7 Minute Stories - Chinese Food

Summary

Summary of "7 Minute Stories - Chinese Food" Episode on Shannon Cason's Homemade

In the March 17, 2025 episode of Shannon Cason's Homemade, titled "7 Minute Stories - Chinese Food," host Shannon Cason takes a departure from his usual storytelling format to highlight the compelling narratives of fellow storyteller Aaron Calafato. This episode delves into two poignant stories shared by Aaron, offering listeners a rich tapestry of human experiences, cultural reflections, and the profound impact of storytelling.

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1. Introduction and Featuring Aaron Calafato

Shannon Cason opens the episode by expressing his enthusiasm for featuring Aaron Calafato, a renowned storyteller known for his podcasts "7 Minute Stories" and "The Lonely Office." Shannon recounts Aaron's impressive achievements, including a YouTube short that amassed 17 million views, showcasing Aaron's prowess in captivating audiences with his narratives.

Shannon Cason [00:00]: "The thing about Aaron, he's a storytelling machine. Seriously. Very inspiring in that sense."

Shannon highlights their budding friendship and mutual respect, setting the stage for the heartfelt stories to follow.

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2. Story 1: Dandelion Salad – A Glimpse into Family and Humble Beginnings

Aaron Calafato shares a deeply touching story about his grandfather and the nostalgic memories associated with a simple dish of dandelion salad.

Aaron Calafato [01:56]: "My grandfather took a bite of his salad and he starts laughing... he's just remembering growing up, my family, we were so poor."

The narrative unfolds as Aaron's grandfather breaks down the emotional significance of dandelions in their family meals, contrasting the humble, homemade version with a $12 restaurant salad. This story encapsulates themes of poverty, familial bonds, and the bittersweet juxtaposition of past struggles with present comforts.

Aaron Calafato [02:46]: "To be honest with you, he said, the way my mom made just tasted a little bit better."

Shannon reflects on the power of concise storytelling, marveling at how Aaron encapsulates entire lifetimes within a minute-long story.

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3. Encouraging Storytelling and Community Support

Post the first story, Shannon encourages listeners to engage with Aaron's work, emphasizing the authenticity and spontaneity that make Aaron's stories resonate.

Shannon Cason [02:55]: "I love that he just tells his stories. It's not like pre-written or pre-thought about. He just tells a story."

He underscores the value of real, unfiltered storytelling and urges the audience to support and subscribe to Aaron's platforms, fostering a community of shared experiences and narratives.

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4. Story 2: Baidu – Beyond the Plate

Aaron narrates an immersive experience working at a Chinese restaurant named Baidu in Northwest Ohio. As a struggling college student seeking employment, Aaron's journey at Baidu becomes a window into the lives of immigrant families striving for a better future.

4.1. Finding Employment and Building Connections

Aaron describes his unorthodox approach to applying for a job, showcasing his confidence and willingness to take risks.

Aaron Calafato [03:48]: "I said, I'm about to be the best hire you make at this restaurant."

Despite initial challenges, including juggling customer service and entertainment through storytelling, Aaron earns the affection of both the owner and customers, highlighting his unique ability to connect with people.

4.2. Cultural Immersion and Personal Growth

The story takes a poignant turn as Aaron delves into the personal struggles of the restaurant owner and her husband, who are immigrants dealing with separation from family back in China. A particularly moving scene unfolds during a family-style dinner where cultural nuances and familial sacrifices come to the forefront.

Aaron Calafato [09:30]: "I realized in that moment, this wasn't the food they were serving the American guests. Look, the food was great. This was the real deal."

This experience not only deepens Aaron's appreciation for genuine cultural expressions but also cements his bond with the restaurant family, emphasizing themes of community, resilience, and the universal quest for belonging.

4.3. Bridging Cultures Through Storytelling

Aaron’s initiative to assist the owner with English tutoring intertwines his personal aspirations with his desire to support others. This mutual exchange fosters a deeper understanding and respect, showcasing how storytelling and language can bridge cultural gaps.

Aaron Calafato [10:45]: "And from that moment, I took every English tutoring session we had very seriously. And I tried my best every time I came into work to be the best waiter that Baidu had ever seen."

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5. Impact and Reflections

Shannon reflects on Aaron's stories, highlighting the profound impact they have not only on listeners but also on Aaron's personal growth and relationships. The narratives serve as a testament to the enduring human spirit and the intricate tapestry of cultural identities.

Shannon Cason [11:06]: "This episode was produced at home by me, Shannon Case. Thank you to 7 Minute Stories with Aaron Califado for the podcast Replay."

His gratitude underscores the collaborative nature of storytelling, where each narrative contributes to a larger, shared human experience.

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6. Conclusion and Credits

The episode concludes with Shannon's acknowledgments to Aaron and his own production team, while also promoting upcoming stories and events. The seamless blend of personal anecdotes and community support encapsulates the essence of Shannon Cason's Homemade—a platform dedicated to sharing and celebrating diverse human experiences.

Aaron Calafato [12:20]: "Now that's homemade."

This final remark encapsulates the heart of the episode, affirming the authenticity and heartfelt nature of the stories shared.

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Final Thoughts

In "7 Minute Stories - Chinese Food," Shannon Cason masterfully intertwines his narrative with Aaron Calafato's heartfelt stories, offering listeners a profound exploration of family, culture, and the indomitable human spirit. Through vivid storytelling and genuine reflections, the episode serves as a reminder of the power of sharing our most personal moments to foster connection and understanding.

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For more stories like these, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to "7 Minute Stories with Aaron Calafato" on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or their preferred podcast platforms. Additionally, Shannon Cason invites fans to engage with his content across various social media channels and support his storytelling journey through Patreon and other platforms.

Transcript

[Shannon Case]

The weather is breaking. Thank God. I'm in Detroit in the Midwest, so it may snow next week. But right now it's decent outside and I know warmer days are coming and I'm in better shape than I was last year. At the same time, it's early in the season, so watch out now. Okay. Enjoy the show. Welcome to Homemade. I'm Shannon Case. Today's episode is different. I want to highlight someone else's story. I occasionally do this. I haven't done it in a while, but I've added other people's stories in the mix before. Today's story is special, though. It's a storytelling friend of mine, Aaron Calafato. I don't know if you already know Aaron. His podcast is called 7 Minute Stories with Aaron Califado. He hosts another podcast for the Glass Door called the Lonely Office. I don't remember how me and Aaron met, if I reached out to him or he reached out to me, but we got cool quickly. He lives in the Cleveland area, so it's Midwest love. And I was going to go out to his city to hang out with him. I need more like minded friends, but we haven't hung out in person yet. But soon though, we'll touch base soon. The thing about Aaron, he's a storytelling machine. Seriously. Very inspiring in that sense. Last year, one of his YouTube shorts went mega viral. Like 17 million views viral. And he had other shorts that hit multiple millions. So I was texting them while all this was happening, and I'm gonna share one of the stories. It's a beautiful story. You want to hear it? Okay. This is a special story, too. Here it is. I'm gonna play it right now.

[Aaron Calafato]

My grandfather took a bite of his salad and he starts laughing. And I said, what are you laughing at? He goes, and he's looking at his plate, he goes, they're dandelions. I said, yeah, I know, it's dandelion salad. He goes, yeah, it's dandelion salad. I said, it's just a fancy restaurant. That's what they have here. He goes, no, no, that's not it. He said, I'm just remembering growing up, my family, we were so poor. My mother would send my sister and I out into our front yard to pick all the dandelions. We put them in a basket, bring him inside to her, and she would wash them and saute them Italian style. And that's what we would have for lunch. He had a smile on his face and he goes, and now it's just hard to believe that I'm sitting here at this fancy restaurant with you. And he goes, it's also hard to.

Believe that the salad is $12.

And to be honest with you, he said, the way my mom made just tasted a little bit better.

[Shannon Case]

It's amazing how less than one minute can bring you into a moment in time and share so much about life and family. I encourage you to go to 7 Minute Stories with Aaron Califado on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube and subscribe, subscribe, listen to more of his stories. Let him know that Shannon sent you. He produces his podcast with his wife Corey, and it's a short pick me up every week. Like his uplifting stories, real stories. And I love that he just tells his stories. It's not like pre written or pre thought about. He just tells a story. Here's one of Aaron's stories that's inspiring too.

[Aaron Calafato]

Aaron.

[Shannon Case]

Here's one of Aaron's stories that will share a lot about the man. I hope you enjoy.

[Aaron Calafato]

So this story is about a Chinese restaurant called Baidu. I think it's still around. I don't think it's the same ownership that I'm going to be talking about, but it's in northwest Ohio, right outside of Bowling Green. And I was there because I was a poor college kid having lunch, you know what I'm saying? Getting a deal on the lunch special. Some General Tso's chicken, some Mongolian beef, some Szechuan chicken with some fried rice. And I'm eating this food. And it's not just like your regular craving Chinese food. This food had character and it had quality. And I look over to the hostess stand and there's this Chinese woman. She's just working her tail off. Really focused, really intentional, but very serious. And next to her was a help wanted sign. So I walk over to the desk because I needed some cash. And so I walked up and I said, hey, help is here. I said, can I speak with the owner? She goes, you're speaking to the owner? I said, well, better yet, I said, I'm about to be the best hire you make at this restaurant. And she laughed and she goes, really? Have you ever waited tables? I said, I did once in high school at Bob Evans. It didn't go so well. She was like, well, why don't we give it a trial period? You can come in tomorrow. I said, great. I show up the next day. I'm terrible. Look, I have a hard time focusing. I'm really good, one on one, like you and me. Right now. But when there's a lot of people in the same space trying to talk to you, my brain doesn't know where to put attention. So I'm good with one table in a restaurant, but I'm a disaster with, like, four or five or six or more. And even though this was a small dining hall, it wasn't upscale, but it wasn't hole in the wall. It was right in the middle, like, where you could wear a T shirt and jeans, but it would be a nice pair of T shirt and jeans. So when people came in, they were paying a little extra, and they wanted good service. Now they got good entertainment. Cause I'm just telling people stories. But then I'm missing drink orders, and then the food's in the window, and the chef is dinging the bell, and I don't know, they're dinging at me. And just bad enough to be endearing and get pity tips. And the owner, she really just liked me because I could entertain the customers. And that superseded getting their food on time. You know what I'm saying? So she kept me around. Now, I mentioned the guy dinging the bell. That's the cook in the back. That's her husband. I never got his name, but he worked his tail off, too. And he was working in a way that you knew he had a mission. But I could tell he was kind of sad. Like, he had the eyes of someone who saw more years than his body has experienced. And I didn't know what it was, but for a few months, we were like a Motley Crue. And it really worked out. And I remember one day, the owner, she comes up to me and she goes, do you think you can help me with my English? And I was like, well, listen, I don't speak English that well myself. And she was like, no, no, listen. I just need someone to help me. Could you read to me? I could pay you 30 bucks a session, plus I'll let you eat with the kitchen staff. And I was like, okay, extra cash, free food, and hanging out and reading with some cool people. Let's do it. So one day, my shift ends, and we're about to start our tutoring session. But before we do, the owner goes, hey, let's eat. And she takes me back into the kitchen, and her husband and the kitchen staff, they're cooking up a storm. Two guys. It took two guys to carry this giant fish from an ice bucket, put it on top of a wok. They're steaming it and scalding it with water, and they're putting scallions and chives and garlic and soy sauce. It was magical. They had this sauteed tofu with this savory sauce and ground pork. And she goes, hey, can you take these plates out? We're all going to eat together. Meeting at a family style dinner with the owner and the kitchen staff, the entire staff. None of them spoke English, just the owner and I don't think her husband did. But I got to be a part of this family dinner. It was pretty cool. So I'm setting the table, I'm going back there, the fish is looking at me with his eye. And we sit down and they're eating this fish. I don't know if it was the style of fish or whatever, but as they're eating, there's bones in the flesh. But it was like a normal thing. They're able to navigate eating the bones and they're spitting the bones out. It was like a gymnastic sport. It took me about 45 minutes to eat two bites, but it was absolutely delicious. And I realized in that moment, this wasn't the food they were serving the American guests. Look, the food was great. We were getting. This was the real deal. So after we ate, sat down, had some tea, and of course I brought in books of monologues. Cause I'm studying to be an actor. So to read to her. I'm reading David Mamet plays, I'm reading Clifford Odette's, and I'm just doing these monologues. And she loves it. And I told her my dream was to be an actor or a storyteller. And she thought that was great. And as we're doing this, I look next to her and I see this framed picture. And in the picture is her, maybe a couple years younger, what appears to be her mother and then what appears to be her daughter. And I said, that's a beautiful picture. She goes, yeah, that's my mom and my daughter. And that's in China. I said, really? She goes, this picture was taken the day we left. And I said, man, that's gotta be really hard to leave your mom. I said, I never see your daughter around the restaurant. And she goes, well, that's because she's back with my mom. I said, oh, she didn't come with you? And she goes, no, we couldn't afford that. So we're working and making enough money to bring her here so she can become an American. I said, well, how old is she? And she goes, 15. And I said, I don't mean to be rude. I'm looking at this girl in the picture. This is like a 5 year old. She goes, well, she was 5. I said, you haven't seen your daughter in 10 years. And she said, well, computer, phone, Skype, but not in person. And then she started looking around the restaurant and she said, but soon, soon she'll be with us. And then she looked back at her husband, who was working as usual, cleaning up the kitchen. Soon we'll have enough money for her to come here. And then I started looking around the restaurant and the restaurant changed. In that moment, it wasn't just some Chinese restaurant where you can get fried rice. That place had spirit and soul and I could feel it. And from that moment, I took every English tutoring session we had very seriously. And I tried my best every time I came into work to be the best waiter that Baidu had ever seen.

[Shannon Case]

This episode was produced at home by me, Shannon Case. Thank you to 7 Minute Stories with Aaron Califado for the podcast Replay. Make sure you subscribe to 7 Minute Stories wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube. And while you're at it, subscribe to Shannon Kacen on YouTube. More stories are coming soon. Consider supporting the stories on Patreon.com ShannonCasen or Cash App $Sign Shannon Casing. Be a friend of the stories. And for more information on workshops and speaking engagements, go to shannoncasen.com I have more events coming soon, too. I appreciate people signing up for events. The intro and outro is produced by echo Finch. Visit echofinch.com to learn more and keep coming back for more stories. I have more stories on social media now. Make sure you follow me on Instagram and TikTok. I'm at Shannon Casey. All right, I'll see you soon.

[Aaron Calafato]

Now that's homemade.