Stories, Soul Work & Substack

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 rejection. Sharing this truth helps kids (and even co-parents) understand that stepping back can be an act of protection, not abandonment. It breaks the cycle of blame and brings compassion into the story.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

Discover the heartfelt stories of John Rinaldo—author of Remi’s Journey, Rediscovering Vancouver, and Dancing Letters. Each book inspires hope, healing, and wonder. Available now on Amazon.

The Positive Pen is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Positive Pen Podcast with John & KaZA 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 thrives most when shared.

Thank you Margaret Williams, MS, ACC, Richard Hogan, MD, PhD(2), DBA, 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.

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕……

Discover the heartfelt stories of John Rinaldo—author of Remi’s Journey, Rediscovering Vancouver, and Dancing Letters. Each book inspires hope, healing, and wonder. Available now on Amazon.

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 rejection. Sharing this truth helps kids (and even co-parents) understand that stepping back can be an act of protection, not abandonment. It breaks the cycle of blame and brings compassion into the story.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

Discover the heartfelt stories of John Rinaldo—author of Remi’s Journey, Rediscovering Vancouver, and Dancing Letters. Each book inspires hope, healing, and wonder. Available now on Amazon.

The Positive Pen is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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 children that peace is possible, even when chaos surrounds them.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

Discover the heartfelt stories of John Rinaldo—author of Remi’s Journey, Rediscovering Vancouver, and Dancing Letters. Each book inspires hope, healing, and wonder. Available now on Amazon.

The Positive Pen is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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 rejection. Sharing this truth helps kids (and even co-parents) understand that stepping back can be an act of protection, not abandonment. It breaks the cycle of blame and brings compassion into the story.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

Discover the heartfelt stories of John Rinaldo—author of Remi’s Journey, Rediscovering Vancouver, and Dancing Letters. Each book inspires hope, healing, and wonder. Available now on Amazon.

The Positive Pen is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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 them, fully present in the moment.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

Discover the heartfelt stories of John Rinaldo—author of Remi’s Journey, Rediscovering Vancouver, and Dancing Letters. Each book inspires hope, healing, and wonder. Available now on Amazon.

The Positive Pen is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Stories, Soulwork, and Substack is a podcast where writing, reflection, and community meet. Each episode explores the power of storytelling as a tool for healing, growth, and connection—whether through personal narratives, soul-deep conversations, or insights from the Substack writing community. It’s a space for writers, readers, and seekers who believe words can inspire change, foster belonging, and spark creativity.

Thank you Margaret Williams, MS, ACC, Keep The Smile, Simona's Stories, Christine Ryan, Susan Basham, and many others for tuning into my live video with KaZ In The World! Join me for my next live video in the app.

After divorce, silence can feel like failure—like you’ve lost everything. But silence can also become space: to breathe, to pray, to heal. Stillness isn’t weakness; it’s the ground where strength is rebuilt.

Why it’s important:In Earned, Not Given, I share how I learned to embrace silence instead of fearing it. Parents in divorce and parental alienation often want to fight and fill the noise. But healing in the quiet is what allows you to show up stronger, calmer, and more present for your kids.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.—Rinaldo

Enjoyed this? Fuel me ☕

Discover the heartfelt stories of John Rinaldo—author of Remi’s Journey, Rediscovering Vancouver, and Dancing Letters. Each book inspires hope, healing, and wonder. Available now on Amazon.

The Positive Pen is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Thank you Almost Dr.Karen Chambre, Bill Cusano (Nonprofit Author), and many others for tuning into my live video with Margaret Williams, MS, ACC! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Divorce leaves empty seats—at games, recitals, and milestones. At first, I thought I had to fight for that spot. But I learned you don’t prove love in a courtroom or an argument—you prove it by showing up. Kids remember who stayed consistent, even when life got complicated.

Why it’s important:In Earned, Not Given, I share how I stopped chasing validation and focused on presence. Too many parents waste energy fighting over control instead of showing up for their kids. This matters because children don’t remember the conflict—they remember who was there in their corner, time after time.

📖 Earned, Not Given is coming soon.

Discover the heartfelt stories of John Rinaldo—author of Remi’s Journey, Rediscovering Vancouver, and Dancing Letters. Each book inspires hope, healing, and wonder. Available now on Amazon.

The Positive Pen is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.