Épisodes

  • I Raced Shamu at SeaWorld—and Missed the Real Story Unfolding

    I Raced Shamu at SeaWorld—and Missed the Real Story Unfolding
    Jul 10 2025
    In 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 humiliation—and 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, you’ll love 7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted — a live, audio‑first show inspired by classic late‑night radio. It features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, unexpected conversations with guests, and a live chat with you, the listener. 👉 Catch it live every Monday at 8:30 PM ET on ⁠⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel ⁠⁠— and while you’re there, you can watch video versions of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University too! Aaron on... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden Content Associate: Isaac Gehring
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    8 min
  • The Sandlot Star Who Changed Our Lives: A College Story About Art LaFleur

    The Sandlot Star Who Changed Our Lives: A College Story About Art LaFleur
    Jul 3 2025
    In 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 — The Sandlot’s 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 — and a reminder that legends never die. *If you like 7MS, you’ll love 7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted — a live, audio‑first show inspired by classic late‑night radio. It features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, unexpected conversations with guests, and a live chat with you, the listener. 👉 Catch it live every Monday at 8:30 PM ET on ⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel ⁠— and while you’re there, you can watch video versions of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University too! Aaron on... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden Content Associate: Isaac Gehring
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    8 min
  • My Olivia Newton‑John Moment

    My Olivia Newton‑John Moment
    Jun 26 2025
    At a Holiday Inn off the Garden State Parkway (or as Aaron mistakenly called it, “the Jersey Parkway” — what can we say, he’s from Ohio), a late‑night 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 Newton‑John reaffirmed one aspiring actor’s path. Sometimes, amid the cheeseburgers and long elevators, all you need is a sign. 7MS Season 6 Starts September 2025! *If you like 7MS, you’ll love 7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted — a live, audio‑first show inspired by classic late‑night radio. It features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, unexpected conversations with guests, and a live chat with you, the listener. 👉 Catch it live every Monday at 8:30 PM ET on Aaron’s YouTube channel — and while you’re there, you can watch video versions of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University too! *Follow Aaron on... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden Content Associate: Isaac Gehring
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    8 min
  • Noraly Schoenmaker (Itchy Boots): Storytelling, Travel, and Her New NYT Bestselling Book

    Noraly Schoenmaker (Itchy Boots): Storytelling, Travel, and Her New NYT Bestselling Book
    Jun 21 2025
    Noraly Schoenmaker—creator of Itchy Boots—joins 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 Storytelling University is created and produced by Aaron Calafato & Brooks Borden
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    40 min
  • Elvis Has Left the Building...

    Elvis Has Left the Building...
    Jun 19 2025
    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 unforgettable—a 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat with YOU (the listener). Subscribe to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and tune in every Monday! *Follow Aaron on... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden Content Associate: Isaac Gehring
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    9 min
  • Housekeeping, Where to Find Aaron Between Seasons & Storytelling University Sneak Peek

    Housekeeping, Where to Find Aaron Between Seasons & Storytelling University Sneak Peek
    Jun 11 2025
    With the Season 5 finale of 7 Minute Stories just around the corner, Aaron shares a special housekeeping update. In this episode, listeners get a rundown on where to find him during the offseason—including new short-form storytelling series on Instagram and YouTube, weekly live streams, and the launch of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University. Plus, Aaron previews the first episode of the new series, featuring solo motorcycle adventurer and YouTube star Itchy Boots! * If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat with YOU (the listener). Subscribe to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and tune in every Monday! *Follow Aaron on... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    7 min
  • WWF and Shawn Michaels Taught Me About Trust—Then My Best Friend Betrayed Me

    WWF and Shawn Michaels Taught Me About Trust—Then My Best Friend Betrayed Me
    Jun 5 2025
    Was it Shawn Michaels’ 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat with YOU (the listener). Subscribe to⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and tune in every Monday! *Follow Aaron on... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden Content Associate: Isaac Gehring
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    8 min
  • Why She Tried to Grab My Arm Every Sunday

    Why She Tried to Grab My Arm Every Sunday
    May 29 2025
    As 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 why—and left him with a memory that never faded. * If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's ⁠⁠⁠⁠7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted⁠⁠⁠⁠. A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat with YOU (the listener). Subscribe to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠and tune in every Monday! *Follow Aaron on... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden Content Associate: Isaac Gehring
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    10 min