Burn and Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast

During this episode of Burn & Learn: The Cigar Lifestyle Podcast, we had an opportunity to chat with Alex Weghorn and Carolee Martin from Davidoff Cigars. Over a beautiful Davidoff cigar, we discussed Davidoff’s ascension to the top of the premium cigar sector, what separates Davidoff’s events from other cut & lights, as well as the Davidoff corporate story, dating back to the first Davidoff retail location that opened in Geneva in 1911.Click in and enjoy!

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!