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In this episode of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron tells the story of a broken gumball machine, a chance driveway encounter, and a man who chose to live by an "unusual" philosophy...
What begins as a simple attempt to clean out the garage turns into a conversation about boxes — the ones we live in, the ones we work in, and the ones we may spend our lives trying to escape.
It’s a short story about freedom, sacrifice, and the unexpected teachers we meet when we think we’re just throwing something away.
👇
📬 Join the 7 Minute Stories Newsletter
Each month, Aaron shares a select edition of Stories in a Snap — a written short story adapted from this 7 Minute Stories podcast and thoughtfully reimagined for the page. Subscribers also receive storytelling insights, behind-the-scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. All delivered straight to their inbox.
🌙 If you like 7MS, make sure you follow Night Stories LIVE! — Aaron’s late-night radio show where he shares new stories and talks with special guests in real time. Streamed live Thursdays @ 9:30PM EST on YouTube and now delivered as a podcast on-demand!
Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato
Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt
Additional vocals: Cori Calafato
Artist in Residence: Pete Whitehead
Original Theme Music: thomas j. duke
Additional Soundscape Design: Isaac Gehring & Story Sounds Media LLC
Special Thanks:
Rob Montague Jr
Kyle McCarthy
Dania Khalife
By Aaron Calafato5
151151 ratings
In this episode of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron tells the story of a broken gumball machine, a chance driveway encounter, and a man who chose to live by an "unusual" philosophy...
What begins as a simple attempt to clean out the garage turns into a conversation about boxes — the ones we live in, the ones we work in, and the ones we may spend our lives trying to escape.
It’s a short story about freedom, sacrifice, and the unexpected teachers we meet when we think we’re just throwing something away.
👇
📬 Join the 7 Minute Stories Newsletter
Each month, Aaron shares a select edition of Stories in a Snap — a written short story adapted from this 7 Minute Stories podcast and thoughtfully reimagined for the page. Subscribers also receive storytelling insights, behind-the-scenes reflections, and exclusive bonus content. All delivered straight to their inbox.
🌙 If you like 7MS, make sure you follow Night Stories LIVE! — Aaron’s late-night radio show where he shares new stories and talks with special guests in real time. Streamed live Thursdays @ 9:30PM EST on YouTube and now delivered as a podcast on-demand!
Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato
Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt
Additional vocals: Cori Calafato
Artist in Residence: Pete Whitehead
Original Theme Music: thomas j. duke
Additional Soundscape Design: Isaac Gehring & Story Sounds Media LLC
Special Thanks:
Rob Montague Jr
Kyle McCarthy
Dania Khalife

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