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.