Aaron Calafato thought he’d finally cracked the code on curing his late-night insomnia—with the help of a few nostalgic commercials from the 1980s and ’90s. But what worked like melatonin for him caused chaos in his wife’s sleeping habits. In this episode, Aaron unpacks how the jingles, voices, and toy ads of his youth became a soothing balm for anxiety… and how imagination—not consumption—might be the real trick to falling asleep.

* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's ⁠⁠7MS: Storystream — Live and Unscripted⁠⁠. 7MS Storystream is a live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and listeners. It also serves as the creative StoryLab for the award-winning 7 Minute Stories, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how stories are tested, shaped, and brought to life in real time. Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠ and tune in every Monday!

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

A few days before Valentine’s Day, Aaron realizes he still hasn’t found a gift for his wife. Not for lack of effort—he’s been looking. But what she wants is oddly specific: a concrete lawn goose. What follows is a story about love, small towns, gift anxiety, and what it means to really try—even if you’re probably going to fail.

* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's ⁠⁠7MS: Storystream — Live and Unscripted⁠⁠. 7MS Storystream is a live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and listeners. It also serves as the creative StoryLab for the award-winning 7 Minute Stories, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how stories are tested, shaped, and brought to life in real time. Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠ and tune in every Monday!

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 a fast-talking salesman on a motorized scooter invades Aaron's Saturday peace, things spiral into a hilarious—and nearly hostile—driveway showdown. In this episode, Aaron recounts the moment he transformed into the fictional version of Larry David, wrestling with his own patience, boundaries, and a stranger’s relentless sales script. It’s a story about personal space, emotional restraint, and why no really means no.

* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's ⁠7MS: Storystream — Live and Unscripted⁠. 7MS Storystream is a live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and listeners. It also serves as the creative StoryLab for the award-winning 7 Minute Stories, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how stories are tested, shaped, and brought to life in real time. Subscribe to ⁠⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel⁠⁠ and tune in every Monday!

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 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.

* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's 7MS: Storystream — Live and Unscripted.

7MS Storystream is a live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and listeners. It also serves as the creative StoryLab for the award-winning 7 Minute Stories, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how stories are tested, shaped, and brought to life in real time. Subscribe to ⁠Aaron’s YouTube channel⁠ and tune in every Monday!

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 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/

*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

*Follow 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

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

*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 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.

*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

*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.

*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

*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.

*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

*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