The Friday Feature: June 19, 2026

The Friday Feature w/Sean: One Connection Could Save a Life – Lieutenant Colonel Jason O. Harris

👊 A simple connection could save a life. Welcome to Week 326 of The Friday Feature. This week, I’m joined by retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jason O. Harris. “It’s all about connection.”

Every day we cross paths with people carrying burdens we know nothing about. A health diagnosis. Grief. Financial stress. A struggling relationship. Loneliness. Anxiety. Some people are fighting battles they never talk about.

A conversation. A smile. A phone call. A handwritten note. Asking someone how they’re doing and taking the time to listen. These simple acts may seem small, but they can make a tremendous difference.

👉 Jason made a powerful point: when you connect with people, you have the potential to save a life. Most of us will never know the impact of a kind word, a moment of encouragement, or simply showing up when someone needs us. But that doesn’t make the impact any less real.

As we enter Father’s Day weekend and recognize Juneteenth this week, both serve as reminders of the importance of relationships, family, community, and understanding one another. Life is built on connections. The people who influence us most are often not those who achieved the most, but those who took the time to care, listen, and be present.

So this week, reach out to someone. Check on a friend. Encourage a coworker. Introduce yourself to someone new. Ask a question and listen to the answer. Because we never truly know what someone is going through. You matter.

About Jason: Jason Harris is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and a fourth-generation military member. His military career spanned nearly three decades, including 11 deployments, more than 2,000 combat hours, and 470 combat sorties. He concluded his service as a flying Squadron Commander. Yet despite a remarkable military career, one of his most important messages is also one of the simplest: it’s all about connection. https://lnkd.in/gS8rivjK

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The Friday Feature began on March 27, 2020, and has been recorded every Friday since. Through stories, experiences, and lessons learned along the way, the goal is simple: to encourage people to keep moving forward, make a difference where they are, and remember that small actions often have the biggest impact.

My book, Change Me. Bless Them., is a collection of many of these lessons and stories. All royalties in 2026 from the book support the Kabuki Syndrome Foundation, helping raise awareness and support for families affected by Kabuki syndrome.

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me this week. Wherever you are and whatever you’re facing, keep pushing forward. The world needs more kindness, more connection, and more people willing to encourage others along the way. Have a great week, stay safe, and I’ll see you next Friday.