hard work doesn't guarantee desired outcomes | Daily Note #997
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
Release Date: 09/29/2025
My Favorite Things from 2025 (and the Shift That Changed Everything)
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
I wanted to share my favorite things from 2025—some physical items, but also the internal shift that really changed everything for me. The biggest one is embodiment. I went from believing I could become a future version of myself to believing I am that person. It wasn't intentional—it happened because I kept showing up authentically. But the catalyst was starting to write the AlignedLife blog as an author, not just a blogger. Writing with more conviction shifted something internally, and within weeks the world started reflecting it back: speaking inquiries, perfect clients for AlignedLife+...
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The Art Of Authentic Networking With Nisiar Smith | Convos With Friends
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
In this conversation, I sit down with Nisiar Smith, aka Nas, to explore something that doesn't get talked about enough: the art of building genuine relationships and the power of your network in shaping who you become. Nas shares his journey from corporate America to founding Courtside Wealth Partners, a financial planning firm serving athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs. But what makes this conversation special isn't just his professional success—it's how he got there. Through intentional relationship-building, authentic connections, and genuine curiosity about people, Nas has built a...
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Stop Living in Your Head (And Start Feeling Your Body) With Lindsay Troxell | Convos With Friends
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
In this episode with Lindsay Troxell, we explore the intersection of business coaching, mindset work, and somatic healing—going far beyond traditional financial services talk. Lindsay shares her 20-year journey in financial services, from insurance sales to becoming a coach who integrates somatics into her work with clients. We dive deep into what somatic work actually is and how our bodies experience the world alongside our minds. Lindsay explains how to start practicing—beginning with simply sitting still and noticing internal sensations without judgment. We discuss body scans,...
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Finding Freedom When We Reframe and Rewire with DonJay Rice
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
In this episode, I sit down with DonJay Rice, a financial advisor who specializes in financial behavior and helping clients reframe their relationship with money. We explore his powerful insight that "there is freedom when we reframe and rewire" – the idea that the stories our brains tell us about money, success, and life itself may not always be accurate, and that we have the power to reprogram our thinking. DonJay shares his remarkable journey through a stage 3 cancer diagnosis and how this experience transformed his perspective on life, gratitude, and what truly matters. We discuss the...
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Turning Tragedy Into Purpose with Jeff Johnston
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
After losing both his son and wife, Jeff Johnston, founder of Brightn, transformed unimaginable pain into a mission to help others heal. In this powerful conversation, Jeff and I explore the intersection of mental wellness, resilience, and purpose, diving into what it means to truly flourish as a human being. Jeff opens up about his journey through grief, addiction, and self-discovery, sharing how empathy, mindfulness, and love became his compass through loss. Together, they discuss the need to rethink mental health—moving beyond stigma toward a vision of human flourishing that values...
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We're Still Out Here with Samuel Deane | Convos With Friends
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
In this conversation, I'm joined by one of my closest friends Samuel Deane. We discuss the evolving landscape of financial planning, emphasizing the importance of an empathetic approach that integrates clients' personal lives with their financial goals, and we contrast this with the future of financial advisory in the age of AI and the necessity for advisors to build trusting relationships with their clients. We also explore the challenges of balancing work and family life, the significance of understanding clients' true desires, and the role of financial advisors as guides in the life...
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Conscious Accomplishment with Scott Britton
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
I’ve been following Scott Britton for the last couple of years, and when I saw he was looking to talk about his new book, Conscious Accomplishment, on podcasts, I shot my shot. He quickly responded with a resounding “yes.” In this episode, Scott and I discuss his journey towards consciousness, exploring the themes of intuition, the true self, and the role of the heart in accessing higher intelligence. He explains the distinction between clean and dirty fuel in ambition, emphasizing the importance of inner work for sustainable success. We also touch on the concept of conscious...
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building wealth through unique gifts and talents | Daily Note #1006
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
If you are looking to improve your finances and build wealth, take a look at the unique gifts and talents you have been blessed with to see if you can bring more value to the world and more money your way. You can read today's Note here: https://www.justincastelli.io/dailynotes/100825
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are your friends pulling you down to their level? | Daily Note #1005
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
“Above all, keep a close watch on this— that you are never so tied to your former acquaintances and friends that you are pulled down to their level. If you don’t, you’ll be ruined. . . . You must choose whether to be loved by these friends and remain the same person, or to become a better person at the cost of those friends . . . if you try to have it both ways you will neither make progress nor keep what you once had.” - Epictetus You can read the full note here: https://www.justincastelli.io/dailynotes/100725
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internal world influence the external | Daily Note #1004
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
“Transform your world by transforming your internal state. Start by learning to let go of negative self judgment, and replace it with positive and loving thoughts about yourself. Be kind to yourself, and watch your external world change.” — Anita Moorjani You can read the Note here: https://www.justincastelli.io/dailynotes/100625
info_outlineWe are often told that if we work hard we can accomplish our dreams. While hard work will be required to reach any of your goals, hard work alone doens't guarantee anything. Sometimes your hard work will go unrewarded, but that doesn't mean it was a waste of effort. Not achieving your goal means you need to find a goal that will be achievable with your hard work and effort.
You can read today's Note: https://www.justincastelli.io/dailynotes/92925.