Sunday Afternoon Smokes

Chris Strother
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Sunday Afternoon Smokes is a long-form podcast hosted by Chris Strother, featuring unhurried conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, business owners, and leaders across the Upstate of South Carolina. Each episode explores business, leadership, faith, risk, and the realities of building something meaningful. Recorded at the table, not the podium. Cigars are part of the setting — never the requirement. Settle in. Enjoy the conversation.

  1. 4d ago

    Therapeutic Massage, Pain Relief & Understanding Your Body | Episode 80 with Megan Trimmer

    Megan Trimmer is the owner of Deep Kneads Massage Therapy in Greenville, South Carolina, where her approach to massage goes far beyond simply helping clients relax. In Episode 80 of Sunday Afternoon Smokes, Megan joins Chris to talk about her unlikely path from elementary education and the service industry to becoming a massage therapist and eventually building her own practice. Along the way, they explore the difference between relaxation and therapeutic massage, why the location of pain isn't always the source of the problem, and how our everyday habits and movement patterns can contribute to chronic discomfort. Megan explains why she views pain as information, how massage can work alongside chiropractic care, physical therapy, and strength training, and why understanding your own body is an important part of long-term health. 
They also get into hydration, hot stones, massage guns, what to expect during your first appointment, the realities of building a small business, Megan's new venture into life insurance, and—as tends to happen in the lounge—a lengthy detour into bartending and cocktails. It's an unhurried conversation about career changes, entrepreneurship, taking care of your body, and finding work you genuinely enjoy. Deep Kneads Massage: www.deepkneadsmassagetherapy.net Sunday Afternoon Smokes: www.sundayafternoonsmokes.com https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/

    Therapeutic Massage, Pain Relief & Understanding Your Body | Episode 80 with Megan Trimmer

  2. Aug 9

    Finding Peace Beyond Success, Sobriety & Heartbreak | Episode 79 with Jessica Eshan

    Jessica Eshan joins Sunday Afternoon Smokes for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, sobriety, entrepreneurship, faith, forgiveness, and what it really means to build a meaningful life. Jessica shares her journey from the cigar blogging community into executive leadership in human resources, real estate, and AI-driven manufacturing technology before opening up about alcoholism, recovery, childhood trauma, divorce, reconciliation with her family, and finding lasting peace through sobriety and personal growth. Along the way, Chris and Jessica discuss the emotional impact of divorce on parents and children, repairing broken relationships, perfectionism, music, gratitude, entrepreneurship, real estate, AI, and the search for purpose beyond career success. What begins as a conversation about cigars and business gradually becomes an honest discussion about healing, forgiveness, faith, and discovering that our worth isn't found in achievement, but in who we become. If you've ever wrestled with identity, loss, addiction, rebuilding relationships, or finding hope after life's hardest seasons, this conversation is for you. Jess Eshan: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaeshan_realtor/ www.eshanteam.com Sunday Afternoon Smokes: www.sundayafternoonsmokes.com https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/

    Finding Peace Beyond Success, Sobriety & Heartbreak | Episode 79 with Jessica Eshan

  3. Aug 2

    Finding Your Identity Beyond Your Career | Episode 78 with Joel Conwell

    What happens when your career, identity, and future suddenly change? Joel Conwell joins Sunday Afternoon Smokes for a thoughtful conversation about faith, identity, purpose, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build a meaningful life beyond your job title. Chris and Joel explore Joel's journey from pastoral ministry into the technology world, the challenges of reinventing yourself after unexpected life changes, and why genuine human connection matters more than status or success. Along the way, they discuss marriage, fatherhood, podcasting, creativity, suicide prevention, writing books, corporate culture, and the pursuit of meaningful work. The conversation also dives into the tension between achievement and contentment, how personal identity can become tied to career, and why serving others often leads to a richer and more fulfilling life. This is a conversation about purpose, resilience, relationships, entrepreneurship, faith, and living with intention. Joel Conwell: https://jconwell.org/ Stay Project: https://stay-project.life/ Stay App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stay/id6780283058 Stretched Thin Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zwAosEgUXFYVmUai20yV?si=73f51c7dd4004a17 Sunday Afternoon Smokes: https://sundayafternoonsmokes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/

    Finding Your Identity Beyond Your Career | Episode 78 with Joel Conwell

  4. Jul 26

    From GE to Bobby's Barbecue | Episode 77 with Tay Nelson

    Tay Nelson, owner of Bobby's Barbecue in Fountain Inn, joins Sunday Afternoon Smokes for a conversation about barbecue, entrepreneurship, faith, and the long road to building something that lasts. What begins with cigars and the process of creating Tay's own premium cigar brand, Octavius Reserve, quickly expands into the story of how a career at GE unexpectedly led to barbecue, catering, seasoning blends, and eventually one of the Upstate's most respected barbecue restaurants. Chris and Tay discuss learning through failure, the value of mentors, why excellence matters more than shortcuts, and how consistency has shaped Bobby's Barbecue from its earliest days. Tay shares stories of working alongside some of the country's most respected pitmasters, the lessons he learned from Aaron Franklin, Rodney Scott, and others, and why mastering the craft requires patience, humility, and relentless curiosity. The conversation also explores leadership, raising a family, building a business with integrity, the role of faith during difficult seasons, and the importance of slowing down to enjoy life—whether around a barbecue pit or over a good cigar. This is a conversation about craftsmanship, perseverance, entrepreneurship, faith, barbecue, cigars, and building a life with purpose. Bobby's BBQ: https://www.eatbobbys.com/ https://www.instagram.com/eatbobbys/ Tay Nelson: https://www.instagram.com/tay_nelson__/ Sunday Afternoon Smokes: https://sundayafternoonsmokes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/

    From GE to Bobby's Barbecue | Episode 77 with Tay Nelson

  5. Jul 19

    Fatherhood, Family Court, and the Fight for Equal Parenting | Episode 76 with Houston Miller

    Houston Miller joins Sunday Afternoon Smokes for one of the most personal and emotionally charged conversations in the show's history. What begins as a discussion about Houston's background in law enforcement, construction, and public service becomes a deeper conversation about fatherhood, family court, forgiveness, faith, and the challenges many parents face after separation and divorce. Chris and Houston discuss the importance of fathers in their children's lives, the emotional toll of custody disputes, the realities of family court in South Carolina, and why both believe children deserve meaningful relationships with both parents whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so. Along the way, the conversation explores faith, personal responsibility, forgiveness, law enforcement, the role of men in their families and communities, and the lasting impact parents have on their children. During the conversation, Houston also discusses Equal Roots, a developing support community focused on encouraging and equipping fathers navigating separation, custody challenges, and family court proceedings. For more information, contact Houston Miller via DM on Instagram. This episode is not a debate. It is a conversation between two fathers sharing personal experiences, discussing difficult realities, and raising awareness about an issue they believe deserves greater attention. To learn more about South Carolina's proposed Equal Parenting Act, visit:
www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4622.htm Houston Miller: https://www.instagram.com/houston.miller97/ https://www.instagram.com/thehunting.experience/ Follow the Show: www.sundayafternoonsmokes.com https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/

    Fatherhood, Family Court, and the Fight for Equal Parenting | Episode 76 with Houston Miller

  6. Jul 12

    From South Africa to South Carolina: Faith, Immigration & Building a New Life | Episode 75 with Armand Groesbeek

    Armand Groesbeek, owner of House of Holland Tattoo Emporium, joins Sunday Afternoon Smokes for one of the most personal and faith-centered conversations in the show's history. What begins as a discussion about identity quickly becomes a deep conversation about Christianity, obedience, prayer, testimony, and what it means to build your life on something greater than your profession or accomplishments. Chris and Armand discuss faith in Jesus Christ, the difference between who we are and what we do, lessons learned through hardship, and the moments that shaped their understanding of God's leading and purpose. Along the way, Armand shares powerful stories from his life, including his family's journey of faith, his path into tattooing, and experiences that challenged and strengthened his beliefs. The conversation later expands into entrepreneurship, immigration, fatherhood, marriage, South African culture, and Armand's journey from South Africa to South Carolina. Together they explore the opportunities, challenges, and perspective that come from building a life in a new country while holding tightly to the values that matter most. This is a conversation about faith, identity, perseverance, family, purpose, and the search for home. Armand Groesbeek: https://www.instagram.com/armandgroesbeektattooartist/ House of Holland: https://houseofhollandtattoo.com/ https://www.instagram.com/house_of_holland_tattoos/ Sunday Afternoon Smokes: https://sundayafternoonsmokes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/ Product Placement: The custom crystal ashtray featured in this episode was provided by Nancy Davis Studio.

    From South Africa to South Carolina: Faith, Immigration & Building a New Life | Episode 75 with Armand Groesbeek

  7. Jul 5

    From Musician to Entrepreneur | Episode 74 with Jarrett Forrester

    Jarrett Forrester joins Sunday Afternoon Smokes to discuss entrepreneurship, customer service, branding, and the unexpected path that led him from full-time musician to business owner. Known throughout the Southeast as a touring Americana and country artist, Jarrett shares how Cowboy Custom Printing was born almost by accident after a frustrating business experience revealed an opportunity to do things differently. What started as a side venture quickly grew into a thriving apparel and promotional products company built on relationships, creativity, and helping customers succeed. Chris and Jarrett explore what makes great merchandise actually sell, why customer trust matters more than a single transaction, the challenges of building a business from scratch, and how authenticity creates long-term opportunities. Along the way, they discuss branding, entrepreneurship, fatherhood, music, cigars, and the value of creating products people are genuinely excited to wear. This conversation offers an inside look at the mindset of a creator who has built careers in both music and business by focusing on relationships first and sales second. Topics include entrepreneurship, branding, custom apparel, merchandise design, small business ownership, customer service, touring musicians, fatherhood, creativity, marketing, and building a business through genuine connections. Cowboy Custom Printing: https://www.instagram.com/cowboycustomprintinggvl/ Jarrett Forrester Music: https://www.instagram.com/jarretforrestermusic/ https://www.youtube.com/@jarretforrestermusic Sunday Afternoon Smokes: https://sundayafternoonsmokes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/

    From Musician to Entrepreneur | Episode 74 with Jarrett Forrester

  8. Jun 28

    Horses, Healing & Human Connection | Episode 73 with Jessica Fry

    What does it actually mean to train a horse? Jessica Fry, founder of Wild Hearts Equine Therapy, joins Sunday Afternoon Smokes for a conversation about horses, healing, trust, and the surprising connection between human and animal nervous systems. What begins as a discussion about equine therapy quickly expands into a deeper conversation about emotional regulation, anxiety, confidence, trauma, and the role connection plays in both human and animal relationships. Jessica explains how horses help people slow down, feel safe, and build trust, while sharing the philosophy behind her unique approach to horsemanship. Along the way, Chris and Jessica discuss growing up as a Navy brat, living overseas, being a self-described wild child, young motherhood, entrepreneurship, coffee, travel, and the lessons horses have taught her about softness, communication, and leadership. Whether you're fascinated by horses or simply interested in how people heal and grow, this episode offers an honest look at the power of presence, trust, and learning to listen. Topics include equine therapy, horse training, emotional regulation, anxiety, trauma recovery, entrepreneurship, leadership, confidence, nervous system health, motherhood, and personal growth. Wild Hearts Equine Therapy: https://www.wildheartsequinetherapy.org/ https://www.instagram.com/wildheartsequinetherapy/ Sunday Afternoon Smokes: https://sundayafternoonsmokes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/

    Horses, Healing & Human Connection | Episode 73 with Jessica Fry
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5
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About

Sunday Afternoon Smokes is a long-form podcast hosted by Chris Strother, featuring unhurried conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, business owners, and leaders across the Upstate of South Carolina. Each episode explores business, leadership, faith, risk, and the realities of building something meaningful. Recorded at the table, not the podium. Cigars are part of the setting — never the requirement. Settle in. Enjoy the conversation.

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