Real Life Resurrection — A Conversation with Craig Sefa

Thank you Deanne Ames, Danni Levy, rhonda doruiter, and many others for tuning into my live video!On this episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack, I sit down with Craig Sefa—pastor, teacher, author, and spiritual director behind Reflections of Something—for a conversation about faith, identity, grief, creativity, and the complicated realities of being human.Craig’s writing is not afraid to ask difficult questions. His work explores the places where belief meets uncertainty, where personal experience challenges what we thought we knew, and where growth often begins with the courage to look honestly within ourselves.In our conversation, we explore Craig’s journey through ministry, writing, family, and faith—and the experiences that have shaped both the person he is today and the stories he chooses to tell.We talk about what it means to question, to slow down, to listen, and to remain open to change. We also discuss the power of writing as a form of reflection and soul work, and how sharing our stories can create meaningful connections with others.At the heart of this episode is the idea of resurrection—not simply as a religious concept, but as something we experience throughout our lives.Sometimes we lose parts of ourselves.Sometimes life changes us in ways we never expected.And sometimes, through grief, reflection, faith, and honest conversation, we discover the possibility of beginning again.Join Craig Sefa and me for a thoughtful conversation about life, belief, writing, and the quiet ways we find our way back to ourselves.Stories. Soul Work. Creative Life. ✍️Real Life Resurrection is an inspiring Christian book about faith, renewal, personal transformation, and finding hope through life’s most difficult seasons. Available on AmazonThank you for reading. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters.🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack?About the AuthorThe 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.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