Wealthing Podcast

This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Benjamin Holmes and Nathan Castro, co-founders of Nanochon, a company bringing a new approach to cartilage repair into the world. Their journey from academic research labs to biomedical innovation reveals how curiosity and persistence can reshape the future of regenerative medicine.

Ben and Nathan trace their path from early experiments in biomedical engineering and 3D printing to the creation of Nanochon. They share how each stage of their nine-year journey—iterative design, animal trials, regulatory navigation, and funding rounds, including support from Wealthing—shaped both their technology and their vision.

Alicia and her guests dive into the promise of next-generation cartilage repair, exploring what it means to move a deep-tech medical innovation from concept to clinical reality. They discuss the challenges of translational science, the patience required to prove safety and efficacy, and the excitement of preparing to treat their first human patient.

From scientific rigor to entrepreneurial resilience, this episode highlights the long arc of building meaningful medical breakthroughs—and the impact possible when innovation, discipline, and mission-driven leadership come together.

About Ben: Dr. Ben Holmes is the co-founder and CEO of Nanochon. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from The George Washington University, where his research focused on tissue engineering, biomaterials, and 3D printing for orthopedic applications. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia. Since founding Nanochon in 2016, Ben has led the company through scientific development, IP creation, regulatory planning, and capital formation. Under his leadership, Nanochon has raised over $13.5 million to date across both dilutive and non-dilutive sources, including federal SBIR grants, venture capital investment, and strategic partnerships. He was instrumental in driving the company's novel Chondrograft™ implant through 12-month large-animal studies and into its upcoming first-in-human trial, following Health Canada approval. Ben also serves as a public advocate for early-stage biotech, regularly appearing at industry events, investor forums, and in other public forums.

About Nathan: Dr. Nathan J. Castro is an experienced biomedical researcher and entrepreneur. He has assisted in the design, testing, regulatory approval and clinical translation of 3D printed medical devices, as well as co-founded Nanochon, Inc. He is skilled in policy analysis, life sciences, data analysis, and quantitative research with particular interest in clinical translational (bench-to-bedside)

Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbhceo/

Connect with Nathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-j-castro/

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This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Lisa Nelson—financial professional, advisor, and immigrant leader—whose journey from Serbia to New York City reveals how resilience and authenticity can shape a powerful career in finance and beyond.

Lisa traces her path from Merrill Lynch to the fast-paced world of inter-dealer brokerage, sharing how each step honed her adaptability, sharpened her decision-making, and reinforced the value of taking calculated risks. She and Alicia explore what it means to remain true to oneself while navigating competitive environments, and how her early experiences as an immigrant continue to inform her leadership.

They also dive into Lisa's current advisory and board work across disruptive technologies, including her perspective on AI's expanding role in trading and market dynamics. Through these reflections, she highlights her commitment to inspiring others—particularly those forging new paths—by sharing her story and hard-won insights.

From cultural adaptation to technological transformation, this episode underscores the power of courage, curiosity, and mentorship. It invites listeners to imagine what's possible when lived experience, professional expertise, and a global perspective come together.

About Lisa: Lisa Nelson is a strategic operator and advisor known for transforming vision into disciplined, measurable execution. With a career built across financial services—from Wall Street trading floors to executive boardrooms—she has led global transformations, pricing strategies, post-merger integrations, and culture alignment initiatives that consistently drive sustainable growth.

Lisa specializes in helping high-growth companies think like enterprises without sacrificing agility. She partners with founders and CEOs to streamline operations, optimize go-to-market and pricing strategies, and build resilient organizational structures that can scale. As an investor, she focuses on fintech, AI, biotech, and data-driven ventures that challenge conventional thinking and reshape industries.

Deeply curious and mission-driven, Lisa is passionate about the evolving intersections of neuroscience, neurotechnology, longevity, and AI ethics. She is equally committed to fostering communities of exceptional women and elevating innovation that advances both business and society.

Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-lisa-nelson/

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This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Luke Hohmann—entrepreneur, technologist, game developer, and writer—whose unconventional journey from Buffalo to Silicon Valley reveals how creativity and community can shape a more equitable future.

Luke traces his path across startups, self-built ventures, and the world of game design, sharing how each chapter of his career informed his passion for collaborative budgeting and civic engagement. He and Alicia dive into the promise of participatory budgeting in schools, exploring how involving students and communities in financial decision-making can strengthen educational ecosystems—even as the pandemic posed unexpected hurdles to its implementation.

From community-driven resource allocation to a techno-optimist vision of technology as a force for good, this episode highlights the power of gratitude, resilience, and the choice to use one's professional skills in service of others. It's a conversation that inspires listeners to imagine what's possible when innovation and empathy come together.

About Luke: Luke is a four-time author, three-time founder, SAFe® Fellow, investor, and internationally recognized expert in Agile Product Management, Portfolio Management, and Software Development. Coming from Silicon Valley, he knows how to help founders and business leaders build sustainably profitable businesses, because it is only through sustainable profits that a business can thrive. He's also a game designer who especially enjoys bringing joy to people and organizations through play.

Connect with Luke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukehohmann/

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This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley, PhD, MBA, MSci, sits down with Nigist Goytom, founder of Ha:Hu::, a pioneering company transforming the way cultural and linguistic knowledge is preserved and shared.

Nigist traces her remarkable journey from to social entrepreneurship—beginning with her mission to create Amharic learning materials for her son and evolving into a scalable platform that empowers communities to document, celebrate, and exchange cultural data.

Together, she and Alicia delve into the enduring value of stories and proverbs as vessels of wisdom, the fusion of language and AI in cultural preservation, and the exciting potential of gamification to make education both meaningful and engaging.

Blending heritage with innovation, this episode is a powerful exploration of how technology can help safeguard identity, nurture connection, and inspire a new generation of culturally conscious entrepreneurs.

About Nigist: Nigist was born and raised in Ethiopia. She gaduated in Architecture from Addis Abeba University (EIABC), and completed her Masters in Architecture Art and City in Rome Italy (Roma Tre). She tarted to practice architecture in Zürich and eventually switched to the Edtech startup world through Ha Hu. She is a wife and mother to three fantastic kids. She enjoys and appreciates all sorts of art and expressions very much.

About Ha:Hu::: Ha:Hu:: is a women-led, data-focused EdTech startup tackling the loss of indigenous languages and the resulting learning poverty. Through our AI-powered digital platform, Bee Educate, we archive, digitize, and gamify underrepresented writing systems and languages — making them accessible to diaspora families, schools, and cultural institutions. Our work not only preserves linguistic heritage but also provides high-quality training data for AI companies developing models in small and niche languages.

Connect with Nigist: linkedin.com/in/nigist-goytom-4652b779/?originalSubdomain=ch

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This week on the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley speaks to guest Michel Thomas about his remarkable journey from publishing to media, charting the evolution of his company from print storytelling to television and the launch of the Eco Channel—the first green TV channel in the United States. Michel reflects on the vision behind pioneering environmentally focused media and the mission to elevate sustainability conversations in mainstream entertainment.

The discussion highlights Earth Week and major events in Fort Lauderdale, emphasizing corporate responsibility, environmental consciousness, and community-driven initiatives. Throughout the episode, the speakers underscore the importance of honoring human connection in an increasingly digital world, reminding us that technology should support—not replace—the relationships that drive meaningful progress.

They explore the value of continuous learning and adaptability in business, along with the significance of individual action in environmental stewardship. Michel shares his optimism for the future, speaking to the power of awareness, collaboration, and preserving natural environments as critical steps toward creating a healthier planet.

This episode offers an inspiring look at the media's role in shaping sustainability culture, the personal commitments behind mission-driven leadership, and the hopeful belief that small actions can fuel big impact.

About Michel Thomas: Michael received his formal education from the Sorbonne University and the École Polytechnique in Paris. He has built a distinguished career at the intersection of creativity, media, and business strategy, with extensive experience in sales, marketing, publishing, event management, and production. Upon relocating to New York, Michel founded Accents on Hair, an upscale bilingual beauty industry publication distributed across 30 U.S. states and 10 countries. The magazine achieved immediate success, selling 30,000 copies within its first month of release. In response to the evolving media landscape, Michel established International Event and Media Consulting in 2004, focusing on event production, publishing, and marketing initiatives. Building on this success, he founded VSN Media in 2010, a creative agency specializing in video production and brand development for the beauty, fashion, health, and luxury lifestyle sectors. Under his leadership, VSN Media launched The ECO Channel, recognized as the first "green" multimedia platform in the United States. About the ECO Channel: The ECO Channel is the first "green" television network in the United States and a global multimedia platform dedicated to advancing sustainability, innovation, and positive impact. Available on Roku, Amazon TV, and other major streaming platforms, it reaches an international audience with original programming that celebrates eco-conscious living, forward-thinking innovation, and real-world environmental solutions. Through original series, documentaries, and live event collaborations, The ECO Channel has become a trusted voice in the global sustainability movement. Partnering with over 40 organizations worldwide, the network amplifies initiatives that inspire change. Its signature event, Earth Week Miami, now in its sixth season, stands as a premier international celebration of our planet and a showcase of creativity, leadership, and commitment to a sustainable future.

Connect with Michel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelthomasm/

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This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Natasha Tsakos, a visionary artist bridging the worlds of theater and space exploration, to uncover how creativity can truly transcend gravity itself.

Natasha shares her remarkable journey from the stage to the stratosphere, revealing the inspirations behind Paraboles—a groundbreaking multimedia performance in microgravity that fuses dance, theater, cinema, and science. Together, she and Alicia explore the rigorous training required to perform in weightlessness, the intricate balance of merging art and technology, and the boundless curiosity that drives her mission to reimagine human expression beyond Earth.

From artistic innovation to personal transformation, this episode celebrates the courage to chase seemingly impossible dreams—and invites listeners to join a cultural movement that expands both imagination and community.

About Natasha: Natasha Tsakos is an award-winning showmaker creating theatrical adventures at the intersection of art, technology, and space. Her work has spanned the G20 Summit, Super Bowl with Cirque du Soleil, TED, Discovery Channel, and Tribeca Film Festival. She speaks at global platforms including the United Nations General Assembly and Google, exploring how performance, science, and technology drive human transformation.

With training from NASA, MIT's New Space Economy program, and the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences, Tsakos is developing PARABOLES, the first prototype for the performing arts in space, captured aboard Zero-G aircraft in partnership with MIT Space Exploration Initiative. The project culminates in an art film, docuseries, immersive installation, and training curriculum for future artists working in space environments.

A founding member of a NASA-awarded space food startup, Tsakos is building the cultural infrastructure for humanity's expansion beyond Earth. Her mission: to become the theatrical foundation of the space industry, creating utterly original performance on Earth and in orbit.

Connect with Natasha: linkedin.com/in/natashatsakos/

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This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Payel Farasat, former asset manager and current impact investor, to discuss the intersection of finance, dignity, and sustainability.

Payel shares her journey from traditional asset management to her work with FINCA International, where she champions the concept of "Return on Dignity"—an approach that measures success not just in profits, but in human impact. Together, she and Alicia reflect on their shared experiences as immigrants, Alicia's research on money and happiness, and how dignity serves as a bridge between business and well-being.

From emerging markets to everyday choices, this episode challenges us to imagine a more humane approach to investing—one that uplifts both investors and founders alike.

About Payel: Payel Farasat helps capital grow up, not just grow. A global growth advisor to funds, ventures, and nonprofits, including FINCA International, Payel works at the intersection of finance, inclusion, and storyproving, helping investors and founders build systems that are both profitable and purposeful.

She often says "capital grows quarterly, but capital grows up when it learns patience because real resilience doesn't happen on quarterly timelines."

With roots in Silicon Valley asset management and a career spanning impact finance, philanthropy, and emerging markets, Payel has become a leading voice in reimagining how money moves from transactional to transformational. Her work proves that impact investing is the future of outperforming.

Known for her belief that "the best returns compound not in dollars, but in dignity," Payel brings a rare blend of strategic rigor and soulful storytelling to the world of resilient finance, which reminds us that capital grows not just faster, but wiser, when it remembers its purpose.

Connect with Payel: linkedin.com/in/payelfarasat/

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This week on the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley speaks with Naava Mashiah, CEO of ME LINKS and Geneva-based impact investing specialist, about how private capital can help unlock Africa's potential. A former Israeli diplomat, Naava now works with family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals to channel investment into emerging markets through innovative, sustainable financial structures.

She shares how a single photograph from the refugee crisis inspired her mission to mobilize capital for social good, and how firsthand experience can reshape the way investors view opportunity.

A conversation on legacy, purpose, and the ripple effects of intentional investing—showing how small actions can build a more equitable world.

About Naava:

Naava is the CEO of ME LINKS, a financial advisory firm serving ultra-high-net-worth families and family offices. The firm specializes in designing innovative financial structures and investment models with a focus on sustainability. Currently, Naava is leading initiatives to mobilize private capital from family offices into emerging market opportunities through creative and impact-oriented financial vehicles.

She is also the founder of The GlassBox: Unlocking Capital from Family Offices, an online course that equips enterprise leaders with practical tools to engage family offices and raise capital effectively. In addition, Naava serves as Director of The Founders Kitchen, a private equity fund investing in disruptive Israeli high-tech ventures.

A former Israeli diplomat, Naava has spent over two decades fostering economic cooperation across the MENA region. She has been an active member of YPO since 2015, holding numerous leadership roles at the chapter, regional, and international levels—including Impact Officer for Europe and Financial Services Network Chair.

Naava also advises the Global Steering Group for Impact Investing (GSG) and serves on several distinguished boards and committees, including the Swiss Romande Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the WIZO UN Member Council, and the International Advisory Board of the Jerusalem Press Club and Mishkenot Sha'ananim Cultural Center.

She is a founding member of the Israeli-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Israeli Forum for Impact Economy, and an expert judge for MassChallenge Switzerland. Her insights on Middle Eastern affairs have appeared in Status Magazine, Common Ground News, Khaleej Times, and Daily News Egypt, and her firm ME LINKS has been featured in Globes.

Connect with Naava: Naava Mashiah LinkedIn

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In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley speaks with filmmaker and advocate Catherine Gray about her journey from television advertising to advocating for underrepresented populations in entrepreneurship. Catherine shares how projects like I Can't Marry You and She Angels have elevated LGBTQ rights and women's empowerment, and how storytelling can shape culture and drive impact.

They discuss the progress women have made in entrepreneurship, the importance of mindset and alignment, and the value of focusing energy on supportive communities. Catherine also highlights the success of her documentary Show Her the Money, which has toured over 100 cities and helped demystify venture capital for new audiences.

The conversation is an insightful look at legacy, resilience, and using media to spark meaningful change.

About Catherine:

Catherine Gray is the Executive Producer of the Show Her The Money movie, as well as a venture capitalist, Author, Keynote and TEDx Speaker, and Host of the Invest in Her Podcast. Catherine is also the Founder/CEO of She Angel Investors and Co-Founder of the She Angels Foundation.

As CEO of She Angel Investors' multi-media platform, Catherine helps connect founders and funders to resources and to each other.

She has a new book out that is the same name as the movie: Show Her The Money. It's about the riveting personal stories of the founders and funders behind the movie and the movement.

Connect with Catherine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinelgray/

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In this episode of the Wealthing Podcast, host Alicia Castillo Holley welcomes Marko Gargenta, founder of Plus Plus, a learning platform used by leading tech companies like Salesforce and Netflix. Marko shares his journey from teaching tech to building tools that scale institutional knowledge and empower professional growth.

Alicia and Marko explore the importance of aligning work with personal purpose, the privilege of building with exceptional teams, and how AI is reshaping creativity, bias, and our understanding of what it means to be human. They discuss the risks of algorithmic misrepresentation, the challenges of maintaining trust at scale, and the philosophical questions emerging at the intersection of consciousness and technology.

The conversation offers a thoughtful look at learning, legacy, and how education can drive personal evolution in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Connect with Marko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markogargenta/

🌐 Wealthing Club: wealthing.club