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.

In this conversation, I'm joined by one of my closest friends Samuel Deane. We discuss the evolving landscape of financial planning, emphasizing the importance of an empathetic approach that integrates clients' personal lives with their financial goals, and we contrast this with the future of financial advisory in the age of AI and the necessity for advisors to build trusting relationships with their clients.

We also explore the challenges of balancing work and family life, the significance of understanding clients' true desires, and the role of financial advisors as guides in the life planning process.

Takeaways

- The importance of building a fan base that benefits both the advisor and the guest.
- Integrating work and family life is crucial for personal fulfillment.
- An empathetic approach to financial planning can lead to better client outcomes.
- Understanding client goals requires asking the right questions.
- Life planning is essential for helping clients achieve their true desires.
- Investment returns matter, but happiness and fulfillment are paramount.
- Financial advisors should focus on building trusting relationships with clients.
- The future of financial advisory will involve more life planning and less traditional investment focus.
- AI can assist in financial planning, but cannot replace the human touch.
- Advisors should not impose their views on clients but guide them to their own conclusions.

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 accomplishment (the topic of his book), which merges personal achievement with spiritual growth, and Conscious Talent, his platform aimed at connecting conscious leaders with businesses. I hope we encourage listeners to embrace their authentic selves and explore the transformative power of love and intention.

You can get a copy of Conscious Accomplishment here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FV86BG4T

Takeaways

• Your real problems aren't your circumstances, but your reactions to them.
• The journey to consciousness involves understanding oneself deeply.
• Intuition is a guide from the true self, helping navigate life.
• The heart is a gateway to higher intelligence and emotional understanding.
• Ambition can be driven by clean or dirty fuel; awareness is key.
• Conscious accomplishment merges personal achievement with spiritual growth.
• The outside world reflects our inner world; change begins within.
• Conscious Talent aims to connect conscious leaders with businesses.
• Practicing love and openness can transform relationships and self-perception.
• The evolution of consciousness is reflected in societal shifts towards authenticity.

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

"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

1,000 Daily Notes!!

You can read today's Note: https://www.justincastelli.io/dailynotes/100225

In the inaugural episode of my Convos With Friends series, I'm joined by my good friend Ashby Daniels. We explore his journey of transitioning from a successful financial advisory career to pursuing a passion for writing and client communication. We cover the importance of planning, the significance of family time, and the value of listening to one's intuition and spend some time exploring trade-offs between professional ambitions and personal fulfillment.

Takeaways

- The decision to leave a secure job can be influenced by a desire for personal fulfillment.
- Planning and ensuring clients are taken care of is crucial when transitioning careers. - Listening to signs from the universe can guide important life decisions.
- Cherishing family time can lead to unexpected blessings and deeper connections.
- Accepting trade-offs in life is essential for aligning with personal values.
- Professional growth doesn't have to come at the expense of personal well-being.
- It's okay to delay professional ambitions for family and personal priorities.
- Making a decision to not decide is a valid choice.
- Investing in personal growth can lead to professional success later.
- Love and connection with family are paramount in life.