Setting 2026 Goals with Producer, Leigh Castelli

Tune in as Dr. Pete & Producer, Leigh Castelli discuss their 2026 goals for On Air With Dr. Pete 

We want to hear from you! Please send your show comments and suggestions to hello@leighcastelli.com

This is your year and we want to continue bringing you content you enjoy! Thank you for your continued support of our podcast and Happy New Year!

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Transcript

Kicking Off 2026 Together

SPEAKER_01 0:16

It is on air with Dr. Pete, and we have another special episode today with the one and only Lee Costelli, producer. And she loves being on the camera, as you maybe know from the other time that we did this. We had one other episode like this.

SPEAKER_00 0:31

One other episode like this.

SPEAKER_01 0:33

We need to do more of it.

SPEAKER_00 0:35

You know how much I love this.

SPEAKER_01 0:37

She does not like this at all. She likes to be behind the scenes.

SPEAKER_00 0:40

Correct.

SPEAKER_01 0:40

To the point where she couldn't even get her computer to work to log on, actually.

SPEAKER_00 0:45

What else is new? What else is new? I don't have a fancy studio like Dr. Pete, so uh we wing it here. We just wing it.

SPEAKER_01 0:55

Meanwhile, yours looks so your background looks way better than mine does, so don't don't call anything fancy. Look at that. Oh, you can't even see the you're in the way of California, thank goodness. New Jersey. Oh, there it is. Uh but that's that's their that's their life in that household. Jersey, Illinois, and California, but anyway.

SPEAKER_00 1:12

Correct. Yes.

Holiday Takedown And Fresh Start

SPEAKER_01 1:14

So 2026, what do you think?

SPEAKER_00 1:16

I just can't believe that a new year has already begun. It's a good thing.

SPEAKER_01 1:21

But you and I were talking about just putting the decorations away as quickly as possible.

SPEAKER_00 1:25

I actually could not wait to do it. I could not wait to do it. I love having Christmas Hanukkah up when it's up. But as soon as the holidays are over, I'm like, I need that clutter gone. Like the cards that line my walls, I adore it for the four or five weeks that I get it, but then I have to get rid of it. Like I feel like the walls are closing in on me. So I couldn't, I couldn't wait to put it back.

SPEAKER_01 1:44

Well, and I think there's a lot of listeners that are going to relate to that because that's why I was like, I feel the same way.

SPEAKER_00 1:50

I just like to start my new year that way. I I know some people leave the tree up until New Year's Eve for me. I just like to have it all clean and put away and a fresh start to the new year every year. It's just it's the way it should be.

SPEAKER_01 2:01

It's the way it should be, at least in the Castelli household.

SPEAKER_00 2:05

Yeah. That's true.

SPEAKER_01 2:09

There's a thing called the Dia de Tris Regis, which is in Puerto Rico, the Day of Three Kings. And that's January 6th. And so in a lot of the Hispanic culture, actually all the stuff stays up until January 6th.

SPEAKER_00 2:23

Yes. I actually learned that on Christmas Eve when I went to church with my mother-in-law, and they did say it Christmas extends. And in my mind, Christmas is over, Hanukkah is over. We are on to 2026.

SPEAKER_01 2:37

2026.

SPEAKER_00 2:38

I had to put it away. But to me, it's f it's all about the fresh start. And I really like to feel organized and clutter free, even though my whole life I've been very cluttered. A part of my brain is very cluttered. But at least if my surroundings are uncluttered, then I feel better.

SPEAKER_01 2:54

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00 2:55

Exactly. So I just feel better. And I'm I'm just ready to start the new year with you.

SPEAKER_01 2:58

And our first episode for 2026?

SPEAKER_00 3:01

This is our first episode for 2026. Yes. Yes. We have other guests that we've recorded that we are going to be airing very soon. I can't wait to air. We've got some really great guests coming up for January.

2025 Wrap-Up And Guest Highlights

SPEAKER_01 3:13

So let's talk about that. So what do you so? Okay, um, and I did like a recap of 2025, which you know nothing about yet because you haven't listened to it yet.

SPEAKER_00 3:21

I haven't heard it. I haven't heard it. I'm sure it's great.

SPEAKER_01 3:24

Well, who knows?

SPEAKER_00 3:24

It was a busy year. It was a really busy year, and it was really fun for the podcast. We had so many great guests, so I'm excited to hear what you talked about. But I think a 2025 wrap-up, like we we did a lot. We accomplished a lot this year.

SPEAKER_01 3:36

We did, and thanks to you. Now, I just had a thought, which I don't think you're I know you're not going to answer this because I also asked you who your favorite guest was on Oprah. Do you think you could say the favorite guest you had on 2025 on her with Dr. Pete?

SPEAKER_00 3:47

You're probably not supposed to answer that, but like not supposed to answer that because I'm the producer, so I'm friends with everybody. I mean, I loved I loved them all. I feel like we really just topic.

SPEAKER_01 3:58

Yeah, because we had some really heavy topics.

SPEAKER_00 4:00

We had heavy topics. We did, we had heavy topics, and I think it's really important to share a lot of those. Obviously, like I love Nikki Boyer, and I loved that show because of the personal connection that we had with her and dying for sex, but I also really loved the Scream Club. I think just like getting that anger and emotion out is so important. I feel like we had some really great guests with some really special stories. So it would be hard to pinpoint.

SPEAKER_01 4:23

It is hard to pinpoint.

SPEAKER_00 4:24

I like giving a wide variety. I don't I like mixing it up. I know you do too, and talking to a lot of different people and covering a lot of different topics. I feel like our goal for the show has always been, you know, to offer practical, helpful advice. And and I do feel like we accomplished that with a lot of the guests that we had featured on the show this year, last year.

SPEAKER_01 4:41

Do you think I should be preparing more before the episodes?

SPEAKER_00 4:45

I mean, you I think already know what I'm going to say to this, but I also just know that we are working on a very limited timeline with you. Like you are busy.

SPEAKER_01 4:55

Let's say let's say it wasn't. Like, what would your answer really be?

Preparing vs Improvising As A Host

SPEAKER_00 4:59

I believe that you should be more prepared. I know when we talk about topics and we're like, oh, we really should book this or we're interested in this, we talk about these things and then I go after it and I make it happen. But sure, I would love for you to at least dive in a little bit more. But we all know that that's really hard with your schedule. So well, but here's the other piece of it.

SPEAKER_01 5:17

Maybe, and this is important, and maybe listeners can give some feedback too. But like I fit so part of why I do that is I like to improv a bit more. And I think if I'm if I'm too prepared, which uh uh I think it becomes too scripted. So, how do I how as a producer with all your expertise, how do I find balance in that?

SPEAKER_00 5:34

Yeah, and and I think it's important. I think it's important to understand where your guests are coming from and what their story is and what they want to share. But then being able to keep it very improv style and go kind of, you know, with the flow, that's what makes you so great at this. And that's why people really enjoy your show because you are very conversational. Yeah. And so it is important not to be too scripty. When I give you like topics or things to discuss, it's stuff that you and I have already spoken about, but then you're ready to go in a conversational manner.

SPEAKER_01 6:00

Well, remember the remember the first like set of scripts that you gave me versus what they look like now?

SPEAKER_00 6:06

And they're still longer compared to what you want.

SPEAKER_01 6:09

But you know, sometimes you do need a little bit of you know, backstory or the first scripts were like like scripts, like movie scripts. Again, again.

SPEAKER_00 6:20

It was all written out like we're gonna go back to my television days because we were writing scripts for very long, you know, 30, 60 minute, full-on episodes. So I feel like a lot of my writing style is to give you a more elaborate, you know, background and and show ideas and show topics, and that's kind of you know where I come from. But yes, having to shorten it for you. Obviously, this this podcast is shorter, it's you know, 20, 25, 30 minutes. So and I know also that you get overwhelmed when you see a lot of text or copy coming in. So I keep my text messages brief to you, I keep my my voicemail messages brief to you because your time is precious like the rest of ours.

SPEAKER_01 6:58

And it's it's not it's not about that. It's about I actually talked about this in the last uh recently with um with Mike. Um just about like efficiency. Yeah. Oh no, maybe that's in 2025. I don't know. One of the reasons is just about being efficient. So it's less about like I'm not my time is not valuable, actually. No one's time is valuable because actually that is the one thing that is equal in life. No matter how rich or poor you are, time knows no boundaries. Time is what time is.

SPEAKER_00 7:25

So yes, and and I agree with efficiency and how we use our time and how we spend our time and how we choose to spend our time, and you know, just people choosing to spend the time with us listening to these episodes, like that is a choice that we're making, and we fit it in whether we're on a walk or a treadmill or in the car or whatever it is. But yes, for you, like you are spread thin because you do have a lot of other, you know, hats that you wear. So we try to be mindful of that and and make it work within your timeline. But also I think it's okay to you know meet the guests face to face for the first time and like really dive in because that's what makes it very authentic to you and to the guests that we're featuring.

SPEAKER_01 8:01

Well, thank you for all that you do for that. Because I think we did really have a really great lineup. And so 20, like looking ahead for this year, we'll keep that, right? We want variety, we want diversity, we want all that. Of course. Yeah. Of course. What else do you think about? Like what other goals?

Scripts, Efficiency, And Time

SPEAKER_00 8:13

I think that we're we're starting a new year fresh. So for me, it is always kind of what I was saying with just the decor, like taking down decluttering our life. So to me, starting off the year, I don't so much as believe in New Year's resolutions because we all know like we can make a resolution. It doesn't always necessarily work or last. So for me, it's all about just starting this year fresh. Like, what can we do different this year that we didn't do last year? Like, what can we switch up to make things a little bit more efficient or make it better? Yeah, you know, for our listeners and for you and for me and for the guests that we're welcoming on the show. We want it to be a really positive experience. And I feel like in all the feedback that we've received, both from the listeners, you know, in the emails that come through every day and from our guests, they do feel like it is a good use of time. But I really want to kind of get into that decluttering, how to start the year fresh, how to start the year, you know, organized and efficient. I think a lot of it comes down to, you know, just having different people on that share different perspectives. So I know we have a really great guest coming on in January who's gonna talk all about decluttering and how to really organize your life in all areas, not just in your home in the physical sense, but how can you organize your life so that you feel less cluttered and less chaotic? You know, I think it's just, you know, different, different topics. I know we want to talk a lot about Zen and your practice.

SPEAKER_01 9:26

So are we cool with that? I did mention that in the 2025.

SPEAKER_00 9:29

I think it's great. And I think we've heard from our listeners that they're really interested in that from you because that is such a unique part of your background. And because mindfulness and meditation is so important to you, I think it's really great to be able to share that. And if we can give that to our listeners in a way that they can take and work on on their own time, I think that that would be great. It's it's something maybe they weren't considering trying before, and maybe you can, you know, open a whole new world for them. So I really believe that bringing in some Zen would be great.

SPEAKER_01 9:55

So, should we do that on like the last Friday of every month or something like that?

SPEAKER_00 9:59

I think it would be great. I think we should start it with once a month and you know, let's let's listen to our listeners. I think that they always come up with really great ideas and they share their feedback with us, which I really appreciate. So we'll hear from everybody if it's working. But I think why not? I mean, it's 2026, it's a new year, it's a great way to jump right into something different.

SPEAKER_01 10:18

Yeah, because I mean that was like I was uh so sometimes my Zen teacher struggles, he doesn't understand what a podcast is. So actually, what I had to do was like transcribe him a couple episodes of What East Meets West. Right. Where where I did a couple of the Zen teachings on there, and so now that we're just like all in on this, I was thinking you know, looking for other Zen sort of meditation podcasts. And you know, people started during COVID, but then none of them are ongoing, you know, and none of them are still kind of doing it. And I thought, and that's one of the things that my teachers always talk to me about is that I'm young compared to when I started studying with him, I was 29. And so I was super young. Yeah, I was going into this like Jersey City Zendo, everyone had white hair there except for me, you know. It was like, so now I'm still the youngest, almost, which is you know, so tw almost 20 years later, I'm still one of the youngest. And so that's his whole thing is like kind of seeing me as like the future of carrying at least his dharma, you know, because I uh having studied with him for so long, like there's a lot that I've learned from him, and that's why that's the goal. And so while I have a meditation center almost, um you know, I think the podcast is just a way uh one of the things I talked about in the recap of last year is like a collective healing. I think you've done a really good job of that without no without maybe identifying that as a goal. Like I think that this has become like a collective healing space.

SPEAKER_00 11:40

I think so too. And I think again, you know, when you when you brought it up last time we spoke, you said like, you know, this can't all be fun for you. Honestly, for me, it is because I do feel like we're making a difference. And if I didn't feel that, and if I didn't have that satisfaction from this, I don't know that I would commit as much time to it. So I do feel like it is a collective healing. And I think just kind of continuing that into the new year. Obviously, we've heard from guests that have provided that and how they've healed and different trauma and things that they've been through. But I think for you to share your wisdom in a way that maybe our listeners haven't heard before could be something really different and unique to you. And it's and it's authentic to you because it's something that you share and you want to share with us. And I know I can certainly use some of it. So I I will I will practice and I will take all of your tips for us. But I I think that that would be really great.

Goals For Variety And Diversity

SPEAKER_01 12:30

Yeah, because everyone knows Zen. I mean, even think about that as you're talking. Like, and they probably think it's like I don't think IKEA is no, not IKEA is around like Pier one, like, you know, some just like statue somewhere, and it's cute. Like everybody has a like everyone has has or seen a statue somewhere.

SPEAKER_00 12:45

Yes, yes, yes, and different like diffusers or calming oils or things like that. And for sure, you can log on to YouTube and and listen, you know, you could do yoga, you could do all those kinds of things. But to maybe have some mindfulness like meditation or zen practices, you know, within the podcast, I think it's great. And I think it's something always worth trying. You never know if something is going to stick or what people really identify with. So all aboard.

SPEAKER_01 13:09

Be careful because I have run an injury recovery group for almost three and a half years, and we maybe get one person a month to show up uh just for the you know, for the athletes. So I I commit.

SPEAKER_00 13:21

Yes, and you know, I am very loyal and I commit too. So I feel like everything is worth trying. And if it doesn't work, or if we hear, oh, this doesn't work for us, or we don't like it in the podcast, we always pivot and and we make adjustments as necessary. And that is, you know, why we work so well together is because we are able to make those adjustments. So we try it and we see what sticks. And if it doesn't stick, then then we move on, and that's okay too. But I think starting the year fresh and bringing in something different and unique to the podcast and for you would be, you know, a great natural next step for us. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 13:51

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 13:51

So I'm just really looking forward to to another great year. I feel like this has been really just a fun, you know, challenge for me professionally. And I've met some really great people, some that I still stay in touch with. And that's cool. Um, you know, I'm just really excited for the shows that we have coming up. I think the grandma stand is just like such a great, yeah, cool idea. And I'm excited to share that and you know, the new method and everything.

SPEAKER_01 14:15

I was I I thought I thought about it for a minute, but I I wasn't sure if that was appropriate, so I decided not to, just for the and that's and just for everyone, that's Lee's grandmother that I'm nanny is mine and and Chickie is yours. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 14:28

You know, I can't wait to share the episode about the grandma stand for for everybody listening. But you know, I'm just really looking for, you know, some different fun things, and and really I'm all about the good news right now, and that's kind of like where I'm feeling because I do feel like 2025 was heavy for a lot of people for a lot of different reasons.

SPEAKER_02 14:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:45

And so to me, I really, you know, it's important that we just kind of bring some lightness and some good news to this. And so I am always looking, I want a variety. Yes, I want to hear, you know, trauma and how people have overcome, but I also want to hear some of the good news that we can share and spread because we're surrounded by negativity a lot. And I feel like it's really important. Even when I talk to my own teenagers, like I don't I want you to zone it out and tune it out. That's your well, when you're a mom of two teenagers, it's kind of hard not to, but I I'm constantly telling them like you have to just like tune out the negativity.

SPEAKER_01 15:15

You yes, and when you listen to the 2025 recap for all of our listeners, you'll see that it's like a lot of this, it's it's none of it's new. So even when life feels heavy, life has always felt heavy. You know, in a certain way, right? Absolutely, and that's perspective. And so learning how to kind of gauge your perspective on things, it's not to minimize what it feels like in the moment, it's just to say, this, this shoot, this two shall pass.

Decluttering Life Beyond The Home

SPEAKER_00 15:41

Yeah, absolutely. And I think that every day is a new day and every year is a new year, and you know, yes, at the beginning of every year, I feel like, okay, we could take this on, we can do this. Yes, there are challenges in every year, and it's something new, and I feel like life is constantly evolving in that way, in the same way that our friendship has evolved after all of these years. So I feel like this is just marriages evolve, you know, work partnerships evolve. So there's challenges in every day. And I just feel like I what I love about this podcast is is really trying to bring in just like that good news and those little glimmers of hope and and light and shine, because that is important.

SPEAKER_01 16:15

It is there. Will you make it to midnight on New Year's Eve? Well, we're gonna record it, we're gonna air after that, but that's okay. Big party.

SPEAKER_00 16:23

You know why I never do because because we watched the New York ball drop here. So when we first moved here, you know, we were confused. We were like, do we tune it at 10? Do we watch it at 12?

SPEAKER_02 16:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 16:33

No, we we will for sure be asleep at 9:01 after the ball drops. I'll call Melissa and my mom and my dad and say happy new year to everybody who's not sleeping on the East Coast. Yeah. And then yeah, I'll have my glass of champagne and I'll go to bed.

SPEAKER_01 16:45

Oh, I got it.

SPEAKER_00 16:45

What about you? Are you are you any big plans for for the new year?

SPEAKER_01 16:48

No, and we'll often just do like a dinner or something, but um I don't know. It's very, very quiet. This whole holiday season was quiet, which in some ways I'm okay with, in a lot of ways, I'm not okay with. So that's just the beauty of again, that's that balance balance.

SPEAKER_00 17:02

There's the balance. That balance. There it is. I've definitely taken a good amount of time up. I'm ready to like hit the ground running and get back to work and just you know, start the new year fresh. And I'm ready for 2026 and all that it brings.

SPEAKER_01 17:13

What a great way to end this episode. So there we are. So our producer's ready. Uh, I don't know if I I don't know, I don't know if I am, but she's you're always ready.

SPEAKER_00 17:20

You always show up for the challenge. I'm never worried about you. As long as we have our check-ins, I can always check in on you and you know see how you're doing.

SPEAKER_01 17:27

I love our check-ins.

SPEAKER_00 17:28

Yes, so do I. And I just adore you. And I love the show and all the opportunity that it's brought our way.

SPEAKER_01 17:34

I love you, and thanks for all the work that you do. As you all know, listeners, thanks for tuning in. Everything's at official Dr. Pete, so you could like, follow, and share. Please do that this year. Maybe do that for this.

SPEAKER_00 17:43

And send us your ideas, please. We we we read them, we listen, we read them. She does. We want to hear from you for sure.

SPEAKER_01 17:49

We want to hear from you. But until then, in 2026, spread a little kindness and stay well.

SPEAKER_00 17:54

Love you.