The Positive Pen ©

Writing Unfiltered with Lynn J. Broderick

Thank you Chris B. Writes [https://substack.com/profile/114735890-chris-b-writes], Florence Acosta [https://substack.com/profile/31310064-florence-acosta], John Thompson [https://substack.com/profile/103060617-john-thompson], Deanne Ames [https://substack.com/profile/324302904-deanne-ames], Roland Millward [https://substack.com/profile/64005320-roland-millward], and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. In this episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack, John Rinaldo sits down with Lynn J. Broderick for a raw and honest conversation about grief, creativity, motherhood, writing, and the emotional rollercoaster of life on Substack. What unfolds is less of an interview and more of two writers speaking openly about the quiet pressures creators carry—the pressure to perform, stay visible, chase engagement, and somehow remain authentic in the process. Lynn shares how losing both of her parents within a year changed the way she sees storytelling. Their passing became a reminder that stories disappear when we don’t preserve them. That realization pushed her to write more honestly—not for algorithms, but for her son, so pieces of her life remain long after she’s gone. The conversation moves through parenting adult children, the grief of distance, and the strange transition that happens when children begin building lives of their own. Lynn reflects on her son serving in the military, the long silences between calls, and the simple beauty of sitting on FaceTime together while doing everyday tasks. John and Lynn also speak candidly about burnout on Substack, the addiction to engagement, the frustration of algorithms, and the pressure many writers feel to constantly produce content. Together they question whether growth really comes from strategy—or from authenticity. There are moments of humor woven throughout: stories about childhood haircuts, Italian winemaking traditions, circus monkey metaphors, old family memories, and the absurdity of social media culture. Yet beneath the laughter is something deeper: a reminder that writing is ultimately about preserving life as it was lived. The episode also explores the future of independent publishing, author collaboration, and building genuine communities where writers support one another instead of competing for attention. By the end, one theme becomes clear: the most meaningful writing often comes when people stop trying to perform and simply tell the truth. Thank you for reading. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. 🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack? About the Author The Positive Pen by John Rinaldo is a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. Through honest writing and lived experience, he explores what it means to grow, endure, and find your voice. He also hosts the live podcast The Positive Pen: Stories, Soul Work & Substack [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/podcast], where writers, authors, and artists share their journeys through meaningful, real conversations. The show airs every Monday at 4 PM EST. John is currently working on Ciao Bella: Forgotten in the Shadows [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/s/the-hole], a documentary project telling the story of Italian families who, during World War II, risked everything to help Jewish families escape to safety across the Alps. © 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 subscribe 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 [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

We Were a Nice Normal Family with Patricia A. Grenelle, PsyD

Thank you Megan Youngmee [https://substack.com/profile/24738153-megan-youngmee], Deanne Ames [https://substack.com/profile/324302904-deanne-ames], and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. In this deeply personal and emotionally layered episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack, John Rinaldo sits down with psychologist, author, and trauma survivor Patricia A. Grenell to discuss her memoir We Were a Nice Normal Family — a story that moves beyond appearances and into the hidden realities of childhood trauma, narcissistic abuse, survival, and recovery. What begins as a conversation about writing and Substack slowly unfolds into something much deeper: an honest examination of how trauma shapes identity, relationships, and the lifelong process of understanding ourselves. Patricia shares the painful truth that for many survivors, abuse does not always look obvious from the outside. Families can appear functional, respectable, and “normal,” while carrying generations of silence and hidden suffering underneath. Her memoir explores the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse, emotional neglect, misogyny, and the psychological weight of living in environments where harmful behavior was ignored, minimized, or normalized. Throughout the discussion, Patricia explains the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD (CPTSD), describing how prolonged trauma over time—especially during childhood—creates deep emotional patterns that often follow people into adulthood. She speaks candidly about discovering, through therapy later in life, that many of the struggles she carried were connected to unresolved trauma she had never fully understood. John and Patricia also explore the cultural realities women faced in earlier generations. Patricia reflects on surviving abusive marriages during a time when divorce carried tremendous shame and women were often expected to stay silent, endure suffering, and remain dependent on men. Her story becomes not only one of trauma recovery, but also one of breaking generational and societal expectations. The conversation moves through many chapters of Patricia’s life: her military service, her pursuit of higher education despite resistance from others, her work as a forensic psychologist, and her experiences helping people whose own trauma had led them into devastating situations. Rather than offering simplistic answers, Patricia speaks openly about how understanding trauma helped her make sense of patterns in both herself and others. We Were a Nice Normal Family: A Memoir of Recovery from C-PTSD and the Trauma of Narcissistic Abuse by Patricia Grenelle One of the most powerful moments of the episode comes when Patricia explains why she finally chose to write her memoir. After years of processing her experiences privately, she realized that many others carried similar pain in silence. Writing became both an act of healing and an act of service. She wanted survivors to understand one important truth: They are not alone. John brings empathy and reflection throughout the conversation, connecting Patricia’s story to broader themes of self-awareness, emotional triggers, relationships, and the quiet courage required to confront the past honestly. The episode becomes less about diagnosis and more about humanity—the complicated ways people survive, adapt, and eventually learn how to return to themselves. This is not an easy conversation, but it is an important one. It is about survival.About voice.About truth.And about the long, quiet work of healing after a lifetime of carrying things no child should ever have to carry. Patricia also encourages people to support organizations that help survivors of trauma, abuse, and childhood neglect, including; * RAINN [https://rainn.org] * CPTSD Foundation [https://cptsdfoundation.org] * American Society for the Positive Care of Children [https://americanspcc.org] * Take Back the Night [https://takebackthenight.org] Groups dedicated to healing, advocacy, education, and support for those navigating trauma and recovery. Thank you for reading. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. 🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack? About the Author The Positive Pen by John Rinaldo is a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. Through honest writing and lived experience, he explores what it means to grow, endure, and find your voice. He also hosts the live podcast The Positive Pen: Stories, Soul Work & Substack [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/podcast], where writers, authors, and artists share their journeys through meaningful, real conversations. The show airs every Monday at 4 PM EST. John is currently working on Ciao Bella: Forgotten in the Shadows [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/s/the-hole], a documentary project telling the story of Italian families who, during World War II, risked everything to help Jewish families escape to safety across the Alps. © 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. 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 [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Finding Your Voice with Mary Baker

Thank you Robert C. Worstell [https://substack.com/profile/103363710-robert-c-worstell], Deanne Ames [https://substack.com/profile/324302904-deanne-ames], Dr Craige Golding [https://substack.com/profile/135306092-dr-craige-golding], Franky Dyson [https://substack.com/profile/11919875-franky-dyson], Mary Ann McGee [https://substack.com/profile/320890152-mary-ann-mcgee], and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. In this episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack, John Rinaldo sits down with Mary Baker, a licensed clinical counselor and life coach with over two decades of experience helping people reconnect with themselves. What unfolds is a deeply honest conversation about the quiet battles we fight within—and the courage it takes to finally listen to our own voice. At its core, this episode is about identity. Not the version shaped by expectations, fear, or past conditioning—but the real self that often gets buried beneath years of coping, people-pleasing, and self-doubt. Mary shares that much of her work centers around helping people understand why they think, feel, and behave the way they do—and more importantly, how to change it. It’s not enough to recognize patterns. Growth comes from practicing new ways of showing up in the world. One of the most powerful themes in the conversation is the importance of community. Mary explains that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. We may begin the work alone, but real transformation often requires safe spaces where we can be seen, heard, and reflected back to ourselves without judgment. In these environments, people begin to realize something simple but life-changing: they’re not broken, and they’re not alone. John connects this to his own journey—how writing, creating, and building community through Substack became more than just expression. It became a way to process, to heal, and to help others do the same. The conversation highlights how storytelling—whether through writing, speaking, or sharing experiences—creates a bridge between people. It allows others to recognize themselves in someone else’s truth. Get Started Asking for What You Need! Identify the healthy ways to negotiate needs and build trust in your relationships. https://findyourvoicecourse.com/saywhatyouneed [https://findyourvoicecourse.com/saywhatyouneed] Get your FREE Boundaries Ebook here! [https://www.findyourvoicecourse.com/healthy-boundaries-guide] Need coaching? Sign up here for your Power Hour, where you and I can get you started on your confidence journey! https://findyourvoicecourse.com/power-hour [https://findyourvoicecourse.com/power-hour] The discussion also explores boundaries and self-trust. Mary emphasizes that many people struggle not because they lack knowledge, but because they don’t believe in themselves enough to act differently. Without that internal foundation, even the best advice falls flat. True confidence isn’t built through theory—it’s built through experience, small steps, and repeated proof that you can trust your own decisions. Another key insight is the role of grief in personal growth. Avoiding discomfort—whether it’s loss, change, or emotional pain—keeps people stuck. Learning to sit with those feelings, rather than run from them, becomes a turning point. It’s in those moments that people begin to reconnect with who they really are and what they truly need. Ultimately, Finding Your Voice is not about becoming someone new—it’s about returning to who you’ve always been. It’s about peeling back the layers, questioning the noise, and choosing authenticity over approval. Because sometimes, as John and Mary remind us, finding your voice doesn’t start with a grand breakthrough. It starts with one honest sentence - Rinaldo Thank you for reading. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters. 🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack? About the Author The Positive Pen by John Rinaldo is a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. Through honest writing and lived experience, he explores what it means to grow, endure, and find your voice. He also hosts the live podcast The Positive Pen: Stories, Soul Work & Substack [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/podcast], where writers, authors, and artists share their journeys through meaningful, real conversations. The show airs every Monday at 4 PM EST. John is currently working on Ciao Bella: Forgotten in the Shadows [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/s/the-hole], a documentary project telling the story of Italian families who, during World War II, risked everything to help Jewish families escape to safety across the Alps. The Positive Pen © is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. © 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. 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 [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Grief, Grace, and the Quiet Work of Returning with Sandra Lynne

Thank you Jenny Lynn [https://substack.com/profile/327172893-jenny-lynn], Nicola Farnhill [https://substack.com/profile/50582931-nicola-farnhill], Cit Ananda [https://substack.com/profile/186874674-cit-ananda], Lynette K Dodd [https://substack.com/profile/444578049-lynette-k-dodd], rhonda doruiter [https://substack.com/profile/407426711-rhonda-doruiter], and many others for tuning into my live video with Sandra-Lynne [https://substack.com/profile/429352872-sandra-lynne]! In this episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack, John Rinaldo sits down with Sandra Lynne for a conversation that moves beneath the surface—into the quiet, often unseen work of healing, returning, and becoming whole again. What emerges is not a loud or performative discussion of grief, but something more honest. Something slower. A recognition that grief is not something to fix or outrun, but something to walk with. Sandra speaks to the experience of loss not as a single moment, but as a process that reshapes identity. Grief, in this conversation, is not only about what is gone—it is about what remains, and what must be rebuilt from within. There is no map. No clean timeline. Just a gradual return to self, often through reflection, stillness, and the courage to feel what most try to avoid. Tails of Tribute [https://tailsoftribute.com/] is a sacred space to honour the love you shared with your beloved animal, and a healing sanctuary for your grieving body, mind and soul, as your healing journey unfolds. John brings his own perspective as a writer and builder of community, drawing parallels between personal healing and the work many authors do on Substack. The platform becomes more than a place to publish—it becomes a space where people process, share, and connect through lived experience. Writing, in this sense, becomes an act of survival and integration. A central theme in the conversation is grace—not as something external, but as something we learn to extend to ourselves. Sandra reflects on how healing requires patience, especially when the world often pushes for quick recovery or visible strength. Instead, she emphasizes presence. Sitting with what is. Allowing space for both pain and growth to coexist. There is also a deep respect for the unseen work people do every day. The quiet decisions to keep going. To write one more sentence. To show up for others even when carrying something heavy. These moments, though small, are where transformation begins. The conversation gently challenges the idea that healing must look a certain way. It reminds listeners that returning to yourself is not about becoming who you were before—but about accepting who you are now, shaped by experience, loss, and resilience. What makes this episode powerful is its simplicity. There are no grand solutions offered. No formulas. Just truth, shared through conversation. In the end, the message is clear: grief is not the end of the story. It is part of it. And through grace, through honesty, and through the courage to stay present, there is a path forward—one step at a time. For writers, readers, and anyone navigating their own inner work, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone. And that sometimes, the most important progress is the kind no one else can see. 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 [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/s/daily-thoughts], a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/podcast] every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/s/the-hole], a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo [https://open.substack.com/users/23345777-john-rinaldo?utm_source=mentions] and Hassan [https://open.substack.com/users/16466030-hassan?utm_source=mentions], 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. 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 [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

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

Thank you Karl Tame [https://substack.com/profile/217243596-karl-tame], Vonnie G. Clemens Jr. [https://substack.com/profile/370357066-vonnie-g-clemens-jr], Susan J Hilger [https://substack.com/profile/37227158-susan-j-hilger], Sacred Storylines 🎨 [https://substack.com/profile/361708127-sacred-storylines], Harriet Corvine [https://substack.com/profile/326930697-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 [https://substack.com/profile/28614759-chris-kalaboukis], Joe Nichols [https://substack.com/profile/298827993-joe-nichols], Dr Deborah Vinall [https://substack.com/profile/155549851-dr-deborah-vinall], Terod Naej [https://substack.com/profile/356847851-terod-naej], Storm Whisperer [https://substack.com/profile/368257385-storm-whisperer], Brenda - A Voice that Wonders [https://substack.com/profile/167175840-brenda-a-voice-that-wonders], Michelle Dowd [https://substack.com/profile/152985-michelle-dowd], Shellie Enteen [https://substack.com/profile/100723560-shellie-enteen], Sara da Encarnação [https://substack.com/profile/403664858-sara-da-encarnacao], Grace Grossmann [https://substack.com/profile/103995205-grace-grossmann], Jake Borchardt [https://substack.com/profile/321121170-jake-borchardt], Bill Kirst [https://substack.com/profile/79245836-bill-kirst], Amber Shay [https://substack.com/profile/278118672-amber-shay], & Kate Robertson [https://substack.com/profile/349268680-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 [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/podcast] every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation. He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/s/the-hole], a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo [https://open.substack.com/users/23345777-john-rinaldo?utm_source=mentions] and Hassan [https://open.substack.com/users/16466030-hassan?utm_source=mentions], 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. 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 [https://rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]