Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode, David and Nick dive deep into the topic of disassociation and trauma, exploring how these experiences shape our relationship with ourselves and our ability to live in alignment. The conversation unpacks the subtle and not-so-subtle ways we abandon ourselves—whether through trauma responses, daily distractions, or coping mechanisms—and how the Aligned Living System offers tools to recognize and return to our true selves.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The nature of disassociation as a response to trauma, from major events to everyday discomforts.
• Personal stories about leaving the body, high pain thresholds, and the realization that these are often signs of practiced disassociation rather than strength.
• How disassociation shows up in common experiences like ADHD, daydreaming, and even social media or sugar cravings.
• The concept of “parking spots”—personalized places we go to avoid ourselves, such as anger, victimhood, or distraction.
• The importance of awareness: once you recognize disassociation, it becomes a choice rather than an unconscious reaction.
• The “veneer” of trauma and coping mechanisms, and the freedom that comes from realizing these barriers are often thin and can be moved through.
• The role of Aligned Living tools in helping us catch ourselves when we start to abandon who we truly are, and how to return to alignment quickly.
• The cost of disassociation and the power of making self-abandonment feel “gross” so that we naturally return to our authentic selves.
• Reflections on how societal and workplace expectations can encourage us to wear different personas, and how unresolved trauma often underlies this behavior.
• Please review us! Listener feedback is essential for the growth of the podcast. We appreciate your support in getting our show out there to support more people!

Memorable Quotes:

• “Disassociation is basically leaving our alignment. We’re abandoning ourselves and going into some other story, some other version. of ourselves”
• “When we don’t abandon ourselves, when we don’t disassociate from who we truly are, something very different starts happening.”
• “Once you have the awareness of it, then it is a choice.”
• “Aligned Living is claiming who you are, being that, and making whenever you’re being anything else feel gross.”

Call to Action:
If you found value in this episode, please leave a review and share your thoughts. Your feedback helps others discover the podcast and supports the Aligned Living community.

Connect with Us:
We love hearing from listeners! Reach out with your questions, comments, or stories about your own journey with alignment and self-awareness.

Next Episode:
Tune in next week for more conversations on living in alignment and practical tools for personal transformation.

Thank you for listening to The Aligned Living System Podcast!

Episode Overview

In this episode, David Waldas and Nick Musica dive into a bold and self-confronting question: “What if the life you built is the very thing holding you back?” Inspired by the new headline for David’s rebranded website, the conversation explores how the structures, habits, and identities we create for ourselves can become obstacles to our next level of growth and fulfillment.

Key Topics & Insights

• The Trap of Past Success:
  David and Nick discuss how the very systems and routines that once served us can become limitations. Using examples from the business world—like CEOs who are perfect for one stage of a company but not the next—they draw parallels to personal growth and self-leadership.

• Stages of Transformation:
  The hosts reflect on the need to periodically “clean up” or overhaul aspects of our lives, just as cities or companies do. Sometimes, this means making bold, unpopular changes to move forward.

• The Harrison Assessment & Operating Systems:
  Nick brings up the Harrison Assessment, a tool that reveals our behavioral patterns and stress points. They discuss how the “operating system” that got you here may not be the one that gets you where you want to go.

• Personal Evolution & Career Shifts:
  David shares his journey from teaching to metaphysical fairs, to running his own center, and eventually to high-level coaching. Each phase required a different mindset, skillset, and support system.

• Specialization & Value:
  Nick highlights the shift from being a generalist to a specialist, noting that narrowing your focus and audience can lead to greater impact and higher value.

• Internal Identity Shifts:
  The conversation turns to the internal work required to support external change. David notes that coaching high performers demands a different level of confidence and presence than earlier phases of his career.

• Money Mindset:
  Nick recalls a defining moment at a Brendon Burchard event, realizing his relationship with money was shaped by low expectations—a pattern he needed to change to grow.

• Processing Trauma & Expansion:
  David shares a recent experience of processing old trauma quickly and efficiently, illustrating how personal growth increases our capacity to handle challenges without being overwhelmed.

• The Role of Coaching:
  Both hosts emphasize the importance of having coaches and mentors, especially at higher levels of achievement. The willingness to seek feedback and confront blind spots is key to ongoing expansion.

• Self-Betrayal & Alignment:
  The episode closes with a discussion of how we often betray ourselves by prioritizing others’ needs or societal expectations. True alignment means consistently choosing what’s right for you, even if it means letting go of what no longer serves.

Memorable Quotes

• “What if the life you built is the very thing holding you back?”
• “The operating system that got you here is not the one that will get you where you want to go.”
• “We don’t stop expanding, and as we do, old stuff comes up to be cleared. The skill is learning to process it without letting it take over.”
• “Our job, once we get into alignment, is to not abandon ourselves—not to betray ourselves.”

Takeaways

If you’re feeling stuck or confronted by your own growth, you’re not alone. The path to fulfillment and impact requires regular self-inquiry, a willingness to let go of what no longer fits, and the courage to keep expanding—even when it means facing old fears or traumas. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, invest in your own development, and remember: alignment is an ongoing process.

Thank you for listening!
If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and join us next week for more conversations on living in alignment.

The Aligned Living System Podcast
Title: From Trauma to Purpose: Embracing the Next Phase of Healing

Hosts: David Waldas & Nick Musica

Summary:
In this episode, David and Nick dive deep into the purpose behind our trauma and how it shapes our journey, both individually and collectively. They explore the idea that healing is not a one-time event but a layered process, where each new level of growth reveals another opportunity for resolution. The conversation centers on how our personal healing work is not just for ourselves, but also serves a greater collective purpose as humanity shifts from a third-dimensional to a fifth-dimensional consciousness.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Humanity of Healing: The episode opens with a lighthearted look at the podcasting process, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and embracing imperfections.
• The Purpose Behind Trauma: David introduces the central theme—how our traumas are not random, but part of a soul-level agreement to help usher in a new era of consciousness on the planet.
• Healing as a Layered Journey: Both hosts discuss how healing happens in layers, and that each time we resolve a piece of our trauma, we create more freedom and expansiveness within ourselves.
• Moving from Victimhood to Resolution: The conversation highlights the shift from seeing ourselves as victims of circumstance to recognizing our role in resolving and completing these cycles, both for our own growth and for the collective.
• The Collective Shift: David and Nick talk about the current planetary shift and how many people are here to help lead humanity through this transition by stabilizing healed energy signatures in their own fields.
• Practical Insights: Nick shares a personal story about tracing the roots of fear in his life, realizing some patterns are simply “baked in” from the start, and how the focus now is on living in the resolution rather than endlessly analyzing the past.
• The Power of Presence: The hosts emphasize that simply holding a healed and aligned energy field can help others around us resolve similar patterns, whether through direct work or just by being present.
• Letting Go and Moving Forward: The episode concludes with encouragement to embrace this new phase—letting go of old wounds, stabilizing in our healed state, and stepping into the role of supporting others through our presence and example.

Notable Quotes:

• “Healing is not about taking another lap in the pain. It’s about realizing you’ve done the work, and now it’s time to stand up and move forward.”
• “Our job now is to live in the resolved state, to stabilize our energy, and to offer that signature to humanity.”
• “It’s time for a new job—one that’s about alignment, stability, and radiating our healed energy to help others.”

Takeaways:

• Healing is a continuous, layered process, and each step forward benefits both ourselves and the collective.
• The current shift in consciousness is making it easier than ever to resolve old patterns and step into a new phase of purpose.
• By stabilizing in our healed state, we become conduits for collective healing, simply through our presence and alignment.

Call to Action:
Reflect on where you are in your own healing journey. Are you ready to step into the next phase and offer your healed energy to the world? Embrace the simplicity and freedom of living in resolution, and know that your presence makes a difference.

Episode 77 of the Aligned Living System Podcast

Episode Title: What Do We Do When Enough is Enough?

Hosts: David Waldas & Nick Musica

Summary:

In episode 77, David and Nick dive deep into the theme of reaching a breaking point—personally and collectively—when we realize we can no longer continue as we have. They explore the emotional and spiritual dynamics of hitting "rock bottom," both as individuals and as a society, and discuss how these moments can catalyze profound transformation.

Key Topics & Highlights:

The Breaking Point:

The episode opens with a discussion about what happens when we reach the point of "enough is enough." David and Nick reflect on how anger, victimhood, and disempowerment are common responses, but also how these moments can be opportunities to claim our power and realign with our truth.

Personal Stories:

David shares a moving story about the passing of his dog, Isabelle, and the profound spiritual experience he had during her transition. This story illustrates the coexistence of grief and beauty, and the importance of honoring both our inner and outer experiences.

Multiple Realities:

The hosts discuss how, especially in turbulent times, there are often "multiple realities" at play. They encourage listeners to choose which reality to engage with and to find their own truth, even if it seems delusional to others.

Rock Bottoms and Transformation:

Nick and David talk about the concept of "multiple rock bottoms," referencing stories of addiction and recovery to highlight how sometimes it takes repeated crises before real change happens—both for individuals and for society as a whole.

The Role of Alignment:

A central theme is the importance of holding personal alignment and not abandoning oneself, even when the world feels chaotic. The hosts emphasize that those who can hold their alignment help stabilize the collective and create a new way forward.

Spiritual Tools for Challenging Times:

David and Nick share insights and tools for navigating difficult periods, including the importance of not getting entangled in negativity, trusting the process, and focusing on bringing light rather than fighting darkness.

Encouragement for Listeners:

The episode closes with a message of hope and encouragement, inviting listeners to explore their own truths, hold their alignment, and remember that everything is part of a larger process of transformation.

Notable Quotes:

"Our job is not to get dragged along the bottom of rock bottom. Our job is to stay clear, to hold our alignment, and to help stabilize the collective."

"There are multiple realities happening at the same time. Choose which reality you want to engage with."

"Sometimes it takes multiple rock bottoms before we’re ready to change—personally and collectively."

Call to Action:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or at your own breaking point, know that you’re not alone. Explore the tools and perspectives shared in this episode, and consider what it means to hold your own alignment in challenging times.

Thank you for listening!

If you found this episode helpful or inspiring, please share it with others and leave a review. Stay aligned, and have a great week!

The Aligned Living System Podcast – Episode 76

**Guest:** Will Wilkinson

**Host:** David Waldas

In Episode 76 of The Aligned Living System Podcast, host David Waldas welcomes Will Wilkinson, Wall Street Journal best selling author, coach, and thought leader in the field of conscious living and personal transformation. Together, they explore the journey of aligning one’s life with deeper values, the power of intentional living, and practical strategies for cultivating greater fulfillment and impact.

A special highlight of this episode is Will’s recent completion of the Aligned Living System. Will shares his key takeaways and the profound transformation he experienced through the Aligned Living process. He discusses how the Aligned Living System helped him deepen his self-awareness, clarify his values, and integrate new daily practices that have led to greater fulfillment and alignment in both his personal and professional life.

The conversation delves into Will’s background, including his early influences, the pivotal moments that shaped his philosophy, and his ongoing work helping individuals and organizations foster authentic alignment. Will shares insights from his books and coaching practice, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, daily rituals, and community support in sustaining meaningful change.

Listeners will discover actionable tips for integrating Aligned Living into everyday routines, overcoming common obstacles, and nurturing a sense of purpose. The episode also touches on the role of vulnerability, the value of curiosity, and the transformative potential of small, consistent actions.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your personal growth journey or looking for tools to support others, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom and encouragement.

Key Topics Covered:

• Will Wilkinson’s personal and professional journey

• The principles of Aligned Living

• Will’s experience completing the Aligned Living System Program

• Key takeaways and transformation from the Aligned Living process

• Practical tools for self-awareness and intentionality

• Overcoming resistance and embracing vulnerability

• Building supportive communities

• The impact of daily practices on long-term transformation

Listen to the full episode for more insights and inspiration on living in alignment with your highest values through the Aligned Living System.

In this episode of the Aligned Living System podcast, David Waldas and Nick Musica explore the reasons behind the struggles we create in our lives. They discuss the avoidance of deeper emotional healing, the distractions that keep us from our true selves, and the importance of self-exploration.

The conversation emphasizes the need to shrink our external focus and dive deeper into our inner selves to find true transformation and fulfillment.

In this episode of the Aligned Living System podcast, David Waldas and Nick Musica delve into the complexities of belief systems, the relationship with plant medicine, and the consciousness that comes with these experiences.

They explore how personal experiences shape our beliefs, the interactive nature of plant medicine, and the broader implications of consciousness in our lives. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing our purpose as spiritual beings and the need for a balanced approach to understanding our experiences.

As the world shifts from third to fifth dimensional consciousness, many are feeling the tension between the old and the new. In this episode, David Waldas and Nick Musica explore how to navigate this transition while staying grounded in everyday life. If you’re experiencing the push and pull of this shift, this episode will help you navigate change with clarity and confidence.