Burn and Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast

Burn & Learn Episode 18: Oliva Cigars and Advice For New Cigar Aficionados!

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!

Burn & Learn Episode 17: 2026 ProCigar Festival in the Dominican Republic

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!

Burn & Learn Episode 16: Chat With Joshua Habursky, CEO of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA)

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.

Burn & Learn Episode 15: All Things Cigars With Industry Veteran Alec Rubiera

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!

Burn & Learn Episode 14:Bourbon, Cigars, Private Equity, Entrepreneurship and Community Service

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!