The Positive Pen ©

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, Giuliana , Gray , Simona 🦋 , and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. On this heartwarming (and mouth-watering) episode of Stories, Soulwork & Substack , hosts John Rinaldo and KaZ In The World celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving — a holiday that’s all about gratitude, harvest, and a little maple syrup on everything. 🇨🇦 What started as a cha...

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...

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...

Stories, Soulwork & Substack w/ @KaZInTheWorld + guest @brokentoysmemoir 💜 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) —a time to educate, support survivors, and raise awareness. 💜 In today’s dinner table discussion , we’re talking about divorce, trauma, and how childhood experiences shape who we become as adults. Broken Toys shares a powerful story—growing up through a divorce, now faci...

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...

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...

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...

🎙️ Stories, Soulwork & Substack — with KaZ & Guest: Margaret Williams In this episode, it’s all about connection, communication, and the conversations that matter. We sit down with Margaret to talk about writing, community, and the evolving mission of being on Substack. From playful tangents (yes, even The Godfather ) to thoughtful reflections on how we can help others through words, this episode...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

🎙️ Stories, Soulwork & Substack — with KaZ & Guest: Hundred Tomatoes In this episode, KaZ and I sit down with Hundred Tomatoes for a conversation that’s equal parts playful and profound. From debating the perfect shade of red tomato to reflecting on film criticism, passion, and authenticity in the movie industry, we dive into the quirks and truths behind his unique voice. We talk TIFF, the soul of...

The campfire nights weren’t fancy—just sticks, marshmallows, and laughter when one burned to a crisp. Those simple moments reminded me that kids don’t care about money or perfection. What they want most is your presence. Why it’s important: In Earned, Not Given , I share how divorce stripped life down to the basics. Campfires taught me a lesson every parent needs to hear: you don’t have to give yo...

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...

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...

Judgment is easy. Understanding takes courage. This video is a reminder that in divorce, co-parenting, and life, things are rarely black and white. Everyone carries unseen struggles, and what kids need most is peace, not sides. Why it’s important: In Earned, Not Given , I share how quick judgments during my divorce only added to the chaos and pain. These moments matter because parents—and even fri...

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...

Positive Pen Podcast with John & KaZ A lively, soul-filled conversation where storytelling meets history, creativity, and community. In this episode, John and KaZ wander through Paris’s La Belle Époque—imagining Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein, and Dali as old friends, sparring partners, and fellow dreamers. It’s a playful dive into eras of art, writing, and connection, reminding us why creativity th...

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...

Toxic parents thrive on chaos. Every angry text is a trap to drag you back into conflict. But not every message deserves a response. Sometimes silence is your strongest shield. Protect your peace so you can protect your kids. Why it’s important: Because every time you react, you get pulled deeper into the toxic cycle—and your kids feel that stress. Silence isn’t giving up. It’s showing your childr...

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...

We went to Pokémon Pond thinking we’d catch something magical. We didn’t. But the magic wasn’t in the catch—it was in the laughter, the fresh air, and the memory we created together. Why it’s important: Divorce and co-parenting can make parents feel pressure to “do big things” to make up for lost time. But the truth is—kids don’t remember the catch. They remember that you were there, laughing with...