PODCAST · society
The Ben Stortini Show
by Ben Stortini
Storyteller, curious mind, and overthinker finding humour in life’s strange turns. Meet me in the glitch…** Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] and connect with the show:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenstortinishow/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=bad21c1a284e4cfdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ben-stortini-show/id1796438418
Episodes
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Detect That Parasite: Our Fading Moral Code | Ep #81
Livestreamed executions? Crypto scams, poisonous algorithms, and AI tools with zero morals. Parasites have been around for millions of years, surviving and reproducing by exploiting a host. Is that what’s happening right now? Are we creating the very parasite that will infect us all—and…
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Ageing: In The Age Of A.I | Ep #80 With Omar Rowe
As we get older, cognitive decline becomes a growing concern. Now that so many of us rely on AI for even the simplest answers, could we be letting our minds get too comfortable? Could that reliance speed up mental decline? Are we headed for “mind mush”? My good friend Omar Rowe returns to the…
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Sober: Or Trying Hard | Ep #79
This one is for anyone who’s tired of feeling terrible—tired of being depressed, sick, and in pain while your body screams at you every day to get sober, but you feel like you can’t. It’s also for those who are sober and want to stay that way. I quit drinking in 2019 and have been sober ever…
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Family Matters: Divorce Through a Child’s Eyes | Ep #78
My parents divorced when I was 10. I had so many questions, blamed myself and couldn’t understand why. Now, I’m watching friends and family experience divorce with kids caught in the middle—and my first thought is always about them. If your children won’t open up, remember: they’re listening and...
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Next-Life Training Theory | Ep #77 - Purpose, AI Takeover & What Could Have Been?
The Next-Life Training Theory suggests that each lifetime unknowingly prepares us for the next, carrying our abilities forward until we fulfil our ultimate purpose. This idea came to me while running and wondering why we work so hard if we eventually turn to dust. Maybe it was inspired by Daemon…
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Bone Thugs-N-Golfing | Ep #76 - Muskoka Bachelor Party & 9/11 Memories
My best friend is getting married, and we spent his bachelor party at an incredible Muskoka cottage on the water. I left feeling blessed, proud, and inspired after a competitive weekend of foosball, ping pong, pickleball—and even a little golf. There was also a dock, a little too much green, and...
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Hey Mambo! | Ep #75 - A Monkey Named Scarface, Pink Cadillacs & Real Magic
Imagine, if you will… Parkdale, Toronto, around 2003. It’s one or two in the morning, and a real wiseguy at the Cadillac Lounge asks us if we want to join them at a backyard party. Naturally, we oblige. When we arrive, the backyard looks like a scene from a dream: a giant treehouse, lights...
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Time Travellin’ | Dufferin Bus Chaos, One-of-a-Kind People & Blue Iversons | Ep #74
This episode is a journey through time, Toronto and the strange dimensions in between. While training for my next race, I crossed paths with three unforgettable people who seemed like travellers from the future—sent back to remind us to live freely and be ourselves. Then we jump through a portal…
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Born to Be a Soldier | 4Runner Thieves, Duathlon Training & Why I Hate Golf | Ep #73
Seven people once tried to steal my 4Runner while my family slept. Then, last Friday, my lady called to say a man on a motorcycle was following her. The message is simple: stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Protect your family, be a soldier, and be a lion. I also talk about duathlon...
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Take A Deuce In A Field | Triathlon, AI & A Garbage Bag of Green | Ep #72
I bought a tri bike, so I guess I’m doing a triathlon. My addictive personality is officially locked in. I also saw a man at the gym who triggered a bizarre Toronto memory from 2003 involving a garbage bag of green, green lights, and aquariums everywhere. Then last night’s power outage got me...
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Return Of The Mack w/ Adam Alessandrini | Ep #71 - 3rd Place Nationals
I had to get my guy, Adam "Iron Drini" Alessandrini, back on the show to let him shine. After competing at the Canadian Bodybuilding Nationals last week, he brought home a 3rd-place finish in his age group. I couldn't be more proud or happier for him, so this episode is dedicated to you, Adam. We...
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Attack Of The Monster Energy Zombies | Ep #70 - Quebec Was A Trip!
The moment we touched down in Quebec, I could smell the Monster Energy drinks. The Esso green drink fiends were everywhere—it felt like we were under attack. The real reason we were there, though, was to welcome my sister's new baby. I couldn't be more proud of her. I also tell the story of...
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Hooked Like Dope | Ep. #69 - Maybe Grandma Was Right
My grandma (RIP) always told me I should be an actor. So, Grandma, I'm going to give this my all—my everything. After having my first audition just a week ago, I received another callback after sending in my second self-tape, making me two for two: two self-tapes, two callbacks. I can't explain…
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Juice | Ep #68 - First Audition!
I've always wanted to entertain. I've always wanted to be in front of the camera. So I finally took the first steps toward making that happen. I may be 46, but you're never too old to pursue your dreams. I got myself an agent, was asked to film a self-tape for a commercial, received a callback…
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Life Is Too Short | Ep. #67 | The Father's Day Text
Last weekend was Father's Day. I had never reached out to my dad on Father's Day before, but for some reason, this year I wanted to. So I did. I genuinely wanted to wish him a Happy Father's Day, thinking it might make his day, knowing he probably wasn't getting any other texts. What happened…
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Stallone In The 80s | Ep. #66 | Broken Teeth, New Glasses & Knicks Win
I couldn't wait for my Friday night cheat meal. I couldn't wait for that first bite... I sat down, turned on my documentary, and went in for my first bite of my Harry's burger. Boom. First bite... my back tooth breaks. Needless to say, my weekend turned into quite the adventure. I talk about my...
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Like A Jungle | Time Flies, Life Happens So Stay Ready | Ep #65
Life is like a jungle sometimes. Things move fast. One minute you're figuring out your own path, and the next your daughter is turning 10 and your 3-year-old son is bringing home his first medal. I almost didn't record this episode. I was in a bit of a mood. But I'm glad I did. We get into a wild...
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Melting Streets | Ep. #64 | A Love Letter to Running, Suffering & Life's Crossroads
This episode is a love letter to running. Long before I became a runner, I watched my Grandpa run marathons. I saw the joy it brought him and the way people were drawn to him. To me, he wasn't just a runner — he was a hero. Since then, running has been there at every major crossroads in my life....
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I’m Back | Ep #63 – Island Dreams To Getting My Funk Back
This episode is about putting work into yourself and finally realizing how far you’ve actually come. When I started this show 2 years ago, I was a mess. But today? I feel like I’m back. Back to how I felt in 2009 when I met my soon-to-be wife — that funky groove, that confidence, that real…
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Hello Sunshine | Ep #62 – Saint Maarten, Ra The Sun God & American Apologies
White sand. Tans. Rosé. BBQ chicken. Aqua agua. Post-trip depression. Saint Maarten gave us exactly what we needed — peace. Watching my kids play in the ocean from our beach chairs outside the condo felt perfect. The waves, the heat, the music and the slow pace reset every cell in me. I ran…
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Memory Lane | Ep #61 - A Trip Back In Time | Max P, Slang Hugh & Snooze
Let’s take a trip down memory lane. No real format. No heavy structure. Just a trip back in time. With my family and I heading to St. Maarten, I wanted to leave you with something you could throw on, relax to, and get transported by while I’m away. After buying a CD drive and digitizing music I...
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Somethings Missing | Ep #60 – Why Do I Pray If I’m Not Religious?
For 45 years, I’ve been chasing happiness. I’ve built a life I’m proud of — family, routine, fitness, all of it… and still, something feels missing. Lately, I’ve been asking myself — is it faith? is it God? Because in my hardest moments, I’ve caught myself praying… and I’m not religious. So why…
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Right Turn at Albuquerque | Ep #59 - From Aerospace to Music | Mark Winters
This one is Texas big. A degreed aerospace engineer — deep in math, physics, and fluid dynamics — flipped the script and went all in on music. Say hello to my lil friend… Mark Winters. We break down the moment that changed everything — writing and performing a song for his wife at a restaurant……
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Chōkō | Ep #58 – 413 Days Later, Stress, Healing & The Signs
413 days after my first episode, “Who Am I?”, I felt it was time to check in. Back then — heavy stress, panic attacks, feeling out of my mind. Today — not perfect, but better. A lot better. So the question is… why? This episode is me digging into my own life — what changed, what helped, and what...
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Driftwood | Ep #57 – 80s Toronto, Childhood & Lessons That Stayed
This one’s a trip back… To that age — 4 to 8 — where kids see and hear everything. We head to the mid-80s… Jane & Finch — Driftwood Ave… that high-rise apartment. Cockroaches as big as baby birds. The mysterious stairwell. Goalie pads made of insulation. From Maple Leaf Gardens to my first real...
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Sent To Serve | Ep #56 – From Cleaning Trains to Hollywood | Emmanuel Kabongo
We got a real deal Holyfield Movie Star on this one… Before heading back to L.A., Emmanuel Kabongo sat down with me — and this goes way deeper than acting. This is about purpose. From cleaning trains late nights in Toronto — scrubbing down urinals and doing whatever it took… to being at Hollywood...
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Gentleman’s Game | Ep #55 — Class, Presence & Real Game
This one’s not about chivalry… it’s about the art of being a real Gentleman. No flash. No gimmicks. Just presence. Open the door. Eye contact. Pull out her chair. Make her laugh. Make her smile. Every man learns his own way to move… some develop that touch — some don’t. We dive into the…
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Soplónes | Ep #54 – Snakes, Snitches & How to Deal With Them
This one starts on less than 2 hours of sleep. 2:30 AM… my son Stelo says it’s time to go. Mamamia. But out of that fog… something special came through. This episode turned into a case study —a deep dive into the psychology of: Snakes and Snitches. You know the type. We all do. What they are… how...
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Mom, Are We Poor? | Ep #53 – Island Life, Divorce & the House That Built Me
This episode jumps back to 1989–1990, right around the time my parents divorced. My Dad moved into Sault Ste. Marie, while we stayed on St. Joseph Island at my Grandpa’s — my Dad’s Dad — which tells you everything you need to know about the kind of heart he had. RIP Grandpa. He had the old house...
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Lazy Mary | Ep #52 – Marriage Pressure, Life Expectations, Old School Music & Wiseguy Debates
Four grown men. One bone fide conversation. Max P returns to the show with some big personal news he shares here first. Joining the ride are Slang Hugh and Sir Toks from the podcast Darkness with a Ginger Hue. We talk about the pressure surrounding marriage — family expectations, cultural...
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Missing You | Ep #51 – Remembering My Oma & Opa, WWII Holland, Ghost Stories & a Dream Goodbye
In this episode of, I salute my Dutch side and remember my incredible Oma and Opa, two people I miss deeply. I share a few stories from World War II when they were still in Holland, including the time my Oma refused to let a German soldier take her music away. My Oma also believed she could see...
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Goombahs | Ep #50 – Losing It All, Near Death, The Get Back & Dean Martin?
Episode 50. And we celebrate it the right way — with a brother. The Iron Drini — Adam Alessandrini — joins me from Sault Ste. Marie for round two, and this one goes deep. He opens up about the highs and lows… gambling, addiction, hospital visits, losing it all, near-death moments — and the real...
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90s O.G. | Ep #49 – Summer ’98, Kids, Bone Thugs & Almost on Jenny Jones
Before Wi-Fi. Before followers. We jump back to the 90s — no internet, no social media, no cell phones… just cords down the hallway and the freedom of being unreachable. Unintentional cool. Grunge. Plaid shirts. Dad’s pants. Thrift-store finds. Copying someone was lame — being original was...
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Party Shark | Ep #48 – Wild Christmas Party, Sobriety & Massive Attack
Addiction doesn’t always look dark — sometimes it looks like a party. In this raw episode, I share my family history with alcoholism, how close I came to that edge, and why nearly seven years of sobriety means everything to me. From my YTV days crashing a corporate Christmas party as a “Party...
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Ecstasy | Ep #47 — Spiritual Awakening, Aging & The Flute Story
In this episode, I share a moment during COVID when something inside me shifted. Through breathwork and meditation, I had a spiritual experience that’s hard to explain — but I try. I also talk about what aging feels like for me now, plus a dive into the history of Orange Sunshine during the...
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Friends | Ep #46 – Outgrowing Friends, America & Mr. Vegas
Sometimes growing up means outgrowing people. In this episode, I talk about the tough decision to cut off a friend who crossed the line — something I still reflect on, but know I had to do. I briefly touch on what’s happening in America, then lighten the mood with funny old-people moments,...
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Me Time | Ep #45 — Dad’s Guitar, Hovercrafts & Peter Gabriel?
Me Time is essential. In this episode, I explore why disappearing into something you love is necessary for the mind, body, and soul. I reflect on my dad getting lost in his guitar, a North Bay neighbor who unknowingly decoded the meaning of Me Time, and how those moments stuck with me. I also…
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Stay Clean | Ep #44 — Uncle Danny, the Island & Almost Fighting K-os
In this episode, I dig into the archives — from being an absolute menace of a nephew at my grandpa’s house on the island with Uncle Danny, to the time I almost fought the rapper K-os. Add in my lifelong love affair with Windex and a whole lot more in between. It’s nostalgia, chaos, laughter, and…
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Missing | Ep #43
This episode is about Missing — That feeling we all carry that something in life is missing, and the moment we begin to understand what we truly need. From a St. Joseph Island missing person mystery worthy of Netflix to the ridiculous lengths I once went just to get BET Rap City without cable…
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A Life of Velour Leisure | Ep #42
At 45, I’ve graduated to Fine Italian Velour. After years of the relentless grind—parenting, fitness, and career—I realized I was missing one goal: Leisure. This episode isn't just about a tracksuit; it’s a metaphor for a new way of moving. I’m implementing the “Aura of Velour” into my daily...
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Don't Forget Your... | Ep #41
AI is moving fast—with little regulation and real consequences. In this episode, I break down why the business of AI is spiraling, why waiting isn’t an option, and how everyday humans still have a voice. As the world speeds up, this is a reminder not to lose your memories, your thinking, or who…
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Hard Work | Ep #40
This episode is all about hard work — the real kind. The sweaty, callused, “no screens, maybe a little blood on your sleeve” jobs that shape you when you’re young. From washing dishes in an Italian restaurant run by a wild owner to lying above bowling pins with no AC, these tough jobs don’t hurt...
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High Lo!! | Ep #39
This episode might just freeze time. I revisit the day I ate one too many avocado chocolate balls… not knowing they were loaded with something extra. What followed was a blinding white light and hours where time didn’t feel real. I also dive into addiction, how I quit smoking, and how I learned…
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San Quentin Workouts | Ep #38
We all hit crossroads — moments we need to destroy and rebuild. Right before COVID I tore my bicep, and it wasn’t just surgery and physio… it was a full mind, body, and soul reset. To this day, my life still feels divided into chapters: before my lady, before my kids, and before the torn bicep.…
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Conspirepstein Brain w/ Max P | Ep # 37
Max P is back! We’re diving deep into the world of conspiracies and the brain rot taking over parts of society. Old-school social skills are fading while focus blurs. Time to wake up and see reality. Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey! Contact…
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Hole in the Train | Ep #36
A train in India. A hole in the floor. One question — what you gonna do? A wild, real reminder to laugh, stay humble, and be grateful just to be alive. Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey! Contact Ben: Feedback: [email protected] Podcast…
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Motivator w/ Ryan Decoste | Ep #35
This episode is all about Motivation. I’m joined by one of the most positive, upbeat, and inspiring people I know — the legend himself, Ryan Decoste. Originally from the booger-freezing winters of North Bay, Ryan now calls the Toronto area home and brings the kind of energy that’ll light a fire...
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Flerb w/ Dave Chapman | Ep #34
This episode is a reunion of sorts — I get to sit down and chop it up with one of my oldest friends from the Island, Dave Chapman. Nothing more needs to be said. Just good vibes, real stories, and a lot of laughs, love ya bud. Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll...
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Deportes | Ep #33
This episode is all about Sports — simple as that. I grew up playing them all and loved every minute. But taking my 3-year-old son to his first basketball camp? That feeling was unreal. Almost impossible to describe… but nothing is truly impossible. Stelo you are next. Catch new episodes of The…
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Hush | Ep #32
After watching the Blue Jays smack the Yankees in New York and seeing the boys celebrate in pure joy, I couldn’t help but think back to times in my own life when partying and pure joy collided. Those wild, unforgettable moments that remind you what it means to really live. Catch new episodes of…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Storyteller, curious mind, and overthinker finding humour in life’s strange turns. Meet me in the glitch…** Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] and connect with the show:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenstortinishow/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=bad21c1a284e4cfdApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ben-stortini-show/id1796438418
HOSTED BY
Ben Stortini
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Ben Stortini Show have?
The Ben Stortini Show currently has 86 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Ben Stortini Show about?
Storyteller, curious mind, and overthinker finding humour in life’s strange turns. Meet me in the glitch…** Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] and connect with the show:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShowInstagram:...
How often does The Ben Stortini Show release new episodes?
The Ben Stortini Show has 86 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Ben Stortini Show?
You can listen to The Ben Stortini Show on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Ben Stortini Show?
The Ben Stortini Show is created and hosted by Ben Stortini.
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