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

- Nisiar Smith emphasizes 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.

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.

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