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 AwdishHarvard Business Review article “Making Time to Really Listen to Your Patients” by Rana Awdish and Leonard L. BerryOther Editorials by Rana Awdish“The Shape of the Shore,” Rana Awdish’s award-winning essay in Intima: A Journal of Narrative MedicineOther Essays by Rana Awdish“Compassionomics” by Stephen Trzeciak, MD, MPHMore about Dr. Rana AwdishDr. 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 AwdishLinkedInFacebook  Instagram

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 trialTrinea’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 GeddertTrinea’s Business Insider article in support of fellow survivor Simone BilesThe 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 BarrThe Universal Survivor Bill of Rights, which was adopted in 2022, with the support of TrineaBe the Sun, Not the Salt episode with Valorie Kondos FieldMore 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 TrineaLinkedInFacebookInstagram

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/

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 describes as a concise “hand book” for how to relate to all people at home and at work. He shares the ways he brings these points to life in order to earn a seat at the table of his early-stage startup investments, where connection and compatibility goes a long way. In addition, Farzin shared the impact of learning to “hold the salt” in his personal and professional relationships. As an engineer, he uses a unique formula to remember that being correct may be less important than how he makes people feel, and he doesn't need to be so quick to point out the negative. We could call this episode... "minus 2 times positive 2 equals negative 4." (I had to listen twice to understand his metaphor but I got it. -Harry)Useful links from this episode:About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt"

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 of leaders from the different branches of the US Armed Forces remind themselves - daily - to be their best selves, and how that impacts their ability to collaborate. For those of us motivated by excellence, Kathy’s colleagues challenge us to “REMEMBER WHAT DAY IT IS.” (You'll know what that means after listening!)Useful links from this episode:About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt": https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/ Elie Wiesel Foundation: https://eliewieselfoundation.org/

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 you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.”Useful links from this episode:About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt"

Kristi VandenBosch is the President of the Oliver advertising agency in NYC. Having grown up in the advertising industry and achieving top-tier success, her advice to young professionals in the field is to never compromise your values or your voice. Through compelling examples, she illustrates how she has effectively stepped in to assist others, encouraging all of us to follow suit—if we possess the courage and confidence to do so in our unique ways. This episode is affectionately dubbed "Be the Wise Sunflower" and invites us to "Do a 'Kristi'" by stepping into the fray.Useful links from this episode:About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt"

Corey Fried, who has taught second grade, third grade, and fifth grade, has transitioned into an educator for fellow teachers. She transformed the insights from the book "Be the Sun, Not the Salt" into daily lesson plans for her students, leading to remarkable results. This podcast is affectionately named "I Want to Be THAT Teacher." As you listen to her story, we hope it inspires you to strive for the best version of yourself.Useful Links from the Episode:About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt": https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/Book on No-Nonsense Nurturer approach: "Every Student, Every Day: A No-Nonsense Nurturer® Approach to Reaching All Learners (No-Nonsense Nurturer® Classroom Behavior Management Strategies)": https://a.co/d/4KtXJuOCityYear program from AmeriCorp: https://www.cityyear.org/

Kim Cameron is the William Russell Kelly Professor of Management and Organizations at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He is the godfather of the term "heliotropic leadership." His research proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that being a heliotropic person can transform our lives, and the lives of the people around us. As you listen to the studies he cites, we hope that you are forever changed, knowing that the moment-to-moment decisions we make have profound implications for the success of our lives. The nickname for this episode is “We are Born Inherently Good.“ All we have to do is remember to express it.Useful Links from the Episode:About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt": https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/Kim Cameron, Center for Positive Organizations at University of Michigan: https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/people/kim-s-cameron/

Duncan Campbell, a retired entrepreneur turned philanthropist, is the visionary behind the national non-profit organization, Friends of the Children. While some folks merely talk about doing things and making a difference, Duncan is a true action-taker. A doer. Duncan's work has reshaped the futures of thousands of children born into poverty. This podcast, aptly nicknamed "Just Fricken Do It," introduces Duncan's remarkable journey. We hope it will inspire you to take meaningful action for the greater good. Useful Links from the Episode:About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt": https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/ Friends of the Children: https://friendsofthechildren.org

Valorie Kondos Field is the retired UCLA women's gymnastics coach and  PAC 12 Coach of the Century. In this episode, she reflects on the realization that she was inadvertently hindering her players' growth instead of fostering their potential - salting their roots instead of pouring sun onto their leaves. Valorie's story serves as a powerful reminder that change is possible when we are open to listening. Whether in the role of a parent or a coach, she emphasizes that our mission remains consistent—to bring out the absolute best in those under our care. This episode is affectionately named "Remind Your Kids That They Are Superheroes."Helpful Reference Links:About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt": https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/John Wooden's book, On Leadership: https://a.co/d/2CjPIrDMichael Gervais's podcast, Finding Mastery: https://findingmastery.com/

Kevin Shaughnessy is a world-class human being and remarkable leader of a 1200-person automotive dealership organization. We chose him as our first Be the Sun podcast guest because he embodies the principles of what it means to be a heliotropic leader as well as anyone we’ve met. We call this "the bagel and schmear" episode, and you'll soon understand why. When you hear Kevin's story, we hope it stays with you and inspires, reminds, and helps you just like it has done for us.Reference Links from this Episode:James Clear on the “the aggregation of marginal gains": https://jamesclear.com/marginal-gainsAbout "Be the Sun, Not the Salt": https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/

"Be the Sun, Not the Salt" is a podcast about Heliotropic Living, an idea based on the science of why we are drawn to some behaviors and recoiled by others. To spread the message, we did a Tedx talk, then wrote a short book, and now we’re doing a podcast. Here we’ll interview a range of famous and not so famous guests whose personal stories bring to life how they (and we) can put these simple ideas into daily practice. Anyone who listens will be infected in a good way, to be and spread what it means to be a positive energizer. Join Harry the shrink, and Connie the marketer as we inspire, equip, and remind each other to be the Sun and not the Salt… and leave people with an afterglow… not an aftertaste…Get the Book:About "Be the Sun, Not the Salt": https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/"Be the Sun, Not the Salt" book: https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/book