Aaron has been preaching the same piece of advice to his kids for years: give a gift to your future self. It’s great advice—until it isn’t. In this episode, a public library talk goes sideways fast, and Aaron learns the hard way that even the best-laid plans can’t stop a surprise bloodbath.

Aaron shares the story of his great-grandmother—“Little Grandma”—and the Sunday tradition she passed down that became the heartbeat of his family. This deeply personal episode explores the power of food, memory, and how culture gets preserved one simmering pot of sauce at a time.

*Shout out to artist Frank Oriti for helping inspire this story!

https://frankoritijr.com/

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Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt

Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato 

Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead 

Original Music: thomas j. duke

Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden

Content Associate: Isaac Gehring

As the rest of the world thaws out and rushes outside to soak in the first rays of spring, Aaron heads the opposite direction—back into the basement. In this episode, he reflects on why warmer days fill him with unease, why solitude has become sacred, and how the quiet chill of winter might offer something we’re all starving for: the right to turn off and just be. A story about temperature, temperament, and tuning out.

Make sure you're following the podcast—just tap the plus (+) button in the top right corner of the show page on Apple Podcasts.

Soundscape Design & Direction: Isaac Gehring

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The Storytelling University

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Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt

Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato 

Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead 

Original Music: thomas j. duke

Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden

Content Associate: Isaac Gehring

Aaron finds himself stuck in a suburban parking lot, overwhelmed by logistics and burnout after a long weekend of supporting his daughter's performance. But as dusk falls and a chaotic van interrupts a perfect sunset, he’s reminded of perspective, connection, and the small beauty of clean hands and second chances.

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*Watch Aaron’s live storytelling lectures and conversations on our new sister show!

The Storytelling University

*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on...

Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt

Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato 

Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead 

Original Music: thomas j. duke

Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden

Content Associate: Isaac Gehring

When Aaron learns of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy’s tragic deaths, he can’t stop thinking about what really happened in those final days. In this intimate reflection, Aaron explores the space between facts and truth—and the power of storytelling to fill in what logic alone never could.

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*Watch Aaron’s live storytelling lectures and conversations on our new sister show!

The Storytelling University

*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on...

Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt

Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato 

Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead 

Original Music: thomas j. duke

Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden

Content Associate: Isaac Gehring

This special 7 Minute Stories Cinema collaboration takes you to a small-town Super Kmart, a once-thriving hub that slowly faded into obscurity—only to be reclaimed by an unexpected new population. In this episode, Aaron reflects on a childhood filled with late-night runs, hypnotic store music, and one final transformation that turned an abandoned parking lot into something truly unforgettable.

Soundscape Design & Direction: Isaac Gehring

*We’re creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter

*Want to watch one of Aaron’s free live storytelling lectures?

The Storytelling University

*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on...

Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt

Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato 

Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead 

Original Music: thomas j. duke

Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden

Content Associate: Isaac Gehring

Aaron reflects on the fine line between nostalgia and delusion, questioning whether his love for the past is keeping him grounded or pulling him into a time warp. Through a mix of humor and introspection, he explores how memories shape us—without letting them define us.

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*Watch Aaron’s live storytelling lectures and conversations on our new sister show!

The Storytelling University

*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on...

Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt

Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato 

Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead 

Original Music: thomas j. duke

Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden

Content Associate: Isaac Gehring

What really happens behind the scenes at a Rent-A-Center? In this 7 Minute Stories: Sunday Leftovers episode, Aaron features master storyteller Shannon Cason, host of Homemade with Shannon Cason, as part of a special story swap. Shannon shares a brutally honest and darkly funny story from his summer working at Rent-A-Center—where the true business wasn’t furniture, but selling payments. From repo runs to ruthless managers, this story pulls back the curtain on an industry built on high-interest survival.

Follow Shannon's Storytelling:

https://www.shannoncason.com/

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Thanks to my amazing team who've made 7 Minute Stories a top storytelling podcast:

Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt

Additional vocals: Cori Calafato

Original Music: autopolitan

Art: Pete Whitehead 

This episode features a 7MS Cinema collaboration with audio producer Isaac Gehring.

After years of chasing a dream in New York, Aaron looks back on the unlikely connections and formative moments that shaped his journey—including a family tie to a professional character actor many of you have seen in films over the last few decades. But when a chance reminder from Henry Winkler jogs a long-buried memory, he realizes there's something important he’s been putting off for too long.

*We’re creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter.

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter

*Want to watch one of Aaron’s free live storytelling lectures?

The Storytelling University

*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on...

Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt

Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato 

Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead 

Original Music: thomas j. duke

Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden

Content Associate: Isaac Gehring

On a freezing winter morning, Aaron stepped outside to complete the simplest of tasks—bringing in his trash cans. But what started as a mundane chore quickly spiraled into an existential crisis, leading him to question generosity, obligation, and just how many trash cans one man can really take in.

*We’re creating bonus 7MS-themed content delivered to your inbox, but only exclusively for 7MS listeners who sign up for our quarterly newsletter. Join the waitlist!

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/newsletter

*Want to watch one of Aaron’s free live storytelling lectures?

The Storytelling University

*Dive deeper into the 7MS Universe and connect with Aaron on...

Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt

Additional Vocals: Cori Calafato 

Resident Artist: Pete Whitehead 

Original Music: thomas j. duke

Content & Editorial Assistant: Brooks Borden

Content Associate: Isaac Gehring