tune in? Discover how tiny, anonymous gestures can ripple out and change your world—...

What really matters—and what’s just noise? In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine invite you to hit pause and reflect with Chapter 25: “Decide What Matters Most.” If you’ve ever felt torn between speaking up or letting something go, this gentle nudge is for you. What’s the Big Idea? Discover how to spot the difference between life’s real priorities and th...

Ever catch yourself feeling a little off your game? 🤔 In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine explore Chapter 24: “Remember Who You Are” - your gentle nudge to reconnect with your best self, live authentically, and shine a little brighter every day. Why does remembering who you are matter? 🌟 Identity shapes action: As James Clear puts it in  Atomic Habit...

Ever feel like your emotions are running the show instead of you? 😵‍💫 In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Ethan Kross, world-renowned expert on emotional regulation and bestselling author of Chatter and Shift . Together with Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine, Ethan dives deep into the science and practical tools for managing your inner voice, controlling...

Ever lost your cool over something tiny-like spilled coffee or a snarky email-and then realized it set the tone for your whole day? 😬 In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine break down Chapter 23: “Keep Your Cool”-your go-to guide for stress management, emotional regulation, and staying calm under pressure. Why does keeping your cool matter? 🧠 Practice m...

Ever found yourself knee-deep in an argument about chocolate vs. vanilla—or something way more personal, like politics or identity? 🍦🗳️ In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine shine a light on Chapter 22: “Smile and Move On.” Here’s the real talk: 😁 Smile first, react later: Whether it’s a silly debate about ice cream or a deeply held belief, arguing rar...

Ever find yourself stewing over little things—like someone being late or leaving the cupboard open (again)? 🙃 In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine dig into Chapter 21: “Release Your Pet Peeves” —your gentle nudge to let go of those everyday annoyances that just aren’t worth your peace. What’s the big idea? 🧘‍♂️ Let it go, let it go: Holding onto pet p...

Ever felt like you deserved to stay mad? 😡 In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine unpack Chapter 20: “Take the High Road”—a powerful reminder that holding onto anger only salts your own roots. Key takeaways: 🌟 The high road is for YOU : Letting go of petty negativity isn’t about the other person—it’s about freeing yourself. ⏳ Work through it : Whether...

Ever had someone say one thing but mean something totally different? 🙃 In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine dive into Chapter 19: “Make Your Motive Clear and Clean”—a gentle nudge to check your intentions before you speak or act. Key takeaways: 💡 Say what you mean, mean what you say—but don’t say it mean: The golden rule of clear communication. 🧹 Che...

Ever had one of those "Oops, I messed up!" moments? In this mini-episode, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine are back with a game-changing mantra in Chapter 18: "Do the Next Right Thing"! Spoiler alert: We're all gonna be salty sometimes, but it's what you do next that counts! Harry's hot takes: 🧼 Clean-up on aisle "Me": Why your screw-ups are actuall...

Ever tried cheering up a friend… only to accidentally make things worse? Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine are back with a Gentle Nudge from Chapter 17: “Help Others Keep Perspective”—and they’re dishing out gentle wisdom for those “I just want to fix it!” moments. Hot takes from today’s toolkit: 🩹 Scars, not wounds: Borrowing Rachel Hollis’ genius line, learn why timing matters when offering p...

Ready to supercharge your relationships with a little gratitude magic? 🌟 In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine dive into Chapter 16: “Speak Fluent Gratitude.” The magic trick? Expressing thanks isn’t just about saying “thanks” – it’s about speaking from the heart with specificity. Harry shares a heartfelt text from a friend that brightened his day, whil...

Ever caught yourself rambling through a story or dropping verbal grenades that backfire? Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine—your Be the Sun, Not the Salt super-smart duo—are back with Chapter 15: “Make Your Words Count.” Spoiler alert: Less really is more when it comes to communication! Harry spills the tea on why cutting extra or inflammatory words turbocharges your clarity, while Connie shares...

Have you ever turned a simple task into a full-blown project? We’ve all been there! In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt , Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine tackle Chapter 14, “Don’t Be a Complexifier,” from Harry’s book. Together, they unpack why simplicity is not only powerful but also essential for improving our lives and relationships. We’ll explore how overthinking and complicating t...

Have you ever called yourself a friggin idiot? Most of us have, but would you ever say that to your best friend? Nope! In today’s tip to make your life a little better, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine explore Chapter 13, 'Be Your Own Best Friend,' from Harry's book, Be the Sun, Not the Salt. Today we’ll delve into how to recognize and STOP the negative self-talk. While it’s true...

In this episode of the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' podcast, hosts Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine explore the key concepts of Chapter 12, 'Hold the Salt,' from Harry's book. We’ll discuss the metaphorical significance of salt and how toxic behaviors can negatively impact others. We know that by refraining from expressing negative emotions and behaviors, we create a more...

In this episode of the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' podcast, hosts Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine explore the concept of walking away from toxic environments, as described in Chapter 11, 'Learn to Walk Away' from Harry's book. Our discussion drills into the importance of gracefully extricating oneself from negative situations, whether they be physical, emotional, or con...