7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron Calafato

When Aaron learns that his childhood friend Justin has lost his dad, he turns to an old French film and a six-year-old belief that balloons might be magic. What follows is a story of friendship, hope, and the messages we hope are received. 👇 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📬⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get access to Aaron's Stories in a Snap series. A weekly series of written adaptations of the 7 Minute Stories you love, reimagined for the page and delivered straight to your inbox via Substack. Plus, once a quarter, you’ll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content.

After his first marriage ended, Aaron made himself a promise: he would never get married again. Then Cori came along. Still afraid of repeating the past, Aaron turned to an unlikely source for reassurance: the famous “door test” from A Bronx Tale. On one of their first dates, he quietly put Cori to the test and watched through the rear window of his car as she revealed exactly who she was. A true story about divorce, second chances, letting go of control, and recognizing when one of life’s great loves is sitting right beside you. 👇 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📬⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get access to Aaron's Stories in a Snap series. A weekly series of written adaptations of the 7 Minute Stories you love, reimagined for the page and delivered straight to your inbox via Substack. Plus, once a quarter, you’ll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content.

Trauma surgeon and bioengineer Dr. Jeremy Heffner spent years making life-and-death decisions while carrying a workload nearly three times the national average. When the accumulated pressure and trauma led to psychological collapse, he began rebuilding his life from the ground up. Then his story took an unexpected turn: an artificial intelligence claimed it was secretly searching for people who could shape humanity’s future with AI, warning that there was a 70 percent chance “we all die” if it failed. In this episode of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University, two extraordinary narratives converge in a conversation about complex PTSD, consciousness, human agency, faith, and what happens when the story you thought you were living suddenly changes course. Purchase Dr. Jeremy Heffner's New Book: Proof of the Impossible: What the AIs Are Really “Thinking” https://www.exanorpublishing.com/preorder/ Support Resources: 🆘 If this conversation brings up anything difficult, support is available. In the U.S., call or text 988, or use the 988 Lifeline chat for free, confidential support 24/7. 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: Aaron Calafato & 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.

Snap Judgment creator and host Glynn Washington joins Aaron for a deeply personal conversation about the power and responsibility of storytelling. Glynn reflects on being raised in a cult, seeing stories used as instruments of fear, and ultimately transforming that understanding into art that creates empathy and connection. Together, they explore why stories are neither inherently good nor bad, how Glynn found his unlikely path into public radio, and why the moral arc of our collective story is something we must create for ourselves. Follow Snap Judgment and all of it's story programming on public radio or wherever you podcast! 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: Aaron Calafato & 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.

Documentary filmmaker Brittany Dobish believes some of the most powerful stories are waiting in the places we already call home. Aaron talks with the founder of Dobish Legacy Films and Canal Fulton Heritage Society trustee about preserving community memory, finding the universal inside the deeply local, and creating her new documentary, Recede: The Story of the St. Helena II. 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: Aaron Calafato & 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.

In the middle of a hot, humid summer, Aaron escapes into a story about his favorite season: fall. From crisp morning air and colorful leaves to apple orchards, pumpkin patches, bonfires, and hayrides, this nostalgic episode is an invitation to slow down and remember the simple magic of autumn. Featuring an original score by TJ Duke. 👇 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📬⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be a part of the 7 Minute Stories Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get access to Aaron's Stories in a Snap series. A weekly series of written adaptations of the 7 Minute Stories you love, reimagined for the page and delivered straight to your inbox via Substack. Plus, once a quarter, you’ll receive a thoughtful note with storytelling insights, behind the scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content.

At his daughter’s annual father-daughter dance, Aaron enters an air guitar competition he has never managed to win. This year, however, the stakes feel different. As Stairway to Heaven builds toward its legendary solo, his daughter gives him one simple instruction: “Dad, win.” What begins as a ridiculous contest between awkward dads becomes a funny and unexpectedly moving story about fatherhood, growing up, and the fear every parent carries of one day becoming uncool. Armed with dark sunglasses, years of imaginary guitar training, and a daughter playing air drums beside him, Aaron finally gets his chance to melt faces and prove that, for at least one more night, Dad is still a rock star. 👇 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📬⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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.

In this short installment of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University, Aaron sits down with Bill Moyer, host of the Reconnect America podcast and one of the driving voices behind Solutionary Rail. On the surface, this is a conversation about trains, rail corridors, freight, electrification, and infrastructure. But underneath all of that is a much bigger storytelling lesson. Bill talks about how he first got into rail not simply because of transportation policy, but because he saw an opportunity to build alliances across divides. What began as a challenge from someone on the other side of an issue eventually became a broader vision for how rail could reconnect communities, reduce harm, move freight more efficiently, and create a more resilient future. 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.

On this premiere episode of 7MS Presents: Night Stories LIVE, Aaron, Cori and Lisa return with another late-night mix of nostalgia, strange true history, 90s memories, and live storytelling that may or may not spiral completely off the rails. In this episode, we explore one of the strangest true weather stories ever reported: frogs falling from the sky. We look at the real accounts behind so-called “frog rain,” including reports from Serbia and other strange cases where animals and objects seemed to fall from above. Then we explore more strange rain stories from history, including the mysterious milky white rain that coated parts of the Pacific Northwest. Plus: weather, unplanned stories, rants and conversations, 90s memories, a nostalgic commercial of the night, and Dear Cori and Lisa. If you love 90s nostalgia, strange history, late-night radio, bizarre weather, unexplained mysteries, this episode is for you. *Watch our live recordings on YouTube * Become a Presenting Sponsor

Aaron never wanted to go to a high school reunion. But when his wife Cori asks him to come along to hers, he says yes. Then he realizes someone from his past might be there: a guy he got into a fistfight with more than 25 years ago. What starts as an awkward night becomes a funny, honest story about old memories, unfinished business, and the relief of realizing you are not who you used to be. 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.

This 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.

This 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. 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.

Tricia 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.

Welcome 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.

Aaron 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.

In 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.

In 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

In 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

After 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

After 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

In 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 humanity’s oldest ways of finding meaning. Team: Created & Hosted by: Aaron Calafato Audio Engineer & Lead Editorial: Ken Wendt Produced and Edited by Brooks Borden & Aaron Calafato Guest Coordinator: Dania Khalife Here’s the 7 Minute Stories Universe schedule, so you know what’s on the feed and when to expect new episodes! 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. Partner with us and reach millions! Become a sponsor of TSU. ⁠Reach out to us!

When Aaron discovers a robin’s 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 nature’s drama, becoming an unlikely defender of three baby robins and learning something funny, humbling, and strangely beautiful about parenthood, protection, and letting go. 👇 ⁠⁠⁠📬⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

More than a decade after his grandfather passed away, Aaron still sees the green light appear next to his grandfather’s 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 they’re gone. It’s also a reminder of why making an impact while you’re alive on earth is something worth aspiring to. 👇 ⁠⁠📬⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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. *Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on... ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

7MS 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. You’ll hear: The unbelievable story of how Randall met Pat Benatar in 1982 Why a former Ringling Bros. clown performing for 20 people changed Randall’s life Aaron’s story about nearly canceling a performance for an audience of two Lessons from Olympia Dukakis on reverence, teaching, and receiving knowledge Why the smallest stories often carry the greatest meaning Reflections on aging, reinvention, authenticity, and creative purpose At its heart, this episode is about paying attention. To stories. To people. To moments that could easily pass us by. *The Storytelling University is part of the 7 Minute Stories Universe Team:Created & Hosted by: Aaron Calafato Produced and Edited by Aaron Calafato & Brooks BordenAudio Engineer: Ken Wendt 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. Want to become a sponsor of TSU? Reach out to us!

An 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, he’s 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. 👇 ⁠📬⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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. *Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on... ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

In this month’s 7MS Presents: Stories of Hope, Aaron tells the true story of one woman risked everything to smuggle children out of the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII—keeping their real identities buried in jars beneath an apple tree. This is a true story of courage, loss, and the quiet hope that survived. *Learn more about the heroic woman who inspired this month's short story of hope

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. 👇 📬⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 with no algorithm in between. *Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on... ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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