In this heartfelt episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack, KaZ and John sit down with Josie DiVincenzo for a grounded and inspiring conversation about growth, timing, and learning to flourish exactly where life has planted you.
Josie shares her journey of embracing creativity without waiting for perfect conditions. Together, they explore what it means to “bloom where you are”—not as passive acceptance, but as intentional presence. The conversation weaves through identity shifts, creative courage, and the quiet strength required to grow through uncertainty rather than run from it.
Topics include:
* Finding your voice without chasing validation
* Letting go of comparison in creative spaces
* How Substack becomes a garden for honest expression
* The difference between waiting for ideal circumstances and creating meaning in the present
With warmth, laughter, and thoughtful reflection, this episode reminds listeners that growth isn’t about geography—it’s about mindset. You don’t need new soil to bloom. You need roots, patience, and the willingness to open anyway.
A conversation about presence, purpose, and becoming.
- Rinaldo
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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.
John also continues his work through The Hard Truths, inspired by his book Earned, Not Given, where he explores identity, resilience, and the often-unseen experience of fathers.
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Other Ongoing Series
Learn more through Stories, Soul Work & Substack, along with The Hard Truths—inspired by Earned, Not Given—exploring identity, resilience, and the quiet erasure of fathers, and The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary series uncovering how Italians resisted fascism and helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II.
© 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved.
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