Simply Stogies

Tim, James and Nick are back for another installment of Clear The Air, this time about Aaron Paoletta of LaVega Cigars. The three talk about creative types in the industry, the hardships in starting a new cigar company, and much more all at Tim's expense. James and Nick try their best to make Tim cry the entire time.

James and Nick welcome Aaron Paoletta of LaVega Cigars to the show. Aaron tells us how he went from culinary school, to chef, to music producer, to a heavy metal band, and then the cigar industry. We discuss LaVega Cigars, The LaVega lounge, the industry, and Aaron's views on all of it. We find out what skills Aaron brought to the cigar industry from each of his previous careers.

In an unusual episode of Clear The Air, Tim and James are back to dive a little deeper into the stories told by Sean Brown and Jillian Hinton of Dogs Inc from the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast. The conversation jumps through a few other key points from the episode including how service members may look at companies that say they are all about the veterans, cigar communities that support causes such as Dogs Inc, and much more. To donate to Dogs Inc. please go here: https://dogsinc.org/ To purchase the Dogs In. Cigador ($20 of every purchase goes to Dogs Inc.) please go here: https://thecigador.com/pages/dogs-inc-cigador  

James and Tim kick off National Service Dog Month by welcoming Sean Brown and Jillian Hinton of Dogs Inc. to the show. Jillian and Sean share their stories and how Dogs Inc. helped them during some of the toughest times in their lives. Dogs Inc. provides guide dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, and companion dogs to gold star families and veterans who need them. Jillian and Sean tell us how Dogs Inc changed their lives and why they're now giving back to Dogs Inc. We find out how Dogs Inc. has become so loved in the cigar community, how and why J.C. Newman is such a big backer, how Sean met Bobby Newman, and much more.  To donate to Dogs Inc. please go here: https://dogsinc.org/ To purchase the Dogs In. Cigador ($20 of every purchase goes to Dogs Inc.) please go here: https://thecigador.com/pages/dogs-inc-cigador

Back to the microphones after last week's episode of Simply Stogies Podcast where Tim brings James and Nick back to the microphone to talk behind Zino Brand Ambassador, Law Ream's back. The three talk a little bit more about the Republic of Debauchery and how the industry really needs some more laughs. They spend time talking about the amount of time and effort it can take to produce such content. They end the episode with some conversation about the Zino Tour and life on the road before we finally find out, "What's Bugging James!".

James and Nick welcome the Zino Cigars Brand Ambassador, Law Ream, to the show. The former host of the Republic of Debauchery talks cigar media and content creation. We pick his brain and get his thoughts on comedy in the cigar space, how news is covered, and his transition from content creator to brand ambassador.

James is holding Cigar Apocalypse in Livermore, IA at Smoldering Cigar so Tim has no choice but to find a replacement. Tim and Nick welcome first time guest host Jimmy who is not only a video reviewer for Simply Stogies but a lounge owner. Jimmy owns and operates The Drawing Room in Davenport, IA. Anyway, Tim, Nick, and Jimmy dive deeper into the discussion that Nick and James had on the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with Les Mann of ST Dupont Cigar Accessories. They talk about the different collabs that ST Dupont has done, Nick provides his guidance on getting into your first ST Dupont lighter, and the three wrap up the show throwing a few guesses as to who the big collaboration would be that would make Les think about having up his busy hat and enjoying some retirement time.

James and Nick welcome Les Mann from ST Dupont to the show. Les discusses how he came to work for ST Dupont and the challenges that came with it. We ask Les how he's developed the relationships in the cigar industry and the importance of trust with each of his clients. Les gives us his perspective of working with some of the big names in the cigar industry and beyond, what it's like to work with pop culture icons, the care and thoughtfulness that ST Dupont puts into every product they produce, and much more!

Tim brings James and Nick back to the microphone to discuss some of the topics that were discussed in the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with guest Robert Caldwell of Caldwell cigars. Tim digs a little deeper into the back story of how Nick and Caldwell became friends before digging into the science behind how your cigars are presented to you in a humidor. They talk about LE's and Core Lines and how cigar enthusiasts choose their cigar and the cigar journey that comes with years of enjoying a premium product.

James and Nick welcome Robert Caldwell of Caldwell Cigars to the podcast. We find out about the friendship between Robert and Nick. We discuss the pitfall of the overconsumption of information without context, that leads some "cigar geeks" to make false assumptions. We discuss if "a cigar made is a cigar sold" still holds true, if limited edition cigars are still out of control, why nobody interviews Robert, and much more!

In this episode of Clear the Air, Tim brings James and Nick back to the microphone to discuss more of the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with guest Trey Mac Shipley, National Sales Manager of JRE Tobacco. They discuss the industry and how deals are starting to go away from handshakes, how business is conducted in different regions of the country, the generational changes in how business is conducted int the cigar industry and much more.

James and Nick sit down with Trey Mac Shipley, the National Sales Manager of JRE Tobacco. The trio discuss how Trey and Nick became friends, before diving into cigars. We find out from Trey what a good cigar rep looks like and the differences in cigar culture across the United States. We discuss handshake deals and generational differences within the cigar culture.

In this special episode of Clear The Air, Nick plays the role of host while bringing James and Tim back to the microphone for a behind the scenes perspective of the latest interview on Simply Stogies Podcast with Mike "BDP" Palmer, the Pospiech Nation Sales Manager. The trio start off by talking about the "Cinderella Story" that got Mike Palmer to where he is today before talking about cigar podcasting quality and content.

James and Tim (Nick is on assignment) sit down with the Pospiech National Sales Manager Mike "BDP" Palmer. We find out how Mike got the nickname "BDP," the name of his cigar. We talk about how Mike got involved with Postawnie CIgars and Mike "Mikey" Szczepankewicz. This leads us into talking about their podcast "Cigar Hustlers Podcast" and cigar media in general. Tim and James had a lot of fun with BDP...we're hoping not to be the topic of a Cigar Hustlers Podcast reel.

Tim brings James and Nick back to the microphones to dive deeper into the latest episode of Simply Stogies Podcast with special guest Noel Rojas of Rojas Cigars. The trio dive deeper into Noel's story of growing up as a young student in Cuba working on the farms to becoming a troublemaker and eventually making his way through Mexico into the United States. We spend time in awe over Noel's work ethic, passion, and drive in everything he has done to get where he is today.

James and Nick welcome Noel Rojas of Rojas Cigars to the podcast. Noel discusses growing up in Cuba: from working on tobacco farms at a young age, to his military service, and why he went back to tobacco. He gives us an in-depth look into his career in tobacco from Cuba, to the US, and to Nicaragua. We dive in to why he chose Nicaraguan tobacco, working with newcomers in the industry like Lee Marsh from Stolen Throne, and if he feels a responsibility to teach the next generation.

Tim brings James back to the microphone, to talk behind the scenes of the MOKH. During the 2025 My Old Kentucky HERF, Tim and James live streamed the event for nearly 7 hours, allowing you to experience the HERF from the comfort of your couch. After the dust settled, they talk about all the great things that made this year's MOKH a success. You can watch that live stream here: https://youtube.com/live/sKuUi7muscM.

James visits with Dwight Adkins and Stephen Wray at FatAsh Cigar Lounge 8110 US-60, Ashland, KY 41102. The trio talk My Old Kentucky Herf, multi-vendor events, the planning that goes into them, and more. James asks Dwight and Stephen about the culture they've built at FatAsh Cigar Lounge and if it could be duplicated elsewhere. A great conversation with even better people. Make sure to join them at MOKH next year!!!

Clear the Air is finally back after a nice little break following the PCA Trade Show. In this episode, Tim brings James and Nick back to discuss in further detail a little about the life of Alex Glez. Tim Admits he is the uneducated one and asks several questions of Nick and James to get a little more clarification of a few of the topics discussed in the last episode of Simply Stogies Podcast.  

James and Nick welcome Alex Glez to the show. Alejandro González Arias, or Alex Glez, talks about his time in Cuba as a torcedores at the El Laguito factory and later at a hotel. Alex talks about the opportunities America has provided him, Alex farm rolls, and his company AG Cigars.