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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

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