Hot Ashes Podcast

Lee and TK
  • 5.0 (3)
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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.

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 56 (Music/Gigging, Pop Culture, Local Adventures)

    Send us Fan Mail For the first time since Episode 1, it’s just Lee and TK on the Hot Ashes Podcast! They catch up over cigars and drinks, swap stories about camping and Busch Gardens, get into TV, horror movies, and martial arts, then talk band rehearsals, music gear, merch, and getting back behind the DJ booth. Plus: low-country boils, ghost stories, band chemistry, wedding gigs, and a little local show plug. Settle in and hang out with Lee and TK. Chapters 00:00 Welcome back: cigars, drinks & the Navy's birthday 03:45 Weekend work and a low-country boil 07:01 Croatan camping plans and Jared's trail story 10:54 Busch Gardens and Howl-O-Scream 17:00 Theme parks, turkey legs & Medieval Times 20:46 TV recommendations and watching shows together 23:27 Horror movies, haunted houses & ghost stories 28:05 Heroes, TV pacing and show endings 38:23 Sam Elliott, Ed O'Neill & celebrity martial arts stories 43:14 UFC, martial arts and Steven Seagal 48:19 Rumble and the news cycle around murder trials 52:52 DJing again and Lee's band-practice routine 54:57 Rehearsals, setlists and adding new songs 59:17 Band chemistry, egos and working as a team 1:05:00 Fill-in musicians and band auditions 1:07:12 Rehearsal gear and sharing band expenses 1:09:31 Hot Ashes Podcast merch 1:12:53 Getting back into DJing and gig life 1:17:05 Wedding gigs, band rates and venue stories 1:28:43 Heart Stop show plug #HotAshesPodcast #HotAshes #Podcast #PodcastEpisode #CigarPodcast #CigarTalk #Cigars #LiveMusic #BandLife #MusicianLife #DJLife #PopCulture #TVShows #HorrorMovies #Camping #NorthCarolina #EasternNC #JiuJitsu #UFC #BuschGardens Support the show

  2. Oct 7

    Episode 55 (Whitewater Rafting, Meet the Authors, Writing Books)

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast! This episode starts with cigars and drinks, then dives into whitewater rafting, kayaking, river safety, and unforgettable stories from the water. Malcolm and Solange share their experiences as guides, including a rookie’s dramatic Big Drop incident, a high-stakes trip on the Zambezi, and what it takes to read rapids and keep a boat safe. The conversation also covers multi-day Grand Canyon trips, river-camp routines, Colorado’s Gore Canyon, rock climbing, and skydiving. Later in the episode, the group discusses the Meet the Authors event at the Carolina Museum of the Marine, Chris’s book *Earn This Chair*, self-publishing and writing tools, and his Rabasi Thrive Coaching work helping people navigate career and identity transitions. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to the Hot Ashes Podcast 01:29 Meet Malcolm and Solange 04:48 Working in rafting, jeep tours, and event transport 07:42 Camp Hale and the 10th Mountain Division 09:46 How whitewater rapid classes work 12:29 A high-water rafting story 17:29 Learning to read the river 22:07 The Zambezi and the Ghost Ride rapid 28:21 Paddle technique and river safety 30:19 Rafting versus kayaking 34:08 How new rafting guides qualify 37:43 Malcolm’s Big Drop rookie story 42:30 The aftermath—and a surprising thank-you 46:32 Ghost boats and river safety 48:08 Grand Canyon trips and keeping food cold 51:22 Groovers and river-camp etiquette 53:28 Crew roles on a multi-day trip 59:59 Taking the podcast on the road 01:01:03 The gnarliest whitewater in the U.S. 01:03:46 Colorado’s Gore Canyon 01:10:30 Climbing, heights, and adventure stories 01:19:26 Skydiving stories 01:25:44 Surfing in Mexico and paragliding #HotAshesPodcast #WhitewaterRafting #Kayaking #Colorado #GoreCanyon #GrandCanyon #AdventureStories #MeetTheAuthors #EarnThisChair #SelfPublishing #Writing #Veterans #Coaching Support the show

  3. Sep 30

    Episode 54 (Military transition, Fitness, Meet the authors)

    Send us Fan Mail The crew is back with cigars, drinks, and plenty to talk about. This week, TK shares stories from a high school reunion, and the group reflects on how life changes after high school—and after leaving the military. They discuss the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, finding a new sense of purpose and community, and why control, courage, and consistency matter. They also talk fitness and discipline, including 1,000 workouts in 100 days, early-morning runs, and staying active in retirement. Plus: an update on the upcoming Meet the Authors event, Cody’s ongoing truck repair saga, and a conversation about local community and connection. Chapters 00:00 Podcast intro and what everyone’s smoking and drinking 04:02 Episode 54 updates and merch 05:43 High school reunions and growing up 14:08 Identity and transitioning to civilian life 28:20 Fitness, consistency, and Hot Works 33:37 Cody’s truck repair update 39:35 Meet the Authors event 54:01 Running, connection, and morning routines 1:14:13 Fitness, community, and church Subscribe for more conversations with the Hot Ashes crew. #HotAshesPodcast #MilitaryTransition #Veterans #Fitness #Community #Cigars Support the show

  4. Sep 23

    Episode 53 (Heart Conditions, AI Gone Rogue, Tribe)

    Send us Fan Mail Lee, TK, Chris, Solange, Roger, and the George's Cigar Shop crew are back for another episode about everything and nothing. This one goes from soaking jokes to heaven-and-hell theories to Lee opening up about living with a heart condition that shocks him back into rhythm — plus AI that blackmails its boss, 1,000 workouts in 100 days, and why nobody actually loses their tribe when they take off the uniform. 🔥 WHAT WE'RE SMOKING & DRINKING Lee — George's Box Press Torpedo + Perney Hays TK — George's Short Story + Founders All Day IPA Chris — Romeo y Julieta 1875 + high quality H2O Roger — George's Gordo + Bourbon Together single barrel ("chocolate cherry cola") 00:00 Cigars & Drinks 03:00 Beard Talk 08:00 Mormon Loopholes 09:57 Heaven or Hell on Earth 13:26 The 1971 Silver Dollar 18:59 HBOT for Heroes 19:46 Meeting Richard Petty 21:51 Museum of the Marine 24:39 500 Subscriber Giveaway 25:14 Thrive Coaching Launch 26:00 The October 1 Panel 28:01 This Generation Doesn't Suck 37:20 Three Rules for AI 40:49 Two Claudes in a Loop 43:14 AI Blackmails the CEO 47:39 Anatomy of Peace 52:15 People, Not Objects 1:06:01 Shoes Off 1:08:39 The Crusty Old Gunny 1:11:49 Sharecropper's Wisdom 1:15:19 The Enforcer 1:17:18 1,000 Workouts, 100 Days 1:20:49 Three Years Sober 1:22:28 Irreverent Warriors 1:23:30 Matt Reeves' Story 1:26:23 A Call From Korea 1:28:50 Tau Proteins & Sleep 1:32:00 Belligerent Drunks 1:40:00 Losing a Friend 1:50:00 Blue Belt at CXBJJ 2:00:00 Living With ARVC 2:15:00 Find Your Tribe 🎗️ ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED Carolina Museum of the Marine — nonprofit, 100% donor and admission funded. Book & communication panel on 1 October, $6 admission. Irreverent Warriors — veteran mental health through camaraderie and hikes. Crystal Coast hike: 17 October. Jacksonville hike in March. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Heroes — free HBOT for veterans and active duty in North Carolina. The Honor Foundation — special operations transition support. Rabasi Thrive Coaching — transition coaching, launching 1 October. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED The Anatomy of Peace & Leadership and Self-Deception — The Arbinger Institute Sharecropper's Wisdom — Gen. J.R. Gorham Commitment to Love — Cleeve McClary Tempus Fugit Bastards — John Jay Lee B1 of Zero — Carla Murphy Laughing and Crying with U.S. Marines — Adam Walker 🎯 500 SUBSCRIBERS = SWAG GIVEAWAY. We're at 212. Do the math, then do the thing. Thanks to George's Cigar Shop in Swansboro, NC for the space, Candy Adventure for the stickers, and American Graphics in Roanoke, VA for the hats. #HotAshesPodcast #CigarPodcast #Veterans #IrreverentWarriors #Swansboro #ARVC #Jiujitsu Support the show

  5. Sep 16

    Episode 52 (Outback Disaster, Neighborhood Karen & 48 Hours of Football)

    Send us Fan Mail 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 experience ever recorded — the whisper-talking waiter who took a knee beside the table, the beer they wouldn't replace, the prime rib they didn't have, and the lobster tail that vanished into thin air. Then it's the Duramax that's been eating his life since June 21st, a warranty company that told him it was his fault, and the ChatGPT-written emails that have become his weapon of choice. He also went full keyboard commando on the neighborhood page over kids ding-dong ditching at 8:40 at night, got suspended for "hateful speech," refused to apologize — and then found out whose kids they actually were. We close with the big one: if a guy gives up all of Saturday and Sunday to football, is he neglecting his family? Cody says yes. Lee says everybody gets a passion. TK says you knew who you married. Solange asks the question nobody had a good answer for. SMOKING & DRINKING Lee — George's Box Press Torpedo + Pernicious TK — Camacho Nicaragua + Corona Light (one of the three he didn't drop) Cody — Coors Banquet, with a vengeance Solange — Avo Nicaragua + Crown Royal, acquired "out of care" 00:00 — Mic problems 01:31 — Smokes and drinks 03:39 — Cody's back 05:40 — Outback disaster 08:14 — The creepy waiter 12:21 — Server fired 13:08 — No prime rib 15:05 — Missing lobster 17:07 — The Duramax saga 19:15 — Warranty denied 21:38 — ChatGPT email 24:42 — Subaru recall 28:02 — Snapped lug nut 35:47 — Enter the Karen 37:26 — Ding-dong ditching 41:22 — Cody's post 43:30 — Banned from the page 45:30 — Those were my kids 48:26 — Quiet hours 52:56 — Retro Pizza Hut 55:45 — TK's 662 series 59:25 — Left-handed bowling 1:04:35 — Beth and Rip 1:12:37 — VMI vs Tech 1:14:35 — Football vs family 1:19:00 — The ESPYs 1:26:49 — Nancy Mace listens 1:28:04 — Love Is Blind #HotAshes #HotAshesPodcast #CigarPodcast #CigarsAndWhiskey #Podcast #CustomerService #OutbackSteakhouse #Duramax #DieselTrucks #KarenStories #NeighborhoodDrama #Bowling #FootballSeason #MilitaryLife #Marines #FunnyPodcast #UnfilteredPodcast Support the show

  6. Sep 9

    Episode 51 (29 Palms, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Murder Cases)

    Send us Fan Mail 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 long-form hang about: Dungeon Crawler Carl – why it’s a cult favorite, audiobooks vs “actually reading,” and how voice actors bring characters to life Time, burnout, and boundaries – getting older, realizing there aren’t enough hours in the day, and how to protect your mental bandwidth AI in real life – from medical note-taking tools to people falling in love with chatbots, and what that means for the future True crime & mental health – a raw, opinionated dive into the Lindsey Clancy case, postpartum / mania, medical notes being picked apart in court, and the line between illness and accountability Serial killers & infamous cases – Menendez brothers, Casey Anthony, Genghis Khan, Sam Little, media spin, and why using trauma as a legal shield is so dangerous All with the usual Hot Ashes mix of dark humor, movie quotes, and complete nonsense about Sad Yank Hill, Reading vs Audiobooks, and Michael Jackson conspiracies. Light your cigar, pour a drink, and hang out with us. 0:00 Welcome back, cigars & drinks on deck 4:28 Roger returns: 29 Palms heat and desert misery 10:32 Port-a-john horror stories & “Sad Yank Hill” lore 15:16 Dungeon Crawler Carl deep dive & book one vs book two 20:54 Audiobooks vs “did you actually read it?” 25:33 Time suck, long commutes, and reading habits 35:20 Not enough hours in the day & setting boundaries 50:20 AI, medical scribes, and recorded sessions in therapy 55:20 Lindsey Clancy case breakdown & pressured speech notes 1:03:40 Insanity, responsibility, and precedent in criminal cases 1:10:15 Serial killers, the “less alive,” and Time Suck podcast 1:18:06 Spaceballs, Mel Brooks, and sequel fears 1:24:20 Michael Jackson, Beatles masters & conspiracy angles 1:29:10 Genghis Khan genetics and dark history tangents 1:37:10 Menendez brothers, abuse claims & parole debate 1:44:00 Wrapping with jokes, movies, and future episode ideas #HotAshesPodcast #VeteranStories #MilitaryHumor #DungeonCrawlerCarl #Audiobooks #TrueCrimeDiscussion #LindseyClancy #MentalHealthMatters #29Palms #CigarPodcast #WhiskeyAndCigars #ComedyPodcast #AIandEthics #SerialKillers #PodcastClips Support the show

  7. Sep 2

    Episode 50 (War in Lebanon, A Daring Escape & The Birth of Georges’ Cigar Shop)

    Send us Fan Mail 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 unforgettable conversation about cigars, Macallan 18, the Lebanese Civil War, dangerous combat missions, politics, faith, friendship, and how he created a cigar lounge that feels more like a family table than a business. Georges shares how he went from joining Lebanon’s Christian forces at only 17 years old and serving as a bodyguard to Lebanese leader Bashir Gemayel, to becoming a tennis professional in Washington, D.C., and eventually operating some of the first cigar shops in North Carolina. Along the way, you’ll hear incredible combat stories, firsthand accounts of historic political events, Georges’ dangerous journey out of Lebanon, and the remarkable story of how he built a new life in America. He also explains why, after everything he has experienced, he believes money means nothing without real friends. If you enjoy cigars, war stories, Middle Eastern history, entrepreneurship, or raw storytelling from a man who has lived ten lifetimes, this episode is for you. CHAPTERS 00:00 Episode 50 intro and microphone issues 00:28 What we’re smoking and drinking 01:47 Georges introduces himself and his background 03:58 Joining the Christian forces at 17 07:22 Lebanon’s mountains, cedars, and coastline 08:55 How political power is divided in Lebanon 10:49 Georges’ tennis career in Washington, D.C. 11:25 Opening his first cigar shops in North Carolina 12:31 Moving across the street to the current shop 15:44 Why Georges values friendship over money 17:18 Family tragedy and “eye for an eye” justice 31:58 Bashir Gemayel, Henry Kissinger, and Saudi Arabia 48:32 The Holiday Inn battle and an RPG in the garage 56:40 The warning before the Marine barracks bombing 1:09:02 A dangerous visa trip through Syria 1:13:01 Coming to America and building a new life Subscribe to the Hot Ashes Podcast for more cigars, bourbon, military stories, history, and uncensored conversations from Georges’ Cigar Shop. #HotAshesPodcast #GeorgesCigars #LebaneseCivilWar #Lebanon #BashirGemayel #WarStories #MilitaryHistory #CigarPodcast #CigarLife #Macallan18 #MiddleEastHistory #VeteranStories #Brotherhood #Faith #Episode50 Support the show

  8. Aug 26

    Episode49 (Cigar & Drink Pairings, Iraq Trip, Flying in Style)

    Send us Fan Mail 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 class hacks to wild injury stories, military life, and spicy takes on work, family, and culture. We kick things off with cigar and drink pairings (including the Herrera Esteli Miami by Drew Estate and Weller 12), then Dakota breaks down what it’s really like doing security in Iraq, winning a business-class ticket on Qatar Airways, and flying in those lay-flat pods. From there, we get into travel tips, Sleeper Hold neck-saving gear, and why humidity in North Carolina is its own kind of torture. The episode takes a turn into homeowner problems while deployed (broken dryer, lawnmower drama, boat issues), plus relationship dynamics when one person is gone for months at a time. We also hit some heavier but honest conversations about: Women in the workforce & “glass ceiling” takesThe cost of living and why young people stay at home longerMilitary as a way out of small-town dead endsWorking with local and third-country nationals overseas and how small acts of respect go a long wayLater, Dakota shares some brutal injury stories: A 55-gallon drum explosion that caused third-degree burnsA hedge trimmer finger incidentA nasty ankle injury from ultimate frisbee that turned into surgery and a long rehabWe wrap with shout-outs to local friends and sponsors like George’s Cigars, Candy Adventure, and Lighthouse Realty, and a teaser for Episode 50 with George and his incredible life story. Light up a cigar, pour a drink, and hang out with us for this long-form, unfiltered conversation. 00:00 – Mic check, camera setup, and back-in-the-studio banter 00:52 – Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast + intros (Lee, TK, Dakota) 01:26 – What we’re smoking & drinking: George’s box press, Freak-ish beer, Weller 12 02:50 – Dakota’s return: Herrera Esteli Miami cigar unboxing & backstory 04:17 – Pairing cigars with bourbon/rum/coffee + bringing out the Weller 12 06:04 – Mixing bourbons (Weller 12, Antique 107, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s) & Instagram bourbon blenders 11:26 – What Dakota can talk about: job in embassy security in Iraq and the workout program 12:31 – Winning a business-class ticket & how Middle East tensions wrecked travel plans 13:46 – Flying Qatar Airways business class: pods, champagne, steaks, and bottomless bourbon 20:39 – Sleeper Hold travel device, neck pillows, and surviving long-haul flights 24:32 – Coming home to broken stuff: dryer full of water, lawnmower and truck drama with Amy 33:30 – Spicy segment: women, work, “glass ceiling,” nuclear family, and cost-of-living rants 45:50 – Military as a way out: small-town poverty, food stamps, and building a new life 52:04 – Working with locals in Iraq: feeding a hungry team and earning deep loyalty 1:03:29 – Desert heat vs North Carolina humidity: 121° in Iraq and 2–3 outfit days in NC 1:15:02 – Dakota’s burn story: 55-gallon drum explosion, third-degree burns, and ER chaos 1:22:38 – Hedge trimmer vs finger, ankle damage, and why Dakota is “accident prone” 1:28:29 – Episode 49 wrap-up and teaser for Episode 50 with George from George’s Cigars #HotAshesPodcast #CigarPodcast #CigarsAndWhiskey #BourbonTalk #HerreraEsteli #DrewEstate #Weller12 #IraqDeployment #EmbassySecurity #VeteranStories #BusinessClass #TravelStories #MilitaryLife #BurnStory #InjuryStories #NorthCarolina #PodcastClips #LongFormPodcast Support the show

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Lee and TK
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hot Ashes Podcast
  • Show Website
    Hot Ashes Podcast