Best Aaron Calafato Podcasts (2025)

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The Barbershop Echo | Season 6 Premiere 9:11

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1d ago9:11

9:11

Season 6 of 7 Minute Stories opens in an empty Medina, Ohio barbershop where Saturday morning memories still linger in the air. Aaron Calafato reflects on childhood haircuts, family rituals, and the fear of familiar places fading away. But if we tell stories about these places, we may give them a chance to endure—and when those fears are confronted…

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How Do You Get Hired in an Employers' Market? 23:47

2d ago23:47

23:47

Instead of chasing openings, how do you become a candidate that employers chase? We cover Madeline Mann's "job shopper" system: targeted networking that isn't cringe, the 10%-above rule, work-sample binders that win interviews, and the negotiation language that gets you paid without getting bounced. Special Guest: Madeline Mann Hosts: Matt Sunbulli…

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One Million Missing Jobs, CEO vs Employee Optimism Gap & Vanishing Bosses | TLO Headlines 18:47

3d ago18:47

18:47

On this episode of TLO Headlines cohosts Matt Sunbulli and Aaron Calafato dig into last week's historic jobs revision number (1 million fewer jobs), why executives and workers see the economy so differently, and what “span of control” means when your manager has 20+ direct reports. Finally, they wrap with culture (Severance, The Studio) and the ris…

1
Evan Bartels: Songs, Stories, and the Art of Noticing 36:34

6d ago36:34

36:34

In this Storytelling University conversation, Aaron sits down with songwriter Evan Bartels to explore the craft of turning life into song. From the haunting first lines of Montana to the overlooked “side characters” of history, Bartels reveals how noticing small details can unlock entire worlds of meaning. Together, they dig into the tension betwee…

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Job Search Secrets, Interviews, and Confidence | TLO Office Hours 24:07

4d ago24:07

24:07

In this bonus episode, TLO co-host Leah Ova sits down with Linda Raynier—career strategist, speaker, and author of the upcoming book The Quiet Achiever: Your Journey to Authentic Confidence. With nearly 1M YouTube subscribers and over 2.6M LinkedIn Learning students, Linda has become a trusted guide for introverted professionals navigating confiden…

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The Summer I Tried to Keep Everyone 9:46

8d ago9:46

9:46

Aaron remembers the summer he spent in Washington, D.C.—a time of new independence, fast friendships, and an address book filled with names he swore he’d never lose. But as life moved forward, most of those connections faded, leaving behind a bittersweet lesson about memory and the limits of time. Plus, Aaron previews the Season 6 premiere of 7 Min…

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Desperate Job Seekers Lured by Job Scams 21:25

3d ago21:25

21:25

Job-related scams have tripled since 2020, and reported losses are on pace to approach half a billion dollars. These job scams target which desperate workers with fake companies and phantom paychecks. From "pay for your equipment" cons to AI-powered fake interviews stealing personal information, employment fraud are now the riskiest scam for worker…

1
Job or Sales Pitch? When Door-to-Door Collides with Boundaries 7:53

15d ago7:53

7:53

In this episode of 7 Minute Stories, storyteller Aaron Calafato reflects on his lifelong clash with door-to-door salespeople—and the one unforgettable mix-up that tested his boundaries at home. With humor and humility, Aaron shows how one bad assumption turned into a lesson about forgiveness, stress, and the fine line between protecting your space …

1
Job Hunting: Why the Search Feels Like a Rigged Casino 34:22

10d ago34:22

34:22

Job hunting has started to feel less like building a career and more like sitting at a crooked blackjack table. Candidates burn out chasing dead-end postings, bots flood the system with hundreds of résumés, and interviews stretch into double digits with no payoff. In this episode, we dig into the absurd new rules of the game—and ask whether referra…

1
The Blue Plastic Bag | Paper, Plastic, and Control 8:11

22d ago8:11

8:11

In this episode of 7 Minute Stories, Aaron Calafato takes a simple grocery store choice—paper or plastic—and spins it into a meditation on control, responsibility, and the ripple effects of everyday decisions. What begins with a floating blue plastic bag in a parking lot leads to staggering truths about pollution, a reckoning with personal accounta…

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Jobs Held Hostage by Housing 29:17

18d ago29:17

29:17

Redfin’s Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather joins TLO to explain how rent spikes, rate-lock, and thin relocation packages are holding jobs hostage—and what policy (or rate cuts) could free them.Read Daryl's new book: Hate the Game: Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love, and Work Hosts: Matt Sunbulli ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli…

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Pretend Jobs in China, ICE Dangles $50K & AI Fakes Take Over Interviews | TLO Headlines 16:11

25d ago16:11

16:11

On this week’s TLO Headlines, Aaron and Matt dive into China’s bizarre new trend: young people paying to pretend they have jobs just to ease the stigma of unemployment. They also unpack ICE’s eye-catching $50,000 sign-on bonuses and student loan perks in a massive recruitment drive, and break down how AI impostors are fooling hiring systems—forcing…

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Soledad O’Brien: From Covering Katrina to Shaping Stories for Netflix 17:18

27d ago17:18

17:18

Award-winning journalist and producer Soledad O’Brien — known from CNN, NBC, and HBO, and now the CEO of Soledad O’Brien Productions — joins Aaron to explore the enduring power of storytelling. From Hurricane Katrina to acclaimed documentaries, she shares why human stories resonate more than data and how details can transform the way we understand …

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Learning Left from Right at a Funeral 8:36

29d ago8:36

8:36

At a funeral, Aaron froze in the aisle, unsure whether to go right or left. That moment carried him back to first grade, when Mrs. Brown—his teacher during a chaotic year at home—taught him how to tell right from left using memory and imagination. Years later, at her funeral, Aaron discovered her lesson was still guiding him in ways he never expect…

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AI Boosted My Job performance. Remote Work Erased My Presence. 24:25

25d ago24:25

24:25

Stanford economist Nick Bloom returns with new data showing return-to-office mandates are "dark matter" - constantly reported but not actually happening. We also explore how AI is reshaping worker productivity and whether it may be acting as a tailwind for remote work adoption. Special Guest: Nick Bloom Hosts: Matt Sunbulli ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://w…

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When You Know It’s Too Much: A Warheads Story 8:28

1M ago8:28

8:28

A childhood without candy turned into an all-out Warheads binge — and a tongue injury Aaron Calafato kept secret just to eat them again. In this sweet-and-sour tale, he explores grocery store obsessions, 90s candy culture, and the lengths we go for what we crave.🎙️ Listen to Aaron tell stories live during Night Stories on his⁠⁠⁠ YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠—…

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Hardship, Hustle, and the $53 Trillion Inheritance 25:10

1M ago25:10

25:10

The Great Wealth Transfer is happening now - $53 trillion passing from boomers to younger generations over the next two decades. Bank of America says young working professionals could be the wealthiest generation by 2035. But there's a psychological twist nobody talks about: what happens when sudden wealth destroys the very drive that creates succe…

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The Vibe Coding CTO: TLO Stories “Heard at Work” 2:36

1M ago2:36

2:36

He never wrote a single line of code—but somehow became head of engineering. In this short TLO Heard at Work story, we meet a hand-drawn cloud diagram enthusiast who vibe-coded his way to the top… then disappeared without a trace.By The Lonely Office

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The Last Blockbuster and the Death of Movie Night 8:19

1M ago8:19

8:19

Aaron reflects on his growing inability to choose and enjoy movies in the age of endless streaming—and the unexpected documentary that finally broke his paralysis. It leads him to a powerful realization: the death of Blockbuster didn’t just end a store, it ended an experience.🎙️ Listen to Aaron tell stories live during Night Stories on his⁠⁠ YouTub…

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Connecting through Story and Creativity featuring storyteller Aaron Calafato 57:28

1M ago57:28

57:28

My guest is Aaron Calafato, an award-winning storyteller, narrative designer, and content strategist, for some of the world’s fastest growing companies. His podcast, 7 Minute Stories, is autobiographical and extemporaneous — the man writes nothing down — and has achieved a cult following, reaching more than 30 million people worldwide. When he’s no…

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The Wealth Trap: Why Top 10% of Earners Still Don’t Feel Rich 24:56

1M ago24:56

24:56

What does true wealth mean anymore? With the rise of housing, healthcare, childcare and tuition costs, it feels like financial freedom isn’t a number, but a moving target. This week, we discuss the lag between our perception of wealth and the economic reality, and how we can recalibrate—with a little help from author Nassim Nicholas Taleb, whose de…

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AI Crushes Grad Jobs & CEOs Brag About Layoffs | TLO Headlines 20:00

2M ago20:00

20:00

On this week’s TLO Headlines, Aaron and Matt unpack Astronomer’s bold PR pivot—hiring Ryan Reynolds’ ad agency (with Gwyneth Paltrow starring) to reframe the Coldplay kiss‑cam scandal—and what that reveals about confronting workplace crises head‑on. They also break down Silicon Valley AI startups adopting 996 work schedules, explore how AI is decim…

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The Missing Person, Mozzarella Sticks & an Ending You Won’t Believe 8:10

2M ago8:10

8:10

When a missing person case hit Aaron’s community, he didn’t expect to get involved—until mozzarella sticks at Arby’s made it personal. In this story, Aaron shares how an ordinary craving turned into an extraordinary connection and an ending no one saw coming.🎙️ Listen to Aaron tell stories live during Night Stories on his⁠ YouTube Channel⁠— these l…

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How Zohran Mamdani’s Win Signals New Rules of Engagement 23:53

2M ago23:53

23:53

When Zohran Mamdani clinched the Democratic nomination for NYC mayor, it blindsided New York’s business elite—not because the signs weren’t there, but because they weren’t listening. His surprise victory signals a shift not just in how people communicate, but in their willingness to engage openly on issues old media once casually dismissed—often on…

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Trump's $1K Baby Bonus Explained (And Why Your Office Snacks Are Gone) | TLO Headlines 21:25

2M ago21:25

21:25

This episode kicks off a brand-new TLO Headlines format— weekly breakdowns of work and culture stories worth knowing. This episode, hosts Aaron and Matt cover everything from the $1,000 baby bonus in Trump’s new spending bill, to Stephen Colbert’s late-night exit, to why your free office snacks might be disappearing for good.…

1
The Prayer: What I Heard in the Hospital Changed Me Forever 8:07

2M ago8:07

8:07

While sitting beside his grandmother before heart surgery, Aaron witnesses a moment of prayer that transforms his understanding of vulnerability, faith, and human connection. What began as a simple hospital visit becomes an unexpected chorus of hope echoing down the hallway. 🎙️ Listen to Aaron tell stories live during Night Stories on his YouTube C…

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Transforming Grief into Creativity and Joy featuring author SC Perot 47:16

2M ago47:16

47:16

SC Perot is the perfect guest for these trying times. She’s the author of the USA Today bestselling book Styles of Joy, which prompts readers to examine joy in their own lives. And while the book is about joy, it sprang from a place of deep grief. After leaving her corporate law career, then enduring a divorce, which resulted in losing family, frie…

1
ChatGPT for Jobs? How to Use AI to Guide Your Career 27:49

2M ago27:49

27:49

AI isn’t a shortcut to the corner office. It’s a tool that most are using wrong. We’re joined by Jeremy Schifeling, former LinkedIn insider and author of Career Coach GPT. He breaks down how to actually use AI to guide your career, from standing out to recruiters to writing resumes that don’t sound like a robot.Special Guest: Jeremy Schifeling Host…

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Angus Fletcher (Story Scientist, OSU): Why Storytelling Is More Powerful Than Data, AI, or Logic 26:35

2M ago26:35

26:35

What if storytelling isn’t just communication—but the original form of intelligence? Angus Fletcher, story scientist and Ohio State professor (featured on Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History Podcast), explains why narrative thinking is more powerful than data, logic, or AI. From neurons to Shakespeare to U.S. Special Ops, this conversation revea…

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They Called Me “America” — But They Were the Dream 7:57

2M ago7:57

7:57

After college, Aaron spent a quiet summer in rural Ohio, preparing for a new life in New York. But one Saturday on a sunbaked soccer field, he joined a league of migrant workers—and they gave him a name he’d never forget. They called him America. But watching them play, celebrate, and return to the fields, he realized—they were the dream all along.…

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White Collar Workers Are the New Factory Workers 24:27

2M ago24:27

24:27

Your job used to require judgment, creativity—even coffee breaks. Now? You validate AI output, reject errors, and move digital widgets from column A to B. Welcome to the new white-collar factory floor. This week, we’re joined by Emma Burleigh (Success Reporter at Fortune) to unpack what the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, meant when he said …

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The Phantom PowerPoint Queen: TLO Stories “Heard at Work” 3:27

2M ago3:27

3:27

Maria only shows up to work once a quarter—but when she does, it’s a full-blown performance. In this TLO Heard at Work story, we explore how one PowerPoint presentation turned a barely-there employee into an office legend.By The Lonely Office

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I Raced Shamu at SeaWorld—and Missed the Real Story Unfolding 8:06

2M ago8:06

8:06

In 1993, a 10-year-old Aaron Calafato got the opportunity of a lifetime: to race a killer whale named Shamu at SeaWorld in front of a roaring crowd. What started as a dream moment turned into public humiliation—and a soaking wet lesson he never forgot. But decades later, that memory sparked a deeper question: What did Shamu feel like in that same s…

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Touching Souls and Changing Lives featuring Creative Powerhouse Barry Dean 1:00:00

2M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Our guest, Barry Dean, is a double threat. Not only is he a writer of No.1 country and pop songs but he's also the CEO of Luci, a company dedicated to creating smart wheelchair technology for individuals with disabilities, like his daughter Catherine. Our conversation is one of the most compelling we've had on the show -- he's a fantastic, funny, a…

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The Retirement Myth: Does Anyone Really Retire? 20:12

2M ago20:12

20:12

Is retirement itself becoming obsolete for Millennials and Gen Z? And if the ritual dies, does the meaning of our work go with it? Jerry spent 40 years in accounting, dreaming of a gold watch and tearful goodbyes. Instead, his retirement was six people on Zoom—three cameras off and someone accidentally sharing a spreadsheet mid-goodbye. As workplac…

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Secretly Working Four Jobs: The Startup Con of Soham Parekh 30:25

2M ago30:25

30:25

Soham Parekh made headlines for juggling four full-time startup jobs at once — without telling anyone. Fraud? Maybe. Genius? Possibly. Turns out, his work was solid, his employers were Y Combinator darlings, and the internet couldn’t decide whether to hate or love him. In this episode, we unpack Soham’s viral saga, question whether “overemployment”…

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The Sandlot Star Who Changed Our Lives: A College Story About Art LaFleur 8:00

3M ago8:00

8:00

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 …

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Miserable in Tech: The End of Tech Exceptionalism 28:01

3M ago28:01

28:01

Trevor used to work from a beanbag chair in Bali with a meditation stipend and Radical Candor Wednesdays. Now his keystrokes are monitored, and he's doing three jobs after layoffs. This week, Zaheer from Levels. fyi joins us to discuss the death of the tech dream. From 50,000+ layoffs in 2025 to AI anxiety replacing innovation perks, we explore how…

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The Hypocrite Workaholic: TLO Stories “Heard at Work” 2:55

3M ago2:55

2:55

A workaholic dad catches his daughter scrolling at midnight—then realizes he’s the real problem. A short story about screen time, guilt, and modern parenting.Written by: ⁠Matt Sunbulli ⁠ ⁠Aaron Calafato ⁠ Narrated by: Aaron Calafato Hosts: ⁠Leah Ova⁠ Matt Sunbulli Aaron Calafato Sound Design: ⁠Isaac Gehring ⁠ Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden …

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My Olivia Newton‑John Moment 8:29

3M ago8:29

8:29

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 univ…

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Using Creativity to Shake up the Status Quo featuring Abby Epstein 41:36

3M ago41:36

41:36

In this episode, I talk with documentarian Abby Epstein about her creative journey becoming a theater and film director and women’s health advocate. A co-creator of the landmark film, The Business of Being Born, Abby tells honest women’s stories — from periods to menopause and everything in between. She shares her experiences in creating compelling…

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Why Building a Personal Brand Is the Best Career Insurance 26:06

3M ago26:06

26:06

This week, we sit down with the Podcast Princess herself, Hala Taha, to discuss why, in today’s “do more with less” AI economy, your personal brand is your best insurance policy. Hala shares her own journey—from dropping out of college, working for free at Hot 97 for three years of no paycheck, no benefits, even babysitting the host’s kid) to now r…

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Noraly Schoenmaker (Itchy Boots): Storytelling, Travel, and Her New NYT Bestselling Book 40:17

3M ago40:17

40:17

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 d…

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Elvis Has Left the Building... 9:21

3M ago9:21

9:21

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…

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Confessions of a Paycheck Phantom 23:25

3M ago23:25

23:25

James Leonidas Klusaritz spent four months as a management consultant doing absolutely nothing before quitting to become a TikTok star. This week he joins us to discuss his viral "Paycheck Phantom" series - exploring how employees get lost in corporate bureaucracy and survive by mastering the art of invisibility. From nap rooms hidden behind filing…

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Using Creativity to Create Connection featuring Carolyn Blank, Beth Huddleston, and Amy Meyers 53:32

3M ago53:32

53:32

In this episode, I’ve invited three women on the show who also happen to be my dear friends — they don’t know each other, but I’ve known them for decades. And in this past year, I’ve watched each of them explode with creativity. Carolyn Blank Cary published a cookbook, which became a mini memoir; Beth Huddleston developed an app introducing infants…

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Housekeeping, Where to Find Aaron Between Seasons & Storytelling University Sneak Peek 6:54

3M ago6:54

6:54

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. P…

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Why HR Needs a Divorce Policy 25:54

3M ago25:54

25:54

Aaron lied in his job interview when asked if he was happily married - weeks later, he was navigating a new job, fatherhood, and divorce simultaneously. This week, we explore why divorce is the only major life event companies don't support, featuring divorce expert Christina Hawke. From co-founders whose splits nearly tank startups to choreographer…

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TLO Stories “Heard at Work”: Company Selling PTO?! 2:47

3M ago2:47

2:47

Introducing a new short story series in your TLO feed. TLO: Heard at Work delivers short, punchy stories with immersive soundscapes that drop you into the messy moments where work and life collide.When a struggling employee at a major credit card company faces a brutal performance review, he makes an unexpected move—gifting PTO days to his boss. Wa…

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WWF and Shawn Michaels Taught Me About Trust—Then My Best Friend Betrayed Me 8:15

4M ago8:15

8:15

Was it Shawn Michaels’ infamous superkick through the barbershop window? Or generations of Sicilian family wisdom that taught Aaron the true meaning of betrayal? In this nostalgic tale, Aaron explores childhood trust, sixth-grade backstabbing, and how wrestling lore and real life collided in a lesson he never forgot. * If you like 7MS, you'll love …