Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Calafato.
Hi Aaron, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, I was able to observe the power of great storytellers in my family, and later, artists, writers, filmmakers, and monologists who innovated the narrative art form. I saw very early on how the power of a story could connect people. As a little kid, I would tell stories on cassette tapes using a toy karaoke set. I would give the tapes away to anybody that would listen.
Later in college, I started acting and then trained as an actor in New York City. My immersion in the acting world led me to the world of monologists and storytelling. I found that specific form of expression to be the most inspiring and played to my strengths. I loved how simple and intimate the experience was. I liked how there were very few barriers between you and the audience.
I started performing live monologues and then toured around the country for years. During that time, I developed a particular style and started performing all my stories and monologues extemporaneously. Fatigue from the road is what led me to podcasts. I wanted to find a way to tell stories to my audience without having to be on the road all the time. That’s when I started my own podcast (7 Minute Stories) and subsequently started helping others with their own podcasts and storytelling skills.
At the heart of my work, I believe that the shortest distance between two souls is a story. That ethos is what has driven my creative life ever since I was a kid.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. It’s been more about peaks, valleys, and discovery. I tell a lot of stories about this on my podcast.
The one thing I did have though was a larger goal. I call it my lighthouse.
My goal always was this: I want to create stories for a living.
At first, I didn’t know exactly what that looked like. But through trial and error, I found a niche that I loved and it soon became a viable opportunity to make a living.
Haven’t looked back since.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a storyteller, podcast consultant, and story strategist based out of Greater Cleveland. I originally trained as an actor in New York City then moved back to my native Cleveland and began touring and performing monologues around the United States. In 2018 I started a short-form storytelling podcast called 7 Minute Stories.
My podcast 7 Minute Stories is ranked in the Top 1% of Podcasts Globally. I also serve as podcast and story consultant to CEOs and C-suite Executives. I’ve delivered over 300 keynotes and seminars on storytelling, served as a podcast producer for one of the fastest-growing companies in the world, and helped build a 1 million person network using the power of storytelling. I’m a recipient of the Emerging Artist Grant from the Puffin Foundation.
I’m known for my podcast 7 Minute Stories. The podcast is experience is unique because I don’t write any of my stories. Every story is performed extemporaneously in approximately 7 minutes.
What does success mean to you?
Success = Doing what you love every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: 7minutestories.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronccalafato/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaroncalafato
- Other: https://www.aaroncalafato.com/
Image Credits
Pete Whitehead
Ken Wendt
