The Ben Stortini Show

Hello Sunshine | Ep #62 – Saint Maarten, Ra The Sun God & American Apologies

White sand. Tans. Rosé. BBQ chicken. Aqua agua. Post-trip depression. Saint Maarten gave us exactly what we needed — peace. Watching my kids play in the ocean from our beach chairs outside the condo felt perfect. The waves, the heat, the music and the slow pace reset every cell in me. I ran hills, found an outdoor gym with giant tires to lift, and somehow balanced workouts with the vacation float. I even had Americans apologizing to myself and all Canadians for the disrespect they have been laying on thick these days — I have to tip my hat to that. And then came the beach moment where my daughter honestly started believing I might be Ra, the Sun God. You truly cannot make this stuff up. This episode is basically a podcast vacation. A mental reset under the Caribbean sun. Mamma mia… this was a real vacation Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey! Contact Ben: Feedback: ben.stortini@gmail.com Podcast links below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow "The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=bc9643d260954d0f

Memory Lane | Ep #61 - A Trip Back In Time | Max P, Slang Hugh & Snooze

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. No real format. No heavy structure. Just a trip back in time. With my family and I heading to St. Maarten, I wanted to leave you with something you could throw on, relax to, and get transported by while I’m away. After buying a CD drive and digitizing music I made over 24 years ago, I had an idea… Why not bring the guys back together and relive it? So I called up Max P, Slang Hugh, and Snooze, and we sat down to play old tunes, tell stories, laugh, and revisit an entire era of our lives through music. This episode feels like a time capsule — a journey through the quantum multiverse of memory, creativity, friendship, and sound. Basement studios, burnt CDs, local shows, late nights… it all came rushing back the second the music started playing. No pressure. No overthinking. Just old friends reconnecting through music that still means something after all these years. Hope you enjoy. Show Track List: 05:25 – Munchee Run 15:46 – Dinosaur Insurance 20:31 – Moms Gonna Love It w/ Slang Hugh & Jermain Maxwell 27:10 – Drop That w/ Max P 32:47 – Thousand Dollar $weater 34:41 – Best She Ever Had w/ Jermain Maxwell 39:11 – Baccspace 44:42 – Make It Happen w/ Saxxon Jones 53:39 – Think Future w/ Max P 58:03 – Trashcan Fire Blues w/ Max P 01:00:31 – Weed, Joose & Di Gyal Dem w/ Cole Cash, Kofi Kane & Max P 01:03:51 – Oh No!!! 01:05:13 – I Gotta Have U w/ Crisco Caliente & Yannick Francis 01:10:26 – Take It Easy  Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey! Contact Ben: Feedback: ben.stortini@gmail.com Podcast links below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow "The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=bc9643d260954d0f

Somethings Missing | Ep #60 – Why Do I Pray If I’m Not Religious?

For 45 years, I’ve been chasing happiness. I’ve built a life I’m proud of — family, routine, fitness, all of it… and still, something feels missing. Lately, I’ve been asking myself — is it faith? is it God? Because in my hardest moments, I’ve caught myself praying… and I’m not religious. So why did I pray? This episode is me trying to figure that out — what that missing piece is, and why it won’t leave me alone. Along the way, I salute a legend (Master P), tap into a 1997 classic from MJG, and dive into the quantum multiverse with a book that’s been melting my mind. Strap in, chicos and chicas this one feels right. Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey! Contact Ben: Feedback: ben.stortini@gmail.com Podcast links below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow "The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=bc9643d260954d0f

Right Turn at Albuquerque | Ep #59 - From Aerospace to Music | Mark Winters

This one is Texas big. A degreed aerospace engineer — deep in math, physics, and fluid dynamics — flipped the script and went all in on music. Say hello to my lil friend… Mark Winters. We break down the moment that changed everything — writing and performing a song for his wife at a restaurant… and from that second on, he was hooked. We get into science and faith, fatherhood, and trusting that pull. Plus a Wiseguy Debate (football & church), UFOs, Johnny Cash, Elvis, and more. Come sit down for the ride. Mark Winters official contact and social media pages: Official Website & email markwintersmusic.com Mark@markwintersmusic.com Spotify https://open.spotify.c... Instagram instagram.com/markwintersmusic Twitter x.com/MarkWintersBand Facebook facebook.com/MarkWintersMusic YouTube  / @markwintersmusic Watch the music video for "What It Means To Be Human" here:  • What Does It Mean To B... Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey! Contact Ben: Feedback: ben.stortini@gmail.com Podcast links below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBenStortiniShow "The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=bc9643d260954d0f

Chōkō | Ep #58 – 413 Days Later, Stress, Healing & The Signs

413 days after my first episode, “Who Am I?”, I felt it was time to check in. Back then — heavy stress, panic attacks, feeling out of my mind. Today — not perfect, but better. A lot better. So the question is… why? This episode is me digging into my own life — what changed, what helped, and what signs I might’ve missed. Because if I can understand what’s working, I can hold onto it. From the stress of trying for our second child to everyday life pressures — this is about recognizing the patterns, managing the lows, and protecting the moments where you actually feel good. If you’re starting to feel a bit of light again… don’t ignore it. Check the signs. Hold onto it. We keep the vibe going with some classic music talk — The Clash, Bobby Caldwell — plus the Jail Blazers doc and more. Take a breath… Come sit down with me. Catch new episodes of The Ben Stortini Show every Friday—hope you'll join the journey! Contact Ben: Feedback: ben.stortini@gmail.com Podcast links below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/172DaMj6RI8TQCHiAxVCmh?si=2c3b3c1a976e4608 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-el-hoopo-show/id1796438418 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCJ38urbrVu_2CKpspdFKkrQ "The Ben Stortini Show" Soundtrack Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=63d66fc1da254505 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uioR9W1oNHpRp6LTUFaDv?si=63d66fc1da254505] "Wim Hoff Breathing" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybOi4hjZFQ