Hot Ashes Podcast
The Hot Ashes Podcast is where cigars, conversation, and camaraderie come together. Hosted by veterans and longtime friends, the show blends sharp humor, real talk, and storytelling straight from the cigar lounge. One week it’s swapping war stories, the next it’s debating music, movies, leadership, or life’s big questions—no script, no filters, just unfiltered conversation and good bourbon. Whether you’re lighting up a cigar or just looking for a seat at the table, Hot Ashes delivers laughs, insight, and the kind of banter you’d expect from a crew that’s seen a little of everything.
Episodes
51 episodes
Episode 52 (Outback Disaster, Neighborhood Karen & 48 Hours of Football)
A birthday dinner that fell apart in real time, a diesel truck that refuses to die, and a neighborhood Facebook war that ended in a plot twist. Lee, TK, Cody and Solange are back around the table.Cody walks us through the worst Outback ...
Episode 51 (29 Palms, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Murder Cases)
We’re back in the lounge with cigars lit and drinks poured, catching up with Roger’s return from 29 Palms, talking military desert misery, porta-john legends, and why shared suffering is weirdly hilarious.From there we tumble into a lon...
Episode 50 (War in Lebanon, A Daring Escape & The Birth of Georges’ Cigar Shop)
Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast for our milestone Episode 50, featuring a very special guest: Georges, owner of Georges’ Cigar Shop and a true Lebanese legend.Georges joins Lee, TK, and Dakota for an unf...
Episode49 (Cigar & Drink Pairings, Iraq Trip, Flying in Style)
Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast! In this episode, Lee, TK, Dakota, and Amy fire up some premium sticks, pour serious bourbon, and dive into everything from embassy security in Iraq and business...
Episode 48 (Ultramarathons, First cars, Belgium)
In this episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast, Lee and TK are back in the lounge with cigars, craft beer, and two special guests: Cody and Jim Roche, a retired Navy Seabee commander and bona fide ultra marathoner.We kick things off with our ...
Episode 47 (Euro Trip, Travel Hacks, Ricky Business)
In Episode 47 of the Hot Ashes Podcast, Lee and TK welcome back Solange for a wild recap of her six-week Europe adventure. From surviving a record-breaking Paris heat wave and dancing at a masquerade ball to hitch...
Episode 46 (Teeth, Time, Tying the Knot)
Hot Ashes Podcast – “Teeth, Time, and Tying the Knot”In this episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast, Lee, TK, Cody, and friends go full story-time on three big themes: dental horror/comedy, a beautiful Carolina wedding, and pushing the limits...
Episode 45 (Leadership, Cody's Truck, Beards)
Hot Ashes Podcast Ep. 45 – Marine Corps Stories, Duramax Builds & Cigar Shop BanterWe’re back on the patio at George’s Cigar Shop in Swansboro, North Carolina for Episode 45 of the Hot Ashes Podcast. It’s a hot, humid d...
Episode 44 (Frank Tursi's Book, Baseball Evolution, Frank's Journalism Career)
In this episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast, Lee and TK sit down with Frank Tursi—four‑time published author, longtime journalist, and former Swansboro commissioner—to talk about his new book Tar Heel Boys of Summer, a deep dive into...
Episode 43 (Gummy Bear Challenge, Injuries, Women)
We’re back at the table at George’s for one of our wildest episodes yet. TK is out camping, so Lee is joined by his brother Jared plus Roger, Rusty, Marv, and Cody for a chaotic mix of pain, laughs, and bad li...
Episode 42 (Ghost Pepper, AI, Pilot Stories)
We’re back in the lounge with cigars lit and drinks poured for another laid‑back Hot Ashes hang. In this episode, Lee, TK, and Ed bounce from camping trips and casinos to AI, tick-borne illnesses, brutal hot pepper challenges, and even small-pl...
Episode 41 (Cigars, Service, Survival)
Episode 41 of the Hot Ashes Podcast comes in hot. Lee, TK, Jarrad, and Chris light up at George’s Cigars and dive into everything from cigars and beer to customer service, AI, solo camping, bands, books, and even the moon landing.We kic...
Episode 40 (Fitness, Tribe, Relationships)
In this episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast, we’re back at Georgia Cigar Shop in Swansboro, NC talking cigars, fitness, sobriety, veterans, mental health, and what it really means to have a tribe.We kick things off wi...
Episode 39 (Travel, Fitness, SanDiego)
Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast from George’s Cigars in Swansboro, NC! In this episode, Lee, TK, and Solange light up some great sticks and dive into cigars, travel, fitness, and a whole lot of small-town coastal life.
Episode 38 (Opus X Dubai, Guns, Boats)
Dakota rolls in with a Dubai‑exclusive Opus X “Amor del Desierto” box, and this episode does not let up. The crew unboxes a $1,500+ box of cigars, talks pairings with Dalmore King Alexander III, swaps range day stories (6.5...
Episode 37 (Bourbon, Travel, USMC life)
Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast, recorded live at George’s Cigar Shop in Swansboro, North Carolina. In this episode we fire up George’s house cigars, crack a rare bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year (Lot B), and get in...
Episode 36 (Podcasting, Memorial Day, Guns)
We’re back inside the lounge for a Memorial Day episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast from Georgia’s Cigars in Swansboro, NC – tighter setup, cold AC, great cigars, and some heavy (and hilarious) conversations.In this episode, Lee, TK, Roger...
Episode 35 (Cody's retirement, Cigar family, Conspiracy talks)
In this episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast, Lee, TK, Amy, Dakota, and Roger light up some great sticks, pour serious bourbon, and dive into one of the most emotional and unfiltered conversations yet.We kick things off recapping our ...
Episode 34 (Dakota's Back, Overseas Travel, George Strait)
Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast!In this episode, Lee, TK, and the crew welcome back a returning guest fresh from a 7‑month contractor stint in the Middle East. We fire up some premium sticks, pour some top‑shelf bourbon, and dive ...
Episode 33 (TK's wedding, Beer& Brewing, Adventure & traveling)
Hot Ashes Podcast – TK’s Wedding, Wild Adventures & Beer TalkTK is freshly married and back in the lounge. We break down his epic wedding (bouncy house, vows, after‑party at 34 North), swap insane off‑roading and Utah flash‑flood st...
Episode 32 (Kentucky trip, Cody's retirement, Injuries)
Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast – TK is off getting married, so Lee is holding it down at George’s Cigar Shop in Swansboro, NC with Cody, Chris, Roger, and Solange.In this episode, we light up some great sticks, crack...
Episode 31 (Dr. Death, Customer service, Deployments)
On this episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast from Georgia Cigars in Swansboro, NC, Lee and TK are joined by Evan for cigars, bourbon, and some wild conversations.We kick things off with what we’re smoking and drinking, then dive into:
Episode 30 (Drinks, Guns, Movies)
We’re back at Georgia Cigar Shop in Swansboro, NC for Episode 30 of the Hot Ashes Podcast. Lee, TK, Ed, and Roger light up and settle in for a long-form hang that covers way more than just cigars.In this episode:What we’re smoki...
Episode 28 (Liquor, fast food, TV shows)
We’re back at Cedro de Azmar / George’s Cigars in Swansboro, North Carolina, doing what we do best: sitting in a cigar shop talking about everything and nothing at the same time.On this episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast
Episode 27 (Irreverent Warriors, Kayak Fishing, Boxer Puppies)
In this episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast, we’re back at George’s Cigar Shop in Swansboro, NC talking about a little bit of everything that makes this place home.We start with cigar shop vibes and morning coffee, then...