The Positive Pen ©

John Rinaldo
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The Positive Pen Podcast—"Stories, Soul Work & Substack"—is a live weekly conversation exploring honest stories, inner work, and the courage it takes to write and become. Each episode brings real voices together to reflect on meaning, healing, spirituality, and why writing has become a lifeline. rinaldoj.substack.com

  1. 21M AGO

    Authors Optimize. Supporters Amplify. — How Indie Books Actually Win on Amazon

    Thank you Karl Tame, Vonnie G. Clemens Jr., Susan J Hilger, Sacred Storylines 🎨, Harriet Corvine, and many others for tuning into my live video! This wasn’t a podcast about writing. This was a reality check. Today, I sat down and walked through something most indie authors don’t want to admit—writing the book is the easy part. Getting it seen, clicked, and sold… that’s the real work. And if I’m being honest, I’ve made the mistakes myself. I’ve rushed covers.I’ve thrown up descriptions that looked like a wall of text.I’ve published and hoped for sales. Hope is not a strategy. The core of today’s conversation came down to one word—momentum. Not luck. Not talent. Not even how good the book is. Momentum. And here’s what I’ve learned… 1. Amazon is not a bookstore. It’s a search engine. If your title isn’t clear, searchable, and outcome-driven, you’re invisible. “My Journey” doesn’t sell.“How to Rebuild Your Life After Loss” gets clicks. That’s not selling out. That’s understanding how people search. Keywords matter. Categories matter. Clarity matters. If people can’t find you… nothing else matters. 2. Your cover is your first conversation People don’t read first—they look. Your cover is your top of mind awareness (TOMA) moment. If it looks amateur, confusing, or unclear… they’re gone. No second chance. I’ve done it myself—PowerPoint covers, rushed designs. And it shows. The hard truth?If you won’t invest time (or money) into your cover… don’t expect people to invest in your book. 3. Your description closes the deal This is where most authors lose everything. Your description isn’t a summary.It’s a conversion tool. It needs: * A hook * A problem * A transformation * Emotion If it’s bland, cluttered, or lazy… no one reads it. And if no one reads it… no one buys. 4. Reviews are everything (and I mean everything) This was the biggest lesson. You can have the best book in the world—but without reviews, you don’t exist on Amazon. * 0 reviews = invisible * 25 reviews = Amazon starts noticing * 50+ reviews = momentum starts building I spent thousands on ads. Didn’t matter. No reviews = no traction. That changed how I see everything. 5. Substack is the unfair advantage Most authors market to strangers. That’s the hardest path. But on Substack, you already have something most people don’t—a community that knows you. They’ve read your work.They trust your voice.They’re already invested. The problem? We don’t activate them. We don’t ask.We don’t guide.We don’t make it easy. Supporters want to help—but authors need to lead. Tap to support a Substack author.Buy the book. Leave a review. Help their work get seen. YOUR SUBSTACK AUTHORS: chris kalaboukis, Joe Nichols, Dr Deborah Vinall, Terod Naej, Storm Whisperer, Brenda - A Voice that Wonders, Michelle Dowd, Shellie Enteen, Sara da Encarnação, Grace Grossmann, Jake Borchardt, Bill Kirst, Amber Shay, & Kate Robertson 6. Authors optimize. Supporters amplify. This is the system. * Authors fix their pages (title, cover, description, keywords) * Supporters engage (clicks, shares, reviews) * Community collaborates (restacks, mentions, bundles) That’s how indie books win. Not alone. Together. 7. The real shift: from solo to system Most authors work alone. That’s the mistake. What I’m building—and what we talked about today—is simple: A community-driven engine. Book funnels.Shared promotion.Coordinated launches.Small bursts of attention that create big momentum. Because 30 clicks might get you 1 sale. But 300?Now you’re moving. Final thought This isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about understanding it. And then using what we already have—our voices, our communities, our consistency—to build something bigger than any one of us. We don’t need a publisher. We need alignment. We need effort. And we need each other. That’s how this works. That’s how indie authors actually win. Here are 10 action items authors and readers can take right now to help each other win: * Leave a review (even 2–3 sentences) on a book you’ve read—this is the #1 driver of visibility on Amazon. * Buy one indie book this week from a writer you follow on Substack. * Restack or share a book post with a short personal note—add your voice to it. * Ask your audience directly for support (reviews, shares, clicks)—don’t assume they know. * Optimize your Amazon page today (clear title, clean description, strong hook). * Comment on 3–5 writers’ posts to build real relationships—not just visibility. * Create a simple “Read & Review” call-to-action and include the direct link. * Join or form a small author group (5–15 people) to coordinate promotion and launches. * Post consistently about books (yours and others) using Notes or social—visibility compounds. * Tag and highlight other authors—lifting others increases your reach and builds trust. These are small actions—but together, they create momentum. Thank you for your support. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. 🟧Missed the Last Episode of The Writers Notes? About the Author John Rinaldo writes Soul & Stories, a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, telling the story of Italians who resisted and secretly helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II. © 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved. This work is protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Official publications are released only through verified accounts directly controlled by John V. Rinaldo. The Positive Pen © is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Positive Pen © at rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 18m

  2. 5D AGO

    The Question Beneath the Words — Live with Stone Wolf

    First—thank you Ruth Urman, Mary Ann McGee, Dragonheart Jo, Grey Selkie, rhonda doruiter, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. Today’s conversation with Stone Wolf was not linear. It didn’t follow a script. It moved the way real conversations move—through story, through memory, through instinct. And somewhere in that movement, something deeper revealed itself. Because this episode wasn’t just about wolves.It was about what lives underneath. From the beginning, there was a sense that this connection started simply—a few messages, an unexpected astrology reading, curiosity meeting openness. But what unfolded was something much more layered. Stone Wolf doesn’t present herself as something polished or fixed. She spoke about becoming who she is, not by design, but through evolution. Through experience. Through moments that forced her to adapt, observe, and feel without reacting. One of the most striking moments came from her childhood story—the day her father hunted a rabbit. It wasn’t just about the act itself. It was about silence. About learning, at a young age, that expressing emotion could cost you something. That in certain environments, sensitivity becomes something you hide, not something you honor. That’s the question beneath the words. What are we holding back—and why? As the conversation moved, the symbolism of wolves began to make sense. Not as animals alone, but as a reflection of something deeper—community, instinct, survival, and misunderstood truth. Wolves, often feared and vilified, are in reality deeply connected, intelligent, and essential to balance. And in many ways, so are we. There was a quiet parallel drawn between nature and human behavior. The way we dominate instead of coexist. The way we consume instead of understand. Whether it was wildlife, land, or even something as personal as owning a dog, the same pattern kept surfacing—want without responsibility. And that’s where the conversation turned practical. From wolves to dogs, from the wild to our homes, the discussion grounded itself in something tangible. The reality of animal care. The structure dogs need. The consequences of neglect. The heartbreaking truth of overcrowded shelters and misunderstood breeds. It wasn’t judgment. It was awareness. Because just like people, animals respond to the environment they are given. Without structure, they become anxious. Without understanding, they become labeled. And without patience, they are often discarded. The same could be said for us. The conversation circled back, as it often does on Substack, to community. To why spaces like this matter. Not for performance, but for connection. Not for perfection, but for truth. Stone Wolf’s work—whether through poetry, storytelling, or intuitive astrology—is rooted in one simple intention: to help people feel seen. Not analyzed. Not fixed. Seen. And that matters more than we realize. Because in a world built on noise, being seen without needing to explain yourself is rare. There was no single takeaway from this episode. No neat conclusion. Just a series of reflections layered on top of each other: That silence shapes us.That instinct doesn’t disappear—it waits.That community, whether in wolves or people, is essential to survival.And that the question beneath the words is often the one we’re afraid to ask ourselves. Maybe that’s the work. Not just listening to what’s said—but paying attention to what isn’t. And having the courage to go there. Check out Stone Wolf’s Etsy storefront at Lunar Spark. Use code “BEEHAPPY” for 10% off. Her candles are pure beeswax, skincare is all-natural, crystals ethically sourced, and each resin piece is uniquely crafted with healing, expressive energy. Thank you for your support. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. 🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack? About the Author John Rinaldo writes Soul & Stories, a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, telling the story of Italians who resisted and secretly helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II. © 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved. This work is protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Official publications are released only through verified accounts directly controlled by John V. Rinaldo. The Positive Pen © is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Positive Pen © at rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 21m

  3. APR 7

    Opening the Heart — Live with Tiffany

    Some conversations inform you. Others slow you down. Today’s episode—Opening the Heart with Tiffany—was the kind that asked for stillness before it offered insight. It didn’t start with advice. It started with presence. There was no rush to get to a point, no urgency to explain or fix anything. Just a quiet unfolding of what it means to live with an open heart in a world that often teaches us to protect, withdraw, and guard what we feel. And that’s where the tension lives. Because opening the heart sounds beautiful—until you realize what it requires. It requires honesty. Vulnerability. The willingness to feel without controlling the outcome. Throughout the conversation, Tiffany brought a grounded perspective that didn’t try to simplify the process. She spoke to something many writers and creators on Substack quietly wrestle with—the balance between expression and protection. How much do you share? How much do you hold back? And more importantly—why? Priming Mediation: The 15-Minute Ritual to Reset Your Mind and Energize Your Day… John shared Tony Robbins’ priming: a quick daily ritual using breath, gratitude, and visualization to build focus, energy, clarity, and move through the day with intention. What became clear is that many of us don’t close our hearts all at once. It happens slowly. Through disappointment. Through misunderstanding. Through moments where being open didn’t feel safe. So we adapt. We learn to filter. To refine. To present versions of ourselves that feel more acceptable, more controlled, more… manageable. But in doing so, something essential gets lost. The conversation kept returning to this idea: an open heart is not about oversharing. It’s about alignment. It’s about allowing what you feel to move through you honestly—whether that shows up in your writing, your relationships, or the quiet conversations you have with yourself. There was a moment where the discussion shifted from concept to responsibility. Because opening the heart isn’t passive. It’s a choice you make, again and again, especially after you’ve been given reasons not to. And that’s where the deeper work lives. Tiffany spoke about the importance of noticing where we’ve closed off—not with judgment, but with awareness. The places where we’ve learned to avoid discomfort, where we’ve chosen certainty over truth, where we’ve prioritized being understood over being real. On Substack, this becomes especially visible. You can feel when a piece is written from the mind—and when it’s written from the heart. One is polished. The other is alive. And while polished writing may attract attention, it’s the honest writing—the kind that risks something—that builds connection, community, and trust. That’s the paradox. The very thing we protect is often the thing that would bring us closer to others. But opening the heart doesn’t guarantee acceptance. It doesn’t promise that everyone will understand you, agree with you, or even stay. What it does offer is something quieter, but far more important—integrity. You begin to live in a way that matches what you feel. You stop negotiating with your truth. And over time, that changes how you show up—not just as a writer, but as a person. There was no formula shared today. No checklist to follow. Just a gentle reminder that the heart doesn’t open all at once. It opens in moments. In choices. In the decision to be present instead of protected. And maybe that’s the real work. Not forcing the heart open—but noticing when it wants to be. And having the courage to let it. Thank you Megan Youngmee, Lynn J. Broderick, Mary Ann McGee, rhonda doruiter, Karen C-Collector of Books📚🧿♒️, and many others for tuning into my live video with Zen Living, by Tiffany! Thank you for your support. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. 🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack? About the Author John Rinaldo writes Soul & Stories, a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, telling the story of Italians who resisted and secretly helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II. © 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved. This work is protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Official publications are released only through verified accounts directly controlled by John V. Rinaldo. The Positive Pen © is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Positive Pen © at rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 42m

  4. APR 4

    The Truth About Writing & Growing on Substack

    The first Writer’s Notes panel wasn’t a performance—it was a conversation. No polished formulas, no “how-to-go-viral” scripts—just four writers, chris kalaboukis, Let’s Get UnStuck, Nat Sang, and John Rinaldo, unpacking what it actually takes to write, stay consistent, and grow on Substack. At its core, the discussion centered on a tension every writer eventually faces: writing growth vs. audience growth. Great writing, as the panel made clear, does not guarantee visibility. You can pour your heart into a piece and hear silence—and then publish something raw, unfiltered, even imperfect, and watch it resonate deeply. That disconnect isn’t failure—it’s the reality of the platform. One of the strongest themes was clarity of intention. Chris emphasized that many writers jump into Substack without defining their goals—whether it’s audience building, monetization, or simply creative expression. Without that clarity, writers often scatter their efforts, diluting both their message and their growth potential. Niche matters—not as a constraint, but as a signal to both readers and the algorithm about who you are and why you exist. But even with strategy, nothing replaces authenticity. Nate’s experience captured this perfectly. A post written in frustration—raw, emotional, and unfiltered—became her most impactful piece. Not because it was optimized, but because it was real. That moment highlighted a truth echoed across the panel: readers respond to honesty, not performance. In a space increasingly influenced by AI-generated content and growth tactics, authenticity has become a differentiator. That leads to the second major tension: AI & authenticity. The panel didn’t reject AI—but they drew a clear line. AI as a tool? Useful. AI as a replacement for voice? Dangerous. It can support editing, formatting, and structure—but when it begins to replace lived experience, emotional depth, and personal storytelling, something essential is lost. The concern isn’t the technology itself—it’s the erosion of human voice in pursuit of speed or scale. Then came the reality of consistency without burnout. There was no rigid formula here. In fact, the panel pushed back against the idea that consistency means constant output. Traci and Nate both emphasized writing only when it feels real—protecting creative energy instead of forcing it. John shared his own evolution—moving away from overproduction toward a rhythm that aligns with purpose. Consistency, in this context, becomes less about frequency and more about showing up honestly over time. And woven through all of it was something often overlooked in growth conversations: community. Substack isn’t just a publishing platform—it’s a relationship platform. Responding to comments, supporting other writers, restacking, collaborating—these aren’t tactics, they’re the foundation of sustainable growth. But as the panel noted, scale introduces trade-offs. The bigger the audience, the harder it becomes to maintain that intimacy—raising questions about what kind of growth actually matters. This wasn’t a conversation about hacks. It was about alignment—between voice, intention, and action. No filters. No shortcuts. Just writers navigating the same questions in real time. And that’s what made it valuable. A sincere thank you to the panel, Chris, Traci, Nate and to everyone who showed up, contributed, and continues to build this community one honest piece at a time. Thank you Emma Steel, Nabanita, rhonda doruiter, Karen C-Collector of Books📚🧿♒️, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. Thank you for your support. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. About the Author John Rinaldo writes Soul & Stories, a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, telling the story of Italians who resisted and secretly helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II. © 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved. This work is protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Official publications are released only through verified accounts directly controlled by John V. Rinaldo. The Positive Pen © is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Positive Pen © at rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 22m

  5. MAR 31

    Imagine It. Create It. Live It.... Chris Kalaboukis

    There are conversations that stay on the surface—and then there are conversations that ask something of you. Today’s episode with chris kalaboukis was the second kind. It didn’t begin with answers. It began with a question most people avoid: What would your life look like if you actually believed in what you imagine? Chris brought a perspective that sits somewhere between philosophy and lived experience. Not abstract, not overly polished—just clear. The kind of clarity that makes you pause, because it quietly exposes how often we limit ourselves before we even begin. The idea of Imagine It. Create It. Live It sounds simple. Almost too simple. But as the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the difficulty isn’t in understanding the idea—it’s in doing it. We imagine all the time. But most of those thoughts never leave our heads. We create, but often with hesitation—editing ourselves before anything real takes shape. And living it? That’s where most people stop. What stood out in today’s discussion was the gap between knowing and doing. Chris spoke about how imagination is not meant to be entertainment—it’s meant to be direction. It’s the blueprint. But a blueprint means nothing if you never pick up the tools. There was a quiet challenge woven into the conversation: stop waiting for permission. Too many people are looking for the right moment, the right audience, the right version of themselves before they begin. But the truth that kept resurfacing was this—there is no version of you coming that is more ready than you are right now. And that’s where creation becomes real. On Substack, this idea hits differently. Because writing is one of the purest forms of turning imagination into something tangible. You start with a thought, something invisible, and through words, you give it shape. You make it real enough for someone else to feel it. But even here, the same resistance shows up. Doubt. Overthinking. Comparison. Chris didn’t dismiss those things. He reframed them. Doubt isn’t a stop sign—it’s part of the process. Overthinking isn’t intelligence—it’s often fear dressed up as preparation. And comparison? It’s the fastest way to disconnect from your own voice. The conversation circled back, again and again, to ownership. If you can imagine something, you have a responsibility to explore it. Not perfectly. Not publicly right away. But honestly. Because imagination is not random—it’s personal. It comes from somewhere real inside you. And when you ignore it long enough, something inside you starts to quiet down. That’s the part people don’t talk about. Living it doesn’t mean everything works out. It doesn’t mean success is guaranteed. It means you chose to engage with your life instead of watching it pass by. It means you stopped negotiating with your own potential. There was no grand conclusion to today’s episode. No step-by-step formula. Just a reminder. You already have the first piece—the ability to imagine. The next step is yours. Create it. And then, the harder part— Have the courage to live it. Thank you Deanne Ames, Mary Ann McGee, rhonda doruiter, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. Explore books by Substack writers discover new voices, find your next great read, and support independent authors. The Go First Rule because it speaks to something many writers and creators experience—fear before action. Chris Kalaboukis offers a clear and practical perspective on how a small shift in timing can make a meaningful difference in how we approach decisions, conversations, and creative work. 🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack?. Thank you for your support. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. About the Author John Rinaldo writes Soul & Stories, a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, telling the story of Italians who resisted and secretly helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II. © 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved. This work is protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Official publications are released only through verified accounts directly controlled by John V. Rinaldo. Get full access to The Positive Pen © at rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 27m

  6. MAR 24

    Just Commit, Grace Grossman

    Today’s conversation began in a way that felt familiar—and honest. Before Grace Grossmann even joined, there was a pause. Not silence, but space. And in that space, something important surfaced: progress rarely looks perfect while it’s happening. As we waited, John spoke about the movement happening behind the scenes—the kind that doesn’t always show up in polished posts or finished work. There’s been real momentum building across this community, especially on Substack, where ideas are no longer just written… they’re being shaped together. One of the clearest examples of that was The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows. What started as a historical concept has begun to evolve into something deeper. Not because everything was figured out—but because it wasn’t. The audience stepped in. They asked questions. They challenged direction. One voice suggested something unexpected: a romantic angle. And instead of dismissing it, the idea was explored. That’s where the shift happened. Over the weekend, there was no script—just conversation. Debating what belongs in the story and what doesn’t. Sitting with uncertainty long enough for clarity to emerge. And slowly, something broke through. Not a finished product, but a direction. A storyline beginning to take shape, not from control, but from collaboration. That’s what today’s reflection became about: commitment. Not the loud kind. Not the kind announced with certainty. But the quiet kind—the decision to keep showing up even when the path isn’t fully visible. The willingness to build in real time. To let others into the process. To accept that feedback isn’t disruption—it’s refinement. There was also a moment that many could relate to. A small technical disruption while going live. A reminder that even in a space built on connection, things don’t always work the way we expect. But instead of stopping, the stream continued. Adjustments were made. The conversation carried on. Because commitment isn’t about conditions being perfect. It’s about continuing despite them. And that set the tone for when Grace joined. Her presence didn’t shift the conversation—it deepened it. Because by then, the message was already clear: we are all in the middle of something. Building, writing, healing, questioning. None of it finished. All of it meaningful. What stood out most today was this: the journey isn’t something we protect from others—it’s something we invite them into. Whether it’s a documentary, a story, or our own personal work, growth happens faster—and more honestly—when it’s shared. “Just commit” wasn’t about pushing harder. It was about staying present. Staying open. Staying willing. Because sometimes the breakthrough doesn’t come from having the answer. It comes from deciding not to walk away before it arrives. Thank you Gray, Roland Millward, Mary Ann McGee, rhonda doruiter, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. 🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack? Thank you for your support. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. About the Author John Rinaldo writes Soul & Stories, a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, telling the story of Italians who resisted and secretly helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II. © 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved. This work is protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Official publications are released only through verified accounts directly controlled by John V. Rinaldo. Get full access to The Positive Pen © at rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 51m

  7. MAR 17

    After the Silence: When Truth Opens the Door to Healing | Dr. Deborah Vinall Returns

    Today’s conversation with Dr. Deborah Vinall began with something simple: questions from the audience. After our earlier discussion on gaslighting, many readers wanted to understand how these dynamics appear in families—especially with teenagers. Dr. Vinall reminded us that the word gaslighting is often used too loosely today. In its true sense, it is a form of emotional manipulation aimed at making someone doubt their own memory, perception, or judgment. It is fundamentally about power and control. But when it comes to teenagers, the conversation becomes more complex. Teens often do not hold the power in family dynamics, which means labeling every disagreement or denial as “gaslighting” can miss the deeper issue. Adolescence is a stage where young people are searching for autonomy and identity. When teens feel powerless or overly controlled, they may push back—sometimes through denial, deflection, or distortion—to reclaim a sense of control in the relationship. Throughout the episode, the discussion turned toward understanding rather than accusation. Parents, teachers, and caregivers must learn to distinguish between normal developmental behavior and patterns of manipulation that truly undermine trust and reality. Dr. Deborah Vinall’s books help readers understand trauma and gaslighting, offering practical tools to recognize emotional manipulation, process difficult emotions, build resilience, and develop healthier boundaries, relationships, and a stronger sense of self. Available on Amazon Dr. Vinall also spoke about the importance of unified parenting and clear communication. When boundaries are inconsistent or parents are divided, teens can easily exploit those gaps in authority. What made today’s conversation powerful was its honesty. Gaslighting is not just a buzzword. It is a serious form of emotional harm that deserves careful understanding. And when families begin to speak openly about truth, power, and responsibility, something important happens. Silence breaks. And when silence breaks, healing has a chance to begin. Thank you Mary Ann McGee Amy Thomas Jenny Lynn Lynn J. Broderick Martine 🦋, Giuliana, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. 🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack? Thank you for your support. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. About the Author John Rinaldo writes Soul & Stories, a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, telling the story of Italians who resisted and secretly helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II. © 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved. This work is protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Official publications are released only through verified accounts directly controlled by John V. Rinaldo. Get full access to The Positive Pen © at rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 13m

  8. MAR 10

    SPECIAL EDITION — The Road West: Joe Nichols Returns

    Tonight’s special edition brought Joe Nichols back to the conversation, and it quickly became clear that the road west isn’t really about geography. It’s about the journey a writer takes with himself. Joe spoke openly about the tension many writers feel on Substack—the pressure to perform, to repeat what worked before, and to chase the posts that gained attention. At one point he described looking back at his most popular work and realizing he was drifting toward writing for the reaction instead of writing from truth. That moment forced him to stop and ask a difficult question: Am I still being myself, or am I performing? The conversation moved into something deeper—the uncomfortable work of honesty. Joe reflected on how writing exposes parts of ourselves we sometimes wish we could hide. He spoke about publishing something he later realized wasn’t completely honest, choosing to leave it up as a reminder that growth is part of the journey. Writing, he said, is one of the few places where a person can lay their life out and simply say, this is who I am. We also talked about change. Readers grow. Writers grow. Sometimes the paths stop lining up. Joe acknowledged that continuing to follow his own questions may cause him to lose some readers, but the alternative—writing something that isn’t true to who he is—is far worse. One of the most powerful moments of the discussion centered around discomfort. Joe shared that the only real way forward in life—or writing—is to sit with discomfort long enough to find the next question that moves you forward. Not necessarily the answer, but the next step on the road. And that became the heart of tonight’s conversation. Writing is not about solving everything. It’s about continuing the journey. Each piece opens another road, another question, another turn in the story. Joe Nichols is still on that road. And like many writers on Substack, he’s discovering that sometimes the most honest thing a person can do is keep walking. Thank you Martine 🦋, Giuliana, Jenny Lynn, Lis, Mary Ann McGee, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. Joe discussed that Feral Masculinity is the best book he has written. In it, he examines how modern men were conditioned to suppress instinct and judgment in favor of compliance, and why returning to a more honest, grounded sense of masculinity matters. Available on Amazon 🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack? Thank you for your support. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. About the Author John Rinaldo writes Soul & Stories, a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, telling the story of Italians who resisted and secretly helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II. © 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved. This work is protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Official publications are released only through verified accounts directly controlled by John V. Rinaldo. Get full access to The Positive Pen © at rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

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About

The Positive Pen Podcast—"Stories, Soul Work & Substack"—is a live weekly conversation exploring honest stories, inner work, and the courage it takes to write and become. Each episode brings real voices together to reflect on meaning, healing, spirituality, and why writing has become a lifeline. rinaldoj.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    John Rinaldo
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © John Rinaldo
  • Show Website
    The Positive Pen ©