The Ben Stortini Show

By Ben Stortini

Stories, laughs, and life—jump in the portal and enjoy the ride.

Honest moments, that signature Storts humor, and the kind of storytelling the everyday person can connect with. From childhood

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FAQs about The Ben Stortini Show:

How many episodes does The Ben Stortini Show have?

The podcast currently has 63 episodes available.

The Ben Stortini Show episodes:

April 17, 2026 Driftwood | Ep #57 – 80s Toronto, Childhood & Lessons That Stayed
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
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38min
April 10, 2026 Sent To Serve | Ep #56 – From Cleaning Trains to Hollywood | Emmanuel Kabongo
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
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53min
April 03, 2026 Gentleman’s Game | Ep #55 — Class, Presence & Real Game
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
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34min
March 27, 2026 Soplónes | Ep #54 – Snakes, Snitches & How to Deal With Them
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
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39min
March 20, 2026 Mom, Are We Poor? | Ep #53 – Island Life, Divorce & the House That Built Me
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
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40min
March 13, 2026 Lazy Mary | Ep #52 – Marriage Pressure, Life Expectations, Old School Music & Wiseguy Debates
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
...more
49min
March 06, 2026 Missing You | Ep #51 – Remembering My Oma & Opa, WWII Holland, Ghost Stories & a Dream Goodbye
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
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42min
February 27, 2026 Goombahs | Ep #50 – Losing It All, Near Death, The Get Back & Dean Martin?
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]
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
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47min
February 20, 2026 90s O.G. | Ep #49 – Summer ’98, Kids, Bone Thugs & Almost on Jenny Jones
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]
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
...more
33min
February 13, 2026 Party Shark | Ep #48 – Wild Christmas Party, Sobriety & Massive Attack
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]
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
...more
27min

FAQs about The Ben Stortini Show:

How many episodes does The Ben Stortini Show have?

The podcast currently has 63 episodes available.