This weekend, Aaron pays tribute to the late James Earl Jones and shares Jay Crawford's (formerly ESPN) story about a father, son and baseball. James Earl Jones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Earl_Jones Jay Crawford https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Crawford Here more about Art LaFleur on 7MS https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/all-episodes/s2e15 Field of Dreams Based on Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella Production: Gordon Company Distributed by: Universal Pictures (United States) & Carolco Pictures (International)

A simple lunch at a Chinese restaurant leads Aaron into a world of hidden stories, unexpected connections, and a journey that was much more than just Chinese food.  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 Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt  Additional vocals: Cori Calafato Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke 

Aaron had 7 minutes before he needed to come inside and put his kids to bed. Just enough time to discover something incredible radiating from inside his house. Stay tuned every Thursday all summer long for - 7MS: The Best of Season 1 Season 5 starts this September! • 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 Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt  Additional vocals: Cori Birce  Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke 

In 1986, a famous comet became the steward of one of my most precious memories. Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Season 2 of 7MS is made possible by Fishbowl http://joinfishbowl.com/7ms

The terrifying but meaningful journey of a blue plastic grocery bag. Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Season 2 of 7MS is made possible by Fishbowl http://joinfishbowl.com/7ms

What do you do when you have a chance to meet your hero? My friend Joe Leo faced that exact situation when he found himself on the same basketball court as NBA All-Star Vince Carter. Episode and Story Direction by: Aaron Calafato Special Guest: Joe Leo Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Season 2 of 7MS is made possible by Fishbowl https://fishbowlapp.com/7ms

Chris Maffei, Podcast Production Manager for Hatch.fm, shares the reason why he wanted to be CM Punk growing up. Episode Direction by: Aaron Calafato Special Guest: Chris Maffei Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Season 2 of 7MS is made possible by Fishbowl https://joinfishbowl.com/7MS

My love letter to professional wrestling... Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Season 2 of 7MS is made possible by Fishbowl https://www.fishbowlapp.com/7ms

Things would be better if we were less reactive and more contemplative. 7MS Created by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Music: Ken Wendt Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Season 2 of 7MS is made possible by Fishbowl

Every journey is made up of a million little moments, but there's usually one domino moment that makes the whole thing possible. Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Season 2 of 7MS is made possible by Fishbowl http://joinfishbowl.com/7ms

When Aaron looked in the rearview mirror, all he could see was the car about to hit him. The next thing he knew, he was caught somewhere between a spiritual experience and a reality television show. Stay tuned every Thursday all summer long for - 7MS: The Best of Season 1 Season 5 starts this September! • 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 Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt  Additional vocals: Cori Birce  Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke 

Sometimes if you have big dreams, you have to do weird jobs. Today, I’ll take you inside the star-studded world of doing room service at a Holiday Inn off the Jersey Parkway. Season 2 of 7 Minute Stories is made possible by Fishbowl http://joinfishbowl.com/7ms Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce

Ten years after my grandfather passed away, I decided to send him an email on the other side... Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Additional Vocals: Cori Birce

There is a place where faded memories and forgotten people live forever. In this episode, we examine an ancient text called: The Address Book. Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce This episode is brought to you by Fishbowl http://joinfishbowl.com/7ms Merch & more at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/merch

In this special guest episode, award-winning director Elijah Allan Blitz talks about the transformative power of Virtual Reality storytelling. Special Guest: Elijah Allan Blitz Story Direction: Aaron Calafato  Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Vocals and Coordination: Cori Birce Photo: Michael Muller

Last year Cori & Aaron booked a stay at a bed & breakfast, but they didn't count on it being haunted. In this special episode, we present both Part 1 & 2 of this story together. Story Direction: Aaron Calafato  Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Music: Nature Camp  Vocals and Coordination: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

I didn't think I could relate to an astronaut stranded on a foreign planet in another galaxy. However, it ends up we may have more in common than I thought. In this episode, we explore the intergalactic adventures of Dr. Mann. Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Additional Vocals: Cori Birce Story Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

Some wars never seem to end. This one has been going on for nearly 30 years...

A story for all the elementary teachers out there, and one in particular, who literally helped shape the direction of my life. From Jan-27 thru Feb-27 - One hundred percent of proceeds from 7MS Merch go to benefit Ella Canavan Elementary PTO in honor of Mrs. Brown. https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/merch Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Original Music Composition & Performance: thomas j. duke Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

George is on his way to the most important date of his life with Marie. The only problem is, no matter how long he drives, he can never seem to get there… This week on a new 7 Minute Stories our team presents our first-ever audio drama. It’s titled “The Date”.  Story written by: Aaron Calafato Characters George: Aaron Calafato  Female Narrator: Cori Birce Officer Sterling: Ken Wendt  Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: Aaron Calafato  Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

I didn't know Doril Tetrick well, but I do know he was my grandfather and we built something together... Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

Aaron's second-grade year. An elementary lunchroom. A purple silk shirt. A blossoming new love. Local history would be made as he courted an older woman for the first time… Stay tuned every Thursday all summer long for - 7MS: The Best of Season 1 • 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 Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt  Additional vocals: Cori Birce  Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke 

Merry Christmas! Enjoy this classic rendition by Frank Ivy. Podcast Tile by Wunderul Design

A 7MS Christmas Tradition. A story by an unnamed author titled The Man and the Birds.

A film festival, The Sandlot, and the weekend we hung out with Art Lafleur. *RIP Art Lafleur 1943-2021 Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran  Story Consultant: Jon Wagner

A fascination with cults and the dangerous road one must travel to become a cult leader. Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead  Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

We attempt to wrangle our kids in one room to ask them what they’re thankful for. Then, Cori and I have to decide what Thanksgiving sides will make the cut for our holiday meal.  *This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Luciana! Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

While cleaning my garage I discovered a box of essays that I wrote as a child. In this episode, I’ll recite a few of them for the first time in decades. *This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

This week: An intense rivalry with a hornet, a death chamber, and a quest for salvation. *This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Orginal Music: Aaron Calafato Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

A rivalry with a door-to-door salesperson ends in an embarrassing fashion. *This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

A simple question to my future wife elicits an unexpected ghost story.  Happy Halloween!  *This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Story produced by: Aaron Calafato Featuring: Cori Birce Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

A chance viewing of a documentary triggers a vivid memory of renting movies at Blockbuster.  *This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

A mysterious late-night call promises the chance of a lifetime, but reality may have another twist... Join Aaron on a "surreal" journey from his podcast studio to the hills of L.A. Stay tuned every Thursday all summer long for - 7MS: The Best of Season 1 • 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 Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt  Additional vocals: Cori Birce  Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke 

Mark Metry is an author, podcast host, and TEDx keynote speaker. But once upon a time, Mark suffered severely from social anxiety. In fact, he says at one point in his life he couldn't even make direct eye contact with people. In this episode, Mark talks about what Social Anxiety feels like and describes one of the breakthrough moments that changed his life for the better. Learn more about Mark at https://www.markmetry.com/ Story Production: Aaron Calafato  Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

This week, a race against Shamu and insight into the world of a captive orca. Ironically, this episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Get your 7MS Merch! https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/merch Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran  Production Assistant: Lennon Janovyak 

Today's episode features a 7 Minute Segment from an appearance Aaron made on the Movie Marathoners Podcast. Marathoners is a fellow member of the Evergreen Podcast Network. You can find full episodes of Movie Marathoners on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. We start this episode in the midst of Aaron and Marathoners host Matti reviewing the 90s classic Rookie of the Year, one of Aaron's favorites. Matti tells Aaron that movies like Rookie of the Year tend to be comfort films and do very little to make sense of their fairytale. Aaron, of course, takes this a little too seriously and tries to explain the deeper emotional impact of the film. He goes on to talk about the movie The Sandlot, The Great Babino, and Aaron's dream scenario as a professional baseball player. Correction At the beginning of the episode, Aaron mentioned an upcoming live talk he’s doing on Fishbowl. The correct date is October 4th @ 8 pm. Download the Fishbowl app today to rsvp and say hello! This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

Two unsuspecting people find themselves on a cosmic collision course.  This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

A search for a missing person and my love of mozzarella sticks culminates with a surprise ending.   Get your 7MS Merch! https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/merch   This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/   Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran  Production Assistant: Lennon Janovyak 

A pair of legendary superheroes, a heroic story, and a surprise ending. Get your 7MS Merch! https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/merch This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran  Production Assistant: Lennon Janovyak 

Season 2 of 7 Minute Stories starts today! This episode: I join an unlikely sports team and find America in the process... Get your 7MS Merch! https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/merch This episode is made possible by Fishbowl. Download the free professional networking app today! https://www.fishbowlapp.com/ Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran  Production Assistant: Lennon Janovyak 

The second season of 7 Minute Stories is almost underway and that means more weekly adventures from Aaron Calafato and more. 7MS Season 2 officially launches on Thursday, September 2nd wherever you find podcasts! Original Song: A Heroine's Welcome Music by TJ Duke and Ben Gmetro of Nature Camp https://wearenaturecamp.bandcamp.com/

Nina Turner explains why rocking the boat is synonymous with positive social change. More about Nina Turner https://ninaturner.com/ Story Production: Aaron Calafato  Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Production Assistant: Lennon Janovyak Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

7 Minute Stories is going to a season-based format. Season 2 starts in September 2021!

What started out as an exceptional day on the basketball court ended in a hilarious trip to the emergency room… Stay tuned every Thursday all summer long for - 7MS: The Best of Season 1 • 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 Story created & performed by: Aaron Calafato Senior Audio Engineer: Ken Wendt  Additional vocals: Cori Birce  Art: Pete Whitehead Original Music: thomas j. duke 

Sports journalist & anchor Jay Crawford shares a deeply personal story about his father, post-season baseball, and the virtue of optimism. Story Production: Aaron Calafato  Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Production Assistant: Lennon Janovyak Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

The intersection of the iconic movie and a legendary baseball game with my dad. A primer for next week's episode featuring Jay Crawford. Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

Aaron shares a special announcement, previews the next few weeks on 7MS & tells a mini-story that reveals a special guest. Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Special Logo Design: Alex Collier Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Production Assistant: Lennon Janovyak Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

A unique and inspiring 7 minutes with the award-winning poet, multi-platinum songwriter & best-selling author.  Connect with IN-Q https://in-q.com/ IN-Q recently launched a new podcast. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts. Story Production: Aaron Calafato  Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Photo: Michael Wahba Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Production Assistant: Lennon Janovyak Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran  Original Guitar Composition: Aaron Calafato

Over 10 years ago I had a conversation with Olympia Dukakis. What she said changed the course of my life. Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Production Assistant: Lennon Janovyak Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran 

On the first day of 3rd grade I discovered a forbidden fruit…   Story performed by: Aaron Calafato Audio Production: Ken Wendt  Original Art: Pete Whitehead Podcast Coordinator: Cori Birce Music Contributor: thomas j. duke Creative Consultant: Anthony Vorndran