Be the Sun, Not the Salt

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 emotional chatter, and harnessing yo...

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 makes peaceful: The more you handle...

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 rarely changes minds—especially when...

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 peeves only keeps you mildly irritat...

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 it takes two hours or two weeks, give ...

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.
• 🧹 Check your motives: Are you being pass...

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 actually your best teachers 
• 🏃‍♂️ Speed i...

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 perspective (hint: wait till the b...

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, while Connie reveals how a daily gratitud...

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 examples of unhelpful self-talk she’...

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 things can weigh us down—and how keepi...

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 that we’re evolutionarily wired to...

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 positive and supportive environmen...

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 conversational. With practical advice ...

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 protect ourselves from negative influence...

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 approach can lead to more harmonious and e...

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's perspective can improve overa...

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 accomplishments, including her successful ...

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 the hurt caused and expressing hone...