The Sandlot Star Who Changed Our Lives: A College Story About Art LaFleur
In 2005, Aaron and his college friend Jon were just two undergrads trying to pull off a film festival with a $3,000 budget. Their goal? Land a special guest who would leave a lasting impact. After a series of wild long shots, they found the perfect fit — The Sandlot’s Art LaFleur, the actor who played Babe Ruth. This episode is about what happened next: a weekend of laughter, inspiration, and unexpected campus fame. It's also about creative dreams, the power of nostalgia, and the regret of waiting too long to reconnect. A tribute to a beloved character actor — and a reminder that legends never die.
*If you like 7MS, you’ll love 7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted — a live, audio‑first show inspired by classic late‑night radio. It features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, unexpected conversations with guests, and a live chat with you, the listener.
👉 Catch it live every Monday at 8:30 PM ET on Aaron’s YouTube channel — and while you’re there, you can watch video versions of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University too!
Aaron on...
Instagram
IG Threads
YouTube
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
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My Olivia Newton‑John Moment
At a Holiday Inn off the Garden State Parkway (or as Aaron mistakenly called it, “the Jersey Parkway” — what can we say, he’s from Ohio), a late‑night room service shift becomes an unexpected lesson in grit, perseverance, and chasing a dream. From an awkward encounter with a strange guest to a $300 VIP assignment that felt like a wink from the universe, this is the story of how a moment with Olivia Newton‑John reaffirmed one aspiring actor’s path. Sometimes, amid the cheeseburgers and long elevators, all you need is a sign.
7MS Season 6 Starts September 2025!
*If you like 7MS, you’ll love 7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted — a live, audio‑first show inspired by classic late‑night radio. It features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, unexpected conversations with guests, and a live chat with you, the listener.
👉 Catch it live every Monday at 8:30 PM ET on Aaron’s YouTube channel — and while you’re there, you can watch video versions of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University too!
*Follow Aaron on...
Instagram
IG Threads
YouTube
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
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Noraly Schoenmaker (Itchy Boots): Storytelling, Travel, and Her New NYT Bestselling Book
Noraly Schoenmaker—creator of Itchy Boots—joins Aaron Calafato on 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University for a deep dive into the art of storytelling, the kindness of strangers, and what it means to document real experiences while living them. She reflects on how her solo motorcycle travels around the world transformed her outlook on life, and discusses her New York Times bestselling book, Free Ride: Heartbreak, Courage, and the 20,000-Mile Motorcycle Journey That Changed My Life, which pulls back the curtain on the stories behind her extraordinary adventure.
Noraly's New Book, Free Ride
Itchy Boots on YouTube:
The Storytelling University is created and produced by Aaron Calafato & Brooks Borden
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Elvis Has Left the Building...
What happens when you meet someone pretending to be Elvis… in a small-town restaurant? In this Season 5 Finale of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron shares a story about nachos, a tribute act, and an unexpected moment of connection. What started as a kitschy Elvis performance turns into something unforgettable—a moving reflection on art, risk, and the courage to chase your dream, even if only twelve people are watching.
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's 7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted. A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat with YOU (the listener). Subscribe to Aaron’s YouTube channel and tune in every Monday!
*Follow Aaron on...
Instagram
IG Threads
YouTube
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
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Housekeeping, Where to Find Aaron Between Seasons & Storytelling University Sneak Peek
With the Season 5 finale of 7 Minute Stories just around the corner, Aaron shares a special housekeeping update. In this episode, listeners get a rundown on where to find him during the offseason—including new short-form storytelling series on Instagram and YouTube, weekly live streams, and the launch of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University. Plus, Aaron previews the first episode of the new series, featuring solo motorcycle adventurer and YouTube star Itchy Boots!
* If you like 7MS, you'll love Aaron's 7MS Presents: Live and Unscripted. A live, audio-first show inspired by classic late-night radio — it features raw reflections, spontaneous storytelling, and unexpected conversations with guests and a live chat with YOU (the listener). Subscribe to Aaron’s YouTube channel and tune in every Monday!
*Follow Aaron on...
Instagram
IG Threads
YouTube
7 Minute Stories is Aaron Calafato’s extemporaneous, autobiographical storytelling podcast. This top short story podcast is quick, immersive, and tinged with nostalgia. Each story feels deeply personal and always leaves you with something to chew on—7MS sounds like if Jean Shepard, Spalding Gray and Paul Harvey swapped notes at a Midwestern diner.
Ireland