What is 7 Minute Stories?
7 Minute Stories is the leading short-form autobiographical storytelling podcast in the world, reaching over 30 million listeners through weekly unscripted personal narratives.
Each episode delivers a true story from Aaron Calafato’s extremely normal yet deeply relatable life in Ohio, told in about seven minutes with no script.This show is quick, immersive, and tinged with nostalgia. Each story feels deeply personal, fits into your day, and leaves you better than it found you. 7MS sounds like a Millennial swapping stories with Jean Shepherd, Spalding Gray, and Paul Harvey at a Midwestern diner.
New episodes every week.
About Aaron Calafato
Aaron Calafato’s stories have been heard by millions around the globe on his award-winning Podcast 7 Minute Stories, on stage and on YouTube. Calafato's extemporaneous storytelling style has been compared to that of monologist Spalding Gray and radio legend Jean Shepard.
His breakthrough 2013 monologue, (FOR PROFIT), was praised nationally for its jarring look inside the For Profit educational industry, the 1 trillion dollar student debt crisis, and its vibrant portrayal of the exploitation of the American student.
September 2018
Aaron launched the 7 Minute Stories Podcast.
September 2020
Aaron launched his consulting business, helping some of the world’s most influential companies and thought leaders build story channels that move people.
September 2023
Aaron co-created, co-hosted, and executive produced The Lonely Office, a flagship podcast for Glassdoor and Indeed.
April 2026
Aaron executive produced Inside Job, a new Top 50 career podcast exploring modern work through real stories from the workforce.
Aaron’s work has been featured in and on NPR, RISK!, Snap Judgement, The Huffington Post, The Nation, Real Money with Ali Velshi, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Cleveland Magazine, Cleveland Scene Magazine, Belt Magazine, RT-America, WEWS ABC Channel 5, Portland Press Herald, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Akron Beacon Journal, The Fiscal Times, The Hill and Washington Monthly.
Nice Quotes
“Have you ever seen the heavyweight boxer Rocky Marciano fight? He throws as many punches as he can and gives you everything he has before that bell rings. That’s what listening to Aaron Calafato tell a story is like.
- Van Jones
CNN”
“Aaron implements theatrical techniques, storytelling & acting in the tradition of the late monologist Spalding Gray.
- Goldie Blumenstyk
Chronicle of Higher Education ”
“The Spalding Gray of his generation.
- Rob Montague
Award-winning Filmmaker ”
“One of the best storytellers out there!
- Maurice Benard
Actor/Advocate”
“I knew I had heard something special when the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. 7 Minute Stories shows why audio can be the most vivid and powerful medium when used correctly.
- Gerard Edwards
CEO @ Podcast Radio
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