AlignedLife with Justin Castelli

An exploration of living your authentic life. Creator, advisor, and guide Justin Castelli examines the alignment of spirit, mind, body, and money and how it can help you live the life you were created to live--your authentic life. More at www.justincastelli.io. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The AlignedLife Podcast Manifesto As podcasts continue to move towards being highly focused on downloads, subscribers, and other quantitative metrics many shows are chasing the same high-profile guests and these high-profile guests will only appear on podcasts with a certain number of subscribers or downloads, which I understand. However, this leaves us with the same podcasts getting the same guests and listeners constantly hearing the same stories. AlignedLife will not play this game. Instead, AlignedLife will focus on bringing new voices to listeners. The size of the guest’s audience does not matter. The number of previous podcast appearances does not matter. The guest’s “fame” does not matter. What matters is the guest has an important message, is someone I genuinely want to talk with, and is someone I believe has the potential to be on those famous podcasts in the future. There are far too many brilliant people with important messages and stories to tell, but never get the chance to be heard because they aren’t “big” enough—the size of someone’s audience or level of popularity is not necessarily a reflection of the value of their message; in fact, sometimes its the “unknown” that has the message that is needed because it hasn’t been heard yet. There is a list of high-profile guests for whom an exception will be made for because I am a huge fan of them and if I should ever have the chance to talk with them, I will not pass that opportunity up. List of exceptions: Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Rick Rubin, Russ, Rich Roll, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Steph Curry, Oprah, Rihanna, Ryan Holiday, Natalie Portman, Jay-Z, Eckhart Tolle, Mark Wahlberg, Cole Bennett, Jessica Alba, Jimmy Iovine, and Dr. Dre. ** I reserve the right to add to this list at any time I’m excited to spend more time finding fresh new voices to bring to everyone looking to master the art of living their authentic life. Keep Pursuing, JC

Finding Freedom When We Reframe and Rewire with DonJay Rice 11/20/2025

Finding Freedom When We Reframe and Rewire with DonJay Rice 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 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. /episode/index/show/a0e33862-6a2c-408c-93f7-a5ae7aa40234/id/39103875

Turning Tragedy Into Purpose with Jeff Johnston 11/06/2025

Turning Tragedy Into Purpose with Jeff Johnston 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 health, wealth, and purpose as essential “human asset classes.” The episode also introduces Brightn, Jeff’s new app empowering users with AI-driven tools for mental wellness, and explores the challenges and possibilities of technology’s role in emotional healing. A story of hope, healing, and choosing love over despair, this conversation reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we can create light for others. Takeaways - I am the path, building it stone by stone. - Grief can feel like a mental wellness workout. - Navigating heavy days requires realistic expectations. - The importance of being present in the moment. - Finding meaning in suffering is a personal journey. - Empathy can lead to healing and understanding. -The system often fails those in need of help. - Choosing love and hope over despair is a conscious decision. - Alcoholism can mask deeper issues of grief and trauma. - Creating change starts with personal experiences. Investing in human asset classes is crucial for personal growth. - The term 'mental wellness' is evolving towards 'human flourishing'. - Normalizing mental health discussions can reduce stigma. - Personal experiences with loss can lead to profound insights. - Mindfulness helps in appreciating the present moment. - The Brighton app aims to provide preventative mental health resources. - AI can enhance mental health support but must be used responsibly. - Building a business from passion can lead to meaningful impact. - It's important to acknowledge and accept destructive thoughts. - Resilience is key; surviving past challenges prepares us for future ones. /episode/index/show/a0e33862-6a2c-408c-93f7-a5ae7aa40234/id/38931540