Explore every episode of the podcast Burn and Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast

During this episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast, I had a wonderful opportunity to chat with Omar de Frias, CEO and Founder of Fratello Cigars, based in northern Virginia. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Omar developed an early passion for cigars. That interest contributed to his decision to start Fratello Cigars in 2013 and eventually resign from his leadership role at NASA.Since that time, Omar has built Fratello Cigars into a truly international brand, with his cigars presently being sold in more than 40 countries around the globe!Join us as Omar and I chat about cigars, careers and entrepreneurship!

In this highly anticipated episode, Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast sits down with Kenny Blakeney, the Men’s Head Basketball Coach at Howard University. During this episode, we had an opportunity to take an insider’s view into the current status of college basketball, including the transfer portal and NIL programs.

After playing college basketball for Coach K at Duke, Kenny’s ascension to men’s head basketball coach took an unconventional path, including roles as business consultant and entrepreneur.

Click in to watch an inspiring episode of what it truly means to mentor young men while also following your dreams!

Join us for this special edition of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast, as I chat with Brent Belsinger from Oliva Cigar Company. Enjoying a great Oliva Serie V, Brent and I had a wonderful conversation about Oliva's full cigar lineup, a preview of things to come from Oliva, as well as some great advice for new cigar smokers!

Special thanks to Brent, as well as Alec Rubiera from Route 7 Cigars in Sterling, VA. Click in and enjoy.

Stay smokey, my friends!

In this highly anticipated episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast, we download from our recent trip to the Dominican Republic for the 2026 ProCigar Festival. During this episode, Teresa Wessling (Tobacconist at Georgetown Tobacco and PCA board member) and I share our perspective and experience from tours at the Davidoff tobacco farm, as well as factory tours at Davidoff, Arturo Fuente and Tabacalera Diaz Cabrera. Tune in for an awesome discussion, including video content from the trip!

In this episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast, I had an opportunity to sit down with Joshua Habursky, CEO of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) at After Dark Cigar Company, located in Ocoee, FL.Widely regarded as the ambassador for the US cigar industry, Josh shared his perspective on a number of important issues, including premium cigar growth trends, domestic and international policies governing premium cigars, house blends and things that cigar aficionados might look forward to over the next several years.

In this episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast, I had an opportunity to chat with industry veteran Alec Rubiera. As a result of Alec's twenty-one (21) years of industry experience, we had a wonderful chat about current cigar trends, how technology has impacted the sector, the changing cigar flavor profiles, as well as indications of where things are headed.

If you have an interest in cigars and the aficionado lifestyle, this is an episode that you won't want to miss. Special thanks to Alec for joining the show, as well as Rebellion Whiskey & Cigar Lounge for the beautiful venue!

Join me and co-host, Ray Solano, as we chat with Joel Griffin, Founder & CEO of Riphean, a growth management firm with a diversified investment portfolio consisting of private companies, venture capital and real estate holdings. We spent time with Joel chatting about his love of bourbon and cigars, as well as the many hats he's worn during his illustrious career, including being a military veteran, entrepreneur, investor, restauranteur, philanthropist and community volunteer. If you love cigars and are an entrepreneur, or thinking about starting your own company, you won't want to miss this discussion!

Dr. Ray Solano, founder of Solano Spine & Sport, joins Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast to talk about his world-class sports chiropractor practice based in Falls Church, VA. During our discussion, Dr. Solano walks us through his career and how he decided to pursue medicine as his way of giving back to his community. As we discuss how he has treated quite a few athletes from DC's professional sports teams, I reminisce about my early days at Georgetown, throwing the javelin on the track & field team. Of course, we enjoy some great cigars and engage in a discussion about the evolution of the modern cigar lounge. Grab a cigar, click in and enjoy this episode!

In this episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast, I had an opportunity to sit down and chat with Tübr Storage founders Brad Jersey and Andrew Oldknow. Over a Davidoff Late Hour, Brad and Andrew shared how their passion for design, craftsmanship and the cigar aficionado lifestyle led to the creation of Tübr, the award-winning cigar storage brand. During our discussion, they reveal how they transformed an idea into a premium cigar storage solution recognized by the PGA Show and featured in Cigar Aficionado. From the first prototype to luxury gifting and customization, discover how Tübr is redefining what it means to store and protect cigars in style. Explore the full collection at https://tubrstorage.com/. This is an episode not to be missed!

Featuring Kevin Cooper, bourbon extraordinaire and tobacconist at Route 7 Cigars, this episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast delves into the complex and ever changing world of fine bourbon and pairings with cigars. The discussion is facilitated by our co-host Sid Fuchs.

In a pivot from our usual venue at Rebellion, I was honored to have a wonderful conversation with Dr. Brian D. Agnew at Brivado Cigars, his beautiful cigar lounge in Orange, NJ. During our conversation, Brian and I discussed his growth strategies for his boutique cigar line, as well as his cigar lounge. Marvin Pettus and Paul Murdock, Brian's long time friends and business associates, were also key contributors to the conversation. While smoking the Brivado double wrapped Barber Pole, we delved into how data analytics inform Brian's real time business decisions and how Brivado's members take advantage of everything that Brivado has to offer, especially an inviting space to build relationships, network and have a great time!

In this edition of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast, we sat down with Manny Riaz, co-founder of Surpassion Cigars. While lighting up the Surpassion Valor, Manny walks us through the creation of his new company, including the blending process and the key relationships that he leveraged to bring his vision to reality. We also had an opportunity to discuss Manny’s plans for future Surpassion offerings.

Joining us on this episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast is Mechelle Merkerson, a certified cigar sommelier, a cigar-focused content creator and a pioneer in the cigar education space through her educational series called Cigars With M. Sit back, light a cigar and join us as we chat about her focus on cigar education, her curated cigar events and general industry happenings.

In this episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast, my long-time friend and mentor, Sid Fuchs, joins me as co-host. We were very excited to be joined by Teresa Wessling, Tobacconist extraordinaire at Georgetown Tobacco and a board member of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA). Check out this episode as we light up a couple of great cigars, delve into cigar sector trends, chat about the recent PCA show and discuss StogieHub’s evolution. We wrap up with a chat about PCA’s ongoing efforts to protect the premium cigar industry against overreaching legislation at the state and federal levels.

If you’re a cigar aficionado that enjoys the NFL, you won’twant to miss this episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast. In this episode, our special guests include Kedric Golston, former Defensive Tackle for the Washington Redskins and Darryl Tapp, Defensive Line Coach for the Washington Commanders. While enjoying an Oliva Serie V Melanio, I had anopportunity to chat with these two former NFL teammates about their ascension from youth football to the NFL and into their current coaching careers. Be sure to tune in!

In episode 5 of the Burn & Learn podcast, we sit downand share a Davidoff Signature with Madison Casanova, a GenZer who tries herfirst cigar. During this episode, we share the cigar cutting and lightingritual with Maddy and get her thoughts on the experience, as well as her plansfor cigars going forward. As we’ve mentioned, our podcast is focused on sharinga great stick, having engaging conversation, but also imparting knowledge. Aswe teach Maddy how to cut, light and smoke a cigar, this episode provides greatinitial knowledge of the cigar experience. If you’re new to cigars and want tolearn how to properly cut and light, this episode is perfect for you.

In episode 4 of Burn & Learn, we had the honor of hostingZack Van Ginkel and Andray McCuien, the owners of HDA Cigars, a veteran-owned boutique cigar company. As our esteemed guests, we spent time discussing HDA’s currentcigar line and blending process, but also thanked them both for their service to our country. This episode was especially valuable, as Zack and Andray also spent time debunking the mystique around boutique cigar brands. This is definitely aconversation not to be missed!

In Episode 3 of Burn & Learn, Chris and I enjoyed having anopportunity to sit down with Justin Perroots, the General Manager of Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen, located in the heart of downtown Leesburg, VA. Specifically, we discussed the offerings and benefits of joining Rebellion Cigar Room, a private cigar lounge speakeasy on the third floor. This episodeis not to be missed as we discuss all that Rebellion has to offer, including special bourbon tastings and other awesome members-only events. Don’t miss it!

In this inaugural episode of Burn & Learn, we discuss the intent of our new podcast and introduce StogieHub, the new cigar venture and company affiliated with Burn & Learn.

In this episode of Burn & Learn, Steve and Chris welcome a special guest, Christal Golston. Over a Davidoff cigar, we discuss her career journey as an owner of several businesses and she shares her thoughts and recommendations for inspiring entreprenuers.