The Ben Stortini Show

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 hills, found an outdoor gym with giant tires to lift, and somehow balanced workouts with the vacation float. I even had Americans apologizing to myself and all Canadians for the disrespect they have been laying on thick these days — I have to tip my hat to that.And then came the beach moment where my daughter honestly started believing I might be Ra, the Sun God. You truly cannot make this stuff up.This episode is basically a podcast vacation. A mental reset under the Caribbean sun.Mamma mia… this was a real vacationCatch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow"The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=bc9643d260954d0f

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 made over 24 years ago, I had an idea…Why not bring the guys back together and relive it?So I called up Max P, Slang Hugh, and Snooze, and we sat down to play old tunes, tell stories, laugh, and revisit an entire era of our lives through music.This episode feels like a time capsule — a journey through the quantum multiverse of memory, creativity, friendship, and sound. Basement studios, burnt CDs, local shows, late nights… it all came rushing back the second the music started playing.No pressure. No overthinking. Just old friends reconnecting through music that still means something after all these years.Hope you enjoy.Show Track List:05:25 – Munchee Run15:46 – Dinosaur Insurance20:31 – Moms Gonna Love It w/ Slang Hugh & Jermain Maxwell27:10 – Drop That w/ Max P32:47 – Thousand Dollar $weater34:41 – Best She Ever Had w/ Jermain Maxwell39:11 – Baccspace44:42 – Make It Happen w/ Saxxon Jones53:39 – Think Future w/ Max P58:03 – Trashcan Fire Blues w/ Max P01:00:31 – Weed, Joose & Di Gyal Dem w/ Cole Cash, Kofi Kane & Max P01:03:51 – Oh No!!!01:05:13 – I Gotta Have U w/ Crisco Caliente & Yannick Francis01:10:26 – Take It Easy Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow"The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=bc9643d260954d0f

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 did I pray?This episode is me trying to figure that out — what that missing piece is, and why it won’t leave me alone.Along the way, I salute a legend (Master P), tap into a 1997 classic from MJG, and dive into the quantum multiverse with a book that’s been melting my mind.Strap in, chicos and chicas this one feels right. Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow"The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=bc9643d260954d0f

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… and from that second on, he was hooked.We get into science and faith, fatherhood, and trusting that pull.Plus a Wiseguy Debate (football & church), UFOs, Johnny Cash, Elvis, and more.Come sit down for the ride.Mark Winters official contact and social media pages:Official Website & [email protected]://open.spotify.c...Instagraminstagram.com/markwintersmusicTwitterx.com/MarkWintersBandFacebookfacebook.com/MarkWintersMusicYouTube / @markwintersmusicWatch the music video for "What It Means To Be Human" here: • What Does It Mean To B...Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow"The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=bc9643d260954d0f

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 signs I might’ve missed. Because if I can understand what’s working, I can hold onto it.From the stress of trying for our second child to everyday life pressures — this is about recognizing the patterns, managing the lows, and protecting the moments where you actually feel good.If you’re starting to feel a bit of light again… don’t ignore it.Check the signs. Hold onto it.We keep the vibe going with some classic music talk — The Clash, Bobby Caldwell — plus the Jail Blazers doc and more.Take a breath…Come sit down with me.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCJ38urbrVu_2CKpspdFKkrQ"The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack Spotify Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=63d66fc1da254505"Wim Hoff Breathing"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybOi4hjZFQ

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 encounters with ignorance and racism… it was all getting absorbed.And the soundtrack?🎶 Fleetwood Mac🎸 Jimi HendrixThis episode is a reminder — as kids, we took it all in… and it stayed.Now as a Dad, I needed this reminder.And if you need it — pause, look back, and remember where you came from.Every day is another chance to be better.Take a breath…and jump in the portal with me.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCJ38urbrVu_2CKpspdFKkrQ

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 parties and crossing paths with names like Michael B. Jordan — Emmanuel breaks down the journey of trusting your gut, resetting your life, and rebuilding from the ground up.We also go there…He opens up about two moments where his life was on the brink — and how those chapters shaped him.Through all the smiles and cries, he came to realize… he was Sent To Serve.🇨🇦 Ben Johnson salute🎶 L.A. vibes with The Mamas & the Papas🎬 Goodfellas or Blood In, Blood Out?No performing, no masks… just a vibe of two friends catching up.Take a breath…and jump in the portal with us.The links below are Emmanuel Kabongo’s official contact and social media pages:Instagram instagram.com/emmkabTwitter twitter.com/emmanuelkabongoIMDB imdb.com/name/nm3580974Facebook facebook.com/pages/Emmanuel-Kabongo/194400842480Watch the trailer for his latest film Sway here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REe_XkC5c0gCatch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 Gentleman’s Game and why it still matters.We ride with Smokey Robinson, then slide to St. Clair for some salsa with Héctor Lavoe.Also — a salute to Louis Theroux’s Manosphere, tying right into the conversation.Pour something up… if that’s what you do.Mamas & Papas — check game.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 they move…and how to deal with them in today’s world.And the evidence? We go into the moment when Sean Penn interviewed El Chapo for Rolling Stone…and not long after, Chapo was caught.Coincidence? You be the judge.But remember…The eyes don’t lie, Chico.Along the way, I give a quick health check and update on my TRT journey, then head down south to pay tribute to the legend: Chalino Sánchez.We also take a moment to salute the soldiers of war. And somehow… that’s still not all.So prepare yourself…Because this one?This one is art.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 next to his rebuilt place ready for us, and when I think about that house now the memories come flooding back.Asking my Mom if we were poor and on welfare.No Nerf basketball net for the bedroom door — just a hanger and rolled-up socks.And that day two of my friends helped themselves to my Mom’s liquor cabinet… what happened next is something I’ll never forget.This episode is about gratitude for the struggle. I wouldn't trade those times for anything.I also pay tribute to Sade, Red Rat, and two legendary Canadian heroes of chaos — Terry and Deaner from FUBAR.Take a breath.Jump in the portal.Let’s go back for a minute.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 influence, media conditioning, and why so many people feel pushed toward the “industry standard” of life.Four guys over 45 having an honest conversation about it all.Along the way we keep it old school — jamming an Italian classic from Lou Monte, vibing to The Flamingos, and getting into muscle car wiseguy debates, hoops talk, Ryan Wedding and more.Take a breath…and jump in the portal with us.Max P IG - @maxprofit_faceboysDarkness with a Ginger Hue YT - https://www.youtube.com/@darkgingerhue Slang Hugh IG - @slanghughSir Toks IG - @sirtoks21Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 spirits and ghosts, and I recount a few of the stories that still give me chills today. I also talk about the night she passed and the dream she came to me in to say goodbye — a moment I remember like it was yesterday.Along the way I touch on my current health, share a heartwarming moment with my 3-year-old son, and take a quick musical detour into the greatness of Phil Spector, Eddie Money, and more.Family, memories, a little mystery — another jump through the portalCatch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 comeback that followed.A true get-back story.Adam, thank you for the honesty. Nothing but respect.We also keep it classic — talking Cream, giving flowers to Dean Martin, and debating the real questions:’94 Astro Van or Buick Roadmaster?CK One or Cool Water?Brotherhood. Redemption. Laughter.Episode 50.It’s a celebration.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 everything.The summer of ’98 — the music, the nights, the invincibility. I lost my… you’ll hear it. It was a great summer.Until it wasn’t.It all spiraled from Kids to the greatest prank ever pulled on me — one that still gives me chills.MuchMusic dance parties. My first Hotmail. Bone Thugs on repeat. Almost ending up on Jenny Jones.If you grew up in the 90s, you’ll feel this one.Back when being original was just who you were.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 Shark,” to musical time warps with Massive Attack, a stop in Cardiff, and some Dancing Outlaw Jesco White energy — the laughs are real, but so is the message.We all carry a monkey or two on our backs, don’t we?Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 revolution of the 60s, and a surreal story about a borrowed flute in a 1968 studio session tied to Donovan.Breath, risk, memory, and becoming someone new.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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, reggaeton, college vibes, and the usual real-life randomness.Life, boundaries, laughs, and music — just us figuring it out together.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 share my recent MRI results and the new goals I’m setting moving forward.A reminder that floating away isn’t selfish — it’s how we reset.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 a few life lessons along the way…plus a reminder to always stay clean — inside and out.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 Netflixto the ridiculous lengths I once went just to get BET Rap City without cable,this episode moves through the memories and moments that quietly shape us.So....don't "Miss" out.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 life—choosing presence and ease over constant friction. Join me as I reflect on the defining moments of 2025 and why reaching the one-year mark of this podcast has been so healing.Make 2026 the year you work hard, but live smooth.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 you are. I also share a health update, my goals heading into 2026, set the mood with perfect holiday wise guy tunes—and yes, a little Puff doc talk too.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 the soul — they build it..Tap in for Hard Work | Ep #40 and let’s go back to the jobs that made us who we are.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 to control my addictive personality for good.Pause your timeline and tap in — you might’ve already heard this in another dimension.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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. We are now in the after.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 under you.If you’ve been needing a boost, this one’s for you. Tune in and get inspired.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

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 The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

With the Blue Jays winning their first division in a decade, my love for baseball returns along with a rare fond memory of chasing Rickey Henderson cards with my Dad. Let's also go back to summer camp—where eating all the cantaloupe brought on some early kid stress.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

This episode dives through the portal back to a time before AI could make music and art. Ben and Slang Hugh reflect on the past, look to the future, and remind us that the soundtrack of the heart is always felt—not prompted.Find Slang Hugh everywhere - @slanghughCatch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

When I came back from the U.K., I had nothing but broke lint in my pockets and a few memories to hold on to. After landing my job back, I needed a place to stay—and that’s when my old friend JJ came through for me. Those years living together turned into some of the most unforgettable and fun times of my life. In this episode, I look back on the laughs, the lessons, and the bond of true friendship that carried me through.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

Sometimes life takes us down different roads, but the real ones never leave. In this episode, we head back to the Island and Sault Ste. Marie to reconnect with an old friend, Adam “Iron Drini” Alessandrini. We talk about friendship, time, and how years apart can feel like nothing when the bond is real.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

Ben takes you back to his wild college days—hungry, dizzy, drunk, tired, and sometimes bloody. A raw and funny look at surviving the chaos of student life.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

I’ve been battling chronic body pain for a year, searching everywhere for answers. I was close to giving up running—until I finally found someone who truly understood what I was going through. This episode is a reminder to keep going and never give up.If you’re struggling, this episode is a reminder that perseverance matters.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

In this episode, I go back to my Master Control days at YTV, where my younger self took a lot for granted. Along the way, I’ll explain what a Ditser Wire is—and why it still matters today.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

From gum chomping troll HVAC crooks to slippery pool monsters, life throws chaos at us all. This episode is your reminder — you’re not alone. Take it day by day, laugh at the madness, and don’t stress over split warm milk.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

Life likes to throw hands sometimes, doesn't it? I came home from vacation and just a few days later went downstairs… and found my 2-year-old heat pump furnace underwater like a dolphin at marine land.This episode is about how you deal with moments like that—when life looks at you and says, “How you gonna handle this one, Ben?”Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

This was supposed to be a relaxing family trip to France — but calling it a "vacation" would be a stretch. Between Narco Art, Bentleys, raging seas, and a baby rhino named Stelo, the trip tested every fiber of my being. France is beautiful, sure… but we probably should’ve waited a few more years. Let’s get into it.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

This episode is dedicated to my Opa — a true gentleman and the kind of man every man should hope to become. From teaching me how to drive while half-asleep to eating more butter than anyone ever should, his humour and heart left a lasting mark.I share a few stories about our time together and what he meant to me. This one’s for you, Opa.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

It started with a simple trip to Costco… and a question my ego just couldn’t ignore. Next thing I knew, I was standing under bright lights—with a scarf around my neck—wondering how I got there.In this episode, I unpack the strange power of flattery, the setups we never see coming, and the fine line between confidence and chaos.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

In this episode, I step through the portal back to those beautiful summer days on the Island, and later in the city — from first jobs to that wild SARS summer with no power and no A/C, sitting on a rooftop with some warm beers.Remember that feeling when summer break hit? My goal is to bring you right back to that feeling, right here.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

One week before heading to France, a smoky memory drifts back—of Amsterdam, a tiny TV, a toy train set, and a surreal moment where I somehow became George Bush. A strange, cinematic detour through clouds, identity, and the magic of travel.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

This one’s about letting go — really letting go.Last weekend, I was on the Island to lay my Grandpa to rest.And somehow, through all the emotion, I came back to Toronto feeling more like myself than I have in a long time.Is peace really as simple as saying, “It’s all gone”?Let’s talk about stress, anxiety, moving on... and yeah, a Greyhound bus story so bizarre, you might not believe it — but it happened.Take a deep breath. This one’s personal.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

This weekend, my Grandpa is being laid to rest on the island he loved — the place he always said he wanted to be.In this special episode, I’m not here to mourn. I’m here to celebrate his life. I want to tell the stories that never made it into photo albums or speeches — the ones only he and I shared. The quiet laughs. The random moments. The life lessons hidden in jokes and sideways glances.I love you forever, Grandpa. This one’s for you.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

Ben reflects on what it means to turn 9—through his daughter’s eyes and his own memories. He shares a touching story about childhood, divorce, and a 50-cent garage sale TV that meant everything at the time.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

In this stripped-down episode, Ben returns to what this podcast was always meant to be: a space to face real struggles, honestly.He shares the moment his health reality hit him hard—a wake-up call that changed everything. No more fake smiles. No more hiding. Just truth, growth, and getting back to the point.Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact Ben:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow

Hoopo dives into the wild world of redheads — from a shocking Ginger hate crime in the U.K. to his Top 5 Gingers of All Time. Plus, he finally lets Brett Favre know how he really feels. Funny, fiery, and full of surprises — strap in!Catch new episodes of The El Hoopo Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!Contact El Hoopo:Feedback: [email protected] links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheElHoopoShow