There are conversations that stay on the surface—and then there are conversations that ask something of you. Today’s episode with chris kalaboukis was the second kind.
It didn’t begin with answers. It began with a question most people avoid: What would your life look like if you actually believed in what you imagine?
Chris brought a perspective that sits somewhere between philosophy and lived experience. Not abstract, not overly polished—just clear. The kind of clarity that makes you pause, because it quietly exposes how often we limit ourselves before we even begin.
The idea of Imagine It. Create It. Live It sounds simple. Almost too simple. But as the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the difficulty isn’t in understanding the idea—it’s in doing it.
We imagine all the time. But most of those thoughts never leave our heads.
We create, but often with hesitation—editing ourselves before anything real takes shape.
And living it? That’s where most people stop.
What stood out in today’s discussion was the gap between knowing and doing. Chris spoke about how imagination is not meant to be entertainment—it’s meant to be direction. It’s the blueprint. But a blueprint means nothing if you never pick up the tools.
There was a quiet challenge woven into the conversation: stop waiting for permission.
Too many people are looking for the right moment, the right audience, the right version of themselves before they begin. But the truth that kept resurfacing was this—there is no version of you coming that is more ready than you are right now.
And that’s where creation becomes real.
On Substack, this idea hits differently. Because writing is one of the purest forms of turning imagination into something tangible. You start with a thought, something invisible, and through words, you give it shape. You make it real enough for someone else to feel it.
But even here, the same resistance shows up. Doubt. Overthinking. Comparison.
Chris didn’t dismiss those things. He reframed them.
Doubt isn’t a stop sign—it’s part of the process. Overthinking isn’t intelligence—it’s often fear dressed up as preparation. And comparison? It’s the fastest way to disconnect from your own voice.
The conversation circled back, again and again, to ownership.
If you can imagine something, you have a responsibility to explore it. Not perfectly. Not publicly right away. But honestly. Because imagination is not random—it’s personal. It comes from somewhere real inside you.
And when you ignore it long enough, something inside you starts to quiet down.
That’s the part people don’t talk about.
Living it doesn’t mean everything works out. It doesn’t mean success is guaranteed. It means you chose to engage with your life instead of watching it pass by. It means you stopped negotiating with your own potential.
There was no grand conclusion to today’s episode. No step-by-step formula.
Just a reminder.
You already have the first piece—the ability to imagine.
The next step is yours.
Create it.
And then, the harder part—
Have the courage to live it.
Thank you Deanne Ames, Mary Ann McGee, rhonda doruiter, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.
Explore books by Substack writers discover new voices, find your next great read, and support independent authors.
The Go First Rule because it speaks to something many writers and creators experience—fear before action. Chris Kalaboukis offers a clear and practical perspective on how a small shift in timing can make a meaningful difference in how we approach decisions, conversations, and creative work.
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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 every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation.
He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, 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.
