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Be the Sun, Not the Salt
Be the Sun, Not the Salt
Author: Connie Fontaine and Harry Cohen, PhD
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© 2025 Be the Sun, Not the Salt
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The "Be the Sun, Not the Salt” podcast will inspire you, equip you, and remind you HOW to be the better version of yourself - you already know WHY you should be. Dr. Harry Cohen, an unconventional shrink, and his co-host, innovative marketer Connie Fontaine, will interview famous and not-so-famous guests who make being the Sun, and not the Salt, a daily practice. This podcast is based on the tips from the book, "Be the Sun, Not the Salt."
70 Episodes
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Ever feel like everything’s coming at you a mile a minute—and you’re about to lose your cool? In this relatable “How Do I…” episode of *Be the Sun, Not the Salt*, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine break down how to stay heliotropic (and human) when life gets fast, furious, and just a little overwhelming. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why your breath might be your secret weapon for holding it all together The surprising impact your “game face” can have on those around you (and how to use it...
When someone you care about is facing illness or loss, it’s easy to feel unsure about what to say or do. In this “How Do I…” episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine open up about the small, thoughtful ways we can support people during life’s hardest chapters—without overthinking or making it about us. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why “just being there” often means more than grand gestures (and what that looks like in real life)The gift of listening without advice ...
Ever feel that sting when someone gives you criticism, even when you know it’s supposed to help? In this “How Do I…” episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine take on the surprisingly tough (and super common) challenge of handling feedback without letting defensiveness take over. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why even the kindest of us can get prickly when criticism comes our waySimple moves that can turn a tough conversation into a personal growth momentReal talk ab...
Ever wonder how to help the children in your life grow into positive, compassionate, and resilient individuals… the kind of people who naturally bring light to those around them? In this “How Do I…” episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine dig into what it really takes to teach kids to be heliotropic. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why modeling positivity and practicing it yourself is the foundation when raising children who radiate warmth and kindnessHonest reflecti...
Ever feel stuck holding onto a grudge and know it’s zapping your energy? In this “How Do I…” episode of “Be the Sun, Not the Salt,” Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine get real about the challenge of letting go - why so many of us find it hard, how resentment keeps us stuck, and what it actually takes to move on. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why holding a grudge is like clutching a hot coal: you’re the one getting burnedHow compassion (not just forgiveness) can help shift your perspective and lig...
Ever wonder how to bring your best self to work or home… even when life is just not going your way? In this heartfelt “How Do I…” episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine dig into the messy, honest art of showing up well when you’re going through a difficult time. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why naming what you’re going through (even if it feels uncomfortable) can strengthen trust, connection, and ease in relationshipsThe power of authentic vulnerability: letting ...
What’s the *real* secret to thriving at work… and in life? In this episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine sit down with Erin Hatzikostas, former corporate CEO, award-winning author, and globally recognized expert on authenticity in the workplace. If you’ve ever wished for more meaning, originality, or joy in your career, Erin’s wisdom is the breath of fresh air you didn’t know you needed. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why authenticity isn’t just a feel-good buzzwo...
Ever get stuck in a conversation where you know you’re absolutely right, and the other person is just completely missing the mark? In this “How Do I…” episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine get honest about what it takes to actually listen when you’re sure you’ve got the right answer… and someone else doesn’t. Here’s what you’ll hear: What real curiosity sounds like, and why “leaning in softly” can shift everything, even in tricky momentsTips for moving beyon...
Ever wondered how to stay confident when life—and work—keep handing you rejection? In episode 61 of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine answer the tough question: “How Do I… Keep My Confidence Despite Rejection?” Here’s what you’ll hear: Relatable strategies for bouncing back after setbacks (even when the numbers feel stacked against you)The “three P’s” mindset trick that keeps rejection from getting personal or invasiveHow to use self-talk and action to reframe your...
Ever feel a little anxious giving feedback, and worry it won’t land the way you intended? In this “How Do I…” episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine dig into the art of offering feedback that truly lifts people up and helps them grow. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why feedback is more than just pointing out what went wrong—and how to make it a gift people actually appreciateThe importance of “accountability with love,” and how holding people to high standards does...
Ever wonder how to support your partner when life takes a tough turn? In this short “How Do I…” episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine get honest about the art of showing up for someone you love… especially when you’re both going through it. Here’s what you’ll hear: Real-world approaches for recognizing what your partner needs (even when their style is way different from yours)The power of small gestures, from acts of service to words of praise, to lighten so...
Ever wish meetings didn’t feel so… meh? In this mini “How Do I…” episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine tackle the art of being a positive energizer in meetings, whether you’re on Zoom or in the room. Here’s what you’ll hear: The simple choices that set the tone in any meetingHow to make an impression before the agenda even startsSubtle ways to shift group energy in a positive directionWhat it means to show up fully—without saying a wordTips for becoming the ...
Ever wonder how to really light someone up—not just with a passing compliment, but in a way that sticks? In this “How Do I…” episode of Be the Sun, Not the Salt, Dr. Harry Cohen and Connie Fontaine roll up their sleeves to share practical ways to intentionally uplift the people around you. Here’s what you’ll hear: The magic of specifics: Why “great job” isn’t enough, and how pointing out exactly what impressed you makes praise more meaningful—and memorable.Keeping it real (and brief): How aut...
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 certified trainer, nutritionist, and longevity coach, from the “Every Body Talks” podcast for a raw, upl...
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 planning, and morning rituals that set a sunny tone, even on tough days. - The little daily deta...
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 that will completely shift how you think about aging, health, and the choices you make every single ...
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—be the sun, not the salt” first landed, and why it stuck with so many. Forget the “aha!” mom...
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” to “doing”—because real change happens when you take that first step, no matter how small.Hear how...
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 “Olympic listener” isn’t just for therapists or leaders—it’s for anyone who wants stronger relati...
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 ancient parable of the two wolves and what it reveals about mastering your inner world.Learn the cru...






















