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Artwork for 7 Minute Stories

7 Minute Stories w/ Aaron Calafato

Aaron Calafato
Christmas
Storytelling
Family
Nostalgia
Cleveland
Ohio
Soccer
Childhood Memories
Family Dynamics
Domestic Violence
Medina, Ohio
Hallmark Movies
Community
Acting
Hope
Halloween
Media Landscape
Friendship
Niagara Falls
Forgiveness

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 f... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes401Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyImprov

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for 7 Minute Stories

Latest Episodes

This week on 7 Minute Stories, a story about hunger, frustration, and the emotional collapse caused by one impossible-to-find turkey sandwich.

What starts as a simple lunch craving turns into a full-blown suburban odyssey involving an empty deli cou... more

Tricia Rose Burt is a storyteller, TEDx speaker, longtime instructor for The Moth, podcast host, consultant, and creator of No Time To Be Timid. In this episode of 7MS Presents: The Storytelling University, Trisha joins Aaron to talk about courage, c... more

Welcome to Summer 2026 | The Best of Season 3.

This week, Aaron takes us back to the late 1990s when a high school film project unexpectedly turned him into the most recognized person in school for exactly one day.

What begins as a funny story abou... more

Aaron closes out Season 6 of 7 Minute Stories with a check-in about gratitude, growth, and the small moment at home that helped him pause and take it all in.

After his wife Cori surprised him with balloons to celebrate the end of the season, Aaron r... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

James Whitemore
Chief Marketing Officer of Indeed
Indeed
Episode: James Whitemore on the Story of Work | Indeed, AI Hiring, and Bringing More Than a Resume
Rainn Wilson
Actor known for The Office; New York Times bestselling author of Soul Boom
Episode: Rainn Wilson on The Stories We Tell Ourselves | From Nicaragua to The Office to Soul Boom
Randall Kenneth Jones
Entrepreneur, writer, speaker, humorist, podcast host
On the Nose (podcast)
Episode: Randall Kenneth Jones: Pat Benatar, Storytelling as Purpose, and Why You Should “Save the Turtle”
James Martin
Jesuit priest, New York Times bestselling author, host of The Spiritual Life Podcast
Church/Academia
Episode: Rev. James Martin: Why Stories Change Everything, What Points to the Resurrection, and the Story That Blew His Mind
Cori Calafato
Cori Calafato, spouse of Aaron, appeared as a guest to corroborate the experience
Episode: Somewhere Between Here and There: Sliding Crepes
David Moulton
Senior Director of Content and Thought Leadership at Palo Alto Networks; host of Threat Vector Podcast
Palo Alto Networks
Episode: David Moulton: On Storytelling, Cybersecurity, and Why Story Moves Business Forward
Ani Zonneveld
Writer, singer-songwriter, founder of Muslims for Progressive Values
Muslims for Progressive Values
Episode: Ani Zonneveld: Storytelling, Progressive Islam, and the Power of Music to Change Hearts
Chad Baxter
Listener who submitted the story; guest on the episode
Missouri, USA
Episode: Coveralls, Coffee, and What His Dad Left Behind
Brad Roberts
Lead singer of Crash Test Dummies and songwriter
Crash Test Dummies
Episode: Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies): “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm,” Songwriting, Philosophy & The Stories That Saved Lives | The Storytelling University

Hosts

Aaron Calafato
Host of the show, central storyteller with a focus on personal memory and everyday life; sometimes also serves as a performer of the memories.
Cori Calafato
Co-host/anchor and on-air contributor providing corroboration and perspective on stories, often shaping the familial or relational angles.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 185 ratings
  • Thank you!

    Aaron’s stories are like a reset button for me. I love listening when I am driving to work. They remind me to think about what is important in life. They help me start my day with a positive outlook. Thank you Aaron!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OldmanErik 2.0
    United States2 months ago
  • Wonderful show

    Great storytelling in a short format. Aaron does an excellent job pulling you in quickly and delivering meaningful, thought-provoking narratives that stick with you. Easy to listen to, but hard to forget.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tybarney24
    United States2 months ago
  • Short and so sweet

    These stories are just fascinating little gifts. The time you spend listening to them is a fraction of the time you’ll spend thinking about them. Great follow.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hhhhhhyhu
    United States4 months ago
  • Timeless

    Aaron’s stories are so personal and connect with emotions in such a deep way. Modern day Gene Shepard.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RMontagueLMF
    United States6 months ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts

    Aaron brings back the craft of storytelling in today’s world. The episodes often resonate deeply within me. At times I am smiling, laughing, crying, feeling nostalgic. I love how in 7 minutes he can take the listeners on such a journey.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lindsy R
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few listeners note occasional moments where the host steers the conversation more than desired.
Many feel inspired, moved, or nostalgic after episodes.
Listeners praise the craft, warmth, and emotional resonance of stories.
Audience repeatedly cites high-quality production and intimate storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#103
United States/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#148
Canada/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#248
Italy/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#47
Colombia/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#67
New Zealand/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#113
Ireland/Comedy/Improv

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

James Whitemore on the Story of Work | Indeed, AI Hiring, and Bringing More Than a Resume
Q: What are some tips for communicating a key point to stakeholders without overloading them with information?
Focus on two to three core points, understand what you must land in the conversation, and deliberately leave space for the other person to question and process, which often yields stronger engagement and understanding.
The Receipts She Never Threw Away
Q: do you have any favorite stories you know that aren't directly pulled from your life?
The host mentions a story passed down from a family friend, indicating that even though it isn't from the speaker's life, it still resonates with the themes of memory and connection that define the show.
Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies): “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm,” Songwriting, Philosophy & The Stories That Saved Lives | The Storytelling University
Q: Did this whole thing start as a journey into philosophy, or did it start as a journey as an artist and musician?
Roberts notes that while he didn't consciously choose philosophy to enhance his songwriting, his education certainly shaped and influenced his artistry.
The GoFundMe He Never Asked For
Q: Are people geared towards being good?
The host reflects on the notion without providing a definitive answer, expressing hope and instinct around kindness.
Evan Bartels: Songs, Stories, and the Art of Noticing
Q: How necessary is it as a storyteller for you to have experiences where you weren't exactly where you wanted to be?
Such experiences help in realizing what you are and allow you to connect deeper with your art and those around you.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About 7 Minute Stories

What is 7 Minute Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A short-form storytelling show featuring intimate, unscripted personal narratives told in about seven minutes. The host shares memories and experiences from everyday life in the Midwest, often weaving themes of memory, family, technology, and culture into a warm, nostalgic vibe. Episodes frequently spotlight moments of connection, resilience, and human comedy, sometimes featuring corroborating guests to deepen a memory or illustrate a broader truth about storytelling as a craft. A standout trait is the extreme brevity paired with high emotional punch, plus occasional expert or cross-disciplinary guests that broaden the conversation beyond simple reminiscence.

Where can I find podcast stats for 7 Minute Stories?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for 7 Minute Stories. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to 7 Minute Stories and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does 7 Minute Stories get?

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What are the audience demographics for 7 Minute Stories?

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How many subscribers and views does 7 Minute Stories have?

To see how many followers or subscribers 7 Minute Stories has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to 7 Minute Stories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 7 Minute Stories:

1. The Moth
2. StoryCorps
3. This American Life
4. Heavyweight
5. Selected Shorts

How many episodes of 7 Minute Stories are there?

7 Minute Stories launched 8 years ago and published 401 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact 7 Minute Stories?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for 7 Minute Stories?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for 7 Minute Stories from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on 7 Minute Stories?

Recent guests on 7 Minute Stories include:

1. James Whitemore
2. Rainn Wilson
3. Randall Kenneth Jones
4. James Martin
5. Cori Calafato
6. David Moulton
7. Ani Zonneveld
8. Chad Baxter

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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