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 positive and high-performing culture. Kahnke emphasizes how focusing on interpersonal skills and mental health is essential in both the military and business environments. He introduces his approach to leadership that's built on respect, accountability, and understanding, discussing his successful methods of fostering trust and feedback within his team. Through anecdotes and personal insights, Kahnke showcases how to balance high standards with kindness, ultimately highlighting the importance of taking care of people both in the professional world and at home, even in the highest of pressure situations.

The views presented in the following interview are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or U.S. Navy.

About Commander Adam Kahnke, U.S. Navy

Commander Kahnke enlisted in the Navy in 1993 as a Submarine Sonar Technician from Waseca, Minnesota. He began his officer career path in 1997 through the Navy BOOST (Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training) program, one of several commissioning programs offered by the Navy to develop leadership and management teams within its ranks. He attended NROTC at the University of Minnesota where he graduated in December of 2001 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Upon Commissioning, Commander Kahnke reported onboard the USS ALEXANDRIA, where he served as the Reactor Control Assistant, Main Propulsion Assistant, and Communicator. During his tenure, he conducted an around the world deployment serving in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (PACOM) and the Mediterranean via the North Pole. His department head tour was onboard the USS LOUISIANA where he conducted four Strategic Deterrent Patrols as the Ship’s Navigator and Operations Officer. He served as the Executive Officer onboard the USS RHODE ISLAND where he conducted one Strategic Deterrent Patrol and an Extended Refueling Overhaul. CDR Kahnke’s Command Tour was spent as the first Commanding Officer of the PCU ARKANSAS in Newport News, VA, where he built his entire command for the nuclear submarine with a focus on open and empathetic communications across the entire team.

His shore tour assignments include Naval PG School where he earned a MBA in Financial Management, a tour on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as a Major Contingency Operations Analyst. In January of 2017 he reported to the Secretary of the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs and worked in the office of Congressman Pete Visclosky. In January of 2018 he worked on the staff of the Commander of Submarines Atlantic as the Career Development Officer. In July of 2021 CDR Kahnke reported to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as a Service Chief Fellow.

Commander Kahnke is a CONRAD Scholar, Certified Information Security Professional, and Certified Defense Financial Manager. His personal awards include two Meritorious Service medals, six Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals along with various unit and service awards. Commander Kahnke and his wife, Sarah, have six children and reside in Smithfield, Virginia.

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.

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 perspective on life's challenges and triumphs:

• How to choose your ultimate 'corner man' and build an inner circle that propels you to greatness
• Strategies for mastering the mundane and navigating life's messiness
• Transforming difficulties into opportunities for growth
• Why expecting daily miracles isn't just wishful thinking—it's a game-changing mindset

Drawing from his experiences with high-profile individuals like Kanye West, Robert Downing Jr, Quincy Jones and Smokey Robinson, Storey illustrates the power of:

• Authentic relationships
• Collaboration in achieving our dreams
• Maintaining personal integrity amidst success

The discussion explores Storey's inclusive approach to spirituality and his belief in the everyday miracle. His reflections offer valuable insights on:

• Building genuine friendships
• Overcoming setbacks with resilience
• Embracing a positive outlook in the face of adversity

​This episode provides a thoughtful exploration of personal growth, the nature of success, and the potential for transformation that exists within each of us. Storey's wisdom, gleaned from years of working with diverse individuals, offers listeners a fresh perspective on navigating life's complexities and uncovering hidden opportunities.

About Tim Storey

Tim Storey is an acclaimed thought-leader, author, speaker, “life strategist” and counselor known as The Comeback Coach. Credited for enhancing the lives of millions, he has traveled to over 80 countries helping people visualize and realize the best version of themselves, whether they are at a high point in their lives or experiencing their lowest valley.

He has helped hundreds of high-profile individuals manage, battle, and often overcome – all kinds of personal struggles involving addiction, depression, relationships and more through a new “Miracle Mentality” that enables them to turn their “Setbacks into Comebacks.” His mission is to bring to light all of the possibilities that are too often blocked by fear or hidden by one’s limited viewpoint.

Tim is a regular guest and commentator on national television.

Reference Links

The Miracle Mentality: Tap into the Source of Magical Transformation in Your Life, HarperCollins; Harper Horizons, by Tim Storey

Comeback & Beyond: How to Turn Your Setback into Your Comeback, by Tim Storey

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Dr. Carol Dweck

Be the Sun, Not the Salt, by Dr. Harry Cohen

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.

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 presence. Jamie shares her past struggles with addiction, her path to recovery, and how gratitude reshaped her life. Together, they emphasize the importance of being real, the power of showing vulnerability, and creating a nurturing, truthful environment for their children. The discussion also highlights the significance of resilience, lifelong learning, and the impact of kind, supportive familial relationships.

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.

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. He also talks about his career challenges, stresses around high-stakes journalism, and how he found joy and fulfillment in the smallest yet significant aspects of life.

About Ira Rosen
For nearly 25 years, Ira Rosen produced some of the most memorable, important and ground-breaking stories for 60 Minutes. A former Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University, Rosen was the senior producer and one of the creators of Prime Time Live at ABC, a show hosted by Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson. He was there from the series’ inception in 1989 until 2004, when he returned to 60 Minutes.

Rosen pioneered the use of hidden cameras for Prime Time Live investigations. The stories included exposing racial discrimination, abuses in VA hospitals, mistreatment of farm workers, unsafe and unsanitary food handling practices inside meat packing plants and supermarkets, and political corruption in Washington. His hidden camera stories led to major reforms across countries, corporations and governments.

Rosen has spoken frequently to academic institutions on topics ranging from current events to investigative reporting.

He has won nearly all the major television awards including 24 National Emmys, four Dupont awards, two Peabody awards, six Investigative Reporters and Editors awards (IRE) and two RFK awards. In 2019, in addition to the previously mentioned awards, he garnered two Sigma Delta Chi awards, a Murrow and Hillman awards, for his Opioid reports. He is also the co-author of a book on the accident at Three Mile Island titled, The Warning.

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.

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 applied beyond the restaurant industry. The conversation also covers the importance of hospitality in creating meaningful relationships, the impact of small gestures, the forgotten art of friendship, transforming criticism into thoughtful guidance, and maintaining a balance between perfectionism and kindness. We’ll also gain beautiful insight into what Will’s working on now. We learned so much from Will, and true to his reputation, he left us feeling nice and cozy.

Referenced in This Episode

• “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara
• Welcome Conference
• Thank You hospitality group
• Pre-Meal, newsletter by Will Guidara
• “Bowling Alone” by Robert D. Putnam
• Simon Sinek
• Canlis Restaurant
• Duncan Campbell’s podcast episode
• “From Strength to Strength” by Arthur Brooks
• "Be the Sun, Not the Salt" by Dr. Harry Cohen

About Will Guidara

Will Guidara is the author of the National Bestseller Unreasonable Hospitality, which chronicles the lessons in service and leadership he has learned over the course of his career in restaurants.

He is the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, which under his leadership received four stars from the New York Times, three Michelin stars, and in 2017 was named #1 on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

He is the host of the Welcome Conference, an annual hospitality symposium that brings together like minded people to share ideas, inspire one another, and connect to build community.

A graduate of the hospitality school at Cornell University, he has coauthored four cookbooks, given a TED Talk on the secret ingredients of great hospitality, was named one of Crain's New York Business's 40 Under 40, and is the recipient of WSJ Magazine's Innovator Award.

Learn More or Watch Online at Be the Sun, Not the Salt.

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.

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 communicate with patients. Her experience led her to advocate for a healthcare approach that emphasizes empathy, effective communication, and the small yet impactful acts of care that can significantly alter a patient's experience. Her story is a powerful reminder of the potential for personal adversity to drive positive change and the importance of compassion and empathy in medicine, and in our everyday lives.

Reference Links

• “In Shock: My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope” book by Dr. Rana Awdish
• Harvard Business Review article “Making Time to Really Listen to Your Patients” by Rana Awdish and Leonard L. Berry
• Other Editorials by Rana Awdish
• “The Shape of the Shore,” Rana Awdish’s award-winning essay in Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine
• Other Essays by Rana Awdish
• “Compassionomics” by Stephen Trzeciak, MD, MPH

More about Dr. Rana Awdish

Dr. Rana Awdish is the author of In Shock, a critically acclaimed, bestselling memoir based on her own critical illness. She is a sought-after public speaker, delivering inspirational keynote addresses to groups ranging from professional medical societies, to members of Congress, to organizations combatting homelessness.

A pulmonary and critical care physician, she serves as the current Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program at Henry Ford Hospital. She also serves as Medical Director of Care Experience for the System, where she has integrated compassionate communication strategies and Narrative Medicine practice into the curriculum.

Connect with Dr. Rana Awdish

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram

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.

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 navigate their healing journeys. The episode highlights the significance of every individual's courageous choice to spread positivity and support those around them.

Please be advised that this episode contains content about sexual assault and the journey of healing. We honor and suggest taking the self care needed for any feelings that may arise during the listening of this episode.

Resources for Survivors:

• Avalon Healing Center
• RAINN

Reference Links:

• Trinea’s victim statement from the Larry Nassar sexual assault trial
• Trinea’s episode from NPR’s Believed podcast
• Trinea’s homage to Simone Biles in Business Insider
• Trailer for the HBO documentary "At the Heart of Gold"
• Trinea’s Detroit Free Press article about her former coach, John Geddert
• Trinea’s Business Insider article in support of fellow survivor Simone Biles
• The Audible book “Twisted”
• “Sister Survivors Round Table” on ESPN
• "The Girls" by Abigail Pesta
• “Start by Believing: Larry Nassar's Crimes, the Institutions that Enabled Him, and the Brave Women Who Stopped a Monster” by John Barr
• The Universal Survivor Bill of Rights, which was adopted in 2022, with the support of Trinea
• Be the Sun, Not the Salt episode with Valorie Kondos Field

More About Trinea Gonczar:

Trinea Gonczar is a survivor and advocate for victims of sexual abuse. She is an exemplar of heliotropic leadership in the many ways she chooses to find the light, even in the darkest of times, for herself and others. Today she works with Avalon Healing Center, a unique organization that provides comprehensive services to survivors and those impacted by sexual abuse, located in Detroit.

Connect with Trinea

• LinkedIn
• Facebook

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.

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 "Be the Sun, Not the Salt" as anyone. She wrote the forward to the book and embodies the principles articulated in it. She gets uncomfortable when we compare her to Mother Theresa but we think you’ll see why we do. As she shares in this podcast, “Everyone has work to do.” People need exemplars in their life, and Mindy is one of ours. The nickname for this episode is entitled, “Be on the Look Out.” She continues to inspire us to be a better person, may she do the same for you.

Useful Links from the Episode:

About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt"

Kim Cameron's podcast episode: https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/podcasts/episode-4-kim-cameron/

Jennifer Cohen's fitness podcast, Habits and Hustle: https://habitshustle.com/

"Unreasonable Hospitality" book: https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/

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.