Episode 31 (Dr. Death, Customer service, Deployments)

Episode 38 (Opus X Dubai, Guns, Boats)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/fan_mail/new] 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 Creedmoor, .357 mag, 1911s, AKs, EDCs, concealed carry), hits boats and sandbars on the Carolina coast, and gets into bowling near‑perfect games and what real brotherhood around “the table” looks like. Host Lee Butt also breaks down his new leadership book, “Because I Said So, and Other Things Weak Leaders Say” – built on his Marine Corps experience, civilian leadership roles, and doctoral research. 👉 Grab Lee’s book on Amazon: Because I Said So, and Other Things Weak Leaders Say – Lee Butt https://a.co/d/0ebo0tIe  ⏱ Timestamps 0:00 – Cold open chaos & the running “are we ever actually ready?” joke 0:29 – Intro: Hot Ashes Podcast, carousel of chairs, what everyone’s drinking 1:52 – Dakota’s back & hints at a special “tasty present” 2:44 – Scotch talk: Dalmore King Alexander III & Poor Man’s Pappy 5:00 – Opus X Amor del Desierto Dubai unboxing begins 6:30 – First reactions to the box: craftsmanship, photos, cigar nerding 7:56 – Lighting up the Opus X & first flavor impressions 9:40 – Dakota explains the Dubai‑only Opus X release & 2025 limited U.S. drop 11:31 – Price talk: $1,500 box, size differences, and “you’re paying for the box” 13:40 – Opus X access: shop qualifications, God of Fire, boutique blends 15:22 – Canada rant: plain packaging, 300% markup & why Fuente won’t send Opus there 18:03 – “Go to your local Dubai duty free…” & payday jokes 19:02 – Range day recap – handguns, rifles, group size, who can actually shoot 20:06 – 6.5 Creedmoor headshots & steel vs paper targets 21:23 – .357 mag talk, recoil, custom grips, barrel lengths & jokes around the table 22:20 – More pistols: Ruger .45, 1911 smoothness & Springfield Operator 23:31 – Shooting games, friendly roasting, and shared targets 25:09 – ARs, suppressors, zeroing rifles & working back from 25 yards 26:20 – Kayak day recap & Memorial Day weather on the coast 27:06 – Big Rock tournament, Morehead City traffic & Rock the Dock shout‑outs 29:08 – Dueling pianos, local bar talk, Ducks, neighborhoods & housing 30:27 – Taxes, housing prices, and the “you never really own your house” mini‑rant 31:45 – Hammond, Indiana, Chicago, Bears stadium, and naming controversy bit 32:56 – Gurkha slander, favorite cigars & viewer comments 36:10 – First cigars ever: Kuba Kuba, Swisher Sweets, Chicago lounge days 41:01 – Early cigar mistakes, Man O’ War Maduro, getting sick, learning to smoke 43:31 – The Dubai story: cigar lounge, pairing discovery, hotel on the Palm 44:40 – $3,000 Scotch upsell vs $399 at home & vacation spending traps 46:49 – Viral shorts: future cars writing tickets, tech rants & algorithms 47:59 – Audience comments, chambered rounds debate, Yeti cups & hot topics 49:37 – Carolina Museum of the Marine ribbon cutting & veteran shout‑outs 50:30 – Veteran community, Irreverent Warriors, hikes & local events 52:00 – Dalmore + Opus X pairing on camera 53:32 – New guest on mic: Canadian coffee, maple syrup & iced coffee 56:40 – Caspers Marina, boat plans, sandbars, Surf City, Wrightsville ideas 58:50 – Kayaks vs boats, budget pedal kayaks & Titanic jokes 59:37 – Lee’s book reveal: “Because I Said So, and Other Things Weak Leaders Say” 1:00:31 – Why Lee wrote a leadership book: Marine Corps, bad leaders, good leaders 1:01:32 – Chapter overview: lazy responses, discomfort, followership, promotions 1:03:02 – Emotional intelligence as a leadership superpower 1:05:11 – Applying EI in counseling, performance reviews & real conversations 1:06:00 – Flag presentation – U.S. flag flown over Embassy Baghdad for Lee 1:07:02 – Story of the flag getting stuck in Iraq mail during war & finally arriving 1:08:10 – Brotherhood, cigars, and what “the table” really means 1:09:06 – Bowling stories: 269 scores, 300s, 299 heartbreaks & trophy 10‑pins 1:12:20 – Two‑hand vs one‑hand bowling, house balls, custom drills & averages 1:18:00 – Gun talk again: .357 mag with 6" barrel, AKs, Mosins & surplus prices 1:23:01 – EDC: Hellcat Pro, chambered vs un‑chambered carry & open carry debate 1:26:20 – Podcast growth: 51k‑view reel, 19k on TikTok & organic viral moments 1:27:20 – The crew thanks listeners: likes, subs, shares & what’s coming next 🔗 Connect & Support 📕 Lee’s Leadership Book: Because I Said So, and Other Things Weak Leaders Say – Terry Butt https://a.co/d/0ebo0tIe  🎙 Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube: Hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you don’t miss upcoming episodes (including the big 50th). https://www.youtube.com/@HotAshesPodcast  📸 Follow Hot Ashes on socials: Clips, shorts, behind‑the‑scenes, and more cigar/boat/range chaos. #HotAshesPodcast #OpusX #DubaiExclusive #Cigars #CigarPodcast #ArturoFuente #Dalmore #WhiskeyAndCigars #SecondAmendment #Guns #EDC #ConcealedCarry #RangeDay #BoatLife #NorthCarolina #Veterans #MarineCorps #Leadership #SelfImprovement #Bowling #Brotherhood #Podcast Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/support]

Episode 37 (Bourbon, Travel, USMC life)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/fan_mail/new] 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 into everything from Tesla road trips and insane tolls to the new Carolina Museum of the Marine, AI, and life in and after the United States Marine Corps. If you’re into cigars, bourbon, Marines, road trips, and real talk – you’re in the right place. ⏱️ Chapters * 0:00 – Cold open, false start, getting settled * 1:13 – Intro at George’s Cigar Shop; cigars & drinks roll call * 2:25 – Non‑alcoholic beers & TK’s Lowe’s NA beer story * 5:51 – Internet “experts,” gun debate trolls, missing context on shorts * 6:56 – Four‑day cruise recap & gambling strategy * 8:51 – 650‑mile Tesla road trip, charging time, and delays * 10:25 – Self‑driving, lane assist, and future automated tickets * 13:11 – Tolls vs. flying; cost of driving to New England; airport hacks * 15:17 – Plane speeds, takeoff/landing, small planes vs. jets * 17:16 – Weed‑smelling passenger kicked off flight & attention‑seekers * 18:23 – Negativity, “The Secret,” energy, and Bruce Lee on self‑talk * 19:24 – Bruce Lee ping‑pong clip & early fake videos * 19:55 – How we use AI for podcast transcripts & design * 21:49 – Customer service vs. chatbots and automation * 22:38 – Automated golf ball picker and fewer human jobs * 23:50 – Flower business, order‑gatherer websites, and SEO dominance * 26:37 – Carolina Museum of the Marine tour overview * 30:09 – Memorials, pricing, field trips, and events at the museum * 33:06 – Funeral of a retired Master Guns & Marine brotherhood * 34:34 – Future guests & Marine friends coming on the show * 36:01 – Dakota arrives; maple bottle fake‑out; Pappy Van Winkle 12 reveal * 40:55 – First sips of Pappy; taste reactions & Pappy background * 46:23 – Bourbon vs. beer; late‑night drinking stories * 52:37 – 80s movies: Big Trouble in Little China, Mannequin, Kim Cattrall * 54:32 – Surfing, Paddle Out Project, Cape Hatteras, and aging bodies * 56:44 – Memorial Day kayaking & boat wake problems * 58:05 – Cognac, Hennessy days, and sipping vs. slamming liquor * 1:02:01 – Carlos Perez intro: Colombian‑born infantry Marine & career path * 1:03:49 – SgtMaj Zek Fews as a mentor & battalion legend * 1:06:08 – Choosing First Sergeant over Master Sergeant; staying with Marines * 1:09:40 – Retirement timing, family, and son joining 1/6 Alpha * 1:14:47 – Artie intro: retired Sergeant Major, now teacher & football coach * 1:20:56 – AMOI, OCS, university duty & “don’t make stuff up” * 1:23:35 – SDAs (recruiting, drill field) & being treated like a LCpl again #HotAshesPodcast #Cigars #Bourbon #PappyVanWinkle #GeorgeesCigarShop #Tesla #ElectricVehicles #MarineCorps #USMC #Veterans #CarolinaMuseumoftheMarine #CampLejeune #CigarLounge #Podcast Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/support]

Episode 36 (Podcasting, Memorial Day, Guns)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/fan_mail/new] 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, Zach, and crew dive into: 🎙️ Podcasting & Content Creation Running a multi‑camera setup and the pain of audio drift and flaky editing tools YouTube Shorts, weird algorithm wins (15k views on a random clip!), and dealing with trolls Using AI tools for editing, thumbnails, and covers – and where it starts to get sketchy 🤖 AI, Deepfakes & Integrity AI‑generated videos and voices, fake “Meryl Streep” health rants, and why the inflection still sounds off College papers, doctors “cheating” with AI, tarot readers and horoscopes using ChatGPT Where we actually like AI (editing and polishing your own writing) vs. where it crosses the line 🎖️ Memorial Day, Service & Mortality The real difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day Remembering fallen friends, sudden loss, palliative care, and what it feels like to face the end Talking about regret, acceptance, DNRs, and how families remember their loved ones 📚 Leadership, the Marine Corps & Lee’s New Book Lee’s book: “Because I Said So, and Other Things Weak Leaders Say” (out June 2) Servant leadership, taking care of your people, and why “because I said so” is lazy leadership Bad bosses, good mentors, and how continuous learning changes how you lead 🔫 Concealed Carry, Holsters & Everyday Carry TK’s concealed carry class and the legal/moral weight of using a gun in self‑defense Carrying with one in the chamber, trusting your firearm, and holster choices (appendix vs. small-of-back, tier one, Alien, etc.) 1911s vs. modern carry guns, plus expensive Japanese pocket knives and sharpening gear 🎵 Community, Music & Local Life Seaside Arts Council and Swan Fest – free Sunday concerts in downtown Swansboro Playing live on the Pug Pavilion, Motown, The Temptations, and local bands Why local arts funding matters for keeping this stuff alive 🔔 If you dig cigars, real talk, and a cigar‑shop atmosphere in podcast form, hit Subscribe and turn on the bell so you don’t miss future episodes. 👍 Like the video if you enjoyed the conversation 💬 Drop a comment: What’s your take on AI in creative work? Do you carry? What’s your preferred EDC holster? Who are you remembering this Memorial Day? 📍 Recorded at: Georgia’s Cigars, Swansboro, North Carolina 🎧 Listen on audio: (add your platforms/links here) 📘 Lee’s book: “Because I Said So, and Other Things Weak Leaders Say” – available June 2 (add link when live) Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/support]

Episode 35 (Cody's retirement, Cigar family, Conspiracy talks)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/fan_mail/new] 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 brother Cody’s retirement from the Marine Corps after 27 years of service — from Lee putting the uniform back on and giving a heartfelt speech, to the powerful moments with Cody’s kids and the community that showed up for him. We talk about what it really feels like to take the uniform off for the last time, the struggle of transition, and what “thank you for your service” means from both sides of the table. From there we get into: * The cigar-shop family vibe: how this crew always shows up for each other — moving houses, honoring friends we’ve lost, and throwing a retirement party that went way too late. * Cody’s insane bourbon haul and everyone’s drinks & smokes for the night (My Father Blue, Drew Estate Sweet Jane, George’s box-pressed, Basil Hayden, Eagle Rare, Jefferson’s Ocean, and more). * A sobering moment about a neighbor collapsing while breaking up a dog fight and how fast life can change. Then the conversation takes a hard turn into: * 9/11, NASA, the moon landing, aliens, and flat earth–adjacent theories * Money, power, and why celebrities and politicians drive us crazy * The NFL, college football, NIL money, and why pro athletes make more than the people we send to war It’s raw, it’s honest, it’s emotional, and it’s absolutely not scripted. As always, this is entertainment and opinion, not “official” anything — just a group of friends around a table, cigars in hand, talking about life, service, and the crazy world we’re living in. ⏱ Chapters (suggested): 0:00 – Lighting up & drink/cigar roll call 1:00 – Cody’s Marine Corps retirement & Lee back in uniform 6:30 – Gifts, plaques, and emotional moments at the ceremony 10:00 – The party recap: cigars, bourbon, and 4 a.m. bedtimes 14:30 – A neighbor collapses breaking up a dog fight 18:00 – Cigar shop “family” and how the crew always shows up 22:30 – Amy’s COVID-era retirement with no proper ceremony 27:00 – What “thank you for your service” really means 35:00 – Veterans, Vietnam stories, and perspective on hardship 39:00 – 9/11 questions, Building 7, and conspiracy talk 43:00 – Did we go to the moon? NASA, Artemis, and space skepticism 50:00 – NFL scripts, team names, and the Redskins/Commanders rant 1:00:00 – College football, NIL, and money in sports 1:15:00 – Politics, term limits, and the “world is a stage” 1:25:00 – Closing thoughts & switching back to cigars 💨 Featured Cigars: * My Father Blue * George’s box-pressed (and torpedo) * Drew Estate Sweet Jane * Red Meat Lovers (Tatuaje collab) …and more we probably shouldn’t smoke all in one weekend. 🥃 Featured Spirits: * Tennessee Standard blended bourbon (Kings Family Distillery) * Mictors 10 * Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace, Basil Hayden * Russell’s single barrel & 10-year * Jefferson’s Ocean * E.H. Taylor small batch and other heaters from Cody’s new shelf If you’re into cigars, bourbon, veterans’ stories, and unfiltered barbershop-level conversation, you’re in the right place. Like, subscribe, and drop a comment: * What’s your go-to cigar & pour? * Are you a vet? Tell us where you served and how your transition went. * Which topic in this episode hit you hardest? #HotAshesPodcast #Cigars #Bourbon #Veterans #MarineCorps #MilitaryRetirement #ConspiracyTalk #NFL #CollegeFootball Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/support]

Episode 34 (Dakota's Back, Overseas Travel, George Strait)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/fan_mail/new] 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 into stories that range from hilarious to hair‑raising. In this episode: Deep dive into cigars: Perdomo Legacy, Herrera Estelí, Leather Rose, Rocky Patel 60, Cuban classics, and more Pairing cigars with bourbon, beer, coffee, and chai (including “poor man’s Pappy”) Wild flight stories: drunk passengers, Dubai airport drama, and life in an ABC state Life as a civilian contractor in the Middle East: deployment getting extended when conflict kicks off, mail stopping, and trying to keep morale up with cigars and memes The guest’s first‑ever concert: George Strait at Clemson (Death Valley) with Cody Johnson and Wyatt Flores — tailgating, 90,000+ fans, LED wristbands, and a truly patriotic show Tech & gear talk: 3D printers, laser engravers, Apple vs PC, gaming rigs, and more random shop talk If you’re into cigars, bourbon, country music, veteran stories, and unapologetic bar‑stool conversations, this one’s for you. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of the Hot Ashes Podcast 👍 Like, comment, and tell us: Your go‑to cigar and drink pairing The best concert you’ve ever been to #podcast #cigars #bourbon #GeorgeStrait #CodyJohnson #WyattFlores #veteran #MiddleEast #contractor #countrymusic #tailgating Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2534074/support]