Podcast
7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron Calafato
Hosted by Aaron Calafato · EN
7 Minute Stories is the leading short-form autobiographical storytelling podcast in the world, reaching over 30 million listeners through weekly unscripted personal narratives.
Each episode delivers a true story from Aaron Calafato’s extremely normal yet deeply relatable life in Ohio, told in about seven minutes with no script.
This show is quick, immersive, and tinged with nostalgia. Each story feels deeply personal, fits into your day, and leaves you better than it found you.
7MS sounds like a Millennial swapping stories with Jean Shepherd, Spalding Gray, and Paul Harvey at a Midwestern diner.
New episodes every week.
-
Monthly Program Schedule:
7 Minute Stories
Real, short-form personal stories told by Aaron Calafato, in about seven minutes.*Stories drop every single Thursday.
7MS Presents: Short Stories of Hope
Monthly true stories about people, moments, and unlikely turns that remind us hope still finds a way. *Releases monthly on the 1st Monday.
The Storytelling University
Conversations with great storytellers, artists, thinkers, and creatives about how stories shape the way we see the world.*Releases twice a month on the 2nd & 4th Monday.
Square Stories
Local stories from Aaron’s hometown of Medina, Ohio, told with the heart and texture of everyday life.*Releases monthly on the 3rd Monday.
Night Stories Live!
Aaron’s late-night radio show featuring co-hosts Cori and Lisa. They tackle: nostalgia, strange headlines, humor & listener moments.*Bi-Weekly episodes release on 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month.
46episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
An Unexpected Gift in Fort Worth | Short Stories of Hope
1w ago00:03:55Tap to summarizeThis month’s Stories of Hope centers around two women in Fort Worth, Texas, whose lives became connected through one complicated family. At first, there was tension. One was the ex-wife. One was the new wife. But over time, through co-parenting, sacrifice, and the ordinary work of putting children first, something unexpected began to change. Years later, one of them would face a life-altering crisis. And when a miracle was needed, the person who stepped forward was the last person anyone expected. *Learn more about the people we’re highlighting in this month’s Stories of Hope.
Transcribe →
The Turkey Sandwich That Nearly Broke Me
2w ago00:09:04Tap to summarizeThis week on 7 Minute Stories, a story about hunger, frustration, and the emotional collapse caused by one impossible-to-find turkey sandwich. What starts as a simple lunch craving turns into a full-blown suburban odyssey involving an empty deli counter, an Arby’s without turkey, a pharmacy mix-up, a family of eight at Subway, and one very unfortunate sandwich artist. But beneath the absurdity is a small but powerful reminder about perspective. Sometimes the thing we think is ruining our day is really just revealing how much beauty we already have.
Transcribe →
Tricia Rose Burt on Finding the Story Inside You | The Moth, Courage, and No Time To Be Timid
2w ago00:21:41Tap to summarizeTricia Rose Burt is a storyteller, TEDx speaker, longtime instructor for The Moth, podcast host, consultant, and creator of No Time To Be Timid. In this episode of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University, Trisha joins Aaron to talk about courage, craft, finding the story already inside you, and why the riskiest thing you can do is play it safe. Tricia shares how she moved from the corporate world into art school, live performance, The Moth, and a life built around storytelling. She also breaks down her process for shaping personal stories out loud, finding the emotional change inside an experience, and turning a funny anecdote into something meaningful. And near the end of the conversation, Tricia tells an unforgettable story about saying goodbye to her mother by bringing her ashes home to the University of Tennessee. It is funny, poignant, deeply human, and a beautiful masterclass in how personal storytelling works when something inside the storyteller changes. *Learn more about Tricia and No Time to be Timid Partner with Storytelling University: reach a global audience of thoughtful, highly engaged listeners across generations, from parents and professionals to creators, leaders, and lifelong learners, all connected by a deep appreciation for powerful stories, meaningful ideas, and human connection. Reach out to us for exclusive sponsorship opportunities TSU Team: Created & Hosted by: Aaron Calafato Produced and Edited by: Brooks Borden Guest Coordinator: Dania Khalife Love 7MS & TSU? Here's how to support: *Follow the pod wherever you're listening *Tap 5 Stars *Text one person you love a link to your favorite episode.
Transcribe →
The Day I Became a Movie Star
3w ago00:08:38Tap to summarizeWelcome to Summer 2026 | The Best of Season 3. This week, Aaron takes us back to the late 1990s when a high school film project unexpectedly turned him into the most recognized person in school for exactly one day. What begins as a funny story about teenage ego, sudden popularity, and a brief taste of fame slowly reveals something much deeper about ambition, attention, creativity, and where we often look for validation. A story about chasing recognition, learning what actually matters, and discovering that sometimes the process is far more meaningful than the applause. Be sure to follow the podcast and leave a five star review so you never miss a new episode. 👇 📬 Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletter Once a month, you’ll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. You’ll also have access to Stories in a Snap, his weekly short written adaptations of the 7 Minute Stories you love, reimagined for the page and delivered straight to your inbox via Substack with no algorithm in between.
Transcribe →End of Season 6: Balloons, Gratitude, and What’s Next
4w ago00:06:57Tap to summarizeAaron closes out Season 6 of 7 Minute Stories with a check-in about gratitude, growth, and the small moment at home that helped him pause and take it all in. After his wife Cori surprised him with balloons to celebrate the end of the season, Aaron reflects on where Season 6 began, how the 7 Minute Stories community continues to expand it's programming, how to keep up, what is coming next, including summer “best of” episodes and an early preview of Season 7! This is a thank-you note to listeners, a look back at another season of stories, and a reminder to stop long enough to hold the balloons and appreciate the road behind you.
Transcribe →
James Whitemore on the Story of Work | Indeed, AI Hiring, and Bringing More Than a Resume
4w ago00:13:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Storytelling University, Aaron sits down with James Whitemore, Chief Marketing Officer of Indeed, for a conversation about the stories we tell through work, resumes, interviews, and the future of hiring. James shares how early learning difficulties shaped the way he listens, communicates, and leads, and why storytelling is not separate from job seeking but deeply connected to it. Together, Aaron and James explore how the traditional resume often fails to capture the full human story: curiosity, adaptability, emotional intelligence, initiative, and the hidden genius people bring to their careers. They also discuss how AI is changing the job search, how Indeed is rethinking the way job seekers and employers connect, and why the future of hiring may depend less on simply uploading a resume and more on helping people show up as complete, authentic human beings. *Create your Indeed profile: https://www.indeed.com/ *Follow James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwhitemore Partner with Storytelling University: reach a global audience of thoughtful, highly engaged listeners across generations, from parents and professionals to creators, leaders, and lifelong learners, all connected by a deep appreciation for powerful stories, meaningful ideas, and human connection. Reach out to us for exclusive sponsorship opportunities TSU Team: Created & Hosted by: Aaron Calafato Produced and Edited by: Ken Wendt Editorial by Brooks Borden & Aaron Calafato Guest Coordinator: Dania Khalife Love 7MS & TSU? Here's how to support: *Follow the pod wherever you're listening *Tap 5 Stars *Text one person you love a link to your favorite episode.
Transcribe →
3 Truths in 1 Life | Season 6 Finale
Jun 1100:08:41Tap to summarizeIn the final episode of Season Six, Aaron tells a story in three parts. First, he remembers a boy from elementary school who seemed effortlessly ahead of the curve. The kind of kid who wore the right shoes before anyone knew they were cool, introduced him to Smashing Pumpkins, and left an impression that somehow lasted for decades. Then, Aaron tells another story of a young man searching for purpose who walked into a Byzantine Catholic church in Cleveland and eventually found himself pulled toward a monastic life at the Abbey of Gethsemani. The question is: how are these two stories connected? What follows is a reflection on memory, vocation, friendship, and the mystery of who we are in the eyes of others, who we become, and who we may have been called to be all along. *This episodes includes an adaptation and retelling of Brother Joseph's true story. You can read his original written story HERE. *Learn more about the Abbey of Gethsemani at monks.org 👇 📬 Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletter Once a month, you’ll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. You’ll also have access to Stories in a Snap, his weekly short written adaptations of the 7 Minute Stories you love, reimagined for the page and delivered straight to your inbox via Substack with no algorithm in between. 📻 Listen to 7 Minute Stories Radio! With 7MS Radio you don’t have to choose an episode or wait a week for the next one to be released. You can tune in once and let it run in the background while you do chores, take a walk, work out, or wind down for the night. It’s designed to feel more like a small digital radio companion, No scrolling. No decision fatigue. Just press play and let the stories keep you company, 7 Minute Stories–style! The 7MS Team: Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Calafato Original Theme Music: thomas j. duke Additional Soundscape Design: Isaac Gehring Special thanks to Brooks Borden, Dania Khalife and Pete Whitehead
Transcribe →
The Color of Hope is Orange
Jun 400:08:34Tap to summarizeIn 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. 👇 📬 Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletter Once a month, you’ll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. You’ll also have access to Stories in a Snap, his weekly short written adaptations of the 7 Minute Stories you love, reimagined for the page and delivered straight to your inbox via Substack with no algorithm in between. 📻 Listen to 7 Minute Stories Radio! With 7MS Radio you don’t have to choose an episode or wait a week for the next one to be released. You can tune in once and let it run in the background while you do chores, take a walk, work out, or wind down for the night. It’s designed to feel more like a small digital radio companion, No scrolling. No decision fatigue. Just press play and let the stories keep you company, 7 Minute Stories–style! The 7MS Team: Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Calafato Original Theme Music: thomas j. duke Additional Soundscape Design: Isaac Gehring Special thanks to Brooks Borden, Dania Khalife and Pete Whitehead
Transcribe →
The Man Who Didn’t Speak for 17 Years | Short Stories of Hope
Jun 200:04:04Tap to summarizeAfter witnessing the devastation of a 1971 oil spill in San Francisco Bay, one person made a simple decision: he would stop riding in cars. But when people kept arguing that one person’s choice could never change the world, he made an even stranger decision. He stopped talking. In this month’s Stories of Hope, Aaron shares the true story of a quiet act of conviction, and how 17 years of silence revealed something deeply hopeful about listening, understanding, and what it really means to communicate. Here’s some links to learn more about the person we’re highlighting for this month’s Stories of Hope: About Planetwalk
Transcribe →
The Gift Bag, the Candle, and Rainn Wilson
May 2800:08:52Tap to summarizeAfter 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 Aaron’s 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. 👇 📬 Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletter Once a month, you’ll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. You’ll also have access to Stories in a Snap, his weekly short written adaptations of the 7 Minute Stories you love, reimagined for the page and delivered straight to your inbox via Substack with no algorithm in between. 📻 Listen to 7 Minute Stories Radio! With 7MS Radio you don’t have to choose an episode or wait a week for the next one to be released. You can tune in once and let it run in the background while you do chores, take a walk, work out, or wind down for the night. It’s designed to feel more like a small digital radio companion, No scrolling. No decision fatigue. Just press play and let the stories keep you company, 7 Minute Stories–style! The 7MS Team: Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt Additional vocals: Cori Calafato Original Theme Music: thomas j. duke Additional Soundscape Design: Isaac Gehring Special thanks to Brooks Borden, Dania Khalife and Pete Whitehead
Transcribe →