Ben Ingram, the lead play by play voice of the Atlanta Braves Radio Network, was kind enough to field questions from the listeners who gathered at The Ellijay Cigar Lounge for "Burn One with Ben" on January 30, 2025. This episode features the live recording of those questions, as well as Ben's answers. You'll hear things like:

• Ben's favorite (and least favorite) radio booths around the league
• How Darren O'Day got his job as one of Ben's color analysts
• How calling a football game is different than calling a baseball game
• So much more!

Be sure to subscribe to The Burning Questions Podcast, and email your ideas for future episodes to [email protected]!

On January 30, Ben Ingram of the Braves Radio Network made his annual offseason visit to The Ellijay Cigar Lounge. In addition to reflecting on the 2024 season and previewing the 2025 season, Ben took time to answer some of Davis' questions which went "beyond the booth." The two friends talked about music, the nature of friendship, and so much more. Whether or not you are a fan of the Atlanta Braves, you'll find great a great conversation of this episode of The Burning Questions Podcast. 

The opioid crisis has been ravaging communities and families across the United States for the past decade. In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a public health emergency under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act. That declaration was renewed in June of 2024.

Ellijay Cigar Lounge customer Matthew Shelton is familiar with the opioid crisis; he is a survivor of it. In this episode of The Burning Questions Podcast, you'll hear Matthew tell his story, share how cigar smoking has played a large role in his sobriety, and impart wisdom to those who are struggling with addiction (as well as caretakers longing to serve them well). 

Justin Marshall (libertywaterpurification.com) joins The Burning Questions Podcast to chat about how smoking cigars with Davis (at The Ellijay Cigar Lounge) changed his life forever. 

• Learn a little bit about Aganorsa Leaf's Aniversario Series of cigars
• Hear Justin and Davis recount their first interactions together - and how those interactions ultimately led to Justin's life changing forever
• Reflect on the difference between treating someone as a "project" vs. treating him/her as a "person"
• More!

Recorded in "The American Room" at El Reloj in Ybor City, Florida, this conversation with Drew Newman features all that you've come to expect from The Burning Questions Podcast:

1. Smokes - hear about the wonderful cigars produced by the J.C. Newman Cigar Co. 
2. Stories - learn about Drew's first cigar smoking experience!
3. Substance - ponder what it's like to have no distinction between one's work/home lives, and reflect on how the cigar industry presents "family" as a shared commitment between manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike. 

All this on more on this episode of The Burning Questions Podcast! 

On January 25, 2024, Ben Ingram joined The Ellijay Cigar Lounge for "Burn One with Ben (Again!)". This episode of The Burning Questions Podcast presents the audio from that conversation. Hear Ben and Davis talk about smoking family heirlooms, Ben's favorite stories about the various Braves broadcasters, the importance of fellowship for life and living, and so much more. Subscribe today at https://www.burningquestionspodcast.com/. 

Josh Hedger is a licensed professional counselor who, alongside his wife, owns and operates a clinically-informed counseling practice (https://www.hedgercounseling.co/). He is also an avid cigar smoker. In this episode of The Burning Questions Podcast, Josh and Davis discuss things such as:

·      How Josh got into cigar smoking (as well as his current favorites)

·      What is a working definition of “hurry?” (And how do cigars help fight against it?)

·      The current state of mental health in a post-COVID-19 world

·      The difference between mental “toughness” vs. mental “resiliency” 

·      Tips for those who aren’t presently mentally healthy (as well as guidance for friends and family members who wish to care for them well)

Josh also takes time to answer questions submitted by our listeners. To submit a question of your own – as well as ideas for future episodes – email [email protected]. 

Although Barry Bradley didn't start smoking cigars until well after age 40, he's made up for lost time. In the years between his first cigar and his 70th birthday, Barry has worked as a tobacconist, smoked with Super Bowl champions, and made some incredible friends along the way. Hear him talk about his biggest cigar shop "pet peeves," his inside-scoop on Ray Lewis' favorite cigar, and his current ministry through a global movement known as "Holy Smokes." It's all happening on this episode of The Burning Questions Podcast! 

In Part 2 of "Smokes with Servicemen," Davis continues his conversation with Damon Gabriel and Brandon Knox. These men each share their perspectives on how military service changed their views of themselves, their country, and the world as a whole. They also give pointers on helpful and unhelpful ways to show care and gratitude to veterans. Plus - no episode of The Burning Questions Podcast is complete without good-natured cigar shop ribbing, and this one is no different! Enjoy "Smokes with Servicemen, Part 2" on The Burning Questions Podcast.

(Check out https://22zero.org/ for more information on caring for at-risk veterans). 

This episode of The Burning Questions Podcast is the first of a two-part conversation which was originally recorded at The Ellijay Cigar Lounge on the evening of Sept. 11, 2023. Two men - Damon Gabriel (a Purple Heart-awarded Marine Corps Veteran) and Brandon Knox (a Lt. Col. serving the US Army at the Pentagon) share their remembrances from September 11, 2001, and how the events of that day influenced their decisions to serve in the United States Armed Forces. They also share their perspectives on what lessons modern-day Americans ought to heed in present-day. Plus, all of the cigar lounge banter and stories you've come to expect from The Burning Questions Podcast!

(Tune in during the month of October for Part 2 of "Smokes with Servicemen.")