Latest news with #TEDxTalk
Epoch Times
28-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
‘Sunny Over Salty': Psychologist Harry Cohen's Mission to Promote Positive Energy
As May, Mental Health Awareness Month, draws to a close, spending a few minutes with the 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt' podcast is what psychologist Harry Cohen hopes everyone will do. 'The choice exists in each moment for us to be uplifting, like the sun on the leaves of the plant, or we can be depleting like the salt on the roots of that plant,' Dr. Cohen said in a recent interview with The Epoch Times. An Ann Arbor, Michigan-based psychologist, coach, husband, father, restaurateur, and self-described 'seeker of wisdom,' Cohen said his a-ha moment—this simple way to be, rooted in the heliotropic phenomenon where plants turn toward the sun for their energy—didn't happen all at once, but came after decades of listening and learning. In fact, Cohen, 70, himself didn't realize that spreading this one idea would become his lifelong mission—until it did. 'The light bulb was the simplicity of the metaphor,' he said. Finishing up his TEDx Talk in March, it crystallized for him: He realized, 'I don't need to do anything other than hone the articulation of the point.' Related Stories 8/21/2024 8/5/2024 The principles shared in the TEDx talk—which outlined the concept of heliotropic leadership, the scientific understanding that all living systems are drawn toward life-sustaining energy, including our own—were so well-received that Cohen was inspired to write his second book, 'Be the Sun, Not the Salt,' and eventually launch his podcast of the same name. Focus on Your Own Behavior 'I read a chapter a day, every single day, and then write a note, 'Here's how I intend to practice today's lesson', so that it's more real, and it's never ending in terms of information and wisdom that I collect and go,' Cohen said, explaining how people, including himself, can use the book as a blueprint to living a healthier life. Unlike many other self-help manifestations, it doesn't matter what your background or family history is, or how you've been living your life up to this point. Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Cohen said his own family was not a force of positivity. 'My father was glass half empty. My mother was more glass half full,' he said. 'They weren't abusive but angry. They were not aware of the power of emotional regulation, the power of leaning into being a better human being.' All it takes to start your path of positivity is 'the tiniest of things,' Cohen said. 'What I keep learning about is, the little-er the better.' What does that 'smallest thing' look like for someone wanting to put positivity at the forefront? 'Showing up on time; taking a breath; asking someone how they're doing,' Cohen said. 'I didn't say to you this morning for example, 'How are you? How can I help you?' I mean that's little. I could go on and on about the little stuff—conversations you get into, words we use, how the words I use can be more effective, more heliotropic. They're endless.' For Cohen, this has now become his life's work. He doesn't see the need to do anything else but keep spreading it. 'This is a lifelong noble effort,' he said. 'The lifelong piece is, 'We'll never be done with this.' I know my motive. I know why we're doing this. And I know it's good. And that's why I'm doing this until I die.' Courtesy of Harry Cohen Don't 'Eat' Everything In today's social media-obsessed world, the challenge is greater, Cohen said. He regards choosing the social media we follow as a metaphor for choosing the food we put into our bodies. 'Monitor your media intake, watch what you ingest, be mindful of the stuff that is put on the buffet before us,' he said. 'We won't get to eat anything we want. There's a million things on a buffet and I look at it and go, No. No, No, No. That's decent. No, no, no, no. Oh, I guess I can eat this, this, and this because I know enough to know that this, this, and this is good.' Research consistently links optimism to better well-being, something Cohen taps into with his 'sunny over salty' philosophy. 'It's every single thing that I do, and more importantly, don't do,' Cohen said about walking the walk. 'It took decades for the establishment and for the mass media to go: 'Yeah, I guess smoking is not good for you.' And they're just starting now with sugar and processed food and alcohol. And maybe decades from now ... but that's what we are up against. 'It's OK for me. It's a noble fight. I'm not going to get dissuaded by the avalanche of negativity.'
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First Post
30-04-2025
- First Post
The horrific tale of the Indian techie in US who killed wife, son and then died by suicide
Harshavardhana S Kikkeri, the CEO of robotics company HoloWorld, is believed to have shot and killed his wife and one of his sons before taking his own life at his home in US' Newcastle. The Indian techie from Mysuru rose to fame for his AI-powered Holosuits and often delivered talks on robotics. He even met PM Narendra Modi to pitch the use of robotic solutions for strengthening border security read more Harshavardhana S Kikkeri, the CEO of HoloWorld is believed to have shot and killed his wife and one of his sons at their Newcastle home before taking his own life. Image courtesy: X/@knharsha In a shocking case from the United States, an Indian tech entrepreneur is believed to have shot and killed his wife and one of his sons before taking his own life. Harshavardhana S Kikkeri, the CEO of HoloWorld — a robotics firm headquartered in Mysuru — was found dead inside his home in the US, along with his wife, Shwetha Panyam, 44, and their 14-year-old son, identified as Dhruva Kikkeri, on April 24, according to the Seattle Times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The couple's younger child, a seven-year-old boy, was the only one from the family who survived, as he wasn't home at the time of the tragic incident. Once celebrated for his contributions to robotics and tech innovation, Kikkeri's story ended in tragedy, leaving behind a devastated family and a trail of questions that are yet to be answered. Here's what we know so far. Who was Harshavardhana Kikkeri? As reported by Deccan Herald, Harshavardhana S Kikkeri hailed from KR Pet Taluk in Mandya, Karnataka. He pursued his education in Mysuru before heading to the United States, where he completed a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University. A specialist in robotics, Kikkeri had also worked with Microsoft earlier in his career. In 2017, he returned to India and, along with his wife Shwetha Panyam, co-founded HoloWorld. Just a year later, he gained attention for inventing the HoloSuit, an AI-powered full-body motion capture suit that functioned as a virtual trainer. In 2017, Harshavardhan Kikkeri returned to India and, along with his wife Shwetha Panyam, co-founded HoloWorld. Image courtesy: HoloWorld The suit had applications across multiple sectors — from sports and education to healthcare and its products were exported to several countries, including the US, UK, and Israel. Cricketer Yuvraj Singh was their brand ambassador, as per information available on the company's website. At the peak of his professional success, Kikkeri even met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pitch the use of robotic solutions for strengthening border security, reports the Indian Express. In 2022, he and his family relocated back to the US. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to a TEDx Talk description on YouTube, Kikkeri had received multiple honours, including a Gold Star from Microsoft, an Excellence Award from Infosys, and the Bharat Petroleum Scholarship. The video description claimed he held 44 international patents spanning the US, Europe, China, and Japan, and had also won several chess tournaments. He was also an active member of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) community and often spoke on topics related to innovation and robotics. Despite the promising start, HoloWorld eventually shut down in 2022. However, its social media presence remained active on social media until November 2023. How Kikkeri's life took a dark turn On the evening of April 24, authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at the Kirkkeri family's townhouse on 129th Place Southeast, in Newcastle, Washington state. Upon arrival, deputies discovered blood on a window and a bullet in the street along with the bodies of Harshavardhana Kikkeri, his wife Shwetha, and their 14-year-old son, Dhruva Kikkeri. The King County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Shwetha and Dhruva died from gunshot wounds. Police have not revealed the motive behind the crime and refused to comment on whether it was a case of murder-suicide. However, the medical examiner's office classified Shwetha and Dhruva's deaths as homicides and stated that Harshavardhana died by suicide, according to _Seattle Times. T_he couple's younger son, 7, is the only survivor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Neighbours said the family of four was friendly but kept to themselves. An investigation is underway, said the police. With input from agencies
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Show Your Worth: Unlocking Transformational Success with Shelmina Abu
Shelmina Abji is the founder of a platform where you can ask Abji questions about your career and gain insight into the essential steps you need to take in your life to reach the goals you're setting for yourself. The development of the platform came after the release of Abji's book Show Your Worth and showcases Abji's dedication to helping women excel. In her MAKERS MasterClass, Abji ignited a powerful conversation about what it truly takes to move beyond incremental progress and step into transformational success. She shared the essential skills, mindset shifts, and strategies women need to not only advance in their careers—but to own their worth every step of the way. 'My purpose in life is singularly focused. I want to advance gender equality in leadership roles. I want to ensure women are present in every room,' she advocated. She detailed how being an immigrant in the United States shaped her mentality at the start of her career at IBM. Abji found herself learning how to not be replaceable, which came with doing everything that was expected of her to be seen as a good worker. But, an interaction with visiting IBM executive, Susan Whitney would challenge and shift how Abji approached the rest of her career. When Whitney asked Abji where she saw her career going in five years, Abji expressed wanting to do well in her current role. Whitney responded to Abji's sentiments explaining, 'It is critical you do your best possible job in your current role. And it is equally critical to know where you wanna go next and next. You have so much potential.' In the MAKERS MasterClass, Abji stressed how this response motivated her to reconstruct the direction her career was going in, transforming into the person she is now. Transformational Success Isn't Doing Only What's Expected of You Experiencing growth means moving away from the place that feels comfortable. Incremental success is a phase where you're focused on being a good worker rather than taking on the challenges and opportunities that will positively alter your career, and bring you to a period of transformational success. Abji emphasized that to find growth in your career you have to take on assignments that scare you to 'accelerate.' Overcoming fear is essential and something Abji has addressed in her TEDx Talk, she believes facing the fears that keep you from speaking up or expanding your horizons will only keep you in the good worker mindset. 'Take a chance, aim high' is a phrase Abji utilized to encourage the audience to imagine who they can be if they removed the internal restrictions they've put on themselves and their future goals. Defining Your Success Being intentional about how you're defining your success will create the outline of steps you'll need to take to achieve your goal. Abji advised that daily success is achieved through creating and following a personal success plan for 18 months. 'It takes everyday actions," she said. With intentionality also comes strategy. These are two things that have to go hand-in-hand to have your goals and plans be fully realized. This comes with asking for what you want and not waiting on someone to hand it to you. Abji described how promotions don't come looking for you, you have to put in the work to achieve that crucial next step. Alongside the personal success plan, knowing how to prioritize what deserves your attention will help keep you focused and energized. Abji detailed, 'Say no to lesser priorities,' adding, 'You determine what deserves your attention.' Abji also discussed the role of the power quotient to your success. The capacity to respond constructively to negative stimuli in the workplace is referred to as the power quotient. 'Take your power and show your worth,' Abji said. Getting to your goals means building up your confidence and competence. Learning how to navigate disempowering or scary situations means challenging yourself to arrive at the growth you'd like to see in yourself. The Mindset for Your Personal Success Your mindset is a crucial part of achieving your daily success. Abji discussed the importance of recognizing the difference between reflecting on self-improvement and self-criticism. "No one achieves greatness through self-criticism," she wisely stated. "Focus on and amplify your wins." Reflection is a tool for learning and course-correcting, not dwelling on mistakes. Remember, Abji commented, "People and situations don't define you," and all setbacks are merely temporary bumps on your road to success. — This article was written by Suzanne Bagia, a journalist, focusing on culture and arts. Outside of her writing, she works in other roles within media and managing literary editorials.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
BU alumna to discuss career wellness during TEDx Talk
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A Binghamton University alumna is returning to campus to share her insights on how to not let your work consume your entire life. Faye McCray is a career wellness expert who is currently writing a book about healthy ambition. McCray graduated from BU with a degree in English before going to law school. She's had careers in two high-stress professions: law and the media. McCray encourages people to find time in their lives for other passions that don't require sacrificing your work ambitions. She wants others to question their motivations when they allow their work to dictate most aspects of their life and identity. McCray says a values realignment can bring people peace. 'People who really feel like they're in service of not just the greater good, but their gifts, those things that maybe they've pushed down for a long time. Those passions, those things that make them happy. When they're able to live life in service of those things, it's truly profound just what a difference living your life looks like,' said McCray. McCray says she has fond memories of her time at BU, serving in the Black Student Union and the Hillside Community. She's giving a talk this Sunday during the annual TEDx talk on campus. It runs from noon to 3 in the Anderson Center's Chamber Hall. Tickets are $12. To purchase, click here. NYS Lieutenant Governor speaks at Medicaid rally in Binghamton Nimmonsburg Hillcrest Rotary celebrates 75th birthday PAST donates Green Man to library for installation in Reading Garden BU alumna to discuss career wellness during TEDx Talk After 17-month investigation, Onondaga County deputy whose gunshots killed two teenagers won't be prosecuted by State Attorney General Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
PAST donates Green Man to library for installation in Reading Garden
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – There was yet another unveiling in downtown Binghamton today, this one of a replica of an architectural artifact that was saved from the trash heap. The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier donated a copy of a Green Man to the Broome County Public Library for future installation in the Reading Garden. PAST Executive Director Roger Luther says the Green Man, which features a face surrounded by vegetation, has been a symbol of renewal, rebirth and the coming of Spring for thousands of years. This one was made from a mold based on a Green Man that was removed from the Ross Building in downtown Binghamton prior to it being demolished. Luther says the 1889 building had several of them and he's grateful that one of them was saved. 'It was a shame to see these things just fall down to the sidewalk and crumble. So, it was so rewarding to finally see the guy got dressed up in a hazmat suit, got in the bucket lift, went up there, pried it off and went down and then demolition resumes. It was a really proud moment to see that get saved,' said Luther. Luther says a rubber mold was made of the original terra cotta Green Man and PAST began making 50-pound replicas with just the face. But when they got to their 100th copy, they decided to make a full 100-pound version including the top and bottom borders which was donated today. The Green Man will go on display later this year as part of a renovation of the Reading Garden with new entrances and landscaping. NYS Lieutenant Governor speaks at Medicaid rally in Binghamton Nimmonsburg Hillcrest Rotary celebrates 75th birthday PAST donates Green Man to library for installation in Reading Garden BU alumna to discuss career wellness during TEDx Talk After 17-month investigation, Onondaga County deputy whose gunshots killed two teenagers won't be prosecuted by State Attorney General Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
