The Positive Pen ©

In this deeply moving episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack, John and KaZ have a powerful conversation with Deanne Ames—a retired psychotherapist, trauma survivor, and writer whose life story is a testament to resilience, healing, and the quiet courage it takes to choose peace. Deanne shares her journey from profound childhood trauma and decades of survival-mode living into a season of grounded...

This week on Stories, Soulwork & Substack , co-host KaZ graciously takes the reins as John continues to recover from illness , offering listeners warmth, humor, and thoughtful conversation in his absence. KaZ opens the show with a personal reflection on her birthday week, celebrating friendship, family, and small joys—setting an intimate, conversational tone that defines the heart of the podcast....

In this episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-host KaZ takes the reins while John recovers from pneumonia and has temporarily lost his voice. KaZ opens with the show’s new music, shares a heartfelt update about grieving the loss of her brother Lenny Lenwood Sloan, and reflects on how an outpouring of texts, emails, and reconnections has helped their community heal. KaZ then welcomes special...

In this heartfelt episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack , co-hosts KaZ and John return after the holidays with honesty, humor, and reflection. The show opens with a warm exchange about their new intro and quickly settles into real life—grief, recovery, creativity, and purpose. KaZ shares a deeply personal loss following Christmas, honoring the life of a beloved brother whose impact spanned art,...

Justin Stark of Dad From A Distance shares a raw, honest conversation about parenting from miles away. We explore heartbreak, resilience, and how fathers stay present despite the distance. Now available. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you Jenny Lynn , Wayne Baird , and many others for tuning into my live video with KaZ In The World ! Join me for my next live video in the app. This Monday at 4 PM marks our final live show of the year — a special year-end conversation with KaZ and me reflecting on the voices, stories, and soulwork that shaped our season, and sharing what’s ahead for the new year. This episode is about grati...

Justin Stark of Dad From A Distance shares a raw, honest conversation about parenting from miles away. We explore heartbreak, resilience, and how fathers stay present despite the distance. Now available. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

Justin Stark of Dad From A Distance shares a raw, honest conversation about parenting from miles away. We explore heartbreak, resilience, and how fathers stay present despite the distance. Now available. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

Justin Stark of Dad From A Distance shares a raw, honest conversation about parenting from miles away. We explore heartbreak, resilience, and how fathers stay present despite the distance. Now available. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the podcast, we sit down with Justin Stark , known as Dad From A Distance , for an honest and unfiltered conversation about what it truly means to parent from miles away — not by choice, but by circumstance. Justin shares real-life experiences that shed light on the emotional, practical, and psychological challenges fathers face when distance becomes part of the parenting equation. We tal...

Thank you Deanne Ames , Gray , Cindy Stewart , and many others for tuning into my live video with Let’s Get UnStuck and KaZ In The World ! Stick around after the main episode for a fun and candid conversation between KaZ and John as they break down today’s show, share behind-the-scenes moments, and dive into what’s coming next. Next week, we’re bringing you our Yearly Wrap , a look back at the sto...

Thank you Deanne Ames , Gray , Cindy Stewart , and many others for tuning into my live video with Let’s Get UnStuck and KaZ In The World ! Join me for my next live video in the app. In this raw and empowering episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-hosts @KaZInTheWorld and John Rinaldo sit down with Traci Edwards, the truth-teller and creator behind Let’s Get UnStuck — a powerful Substack wher...

As Christmas approaches, Stories, Soulwork & Substack co-hosts @KaZInTheWorld and John Rinaldo sit down with @HundredTomatoes for a cozy conversation about classic holiday movies that warm the heart — and a few that spark debate. From It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone to the ultimate question — is Die Hard really a Christmas movie? — we unwrap our favorite films, hidden gems, and the deeper sto...

In this empowering episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-hosts @KaZInTheWorld and John Rinaldo sit down with Sue Reid, creator of Confidence Matters on Substack — a growing community where readers learn to rebuild trust in themselves and live with courage and compassion. 🌿✨ Sue shares how her journey from self-doubt to self-belief became the foundation for Confidence Matters, a space devot...

In this inspiring episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-hosts @KaZInTheWorld and John Rinaldo sit down with Sarah Oehler (@sarahoehler) — an Emmy-winning journalist, former TV anchor, and radio host who has spent over a decade telling powerful human stories. Now, Sarah is charting a new path as a writer and podcaster, exploring themes of travel, resilience, reinvention, and the healing power...

In this witty and brutally honest episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-host KaZ Akers and John Rinaldo sit down with Lynn J. Broderick — writer on Substack @lynnjbroderick, proud Navy mom, former ad exec turned storyteller, and health nut chasing her lifelong dream of writing a novel. Lynn opens up about her lifelong fear of public speaking — the kind that makes sweaty palms feel like survi...

In this soulful episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-hosts @KaZInTheWorld and John Rinaldo sit down with Destiny Curtis , the talented narrator behind The Quiet Miracle and many other heartfelt stories. Together, they explore the art of narration — how a single voice can breathe life into words, capture emotion, and connect listeners to the heart of a story. Destiny shares her journey into...

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

In this inspiring episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-hosts @KaZInTheWorld and John Rinaldo sit down with Camille Miller, founder and Chief Visionary of the Natural Life Business Partnership (NLBP) — a global professional organization built for the new era of Soul Professionals. Camille shares how NLBP was born from a vision to redefine what it means to be a “professional” — by creating a...

Thank you Richard Hogan, MD, PhD(2), DBA , KaZ Akers , and many others for tuning into my live video with Dr Deborah Vinall ! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe

In this festive episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-host @KaZInTheWorld and John Rinaldo sit down with @HundredTomatoes 🍅 to talk about the upcoming holiday movie season — what’s new, what’s nostalgic, and which films are already stealing hearts. From cozy Christmas comedies to heartfelt dramas that bring families together, we unwrap the most anticipated releases, share our favorite picks...

Most fathers don’t walk away because they stop loving their kids. They walk away because every door gets slammed, every visit turns into a war. Sometimes stepping back is the only way to protect the child from more pain. Why it’s important: Because too many children grow up thinking, “Dad left because he didn’t care.” The truth is often the opposite—fathers are forced out by constant conflict and...

In this reflective episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-host @KaZInTheWorld and John Rinaldo sit down with Jennifer N. Haddock (@jennifernhaddock) to explore the inspiration behind her powerful poem “Scarred Lucky.” A letter to a tree becomes a meditation on scars, survival, and the quiet strength that grows through connection. Jennifer’s words remind us that pain shared is pain lessened —...

Most fathers don’t walk away because they stop loving their kids. They walk away because every door gets slammed, every visit turns into a war. Sometimes stepping back is the only way to protect the child from more pain. Why it’s important: Because too many children grow up thinking, “Dad left because he didn’t care.” The truth is often the opposite—fathers are forced out by constant conflict and...

Thank you Mark Willis , Simona 🦋 , Giuliana , Gray , and many others for tuning into my live video with KaZ In The World ! Join me for my next live video in the app. In this powerful episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack, co-host @KaZInTheWorld and John Rinaldo sit down with Mark Wills (@therewrittenpath) to explore his deeply personal journey from trauma to transformation. Mark shares The Scar...