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 emotions or identities are involved. Instead, genuine conversation (not combat) is what leads to real understanding.
• 🧠 Pick your battles: Not every disagreement needs a winner. Sometimes, it’s just about sharing perspectives and moving forward without drama.
• 💬 Curiosity over combat: Connie shares how pausing, smiling, and asking a sincere question turned a tense political moment into a real, respectful conversation—no eye-rolling required!
• 🌈 Wrap it up with kindness: Ending with appreciation keeps relationships strong, even when you see the world differently.

Harry reminds us that most heated debates—whether about football or politics—are more about entertainment or venting than real solutions. The win? Choosing connection over being right, and letting go when the outcome won’t change.

Perfect for anyone who’s ever gotten sucked into a debate that went nowhere (so, all of us!). Tune in for laughs, real-life stories, and your weekly nudge to let go, smile, and move on. 🌞

(Mini-episode, major relief—perfect for your next deep breath!)

Links & Resources

Be the Sun, Not the Salt - book

To explore the book, or for more episodes, information, tips and tools to live a more heliotropic life, visit us at bethesunnotthesalt.com and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

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 irritated and robs you of your own peace of mind.
• 🕵️‍♀️ Assume positive intent: Most of the time, people aren’t out to get you—they’re just living their lives (and sometimes running late).
• 💬 Talk it out, don’t stew: Instead of silently judging, try asking a curious question or having a light conversation about what’s bugging you.

Harry shares his classic peeve (lateness!) and how he’s learned (learning?) to smile and move on, while Connie reminds us that a little empathy and a simple question can turn a pet peeve into a non-issue. The real win? Releasing your peeves is less about letting others off the hook and more about protecting your own roots and living a lighter, happier life.

Perfect for anyone who’s ever muttered, “Why do people do that?!” Tune in for relatable stories, practical tips, and your weekly reminder to choose peace over petty. 🌞

(Mini-episode, maximum relief—perfect for your next deep breath!)

Links & Resources

Be the Sun, Not the Salt - book

Episode 29: Gentle Nudge - Assume Positive Intent

To explore the book, or for more episodes, information, tips and tools to live a more heliotropic life, visit us at bethesunnotthesalt.com and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

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 yourself grace as you move toward letting go.
• 🧠 Don’t “feed the bad wolf”: Gossip and venting might feel good in the moment, but they rarely help in the long run.

Connie shares a relatable story of waking up still mad and realizing she needed to take the high road for her own well-being. Harry offers gentle nudges on how to stop fueling anger and bitterness—and why compassion for yourself is key when it feels hard to let go.

Perfect for anyone who’s ever struggled to move past frustration or resentment! Tune in for practical wisdom, heartfelt stories, and your weekly reminder to rise above the salt. 🌞

(Mini-episode, major inspiration—perfect for your next walk or coffee break!)

Links & Resources

Be the Sun, Not the Salt - book

To explore the book, or for more episodes, information, tips and tools to live a more heliotropic life, visit us at bethesunnotthesalt.com and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

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 passive-aggressive or trying to “win”? Time for a little self-reflection!
• 🧠 Trust your gut: Why we can often sense when someone’s motives aren’t pure—and how to avoid being that person.

Harry shares stories about catching himself before making sarcastic comments (we’ve all been there!) and explains why even well-intentioned words can land badly if we’re not careful. Connie highlights how being upfront and kind creates trust—and why beating around the bush can make people uneasy.

Perfect for anyone who wants to communicate with more honesty and kindness! Tune in for practical tips, relatable laughs, and a reminder to keep your motives as clean as your words. 🌟

(Mini-episode, major impact—great for your next coffee break!)

Links & Resources

Be the Sun, Not the Salt - book

To explore the book, or for more episodes, information, tips and tools to live a more heliotropic life, visit us at bethesunnotthesalt.com and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

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 is key: The magic of fixing things ASAP (but it's never too late to make it right)
• 🧠 Trust your gut: If something's nagging you, it's probably worth addressing

Connie's real-talk corner:

• ⏰ The late apology: Why acknowledging your tardiness is a total game-changer
• 📱 Text promises: How to gracefully recover from forgotten follow-ups

Perfect for anyone who's ever wanted a do-over button for life! Tune in for laughs, practical wisdom, and your weekly reminder that it's never too late to course-correct.

Links & Resources

Be the Sun, Not the Salt - book

To explore the book, or for more episodes, information, tips and tools to live a more heliotropic life, visit us at bethesunnotthesalt.com and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

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 bleeding stops).
• 🧠 Swap “get over it” for “let’s move your lens”: How to metaphorically guide someone to “higher ground” without sounding like a know-it-all.
• 👂 Empathy first, advice second: Harry’s own cancer diagnosis story reveals why “I can’t imagine your pain” works better than silver linings.

Pro move: When work stress or life chaos hits, borrow Connie’s mantra: “This’ll be here when you get back.” Spoiler: It’s way kinder than toxic positivity.

Perfect for anyone who’s ever blurted, “It’s not that big a deal!” (We’ve all been there 😬).

Tune in for stories, laughs, and your weekly nudge to lead with heart, not answers. (Mini-episode, maxi-impact—drop it into your next walk or commute!)

Links & Resources

Be the Sun, Not the Salt - book

To explore the book, or for more episodes, information, tips and tools to live a more heliotropic life, visit us at bethesunnotthesalt.com and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

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 gratitude experiment brought unexpected joy to old friends.

Your takeaways:

• Speak it out loud: How verbalizing gratitude can transform your relationships and mood.
• Make it personal: Why adding a few extra words of love and appreciation can make all the difference.
• Gratitude in the moment: How focusing on what’s going right can calm anxiety and stress.

Tune in for practical tips and heartfelt stories that will inspire you to spread gratitude like sunshine! 🌞

Links & Resources

Be the Sun, Not the Salt - book

To explore the book, or for more episodes, information, tips and tools to live a more heliotropic life, visit us at bethesunnotthesalt.com and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

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’s totally never said to herself. 😉 With some tiny tweaks, we get a big impact, so trim the fluff, ditch the drama, and remember that practice makes precision.

Perfect for anyone who’s ever thought: “Why did I even say that?!” Your words matter—make ’em shine! 🌟

(Mini-episode, mega-wisdom—grab it on your next coffee run!)

Links & Resources

Be the Sun, Not the Salt - book

To explore the book, or for more episodes, information, tips and tools to live a more heliotropic life, visit us at bethesunnotthesalt.com and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.