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]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: 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

markwintersmusic.com

[email protected]

Spotify

https://open.spotify.c...

Instagram

instagram.com/markwintersmusic

Twitter

x.com/MarkWintersBand

Facebook

facebook.com/MarkWintersMusic

YouTube

 / @markwintersmusic

Watch 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]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: 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]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: 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 Hendrix

This 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]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: 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/emmkab

Twitter

twitter.com/emmanuelkabongo

IMDB

imdb.com/name/nm3580974

Facebook

facebook.com/pages/Emmanuel-Kabongo/194400842480

Watch the trailer for his latest film Sway here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REe_XkC5c0g

Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!

Contact Ben:

Feedback: [email protected]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: 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]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: 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]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: 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]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: 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_faceboys

Darkness with a Ginger Hue YT - https://www.youtube.com/@darkgingerhue

Slang Hugh IG - @slanghugh

Sir Toks IG - @sirtoks21

Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!

Contact Ben:

Feedback: [email protected]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: 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 portal

Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey!

Contact Ben:

Feedback: [email protected]

Podcast links below:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow