Finding Freedom When We Reframe and Rewire with DonJay Rice
AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
Release Date: 11/20/2025
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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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AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
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AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
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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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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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AlignedLife with Justin Castelli
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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_outlineIn 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 concept of "defensive pessimism" versus embracing hope, and why he chose to face his diagnosis with positivity rather than fear. His story about waking up at exactly 3:20 AM during his cancer treatment – the same time his friend PJ was praying for him – is a beautiful reminder of human connection and the synchronicities that occur when we slow down enough to notice them.
We also dive into the tension between being present versus worrying about the future, the danger of living in the "highlight reel" versus the "behind the scenes" of real life, and why finding small moments of amazement each day can be transformative. DonJay's philosophy that "wealth is a state of mind" infuses everything he does, both in his work with clients and in how he approaches life itself.
This conversation is for anyone navigating grief, seeking perspective on what matters most, or looking to rewire their relationship with money and meaning.
Connect with DonJay:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donjay-rice-fbs%C2%AE-36950a297/
Instagram & Facebook: @DrumbeatofWealth
Website: www.drumbeatofwealth.com
Takeaways
- Reframing and rewiring can lead to freedom in thought.
- False beliefs often stem from childhood experiences.
- Parenting involves unintentional influences on children's beliefs.
- Transitioning careers can lead to deeper client connections.
- Grief is not just about loss; it encompasses all life transitions.
- Community support is crucial during challenging times.
- Naming challenges can help in coping with them.
- Gratitude can be found in simple moments.
- Awareness of emotions is key to personal growth.
- Life transitions can bring both joy and grief.