AlignedLife with Justin Castelli

What if you were given the choice to stay or go — and you chose to stay?

In this conversation, I sit down with my friend Aaron Schaben, and we start exactly where his story begins: the moment he left his body during a near-death experience at the 2019 Boston Marathon. With an internal body temperature of 108°, Aaron found himself above his own body — not in fear, but in complete peace — and was given a choice most of us never face. What followed was 15+ months of physical recovery and some of the deepest soul-searching of his life.

In this episode, Aaron shares publicly for the first time what he saw, what he felt, and how that experience cracked him open to a completely new way of living.

We get into:

• What it actually felt like to be given the choice to "stay or go"
• How a near-death experience becomes a nervous system reset — physically, mentally, and spiritually
• The concept of sacrifice with intention and how it reframes the trade-offs we all make
• Why curiosity might be the most underrated spiritual practice
• Gene Keys, Human Design, North & South nodes, and how these tools can complement — not contradict — faith
• Elevating consciousness and what it actually has to do with your relationship with money
• How aligned finances start from the inside out

Aaron is one of my closest friends and one of my biggest supporters in staying true to who I am. This is one of those conversations I've been having privately that I knew needed to be recorded — and I'm so glad it finally was.

If you're drawn to questions about purpose, soul, and what it means to truly show up in the life you chose — this one's for you.

Chapters

00:00 Integrated Wealth Advisor: A New Narrative 01:13 Near-Death Experience: Finding Peace in Chaos 06:44 Life After the Choice: Transformation and Recovery 11:27 Sacrifice with Intention: Defining Our Choices 17:10 The Power of Presence: Lessons from Family 25:57 Breaking the Hypnotic Rhythm: Aligning with Purpose 27:18 The Beauty of Innocence and Connection 28:18 Exploring Astrology and Personal Growth 29:19 Tarot and Synchronicity: Messages from the Universe 31:15 Understanding North and South Nodes 33:06 Curiosity and Spiritual Exploration 36:20 Integrating Faith and Curiosity 39:05 The Importance of Service and Connection 40:20 Learning Through Experience 42:10 The Power of Independence 46:51 The Role of Synchronicity in Life 49:20 Lessons from Suffering 51:23 Finding Purpose Beyond Distractions

In this conversation, I sit down with my friend and one of the best advisors I know, Michael Remedios, founder of Wonderland FP, to explore his journey through what he calls the "art of the sabbatical." Michael made the bold decision to leave a successful career as a lead advisor — at the height of his earning potential — to create space for reflection, experimentation, and eventually launching his own firm.

We start with the feeling that pulled Michael toward this decision — not a logical calculation, but an unsettled voice that grew louder over time. He shares how he spent a year quietly preparing for his sabbatical while still employed, traveling solo for the first time, picking up running, and experimenting with who he wanted to be, so that when day one arrived with nothing on his calendar, he wasn't starting from zero. One of the things I love most about this conversation is how Michael reframes the sabbatical through a financial-planning lens.

On a spreadsheet, it looked like a terrible decision — a 100% pay cut during peak earning years, less money invested, a longer path to financial independence. But he was tired of making every decision for a 65-year-old version of himself he doesn't even know yet. We dig into why financial planning needs to make room for this kind of mid-life optionality, and why saving for 40-year-old you might be just as important as saving for retirement. We also explore the deeper personal layers of his journey — hitting every professional benchmark and still feeling lost, the "I'll be happy when" trap, working through it with a therapist, and what it really means to rewrite your definition of success from the inside out. Michael shares how the sabbatical wasn't about running away, but about learning what truly mattered to him, so he wasn't just replicating the same life with his own name on the door. We close with a conversation about rock bottom, catching lessons early, embodying the future version of yourself now, and the belief that alignment in spirit, mind, and body is what allows everything else — including money — to follow. Michael now does this work with clients at Wonderland FP, helping millennials navigate the big life moments — combining finances, starting families, buying homes — with intention and permission to live authentically.

Check him out at wonderlandfp.com and find his Substack at The Art of Wandering.

Read the art of the Sabbatical: https://theartofwandering.substack.com/p/the-art-of-the-sabbatical

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts

03:08 The Art of the Sabbatical

06:00 Listening to Your Heart

09:03 Experimentation and Preparation

11:59 Finding Authenticity and Balance

15:05 Changing the Narrative on Financial Planning

17:58 The Importance of Hope

21:10 Navigating Life's Uncertainties

23:58 Embracing the Unknown

27:00 The Evolution of Goals

30:00 Reflections on Rock Bottom

32:59 Redefining Success

35:50 The Journey of Self-Discovery

39:02 Conclusion and Future Conversations

After 20 years climbing the corporate ladder inside hospitals and health systems — VP roles, COO of a major Metro Detroit hospital, navigating a global pandemic on the front lines — my guest Frank Sawyer walked away from it all to build something he believes can actually fix healthcare.

In this episode, Frank and I talk about what's really broken in the healthcare system (and why it's not a conspiracy), how he founded Health Forward to bridge the gap between healthcare innovation and the institutions that need it most, and the deeply personal journey of leaving a comfortable, lucrative career to bet on himself and his vision.

We go behind the scenes on the fears he had to overcome, the role his wife Katie played in giving him the final push, the "she don't want you anymore" moments that signaled it was time to go, and how he spent years quietly planting seeds so that when the moment came, all he had to do was hit the green button.

If you've ever felt the pull between where you are and where you know you're supposed to be, Frank's story is going to hit home.

Topics we cover: - What's actually wrong with the healthcare system and why it hasn't changed - What Health Forward is and how it's helping health tech companies break into hospitals - Why Frank doesn't believe in the "keep people sick" conspiracy — but acknowledges the financial incentives are real - The fear of failure, generational responsibility, and learning to have more peace in financial uncertainty than he ever had with a steady paycheck - Why protecting your network matters more than pimping out your Rolodex - How to start building toward your next chapter before you're ready to leave your current one

Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:45 What's wrong with healthcare after 20 years on the inside 4:30 The conspiracy theory question: is the system designed to keep us sick? 9:00 What is Health Forward, and where did the idea come from 16:00 Why healthcare hasn't changed since 1986 20:30 Katie's role: "If you're waiting for me to say go do it, this is that conversation" 27:00 Facing the fear: worst case scenario and what comes after 34:00 Building the business while still in the corporate world 41:00 The pandemic as the final wake-up call 50:00 How Health Forward actually helps health tech companies 58:00 Why Frank never "pimps out the Rolodex" — and why that matters 1:04:00 What's next for Health Forward 1:09:00 Frank's advice for anyone building toward their next chapter

I first met Daisy through Tom Morgan's Leading Edge community, and when I mentioned I'd done human design and gene keys, she laughed—"You're much further into astrology than you realize."

In this conversation, Daisy walks me through my own gene key profile live, and what unfolds is remarkable. Gene keys and human design are consciousness mapping tools that reveal how we're uniquely designed to operate in the world and what's meant to evolve through us in this lifetime.

Daisy discovered these systems while managing a music label in New York, working with talented artists who were sacrificing their authentic genius for what would go viral or get them paid. That's when she started using gene keys to help people tap into their true expression rather than chasing someone else's formula for success.

As we explore my profile, she identifies patterns I've never consciously noticed—from how I process information as a "sponge" to why I see bald eagles at pivotal moments (the eagle is connected to my vocation gene key about finding truth). We discuss martyrdom, service, leadership through stillness, and bringing your unique gifts into the world without competing in everyone else's game.

Whether you're skeptical or curious, get your free gene key profile and see what resonates. You have nothing to lose from opening your mind.

Gene Keys: https://home.genekeys.com/ Human Design: https://www.myhumandesign.com/ Connect with Daisy for a reading: https://www.libertasyou.com/

Takeaways - Human Design and Gene Keys provide maps of consciousness. - Everyone has a unique genius that can be expressed. - Intuition plays a crucial role in decision-making. - The shadow is necessary for accessing personal gifts. - Exploring these systems can lead to greater self-awareness. - Authenticity is key to living a fulfilling life. - Skepticism can be a barrier to personal growth. - Tools like Human Design and Gene Keys are not prescriptive but exploratory. - Living authentically can contribute to a better world.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation 01:12 Exploring Human Design and Gene Keys 04:43 Daisy's Journey into Human Design 07:25 Understanding Authentic Genius 10:48 The Enneagram and Its Role 11:53 Navigating the Enneagram Test 12:41 Daisy's Experience in the Music Industry 13:02 Using Gene Keys to Unlock Potential 15:14 The Importance of Intuition in Readings 18:01 Addressing Skepticism Around Astrology 21:19 Personal Revelations from Gene Keys 24:24 Manifesting Generators and Intuition 27:07 The Balance of Action and Reflection 30:53 Diving into Human Design Reports 31:44 Understanding Human Design and Body Graphs 34:02 Intuition and Authority in Human Design 37:41 The Difference Between Generators and Manifesting Generators 39:20 Finding Your One Thing: The Journey to Authenticity 44:55 Exploring Gene Keys and Their Significance 49:01 The Role of Shadows in Personal Growth 54:07 Activation Sequence: Purpose and Authenticity 58:56 Connecting with Nature and Personal Symbols 01:01:03 The Power of Living Authentically

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In this conversation, I sit down with Rashan Brown—spoken word poet, founder of Poetry Me Please, and someone who's masterfully building his creative vision alongside a full-time career. What started with heartbreak in high school and a fascination with battle rap has evolved into a platform that's bringing spoken word poetry to stages like Brooklyn's Kings Theatre. Rashan's journey is the perfect example of what's possible when you commit to your authentic path without sacrificing financial stability.

We dig into the real challenges of entrepreneurship—the events that profit, the ones that don't, and why he views every "loss" as an investment in Poetry Me Please's future. He shares how having a nine-to-five has actually given him the freedom to take creative risks without the pressure of needing every event to generate revenue. We also explore the deeper "why" behind Poetry Me Please—how it's become a vehicle for healing, community building, and creating spaces where artists can express themselves authentically. Rashan opens up about the internal work required to sustain this vision, the importance of conviction over certainty, and those early breadcrumb moments (like performing Maya Angelou at Virginia Tech with Nikki Giovanni) that pointed toward his future.

This conversation is for anyone who's ever felt torn between creative passion and practical reality. Rashan proves you don't have to choose—you can build both, one intentional step at a time.

Takeaways

• The founding of Poetry Me Please was driven by a desire to create a platform for poets.
• Conviction and belief in oneself are crucial for success.
• Passion should guide one's pursuits, even alongside a traditional career.
• Performing poetry provides a unique thrill and emotional release.
• Humility is essential to maintain perspective in success.
• Receiving compliments is important for both the giver and receiver.
• Artistic expression can tell multiple stories through creative techniques.
• The importance of community support in pursuing creative endeavors.
• Balancing a career and passion allows for more creative freedom without financial pressure.
• Financial ups and downs are part of the entrepreneurial journey in the arts.
• Investing in one's passion is crucial for long-term success.
• Lessons learned from failures are valuable for future growth.
• Surrounding oneself with supportive people is essential for success.

In this episode, I sit down with Isik Tlabar to explore one of the most powerful tools we all have access to but rarely learn how to use: our intuition. Isik shares the remarkable story of how she discovered her calling. After leaving architecture, she found herself in Turkey with a lost passport, desperate to return to London. Through a series of synchronistic events—from finding the right cab driver who got her a passport in an hour to landing at a Tony Robbins meetup where she met someone who introduced her to intuitive training—the universe literally guided her exactly where she needed to be.

We dive into what intuition actually is and how it differs from our analytical mind. While our mind processes information we already know and often comes from fear, intuition is this instant knowing that connects us to something larger. Isik explains that intuition shows up differently for everyone—some people see visions, others hear guidance, some feel things in their body, and others just have this deep knowing. The key is learning your unique intuitive language.

We get practical about how to strengthen your intuitive muscle. Isik emphasizes the importance of getting into a neutral, relaxed state—whether through meditation, movement, time in nature, or whatever puts you in flow. Our phone habits and constant mental chatter often drown out our intuitive signals, which is why creating space and silence is crucial. I can personally vouch for Isik's work. When I had a session with her, she tuned into things I hadn't shared—thoughts I'd been having that we'd never discussed. It was one of those experiences that made me realize this stuff is real. Whether you're a total believer or still figuring out where you stand, this conversation offers practical wisdom on how to start listening to that inner guidance we all have.

Takeaways

• Intuition can guide you to where you need to be.
• Listening to your intuition is essential for personal growth.
• Intuition is often a whisper that can be drowned out by the mind.
• You can train your intuition like a muscle.
• Creating space in your life allows for intuitive insights to emerge.
• Intuition can be the voice of God or a higher power.
• Understanding the difference between intuition and projection is crucial.
• Releasing attachment to outcomes can enhance intuitive clarity.
• Intuition often provides the next step in a calm and relaxed manner.
• Your unique gifts contribute to the collective good.

In this episode, I'm joined by a special guest, my wife, Ang, as she prepares to close Roman and Leo, the boys' clothing boutique she's poured her heart into for years. This is one of the most honest conversations I've had about what it means to walk away from something you've built, even when you've mastered it.

Ang opens up about the fear of leaving behind what's familiar—a business where she's refined every process, developed real expertise, and created something beautiful. But mastery and success aren't always enough. She talks about sensing it was time for a new chapter, even without having all the answers about what comes next.

We explore the complex emotions that accompany closing a business: the grief of letting go, the fear of the unknown, and the courage it takes to honor what you've built while acknowledging it's time to move on. Ang shares what it's been like to make this decision—not from a place of failure, but from a place of growth and alignment.

This conversation is about endings that are also beginnings. It's about trusting yourself enough to close one door before you can fully see what's behind the next one. It's about knowing when something has run its course, even when it's still "working."

If you've ever felt torn between what you've invested in and where you're being called, this episode will resonate deeply. Ang's story reminds us that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is honor our evolution, even when it means saying goodbye to what we've known.

Takeaways

- The decision to close a business can be emotional but necessary. - Recognizing when a chapter in life is over is crucial for personal growth. - Passion for a business can fade, leading to the need for change. - Fear of the unknown often holds people back from making important decisions. - Cherishing past experiences while moving forward is essential. - Community support can provide comfort during transitions. - It's important to prioritize family and personal well-being over business. - The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with ups and downs. - Embracing change can lead to new opportunities and self-discovery. - Every ending can lead to a new beginning.

To shop Roman & Leo in this last month: www.romanandleo.com

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+ work. I had become the person I'd been envisioning.

Beyond that: - Dumbing down my iPhone has given me less scrolling, more creating. - Re-hiring my coach Phil and hiring my personal trainer Franqlin have been game-changers for personal growth and fitness. - Anya Meditation's 40-day program and the Open app have deepened my practice, along with getting a meditation cushion that's improved my posture and focus. - Monarch Money is helping me align our family spending with our authentic life. - Watching vlogs from Chris Williamson, Chris Bumstead, George Heaton, and Represent Clothing fuels my creativity and has inspired me to start vlogging myself in 2026. - Small group experiences like Sedona and the Baltimore fireside chat are shaping how I want to spend my time—I'm planning to bring more of that to Fishers. - P&Co is my favorite clothing brand for their quality and "mindset for purposeful living" approach. - Vinyl records hit differently—I'm embracing analog over digital. - The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown was my favorite read because it puts consciousness front and center.

These are the things that made 2025 special, and I'd love to know what yours were.

All of the links can be found here: https://www.justincastelli.io/omens/2025-faves

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 network that has transformed his life and career.

We dive into the real mechanics of networking—not the transactional, business-card-collecting kind, but the human kind. Nas breaks down his five principles for cultivating meaningful relationships: give without expecting anything back, stay curious about people, add value quietly, protect your reputation, and play the long game. These aren't just platitudes; they're practices he lives by daily.

We also tackle the harder side of relationships: knowing when to let them evolve or end. Nas walks through his annual practice of auditing his friendships—not in a cold, calculating way, but with intention and honesty about who he's growing with and who he's outgrown. It's a reminder that not everyone in your life is meant to be there forever, and that's okay. Sometimes people serve their purpose in a season, and freeing up that space allows new, more aligned relationships to enter your life.

Throughout our conversation, you'll hear the genuine brotherhood between Nas and me. We joke, we challenge each other, and we speak honestly about the work it takes to build authentic connections in a world that often values surface-level networking over real relationships.

Takeaways

- The importance of networking and genuine relationships. - Building trust is a key component of successful networking. - Curiosity about others can lead to deeper connections. - Relationships are a form of capital that can be more valuable than money. - It's essential to give without expecting anything in return. - Letting go of relationships that no longer serve you is crucial for growth. - Small gestures can have a significant impact on building relationships. - Playing the long game in relationships is important for future success. - Authenticity is vital in forming genuine connections. - Your network can evolve, and it's okay to outgrow certain relationships.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nisiar Smith 01:00 Journey to Independence in Financial Services 02:59 Founding Courtside Wealth Partners 05:56 The Importance of Networking and Relationships 08:59 Building Genuine Connections 11:52 The Value of Relationship Capital 15:06 Long-Term Relationship Strategies 17:48 Cultivating Trust and Mutual Support 20:55 The Impact of Relationships on Success 23:55 Maya Angelou's Wisdom on Relationships 29:33 Building Authentic Relationships 36:12 The Importance of Curiosity 42:20 Navigating Relationship Dynamics 49:02 Evaluating Friendships and Relationships 56:37 Letting Go for Growth

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, completing stress cycles, and why telling yourself "you are safe" matters more than you might think.

Lindsay shares her recent LinkedIn post about plant medicine journeys—psilocybin and ayahuasca—and how these experiences have shaped her path toward authenticity. She reveals her own trauma story and how she's been collecting tools for healing over the past two and a half years, including working with a somatic therapist and becoming certified as a psychosomatic practitioner.

I share my own interest in taking a journey and why I believe these tools can help us know ourselves better. We discuss the stigma around psychedelics, the science supporting their therapeutic use, and why ancient wisdom combined with modern understanding might be exactly what we need.

This conversation challenges you to consider: What does it take to stop masking who you are? How can we reconnect our minds and bodies to live more authentically? And what tools are available to help us do that work?

Connect with Lindsay:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaytroxell/ Our Coaching Initiative: https://ourcoachinginitiative.com/

Takeaways

- Somatics is the practice of looking inward. - Introspection helps in understanding bodily sensations. - Our body can signal when we need to protect ourselves. - Exhaustion can be a response to fear of challenges. - The nervous system significantly influences our lived experiences. - Recognizing tension can aid in emotional regulation. - Body awareness is crucial for personal growth. - Understanding sensations can improve decision-making. - Somatics can enhance our interactions with the world. - Emotional responses are often tied to physical sensations.