For this special 4th of July episode, i’m sharing a 7 minute segment from an interview I did with Van Jones in 2017. I thought it was compelling because the crux of our conversation still speaks to the current state of division we find ourselves in as Americans. But more importantly, Van speaks passionately to the importance of coming back together as we draw closer to the 2020 general election. Van Jones is a CNN political contributor, and the host of the Van Jones Show and The Redemption Project.

The story of a how boy’s curiosity and love of crayons ended in a medical mystery that bewildered an entire emergency room. Help keep the story going by supporting 7ms at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/support

In this 7 minute segment I talk with actor, director, playwright & educator Nina Domingue. In it, Nina investigates how the beginning of her artistic journey triggered an experience of self-discovery. Follow Nina on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ninadomingue/

One moment it was a beautiful Fall day, the next, my two-year-old daughter was trapped inside our house. It was a day that would defy logic and define me as a father… 

A wasp attack, the morning of 9/11 and an anthrax scare. This was just my first few weeks of college and my initiation into the real world... Help keep the story going. Support 7ms at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/support

The story of how a journey to find a rare frozen yogurt flavor gave me another chance at love. Support 7 Minute Stories at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/support

This episode features the first official guest to the 7ms Podcast. During this 7 minute segment I talk with fellow storyteller Shannon Cason. We dive into Shannon’s creative process, what inspires some of his stories and something we hope the storytelling art form can adopt in future. Make sure to check out Shannon's own podcast: Shannon Cason’s Homemade Stories.

The tale of how a hazardous storytelling performance and a chance intersection with a popular musical group taught me how to connect with an audience. Help keep the story going and become a patron of 7 Minute Stories: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/support

After finding out the Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy are on a collision course, I nearly panicked. But then, after some serendipitous inspiration from the great Carl Sagan, I made a discovery I had to share with one of the most important people on earth... Become a supporter of 7 Minute Stories https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/support

The story of how a little yellow bird taught me life lessons about mortality, perseverance and grace. Please remember to subscribe and rate 7 Minute Stories Thanks to this episode's special musical guest: Frank Ivy https://www.frankivy.com/music Help us keep the story going! Support 7 Minute Stories at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/support Thanks to our podcast partners at Evergreen Podcasts https://evergreenpodcasts.com/7-minute-stories

A broken family. The backseat of a car. No control. Sometimes, during a difficult transition, an unlikely hero will emerge to help you see it through.

Thousands of years ago, humans explored uncharted terrain as hunters and gatherers. Now, in the year 2019, I come face to face with an equally daunting task…

I looked down at my phone and saw that Gary Vaynerchuk's account liked one of my comments on Instagram. What happened next would send me into a spiral of excitement, regret and reflection.  Learn more about 7 Minute Stories at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com

A quest to become the greatest rock guitar player on the planet all culminates into one life-altering audition.

What started out as an exceptional day on the basketball court ended in a hilarious trip the to the emergency room... 

What started out as a heated religious debate between two kids on an elementary school playground, turned into an attack from an unusual suspect... More at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

It was 1990, I was 7 years old and I was anticipating the release of greatest film ever made: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Not only this, but I actually believed I was a turtle and had every intention to reveal my true identity to an elementary school crush... Be sure to RATE & REVIEW this podcast! More at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

On a bright Fall day in 2009, what started out as usual train commute from Eatontown, New Jersey to Manhattan, transformed into a crime scene. I had always loved being on trains. On this day, I would have rather been anywhere else… More at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

When I got a call from Jack Nicholson’s executive assistant at 1:00am in the morning, It felt like a “surreal” experience... More at: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

Years of commitment and preparation led me to this moment. What started as a tryout for my middle school basketball team, transformed into an experience that would shape my entire career. More at: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com

When I was 10 years old I spent a summertime at a makeshift daycare. One afternoon there, while playing Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out on NES, I committed an unintentional crime which was followed by a memorable interrogation. *Note: This episode is a throwback. In fact, it was the first “7 minute story” I ever recorded. My producer Ken helped re-purpose it for this format. Enjoy! If you are enjoying #7minutestories we would value your support! https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/support

At the age of 5 I watched a BBC documentary about the life of fish in the ocean. Days later, I witnessed what I can only describe as a ghost appear in my bedroom. Both experiences united to form an existential crisis that would shape my future… If you are enjoying #7minutestories consider we would value your support! https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/support/

I don’t know if it was divine intervention or just coincidence, but whatever it was, it gave me the strength to make a promise to my daughter that I don’t intend on breaking… If you are enjoying #7minutestories consider supporting us with a donation: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/support/

When I was 13 years old I went to visit a new friend. Before going out to play in the woods he took out a gun. What happened next felt life and death… Story created & performed by Aaron Calafato Original art by Pete Whitehead https://www.petewhitehead.com/ Intro & Outro: Cori Birce Audio Production: Ken Wendt http://filmmyart.com/ More at: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com

The night my grandfather slipped into a coma, he came to me in a profound dream… More at: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com

It was the early 90s and I was a pre-teen. I was in sitting in my grandparents car and the weather outside started to change in a way I had never seen. As we started our drive from Columbus to Cleveland I knew the odds were not in our favor… More at: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com

How much do I love storytelling? Well, it was 2012 and I was booked to perform one of my monologues at a theater in Portland, Maine. The only catch was I had to drive nearly 16 hours and endure one of the most unsettling nights of my life. More at: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com

I looked at the world differently when I was a child. But when did things change? I remember it was the mid 90s and I went to visit my grandmother in rural Ohio. Her only rule was that I didn’t ride my bike past the gray house… More at: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com

The second grade. An elementary lunch room. A purple silk shirt. A blossoming new love. History would be made as I courted an older woman for the first time… More at: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com

The myth of George Washington and the cherry tree made an big impression on my life. But as a young boy, when a police officer caught me vandalizing a house in my neighborhood, the impact of that myth would be put to the test. More at https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

I sat at a traffic light and looked at the world falling apart around me. So, I turned my car around and drove until all I saw was corn fields and the Amish. I had found a new possibility. Maybe even a new home. More at: https://www.7minutestoriespod.com

I was 30 years old when my daughter was born. Shortly after, I received a phone call from my dad that forecast what the next 30 years may be like. Story created & performed by Aaron Calafato Intro & Outro: Cori Birce Audio Production: Ken Wendt

When I was younger I fought a lot. This time, however, felt different than the rest. I was in over my head and would experience the true power, utility and lasting effect of violence.

I woke up and something was different. From the moment I opened my eyes it seemed like it would be one of those days where nothing could go wrong. Was I right? Or, was this all a dream?

It was the largest yellow jacket nest I've ever come across. It was man versus nature and I had to protect my home...

This episode explores the journey of driving my daughter home from the hospital after she was born and then through years of car rides looking into the rear-view mirror and seeing all the stages of her life.

My grandfather and I were very close. One day, several years after he passed away, I saw that his gmail account profile was active. So, I decided to email him...

For the last thirty five years I've heard the sound of a train out my window. It's seems that I've been following it my entire life. Next month, I'm moving to the city where all began. Only this time, something is different...

A remixed version of a story Aaron did during the 2016 Presidential Election that is more relevant that ever. This episode cleverly explores the transformation of the news into pure entertainment, a nostalgia for Peter Jennings and a call to action for all people watching the "news".

After getting off a train at Penn Station and taking in New York City for the first time, I began the odyssey of my first acting audition at the Actors Equity Center.