Shows
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Color of Hope is OrangeIn this 7 Minute Stories episode, Aaron reflects on a season of life that felt like too many trains trying to squeeze through one tunnel, and the small decision that helped him step off the track for a moment. What he found at Roxboro Elementary School in Cleveland Heights was a young poet named Kody, an orange poem, and a reminder that some of the best stories are the ones we almost miss.
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â â â â â đŹâ â â â â â â â â â â â Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â
Once a month, youâll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. Youâll also have access...
2026-06-0408 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Gift Bag, the Candle, and Rainn WilsonAfter recording a conversation with Rainn Wilson for the 7MS bonus series: The Storytelling University, Aaron reveals the anxiety he felt before the interview: wanting to make a meaningful connection without making the moment feel transactional. That anxiety somehow got wrapped up in a gift bag from Aaronâs hometown of Medina, Ohio, and a candle he suddenly worried might be a strange thing to give someone he had just met. What follows is a reflection on hometown pride, human connection, and the quiet realization that where we come from has stories worth carrying into the room.
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2026-05-2808 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoRainn Wilson on The Stories We Tell Ourselves | From Nicaragua to The Office to Soul BoomIn this bonus episode of 7 Minute Stories Presents: The Storytelling University, Aaron sits down with Rainn Wilson, the award-winning actor, New York Times bestselling author, and host of the Soul Boom podcast, for a conversation about storytelling, spirituality, anxiety, faith, and the inner narratives that shape our lives.
From vivid childhood memories in Nicaragua to Alice in Wonderland, The Office, the meaning of suffering, and the search for God, Rainn reflects on creativity, the soul, and whether storytelling might be one of humanityâs oldest ways of finding meaning.
Team: Created & Hosted by: Aaron Ca...
2026-05-2434 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Day I Became Batman to a RobinWhen Aaron discovers a robinâs nest outside his sliding glass door, a simple backyard moment turns into a daily ritual of wonder, worry, and unexpected responsibility. But when a murder of crows attacks the nest, Aaron finds himself stepping into natureâs drama, becoming an unlikely defender of three baby robins and learning something funny, humbling, and strangely beautiful about parenthood, protection, and letting go.
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â â â đŹâ â â â â â â â â â â â Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â â
Once a month, youâll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. Youâll also have access to Stories in a Snap, his weekly short...
2026-05-2109 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoHe Still Sends Emails From HeavenMore than a decade after his grandfather passed away, Aaron still sees the green light appear next to his grandfatherâs old Gmail account. What began years ago as one of the most beloved stories in 7 Minute Stories has evolved into an ongoing phenomenon and meditation on grief, memory, connection, and the invisible ways people continue to say hello long after theyâre gone. Itâs also a reminder of why making an impact while youâre alive on earth is something worth aspiring to.
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â â đŹâ â â â â â â â â â â â Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â â â â â â â â â â
Once a month, youâll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insig...
2026-05-1407 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoRandall Kenneth Jones: Pat Benatar, Storytelling as Purpose, and Why You Should âSave the Turtleâ7MS Presents: The Storytelling University returns with a heartfelt and deeply human conversation about storytelling, purpose, creativity, and the moments that quietly shape our lives.
This week, Randall Kenneth Jones joins Aaron Calafato for a special dual-release episode shared across both podcast feeds. Randall is the host of On the Knows and the author of books including Show Me and Ruby.
Together, Aaron and Randall explore the deeper architecture of story through unforgettable encounters with icons like Pat Benatar, Norman Lear, Erin Brockovich, Stedman Graham, Jenifer Lewis, Suze Orman, and more.
Youâll he...
2026-05-1125 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoA Wish I RegretAn exhausting night in the emergency room pushes Aaron to make an impulsive wish: what if healthcare workers were replaced by AI? But when a quiet moment with a triage nurse changes everything, heâs forced to reconsider what efficiency might cost us. A story about frustration, humanity, technology, and the unexpected comfort of being cared for by another person.
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â đŹâ â â â â â â â â â â â Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â â â â â â â â â
Once a month, youâll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. Youâll also have access to Stories in a Snap, his weekly short written adaptations of th...
2026-05-0709 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoHey Dad, Wanna Have a Catch? (A Field of Dreams Story)Aaron reflects on the enduring power of Field of Dreams, weaving together baseball, memory, and the quiet bond between fathers and sons. As listener stories echo a universal longing for one more "catch", this nostalgic 7 Minute Story from years past explores why some scenes, movies and dreams never leave us.
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đŹâ â â â â â â â â â â â Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â â â â â â â â
Once a month, youâll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. Youâll also have access to Stories in a Snap, his weekly short written adaptations of the 7 Minute Stories you love, reimagined for the page a...
2026-04-3010 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoSomewhere Between Here and There: Sliding CrepesOne afternoon, Aaron and his wife Cori drive to their favorite cafÊ⌠and itâs gone. No sign. No trace. Just a completely different place where it used to be.
But days later, they return and everything has changed again. The cafĂŠ is back. The sign is there. As if nothing ever happened.
This is a true story about a moment that didnât make sense, a shared memory Aaron and Cori canât explain, and the unsettling possibility that, for a brief second, they may have slipped into another version of their lives.
*In Nort...
2026-04-2308 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoWalter: The Story of an Elegant ManOn a routine trip to a Northeast Ohio institution, a simple checkout line becomes something more...
In this story, Aaron reflects on the quiet shift from living transactionally to truly seeing the people around us, sparked by his daughterâs instinct to imagine a life behind a strangerâs eyes. What begins as a quick stop at Discount Drug Mart turns into a meditation on dignity, attention, and the small stories we almost miss.
*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on...
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
IG Threads
đŹâ â â â â â â â â Join the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â â â ...
2026-04-1608 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoDavid Moulton: On Storytelling, Cybersecurity, and Why Story Moves Business ForwardIn this bonus episode of 7 Minute Stories Presents: Storytelling University, Aaron Calafato sits down with David Moulton to explore the unexpected intersection of storytelling and cybersecurity.
At first glance, cybersecurity feels purely technical.
But underneath it? It is a story as old as time.
As Senior Director of Content and Thought Leadership at Palo Alto Networks and host of the Threat Vector podcast, David works at the center of how complex cybersecurity ideas are translated into stories that leaders, teams, and organizations can actually understand and act on.
He breaks down...
2026-04-1329 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoPretending to Be Pacino or The Speech You Wish Youâd GivenWhat if the words you never said still have somewhere to go? In this episode, Aaron revisits one of the most powerful monologues in film and turns it into something unexpected, a way to process the moments in life where we stayed silent but wish we hadnât.
Excerpt from Scent of a Woman (1992)Produced and distributed by Universal PicturesDirected by Martin BrestScreenplay by Bo GoldmanBased on the novel Il buio e il miele by Giovanni ArpinoColonel Frank Slade portrayed by Al Pacino
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* Aaron on In...
2026-04-0908 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoFinding Success in Taco Bell Sauce PacketsA strange package shows up at Aaronâs door, filled with Taco Bell hot sauce and a message that didnât quite survive the journey. But what starts as a bizarre delivery turns into something else entirely: a reflection on memory, connection, and the unexpected ways we measure success.
Want to hear the story that inspired Taco Bell Sauce - Gate?
LISTEN HERE
đŹâ â â â â â â Join the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â â â
Each month, Aaron shares a select edition of Stories in a Snap â a written short story adapted from this 7 Minute Stories podcast an...
2026-04-0208 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Receipts She Never Threw AwayIn this 7 Minute Stories, Aaron shares a story that was passed down to him about a boy who grows up believing his mother chose work over him. Years later, a quiet Thanksgiving visit reveals the truth behind those early mornings, and what she was holding onto all along.
đŹâ â â â â â Join the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â â
Each month, Aaron shares a select edition of Stories in a Snap â a written short story adapted from this 7 Minute Stories podcast and thoughtfully reimagined for the page. Subscribers also receive storytelling insights, behind-the-scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. All delivered straight to their inbox.
2026-03-2608 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Meteor Nobody Saw ComingA meteor explodes over Medina, Ohioâshaking homes, lighting up the sky, and turning an ordinary morning into something unforgettable. As Aaron retraces the moment and the story behind it, a deeper question begins to surface about the systems we trust and the assumptions we carry. In this episode of 7 Minute Stories, a once-in-a-lifetime event points toward a realization you might not expect.
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đŹâ â â â â Join the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â
Each month, Aaron shares a select edition of Stories in a Snap â a written short story adapted from this 7 Minute Stories podcast and thoughtfully reimagined for the page. Subscribers also receive storytelling insi...
2026-03-1907 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoCoveralls, Coffee, and What His Dad Left BehindOne night, Chad Baxter heard a knock at the door and saw his mother standing in the hallway. In this listener-submitted 7 Minute Stories episode, Chad reflects on the man who raised him: early mornings riding home from the midnight shift, the smell of coffee and coveralls, lessons in the garage, and the complicated love between a father and son. A deeply personal story about memory, loss, and the quiet ways fathers live on through the lives of their children.
*Story by Chad Baxter
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đŹâ â â â â Join the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â â
Each month, Aaron shares a select edition of...
2026-03-1209 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Ritual of the Last Bar of SoapIn this episode of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron has a strange ritual heâs a little embarrassed to admit.
It happens quietly at the end of every season. A small moment that most people would overlook, but one heâs come to treat with surprising care.
At first it seems odd. Maybe even a little obsessive.
But the deeper you go, the more it begins to feel familiar. Because beneath the surface is something deeply human...
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đŹâ â â â Join the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â â
Each month, Aaron shares a select edition of Stories in a Snap â a w...
2026-03-0608 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoAre Aliens Real? Obama, UFOs, and the Night We Thought We Saw OneAfter Barack Obama recently clarified his comments about aliens, UFOs, UAPs, and Area 51, the question resurfaced: Are we alone in the universe?
In this episode replay, Aaron shares a strange midnight encounter under the stars that, for a moment, felt like a UFO. Or maybe a UAP? What he and his wife saw in the sky sparked thoughts of alien life, pop culture fascination, and the mathematics of the cosmos before revealing what it actually was.
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đŹâ â â Join the 7 Minute Stories Newsletterâ â â
Each month, Aaron shares a select edition of Stories in a Snap â a written...
2026-02-2608 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoAshes to Ashes, Dust to DustThis week on 7 Minute Stories, Aaron reflects on loss, legacy, and the fragile weight of being human.
From the passing of cultural icons like James Van Der Beek and Robert Duvall to the deeply personal grief of losing his uncle and cousinâboth Cleveland firefighters who ran toward danger for a livingâthis episode explores the difference between distant loss and the kind that reshapes you.
Recorded on Ash Wednesday, âAshes to Ashes, Dust to Dustâ wrestles with mortality, memory, and a question Aaron first asked at age 12: When the body stops, does everything stop? Or are w...
2026-02-1907 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoAn American Buffet and the Trouble with NostalgiaAn American buffet leaves an impression on you. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad.
Maybe it was a Chinese Buffet with your high school friends. Maybe it was Ponderosa. Maybe it was a frozen yogurt flavor youâve been chasing for decades.
But what happens when you go back?
In this 7 Minute Story, Aaron revisits a core memory from the 90s and begins to question something deeper: Can you trust nostalgia? Does memory tell the truth? Or does time change the taste of everything?
This is a story about abundance, aging, perspective, and th...
2026-02-1208 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoA Lesson from the Gumball PhilosopherIn this episode of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron tells the story of a broken gumball machine, a chance driveway encounter, and a man who chose to live by an "unusual" philosophy...
What begins as a simple attempt to clean out the garage turns into a conversation about boxes â the ones we live in, the ones we work in, and the ones we may spend our lives trying to escape.
Itâs a short story about freedom, sacrifice, and the unexpected teachers we meet when we think weâre just throwing something away.
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2026-02-0508 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Astronaut Who Couldnât Live AloneWhat happens when survival means living your entire life in total isolation? Drawing from Interstellar, Aaron Calafato steps into the mind of Dr. Mann, an astronaut marooned on a frozen planet, and examines the fear, temptation, and moral cost of wanting to be saved. A personal story about loneliness, choice, and the human need for other people.
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đť If you like 7 Minute Stories, youâll love 7 Minute Stories Radio â a 24/7 stream of Aaronâs stories you can tune into anytime. Let it run in the background while you walk, work, cook, or wind down. Itâs not an episode feed...
2026-01-2909 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe GoFundMe He Never Asked ForA GoFundMe is started for the actor Mickey Rourke, and the internet responds as it so often does. Reading the comments anonymously, Aaron discovers something rather unexpected, especially given the state of 2026. What unfolds isnât really a story about a fundraiser or a public figure shaped by past and perception. Itâs a meditation on people, and the quiet hope that lingers when someone is seen in need.
*Poster Art Jim Harris Designs
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â â â â â â Night Stories LIVE! â â â â â â â Aaronâs late-night radio show where he shares new stories and talks with s...
2026-01-2207 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoI Tried to Prove My Pediatrician Wrong (and Accidentally Learned Something Else)In this episode of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron revisits the last conversation he ever had with his pediatrician, a moment that left him angry, insecure, and determined to prove someone else wrong. What follows is a teenage experiment fueled by insecurity, chocolate milkshakes, and the belief that changing the body might fix everything else. Years later, Aaron reflects on what actually changed and what didnât. Itâs a story about growth, certainty, and the quiet realization that some answers canât be measured on a chart.
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â â â â â â Night Stories LIVE! â ...
2026-01-1509 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoChristmas: The Man and the Birds | A Timeless Christmas StoryEvery Christmas, a short story makes its returnâone without a known author, but with a lasting impact. The Man and the Birds was famously shared each holiday season by Paul Harvey on the radio, and for years, itâs become an annual tradition on 7 Minute Stories.
In this special holiday episode, Aaron revisits the quiet, timeless parable about belief, humility, and what it means to truly see one another. Recorded live during Night Stories Live! this retelling invites listeners to slow down, listen closely, and carry a simple truth with them into Christmas.
A stor...
2025-12-2508 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Polar Express, Belief, and Why Santa Is RealAs the year comes to a close, Aaron returns to a childhood memory sparked by The Polar Expressâa quiet library, falling snow, and a sound he still canât explain. What begins as a story about believing in Santa becomes something larger: a reflection on why belief itself is real, necessary, and enduring. Through a timeless response to an 8-year-oldâs question published in The New York Sun, this episode explores why the most important things in life may exist beyond what we can see.
Credits & Citations
âYes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Clausâ
Written by Francis P...
2025-12-1807 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Real Story Behind âHave Yourself a Merry Little ChristmasâIn this special holiday episode, Aaron breaks down the surprising origin of âHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,â a song that was almost far too bleak for the movie it was written for. He explores how Judy Garland rejected the original lyrics, why Hugh Martin rewrote them, and how the shift turned the tune into one of the most emotional Christmas standards of all time. Aaron also compares the Garland and Sinatra versions, highlighting the lyric changes that shaped each performance. This short deep dive blends music history and storytelling to remind listeners what the holidays mean when life is h...
2025-12-0406 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoA Love Letter to My Neanderthal FamilyIn this 7 Minute Story, Aaron (inspired by the NOVA Humans docuseries from PBS) discovers an unexpected kinship with his Neanderthal ancestors â not as cartoon cavemen, but as real people whose lives shaped our own. Through humor, identity, and deep-time storytelling, he explores what survives, what disappears, and why a tiny percentage of ancient DNA still carries meaning today. A funny and surprisingly emotional journey into who we are, who we come from and 'who' is still a part of us!
đąTry not to doom scroll, but if you do, at least scroll through Aaronâs micro shorts called...
2025-11-2708 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe GI Joe Incident: Why I Thought I Ran Away⌠and the Truth I Didnât SeeAaron tells the story of the day he triedâtruly triedâto run away at age five, fueled by righteous anger over a forbidden episode of GI Joe and a backpack full of peanut-butter crackers. What begins as a funny childhood rebellion slowly reveals a deeper truth about grief, confusion, and a kid trying to make sense of a family unraveling. This is a story about the moment you realize running away isnât the answerâand why coming home matters more than you knew.
đąTry not to doom scroll, but if you do, at least scroll through Aaronâs micro short...
2025-11-2008 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoIn Defense of Hallmark Movies: A Closing Argument for Small-Town MagicThis week, 7 Minute Stories transforms into a courtroom dramaâwell, sort of. In this courtroom-style story, Aaron Calafato takes on the role of defense attorney, arguing not against cynicism but for hope. As the prosecution condemns Hallmark movies as âbrain rot,â Aaron makes a case for why these small-town stories, full of clichĂŠs and Christmas lights, might be exactly what our overstimulated culture needs. A clever, heartfelt reflection on repetition, ritual, and why the simplest stories can still teach us the most about being human.
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â â â Night Stories LIVE! â â â â Aaronâs late-night story...
2025-11-1309 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoSuper Kmart, Meijer, and a Flock of Seagulls: What Never FadesThe first-ever Super Kmart in America once stood in Aaronâs hometown of Medina, Ohioâa place where he grew up under blue light specials and late-night wanderings with friends. Years after the store shut down, seagulls claimed the empty parking lot, and his daughter renamed it the âSeagull Zoo.â Now that the building has been torn down and replaced by Meijer, Aaron is left wonderingâstores may change, but do the memories, and the moments we share in them, ever really fade?
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â â Night Stories LIVE! â â â Aaronâs late-night stor...
2025-11-0609 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Night I Got Lost in the Woods | A Halloween StoryIn this Halloween episode of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron shares a true story about getting lost deep in the woods with no phone, no compass, and a rising sense of panic. What begins as a peaceful evening walk turns into a confrontation with fear itselfâand a rediscovery of the real meaning behind Halloween. By the end, youâll see how an ancient story about courage and transformation helped him find his way back home.
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â â Night Stories LIVE! â â â Aaronâs late-night storytelling show where he shares new stories and talks with special guests...
2025-10-3009 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Migraine from HeavenIn this week's 7 Minute Story, Aaronâs night starts simple, dinner with the family and a quick trip for Advil before his sonâs band concert. But what unfolds is a comedy of errors that turns a small headache into a full-blown odyssey. By the end, the story takes a turn that proves even the most frustrating nights can carry an unexpected lesson.
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â Night Stories LIVE! â â Aaronâs late-night storytelling show where he shares new stories and talks with special guests in real time. Streamed on itsâ â new YouTube Channelâ â , these nostalgic, radio-style...
2025-10-2310 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Deer Keeper: Tale of a Roadside SaintWhen Aaron received a text that said, âI think itâs deadâand itâs in your backyard,â he didnât expect it to lead to one of the most unexpectedly moving encounters of his life.
What began as a grim discovery turned into a quiet reflection on empathy, loss, and the humanity that can show up in the most unlikely places. In this 7-minute true story, Aaron meets a man whose job is to remove whatâs been left behindâbut whose heart reveals something much deeper.
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â Night Stori...
2025-10-1609 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Case for AI Fast-Food Drive-ThrusIn 1993, five bucks at a drive-thru could feed a family. Today, it barely covers a soda. In this story, Aaron Calafato takes us through the chaos of the modern fast-food experienceâwrong orders, long waits, and the creeping perfection of AI drive-thrus. What starts as a rant about overpriced combo meals becomes something deeper: a meditation on imperfection, nostalgia, and what we lose when machines get everything right.
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â Night Stories LIVE! â â Aaronâs late-night storytelling show where he shares new stories and talks with special guests in real time. Streamed on i...
2025-10-0909 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoMemories from Grandpaâs HouseIn this episode of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron takes listeners back to one unforgettable day at his Grandpa Joeâs house. From a roadside McMuffin breakfast and legendary Air Force fight story, to stacks of bargain-bin movies, tuna sandwiches on rye, and homemade pasta and meatballsâevery detail becomes a core memory worth holding onto. Through his grandfatherâs wisdom and humor, Aaron reminds us that even in lifeâs hardest moments, there are anchorsâmemories that keep us steady and remind us of who we are.
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â Night Stories LIVE! â â Aaronâs late-night storytelli...
2025-10-0209 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Fortune Teller at Bob EvansIn this episode of 7MS, Storyteller Aaron Calafato shares an encounter with a "fortune teller" at a Bob Evans that reshaped how he saw his future. At 18, he dismissed her vision that heâd trade rock-and-roll dreams for a life centered on home and family. Years later, over breakfast at the same restaurant, Aaron faces the question: did her vision come true?
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow Night Stories LIVE! â Aaronâs late-night storytelling show where he shares new stories and talks with special guests in real time. Streamed on itsâ new YouTube Channelâ , these nostalgic, radio-style s...
2025-09-2508 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Barbershop Echo | Season 6 PremiereSeason 6 of 7 Minute Stories opens in an empty Medina, Ohio barbershop where Saturday morning memories still linger in the air. Aaron Calafato reflects on childhood haircuts, family rituals, and the fear of familiar places fading away. But if we tell stories about these places, we may give them a chance to endureâand when those fears are confronted and embraced, we give ourselves a chance to create new space for new visions and futures.
đť If you like 7MS, make sure you follow â Night Stories LIVE! â â Aaronâs late-night storytelling show where he shares new stories and talks with special...
2025-09-1809 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoEvan Bartels: Songs, Stories, and the Art of NoticingIn this Storytelling University conversation, Aaron sits down with songwriter Evan Bartels to explore the craft of turning life into song. From the haunting first lines of Montana to the overlooked âside charactersâ of history, Bartels reveals how noticing small details can unlock entire worlds of meaning. Together, they dig into the tension between art and craft, the dignity of ordinary lives, and why the most powerful stories often come from whatâs left unsaid.
*Stream Evan's New EP To Make You Cry
đď¸ Listen to Aaron tell stories and talk with special guests live during Nigh...
2025-09-1336 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Summer I Tried to Keep EveryoneAaron remembers the summer he spent in Washington, D.C.âa time of new independence, fast friendships, and an address book filled with names he swore heâd never lose. But as life moved forward, most of those connections faded, leaving behind a bittersweet lesson about memory and the limits of time. Plus, Aaron previews the Season 6 premiere of 7 Minute Stories, launching September 18.
đď¸ Listen to Aaron tell stories and talk with special guests live during Night Stories on its new YouTube Channelâthese late-night sessions go live every Thursday starting @ 9:30PM EST and going into the late night hours...
2025-09-1109 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoJob or Sales Pitch? When Door-to-Door Collides with BoundariesIn this episode of 7 Minute Stories, storyteller Aaron Calafato reflects on his lifelong clash with door-to-door salespeopleâand the one unforgettable mix-up that tested his boundaries at home. With humor and humility, Aaron shows how one bad assumption turned into a lesson about forgiveness, stress, and the fine line between protecting your space and shutting out opportunity.
đď¸ Listen to Aaron tell stories live during Night Stories its newâ â â â â YouTube Channelâ â â â â â these late-night sessions go live every Thursday evening @ 9:30PM EST, so be sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell to unwind with him whenever he goes live.
đOR, if youâre...
2025-09-0407 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoI Raced Shamu at SeaWorldâand Missed the Real Story UnfoldingIn 1993, a 10-year-old Aaron Calafato got the opportunity of a lifetime: to race a killer whale named Shamu at SeaWorld in front of a roaring crowd. What started as a dream moment turned into public humiliationâand a soaking wet lesson he never forgot. But decades later, that memory sparked a deeper question: What did Shamu feel like in that same spotlight?
*If you like 7MS, youâll love 7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted â a live, audioâfirst show inspired by classic lateânight radio. It features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, unexpected conversations with guests, and a live chat...
2025-07-1008 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Sandlot Star Who Changed Our Lives: A College Story About Art LaFleurIn 2005, Aaron and his college friend Jon were just two undergrads trying to pull off a film festival with a $3,000 budget. Their goal? Land a special guest who would leave a lasting impact. After a series of wild long shots, they found the perfect fit â The Sandlotâs Art LaFleur, the actor who played Babe Ruth. This episode is about what happened next: a weekend of laughter, inspiration, and unexpected campus fame. It's also about creative dreams, the power of nostalgia, and the regret of waiting too long to reconnect. A tribute to a beloved character actor â and a remind...
2025-07-0308 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoMy Olivia NewtonâJohn MomentAt a Holiday Inn off the Garden State Parkway (or as Aaron mistakenly called it, âthe Jersey Parkwayâ â what can we say, heâs from Ohio), a lateânight room service shift becomes an unexpected lesson in grit, perseverance, and chasing a dream. From an awkward encounter with a strange guest to a $300 VIP assignment that felt like a wink from the universe, this is the story of how a moment with Olivia NewtonâJohn reaffirmed one aspiring actorâs path. Sometimes, amid the cheeseburgers and long elevators, all you need is a sign.
7MS Season 6 Starts September 2025...
2025-06-2608 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoNoraly Schoenmaker (Itchy Boots): Storytelling, Travel, and Her New NYT Bestselling BookNoraly Schoenmakerâcreator of Itchy Bootsâjoins Aaron Calafato on 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University for a deep dive into the art of storytelling, the kindness of strangers, and what it means to document real experiences while living them. She reflects on how her solo motorcycle travels around the world transformed her outlook on life, and discusses her New York Times bestselling book, Free Ride: Heartbreak, Courage, and the 20,000-Mile Motorcycle Journey That Changed My Life, which pulls back the curtain on the stories behind her extraordinary adventure.
Noraly's New Book, Free Ride
Itchy Boots on YouTube:
The...
2025-06-2140 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoElvis Has Left the Building...What happens when you meet someone pretending to be Elvis⌠in a small-town restaurant? In this Season 5 Finale of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron shares a story about nachos, a tribute act, and an unexpected moment of connection. What started as a kitschy Elvis performance turns into something unforgettableâa moving reflection on art, risk, and the courage to chase your dream, even if only twelve people are watching.
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's â â â â â â 7MS Presents: Live and Unscriptedâ â â â â â . A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio â it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat wi...
2025-06-1909 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoWWF and Shawn Michaels Taught Me About TrustâThen My Best Friend Betrayed MeWas it Shawn Michaelsâ infamous superkick through the barbershop window? Or generations of Sicilian family wisdom that taught Aaron the true meaning of betrayal? In this nostalgic tale, Aaron explores childhood trust, sixth-grade backstabbing, and how wrestling lore and real life collided in a lesson he never forgot.
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's â â â â â 7MS Presents: Live and Unscriptedâ â â â â . A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio â it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat with YOU (the listener). Subscribe toâ â â â â â Aaronâs YouTube channelâ â â â â â and tune in every Monday!
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â â â â â â In...
2025-06-0508 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoWhy She Tried to Grab My Arm Every SundayAs a kid, Aaron was terrified of the trembling old woman who reached for him at church every Sunday. Years later, a simple handshake revealed the heartbreaking reason whyâand left him with a memory that never faded.
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's â â â â 7MS Presents: Live and Unscriptedâ â â â . A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio â it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat with YOU (the listener). Subscribe toâ â â â â Aaronâs YouTube channelâ â â â â and tune in every Monday!
*Follow Aaron on...
â â â â â Instagram â â â â â
â â â â â IG Threads â â â â â
â â â â â YouTubeâ â â â â
Story created & performed by: A...
2025-05-2909 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Day I Met My Daughter (I Love You, Brosephina)On this deeply personal episode of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron reflects on the life-changing events of May 22ndâthe day his daughter was born. From migraines and fear to awe and transformation, this story explores what it really means to become a parent for the first time.
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's â â â 7MS Presents: Live and Unscriptedâ â â . A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio â it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat with YOU (the listener). Subscribe to â â â â Aaronâs YouTube channelâ â â â and tune in every Monday!
*Follow Aaron on...
â â â â Inst...
2025-05-2208 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Problem with Using '90s Commercials as a Sleep AidAaron Calafato thought heâd finally cracked the code on curing his late-night insomniaâwith the help of a few nostalgic commercials from the 1980s and â90s. But what worked like melatonin for him caused chaos in his wifeâs sleeping habits. In this episode, Aaron unpacks how the jingles, voices, and toy ads of his youth became a soothing balm for anxiety⌠and how imaginationânot consumptionâmight be the real trick to falling asleep.
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's â â 7MS: Storystream â Live and Unscriptedâ â . 7MS Storystream is a live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio...
2025-05-1509 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoStatue of LimitationsA few days before Valentineâs Day, Aaron realizes he still hasnât found a gift for his wife. Not for lack of effortâheâs been looking. But what she wants is oddly specific: a concrete lawn goose. What follows is a story about love, small towns, gift anxiety, and what it means to really tryâeven if youâre probably going to fail.
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's â â 7MS: Storystream â Live and Unscriptedâ â . 7MS Storystream is a live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio â it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guest...
2025-05-0810 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Scooter Man Incident (Or: How I Became Larry David)When a fast-talking salesman on a motorized scooter invades Aaron's Saturday peace, things spiral into a hilariousâand nearly hostileâdriveway showdown. In this episode, Aaron recounts the moment he transformed into the fictional version of Larry David, wrestling with his own patience, boundaries, and a strangerâs relentless sales script. Itâs a story about personal space, emotional restraint, and why no really means no.
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's â 7MS: Storystream â Live and Unscriptedâ . 7MS Storystream is a live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio â it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conve...
2025-05-0107 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoHow to Plan for Everything (Except a Paper Cut)Aaron has been preaching the same piece of advice to his kids for years: give a gift to your future self. Itâs great adviceâuntil it isnât. In this episode, a public library talk goes sideways fast, and Aaron learns the hard way that even the best-laid plans canât stop a surprise bloodbath.
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's 7MS: Storystream â Live and Unscripted.
7MS Storystream is a live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio â it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and listeners. I...
2025-04-2408 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoSunday at Nonna'sAaron shares the story of his great-grandmotherââLittle Grandmaââand the Sunday tradition she passed down that became the heartbeat of his family. This deeply personal episode explores the power of food, memory, and how culture gets preserved one simmering pot of sauce at a time.*Shout out to artist Frank Oriti for helping inspire this story! https://frankoritijr.com/*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https...
2025-04-1708 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoSpring Fever (And Why I Donât Have It) | 7MS CinemaAs the rest of the world thaws out and rushes outside to soak in the first rays of spring, Aaron heads the opposite directionâback into the basement. In this episode, he reflects on why warmer days fill him with unease, why solitude has become sacred, and how the quiet chill of winter might offer something weâre all starving for: the right to turn off and just be. A story about temperature, temperament, and tuning out.Make sure you're following the podcastâjust tap the plus (+) button in the top right corner of the sh...
2025-04-1010 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoA Man, a Sunset, and the Cleanest Hands in OhioAaron finds himself stuck in a suburban parking lot, overwhelmed by logistics and burnout after a long weekend of supporting his daughter's performance. But as dusk falls and a chaotic van interrupts a perfect sunset, heâs reminded of perspective, connection, and the small beauty of clean hands and second chances.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter*Watch Aaronâs live storytelling lectur...
2025-04-0308 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoGene Hackman's Final Days: The Story Weâll Never KnowWhen Aaron learns of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsyâs tragic deaths, he canât stop thinking about what really happened in those final days. In this intimate reflection, Aaron explores the space between facts and truthâand the power of storytelling to fill in what logic alone never could.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter*Watch Aaronâs live storytelling lectures a...
2025-03-2707 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Death of Super Kmart & the Seagull Zoo (7MS Cinema)This special 7 Minute Stories Cinema collaboration takes you to a small-town Super Kmart, a once-thriving hub that slowly faded into obscurityâonly to be reclaimed by an unexpected new population. In this episode, Aaron reflects on a childhood filled with late-night runs, hypnotic store music, and one final transformation that turned an abandoned parking lot into something truly unforgettable.Soundscape Design & Direction: Isaac Gehring *Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the wait...
2025-03-2010 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoTrapped in Nostalgia: When Loving the Past Goes Too FarAaron reflects on the fine line between nostalgia and delusion, questioning whether his love for the past is keeping him grounded or pulling him into a time warp. Through a mix of humor and introspection, he explores how memories shape usâwithout letting them define us.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter*Watch Aaronâs live storytelling lectures and conversations on our new si...
2025-03-1308 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoCan You Be Ruthless? A Rent-A-Center Story by Shannon CasonWhat really happens behind the scenes at a Rent-A-Center? In this 7 Minute Stories: Sunday Leftovers episode, Aaron features master storyteller Shannon Cason, host of Homemade with Shannon Cason, as part of a special story swap. Shannon shares a brutally honest and darkly funny story from his summer working at Rent-A-Centerâwhere the true business wasnât furniture, but selling payments. From repo runs to ruthless managers, this story pulls back the curtain on an industry built on high-interest survival.Follow Shannon's Storytelling:https://www.shannoncason.com/*Weâre cre...
2025-03-0909 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Face That Reminded Me to Reach OutThis episode features a 7MS Cinema collaboration with audio producer Isaac Gehring.After years of chasing a dream in New York, Aaron looks back on the unlikely connections and formative moments that shaped his journeyâincluding a family tie to a professional character actor many of you have seen in films over the last few decades. But when a chance reminder from Henry Winkler jogs a long-buried memory, he realizes there's something important heâs been putting off for too long.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your i...
2025-03-0609 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoHow Many Trash Cans Does It Take to Save the World?On a freezing winter morning, Aaron stepped outside to complete the simplest of tasksâbringing in his trash cans. But what started as a mundane chore quickly spiraled into an existential crisis, leading him to question generosity, obligation, and just how many trash cans one man can really take in.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter*Want to watch one of Aaronâs free...
2025-02-2708 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoTwo Escapes: A Bird, A Barbecue, and a Moment That LingersOn a late summer night, Aaron and Cori set out for barbecue, but what should have been a simple dinner takes an unexpected turn. First, they find an unlikely hitchhikerâa panicked bird trapped in their carâs grill. Then, just as theyâre leaving the restaurant, a much more unsettling scene unfolds in the parking lotâa woman struggling to escape a car, a man refusing to let her go. In this episode, Aaron recounts two escapes: one with a clear ending, the other still unresolved.*If you're experiencing abuse, you can get help wit...
2025-02-1909 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoSuper Bowl Sunday Confession: The Cleveland Browns, the Kelce brothers, and One Act of Betrayal (7MS Sunday Leftovers)Itâs Super Bowl Sunday, but instead of just watching the game, Aaron finds himself making a confession that no true Cleveland Browns fan should ever admit. While his wife Cori is sick and asks him to tell her a story, he ends up revealing something that feels like an act of betrayalânot just to her, but to the entire Dawg Pound. What happens next? Well⌠some things are hard to take back.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quar...
2025-02-0913 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Magician: Turning Two Hours Into a LifetimeAaron reflects on his childhood visitations with his father and how, in just a couple of hours each week, his dad transformed ordinary moments into unforgettable adventures. From blasting Springsteen in the car to battling "giant squids" in the car wash, this story captures the magic of a parent making the most of limited time.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter*Dive de...
2025-02-0608 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Old Church, the Stories, and the Ministerâs Prediction (7MS Sunday Leftovers)As a kid, Aaron spent his days at a church with a red doorâfirst in preschool, then in the pews, listening to sermons that felt more like stories. Decades later, he wonders if the minister who once predicted his future might have been onto something. In this episode, Aaron revisits the church, the people who shaped him, and the stories that stayed long after he left.Special 7MS Cinema collaboration with producer/engineer Isaac Gehring *Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for...
2025-02-0210 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoHigh School Dreams, Demo Tapes, and the Magic of SpiceIn this nostalgic episode, Aaron reflects on being in a high school band in the nineties, a time when demo tapes and battle-of-the-bands showcases felt like the only shot at stardom. He shares the story of Spice, his high schoolâs annual talent show, and how it became a beacon of hope for a group of teenage dreamers.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter
2025-02-0108 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Coveralls, the Coffee, and What He Left Behind (7MS Sunday Leftovers)On this episode of Sunday Leftovers we examine the question: What does it mean to love someone who isnât perfect? In this deeply personal story written, recorded and submitted from 7MS listener and aspiring writer Chad Baxter, we journey through a childhood filled with tender moments and lessons passed from father to son. But as Chad grows older, his relationship with his dad becomes complicated by addiction, shame, and longing for what once was. Itâs a story of resilience, love, and the echoes of a fatherâs influence.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-theme...
2025-01-2609 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Bread Maker, the Arctic Cold, and What We Forget About Snow DaysDuring 72 hours of Arctic cold, Aaron and his family hunker down, rediscovering the magic of snow days through games, creativity, and a bread-making obsession. What they find is a discovery of something many of us know but have forgotten...*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on...
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2025-01-2307 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Doorman Experiment: What Opening Doors Taught Me About PeopleWhat began as a way for Aaron Calafato to pass the time outside a crowded restaurant turned into an unexpected lesson in humanity. In this episode, he reflects on the act of opening doors, the complexities of human interaction, and what it truly means to connect with others.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect wi...
2025-01-1608 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron Calafato'Twas the Night Before Christmas (7MS Cinema)Experience the wonder of Christmas Eve with Aaron Calafato as he shares a 7MS Cinema Remix of his cherished childhood memories and beloved family traditions, from magical library nights to the anticipation of Santaâs arrival. Settle in as Aaron reads 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and invites you to relive the joy, hope, and magic that make this night unforgettable.Sound collaboration with Isaac Gehring*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join...
2024-12-2407 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Man and the Birds: A Christmas Tradition (7MS Sunday Leftovers)Join Aaron Calafato as he shares the timeless Christmas story, The Man and the Birds, a tale of compassion, understanding, and the true meaning of the season. Inspired by Paul Harvey's classic retelling, this heartfelt episode will leave you reflecting on the magic of Christmas Eve and the warmth of shared traditions.*The origin and author of The Man and the Birds Christmas Story is unknown.According to Radio legend Paul Harvey, who retold this parable every Christmas for decades, âThe story was originally published by United Press International by Louis Cassels, a longtime friend of...
2024-12-2207 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoSam Elliot, Prancer and a Response to Virginia O'HanlonHave you ever heard of the movie Prancer? In this special Christmas-themed episode, Aaron takes us back to a spontaneous, late-night recording on Christmas Eve, inspired by the classic film and the timeless letter to Virginia O'Hanlon. Listen as Aaron reflects on the magic of the holidays, shares heartfelt insights, and recites one of the most moving pieces ever written about Santa Claus. *Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com...
2024-12-1208 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoCharlotteâs Web Part 2: The Rise of Boris!At just five years old, Aaron Calafato learned an unforgettable lesson about life from a spider, his mom, and the story of Charlotteâs Web. In this episode, he shares how that moment shaped his philosophy on kindness and the legacy heâs trying to pass on to his kids.*Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and co...
2024-11-2108 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoWhat the Hell Was That? A Midnight Mystery in the SkyAaron and his wife, Cori, stood under the midnight sky when they witnessed something unforgettable. Was it a UFO? A rogue meteor? Or something even stranger? In this episode, Aaron unravels the mystery of that night, diving into the possibility of life beyond Earth, blending cosmic curiosity with a deep pursuit of truth.Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletterStory created & performed by...
2024-10-1708 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Dress That Connected Us: A Story of Unexpected EncountersWhen Aaronâs wife, Cori, slipped into a vintage dress, he had no idea it would turn their laid-back Saturday at the farmerâs market into something unforgettable. From unexpected compliments to a strangerâs tear-filled story, this episode takes you on a journey of how one dress became a doorway to the pastâconnecting them to memories they never knew existed.Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter...
2024-10-1008 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Breakfast Ritual: A Motherâs Love Laminated in Receipts (S5 E5)In this episode Aaron shares a story about a family friend: In 1990, a young boyâs world changed forever when his father suddenly disappeared, leaving his mother to hold the family together with double shifts and a simple morning ritual. Decades later, during a strained Thanksgiving reunion, the son discovers a small but profound reminder of those quiet morningsâa gesture that speaks louder than words ever could. This episode explores the power of routine and how even the smallest gestures can bridge the gap between past and present.Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed conten...
2024-10-0308 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoBilly Madison OR I'm Not a Little Boy! (S5 E4)Aaron reflects on his childhood obsession with growing up too fast, culminating in a humiliating moment when he got stuck on a giant slide, embarrassed in front of an entire amusement park. Through this and other stories, he shares how he learned the hard way that adulthood isn't all it's cracked up to be.Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletterStory created & pe...
2024-09-2608 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoRobotic Surgeon vs. Jazz-Loving Doctor: My Dadâs Battle with Knee Pain (S5 E3)Aaron tells the story of his fatherâs two-decade struggle with knee pain and the pivotal moment he had to choose between a robotic-assisted surgeon and an old-school doctor who had a love for jazz...Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletterStory created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori CalafatoArt...
2024-09-1909 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoChinese Food: A Story About Family, Culture, and Connection (S5 E2)A simple lunch at a Chinese restaurant leads Aaron into a world of hidden stories, unexpected connections, and a journey that was much more than just Chinese food. Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletterStory created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori CalafatoArt: Pete WhiteheadOriginal Music: thom...
2024-09-1208 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoPizza Hut, TMNT and the Year of BooksIn the Season 5 premiere of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron takes us back to his childhood in Ohio, where a VHS tape of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie led him to an unexpected discovery...Original Song 'Right Field" by Peter, Paul & MaryPerformed by Willy WelchWeâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletterStory created & performed by...
2024-09-0508 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoTake Your Damn SpaceIs it Aaron Calafato or Tony Robbins? Either way, enjoy this special message for our 7MS listeners. ⢠Weâre creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletterStory Created & Performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. dukeÂ
2024-06-0608 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoCleveland's Secret Identity: A Superman Story7MS Presents: Cleveland's Secret Identity: A Superman StoryAbout: Join viral storyteller Aaron Calafato (7 Minute Stories, Glassdoor's The Lonely Office) as he delves into the journey of filmmaker Rob Montague, who is on a mission to create a unique and compelling film about the creators of Superman. Discover the passion and urgency behind Rob's decade-long project, "Secret Identity," a multifaceted documentary and narrative that intertwines animation, live-action, and the stories of three fans journeying to Cleveland. Hear about the trials and tribulations faced by Superman's creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and why Rob...
2024-05-3016 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoWhat Becomes of the Brokenhearted?In this episode, Aaron navigates three early love tragedies and contemplates giving up on love.Story created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke ⢠We want to hear from you! Drop us a line and tell us about your favorite episode or how it reminded you of a memory!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/contact⢠Support 7MS by treating yourself to some mer...
2024-02-2209 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Golden GooseWill Aaron be a hero or a heel on Valentine's Day? His fate hinges on a very special goose.Story created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke ⢠We want to hear from you! Drop us a line and tell us about your favorite episode or how it reminded you of a memory!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/contact⢠Support 7MS by treat...
2024-02-1509 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoHunger Games (School Lunch Edition)Long days and empty plates. Join Aaron for his 6th grade edition of hunger games. Story created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke ⢠We want to hear from you! Drop us a line and tell us about your favorite episode or how it reminded you of a memory!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/contact⢠Support 7MS by treating yourself to some merc...
2024-02-0809 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe MRIThis week, find out what happens when Aaron gets an MRI of his brain...  Story created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke ⢠We want to hear from you! Drop us a line and tell us about your favorite episode or how it reminded you of a memory!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/contact⢠Support 7MS by treating yourself to some merch!...
2024-02-0109 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Blue Rock and the Time MachineAaron embarks on a time-travel journey to revisit a cherished moment from his youth. Story created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke ⢠We want to hear from you! Drop us a line and tell us about your favorite episode or how it reminded you of a memory!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/contact⢠Support 7MS by treating yourself to some merch!
2024-01-2508 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoGot a Smoke?Aaron's first puff of a cigarette has some unexpected consequences... Story created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke ⢠We want to hear from you! Drop us a line and tell us about your favorite episode or how it reminded you of a memory!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/contact⢠Support 7MS by treating yourself to some merch!https://www.7minu...
2024-01-1808 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Riddler (7MS Listener Request)A cryptic text from a delivery driver (The Riddler) ignites a mystery and turns Aaron & Coriâs evening upside down. Story created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke ⢠We want to hear from you! Drop us a line and tell us about your favorite episode or how it reminded you of a memory!https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/contact⢠Support 7MS by treat...
2024-01-1110 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoBe Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine!The story behind 'A Christmas Story' and how it all connects to Aaron's very own 'Little Orphan Annie' decoder pin.Story created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke ⢠We want to hear from you! Drop us a line and tell us about your favorite episode or how it reminded you of a memory! https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/contact⢠Support 7MS by tr...
2023-12-1408 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Dandelion SaladAaronâs grandfather never would have thought this little story about growing up during the depression would reach tens of millions of people around the globe. Story Created & Performed by: Aaron CalafatoOriginal Story Told by: Joseph Collier (Calafato) Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. dukeÂ
2023-01-1211 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoDisclosureAaron explores the making of a miraculous film called Disclosure - A student film that turned Aaron and his high school friends into movie stars. Okay, maybe not movie stars, but what they did learn was life-changing. *Today's story reference Jay Ellison, Aaron's longtime friend, and current film industry professional. Learn more about Jay and his company at https://shadowcastpictures.com/ Story created & performed by: Aaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Birce Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thom...
2022-11-0309 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe DateGeorge is on his way to the most important date of his life with Marie. The only problem is, no matter how long he drives, he can never seem to get thereâŚThis week on a new 7 Minute Stories our team presents our first-ever audio drama. Itâs titled âThe Dateâ. Story written by: Aaron CalafatoCharactersGeorge: Aaron Calafato Female Narrator: Cori BirceOfficer Sterling: Ken Wendt Audio Production: Ken Wendt Original Art: Pete Whitehea...
2022-01-2008 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoAll Hornets Go to HeavenThis week: An intense rivalry with a hornet, a death chamber, and a quest for salvation.*This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today!https://www.fishbowlapp.com/Story performed by: Aaron CalafatoAudio Production: Ken Wendt Original Art: Pete WhiteheadOrginal Music: Aaron CalafatoMusic Contributor: thomas j. dukePodcast Coordinator: Cori BirceCreative Consultant: Anthony VorndranÂ
2021-11-1109 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoAaron's Movie Marathoner's AppearanceToday's episode features a 7 Minute Segment from an appearance Aaron made on the Movie Marathoners Podcast. Marathoners is a fellow member of the Evergreen Podcast Network.You can find full episodes of Movie Marathoners on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.We start this episode in the midst of Aaron and Marathoners host Matti reviewing the 90s classic Rookie of the Year, one of Aaron's favorites. Matti tells Aaron that movies like Rookie of the Year tend to be comfort films and do very little to make sense of their fairytale. Aaron, of course, takes this a...
2021-09-3009 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron Calafato7 Minutes with IN-QA unique and inspiring 7 minutes with the award-winning poet, multi-platinum songwriter & best-selling author. Connect with IN-Qhttps://in-q.com/IN-Q recently launched a new podcast. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts. Story Production: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt Photo: Michael WahbaMusic Contributor: thomas j. dukePodcast Coordinator: Cori BirceProduction Assistant: Lennon JanovyakCreative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran Original Guitar Composition: Aaron Calafato
2021-05-1310 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoSonny Corinthos OR Sonny with a chance of AaronThe story of how a one of a kind soap opera character made an unexpected impact on my life.   Story concept & performance by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt Original Art: Pete WhiteheadMusic Contributor: thomas j. dukePodcast Coordinator: Cori BirceCreative Consultant: Anthony VorndranÂ
2021-04-0809 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Bed & Breakfast Part 2The finale of the Bed & Breakfast saga. How our stay at a potentially haunted B & B changed my relationship with ghosts.Story: Aaron Calafato Direction: Aaron Calafato & Cori BirceAudio Production: Ken Wendt Original Music: Nature Camp Podcast Coordinator: Cori BirceCreative Consultant: Anthony VorndranÂ
2021-03-1108 min
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron CalafatoThe Bed & Breakfast Part 1Cori and I thought it would be simple to book our first Bed & Breakfast experience. We were categorically wrong.Story: Aaron Calafato Direction: Aaron Calafato & Cori BirceAudio Production: Ken Wendt Original Music: Nature Camp Podcast Coordinator: Cori BirceCreative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran If you haven't, please subscribe & 5 star rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening to this!. Your listenership and support of our work matters.
2021-03-0408 min