Be the Sun, Not the Salt

In this episode of the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' podcast, hosts Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine explore Chapter 10, 'Don't Hang with Cilantro,' from Harry's book. (Did you know cilantro tastes like soap to some people?) This chapter highlights the importance of being and surrounding oneself with good company. We’ll discuss maintaining healthy boundaries to protec...

In this episode of the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' podcast, hosts Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine delve into Chapter 9, 'Win Win Always Wins,' from Harry's book. We discuss how to keep a win-win mindset in various scenarios, and the importance of ensuring positive outcomes for all parties involved. Through real-life examples and insights, we’ll dig into how this approac...

In this episode of the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' podcast, hosts Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine delve into Chapter 8, 'Assume Positive Intent,' from Harry's book. We discuss the profound impact of interpreting others' actions positively rather than jumping to negative conclusions. Through personal anecdotes and practical examples, we’ll explore how shifting one&a...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Jill Martin to explore her inspiring journey from a renowned lifestyle expert and TV personality to a resilient cancer warrior. Jill shares personal anecdotes about her battle with breast cancer, the lessons she’s learned, and how she strives to live by the philosophy of 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt.' We delve into Jill's professional accompl...

In this episode of the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' podcast, hosts Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine explore Chapter 7, 'Apologize Well,' from Harry's book. They discuss the importance of making heartfelt apologies without justifications or excuses. By sharing personal experiences and practical insights, they highlight the key elements of a genuine apology — acknowledging...

In today’s episode, Dr. Harry Cohen and co-host Connie Fontaine explore Chapter 6, 'Light Someone Up,' from the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' book. They delve into the concept of heliotropic people, discussing the science behind heliotropism and the characteristics that make someone a positive energizer. They emphasize the importance of being intentionally uplifting, kind, and com...

Join us for an inspiring discussion with Brad Aronson, author of 'Humankind: Changing the World One Small Act at a Time.' Brad shares his journey of discovering the profound impact of small gestures of kindness, especially during difficult times. He emphasizes the importance of being seen (and what that really means) and the power of simple actions to make a huge difference in the lives...

In this episode of the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' podcast, co-hosts Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine delve into Chapter 5, 'Be Your Best Self,' from Harry's book. They discuss the power and simplicity of showing up in our own uniquely heliotropic ways, to authentically bring our best to any situation. We don’t have to pretend to be anybody else; we just have to bring ou...

In this special mini-episode of 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt,' hosts Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine discuss Chapter 4, 'Show You Care,' from Harry’s book. We’ll explore the deeper aspects of genuine and authentic caring, emphasizing the importance of expressing love and appreciation in meaningful ways. Connie and Harry stress that caring is a learnable skill, and share the wa...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rachel Hollis, who opens up about her remarkable journey from lifestyle blogger to best-selling author.​ Rachel's candid stories reveal how life's twists and turns have shaped her into the motivational powerhouse she is today. Rachel's infectious energy shines through as she discusses her upcoming book, 'What If YOU Are the Answer?&apo...

Today we have a new "Gentle Nudge" mini-episode, where we take a deep dive into each chapter, breaking down each tip into actionable examples so that we can each practice being our best selves in new ways. In this episode of 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt,' co-hosts Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine explore the vital importance of respecting others and their feelings. From the fam...

Today we have a new "Gentle Nudge" mini-episode, where we take a deep dive into each chapter, breaking down each tip into actionable examples so that we can each practice being our best selves in new ways. Co-hosts Connie Fontaine and Dr. Harry Cohen explore Chapter 2 from the "Be the Sun, Not the Salt" book: “Be Helpful.” We chat about what that really means and how to determi...

Today's episode is the first of our "Gentle Nudge" series of mini-episodes, where we take a deep dive into each chapter, breaking down each tip into actionable examples so that we can each practice being our best selves in new ways. Co-hosts Connie Fontaine and Dr. Harry Cohen explore Chapter 1 from the "Be the Sun, Not the Salt" book, entitled "Do All the Good You Ca...

In this episode of the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' podcast, we dive deep into the life and wisdom of Laura Morton, a prolific author and filmmaker, known for her work on the documentary 'Anxious Nation.' With over 22 New York Times bestselling books to her name, Laura shares invaluable insights from her journey as a storyteller, a breast cancer survivor, and a single parent. The...

In this episode, Commander Adam Kahnke, a highly accomplished (yet incredibly humble) naval officer, shares his 30-year journey in the U.S. Navy and the teams he’s built along the way. Currently serving at the Pentagon, Kahnke discusses his unique experience in developing the command of the USS Arkansas from scratch while applying the principles of 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' to create a...

Step into the ring with Tim Storey, the legendary 'Comeback Coach,' as he unveils the secret weapons for life's toughest battles. In this episode, Storey shares his remarkable journey from a childhood in Compton to working with some of the world's most influential figures, including Barry Gordy and Oprah Winfrey. In this insightful conversation, Storey offers a unique perspecti...

In this heartfelt episode, hosts Connie Fontaine and Dr. Harry Cohen delve into the profound lessons learned from Joan Lunden and her daughter, Jamie Hess. Joan reflects on her journey as a national morning show anchor of Good Morning America for nearly 20 years, navigating motherhood and demonstrating the power of embracing one's vulnerabilities while maintaining a positive, authentic presen...

In this episode, Harry, Connie, and their guest Ira Rosen, a 24-time Emmy-winning investigative journalist formerly with 60 Minutes, discuss the importance of positive influences, making conscious choices, and the profound impacts of role models, both good and bad. Ira shares his family's history of survival during World War II, offering a poignant lesson on the choices between good and evil....

In this engaging episode, Will Guidara, a pioneering figure in the world of fine dining and hospitality, and the author of “Unreasonable Hospitality,” joins hosts Connie Fontaine and Harry Cohen. Will delves into the philosophy and practical applications of 'Unreasonable Hospitality,' sharing impactful stories from his career, including the origins of his concept and how it can be applie...

Dr. Rana Awdish shares her profound journey from being a critical care physician to a patient fighting for her life, and how this experience revolutionized her perspective on patient care. After losing an unborn child and nearly losing her own life due to a burst tumor, Rana witnessed firsthand the gaps in the healthcare system, particularly in how medical professionals handle emotional care and c...

Trinea Gonczar, a former gymnast and survivor of the Larry Nassar sexual assault case, shares her ongoing journey from trauma to healing and how she helps others find light in their darkest times. We discuss the importance of offering grace to oneself and others, and Trinea’s impactful work at the Avalon Healing Center , and the need for survivors to have support systems and plans in place to navi...

Mindy Holman is the Chair of Holman, a privately owned 100 year old automotive services company with over 7000 employees in the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, and Germany. As the third generation leader of a company whose stated mission is to provide a rewarding career and a better life for their employees and their families, she takes that mission to heart. Mindy, in fact, is as much responsible for &qu...

Farzin Shadpour started a venture capital fund which has invested in over 58 start up companies from countries all over the world. Two of those startups now have a valuation of over one billion dollars - a “unicorn“ in investment terms. Identifying as a high functioning neuro-diverse autistic person, Farzin articulates the points he practices from "Be the Sun, Not the Salt," which he des...

Kathy White is not only remarkable in her lifelong accomplishments - Princeton graduate, Rhodes Scholar, Law Professor, Brigadier General, University of Michigan Regent - she is equally committed to being a better person. In this episode, Kathy shares why the metaphor and the book, 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt,' has been such a helpful tool for her and her colleagues. Listen to how her team...

Marion Harris, CEO of Ford Motor Credit, is a successful captain of industry and a serious practitioner of heliotropic leadership. He shares his tips for success in the corporate world, as someone who’s learned from leaders both good and not-so-good. As you’ll hear from him, the most important leadership trait is to care enough to want to be a better leader. Our nickname for this podcast is, “If y...