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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.
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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, 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, 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.
