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Hot Ashes Podcast — Marine Corps Birthday, Veterans Day & Military Stories

Lee Butt welcomes Parker and other guests to a special Hot Ashes Podcast episode recorded ahead of the Marine Corps’ 251st birthday and Veterans Day. The conversation ranges from Parker’s 21st birthday and favorite drinks to Marine Corps birthday traditions, military life, veteran experiences, moving overseas, and the stories and rituals that stay with you after service.

The group shares memories of birthday celebrations, talks about military uniforms and traditions, and swaps stories about deployments, injuries, fitness, and life after active duty. Evan joins to discuss his Marine Corps experiences, including helicopter downwash. Stick around for plenty of jokes, neighborhood dog visits, cigar and beer talk, and a conversation about microphones and podcast recording.

Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast
01:07 — Parker returns and shares her 21st-birthday story
02:25 — First drinks, shots, and birthday advice
09:09 — Dogs, Penny, and neighborhood stories
10:25 — Marine Corps birthday traditions at the cigar shop
12:12 — Remembering the annual cake-cutting celebration
13:12 — Marine Corps birthday message from the Commandant
16:08 — Guests join the conversation
17:35 — Birthday gathering, cigars, and drinks
19:51 — Veterans Day and honoring those who served
20:54 — Military uniforms, standards, and branch banter
23:50 — Movember, fitness, and military life
26:09 — Drinks, food preferences, and more shop conversation
28:33 — Dogs, treats, and meeting the neighbors
32:06 — Moving, settling in, and life after service
40:09 — Retirement transition, beards, and old memories
42:24 — Yukon Cornelius and childhood movie memories
43:30 — Veterans Day plans and how to respond to “thank you for your service”
46:38 — Evan joins: cigar and energy drink talk
47:21 — Cigar tastes, craft beer, and brewery stories
55:26 — Wine tastings and grocery-store bars
59:22 — Military injuries and the transition to retirement
1:07:49 — Shooting stories and a discussion of an incident in Poland
1:11:21 — Firearms, maintenance, and old military routines
1:13:58 — Boot shining, uniforms, and inspections
1:17:20 — Uniform history and camouflage patterns
1:28:32 — Microphones and recording equipment

#HotAshesPodcast #MarineCorpsBirthday #VeteransDay #MarineCorps #Veterans #MilitaryLife #Podcast #CigarPodcast #MilitaryStories

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Lee welcomes co-host Chris and first-time guest Walia to the Hot Ashes Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about music, military life, community, and the stories that keep a podcast going.

Chris talks about his work as an ambassador for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Heroes, his book Earn This Chair, and an upcoming author event at the Carolina Museum of the Marine. Walia shares her musical background, and the group reminisces about performing live, band history, and favorite songs.

The conversation also covers vintage maps and memorabilia, football rivalries, running and wellness, customer service and leadership, and a man’s remarkable long-distance walk around the world. Lee reflects on a recent plane crash and his family’s connection to aviation, while the group discusses military service, veteran support, and outdoor hobbies.

Thanks for watching—and enjoy the conversation!

00:00 Podcast intro and guest Walia
05:46 Chris on hyperbaric oxygen therapy
09:40 Author events and Toys for Tots
12:42 Wellness, golf, and running
21:09 Growing up, road trips, and paper maps
23:50 Vintage records and collectibles
27:21 Football and Medal of Honor recipients
31:47 The man walking around the world
37:14 Walia’s background and music
40:26 Band gigs and Marine Corps events
45:03 Childhood TV and getting older
52:24 Books, self-publishing, and leadership
59:00 Customer service and employee training
1:04:54 Music genres and band history
1:14:00 Live music and local festivals
1:21:35 Lee’s Oura ring and hand pain
1:25:48 Learjet crash and aviation safety
1:29:51 Aviation procedures and standards
#HotAshesPodcast #Veterans #LiveMusic #Leadership #Community #Podcast

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Running races is one thing. Agreeing on grits? That might be the bigger challenge.

In Episode 58 of the Hot Ashes Podcast, Lee, TK, and the crew settle in at George’s Cigars in Swansboro, NC, for race stories, strong food opinions, and the usual arguments around the table.

Cody joins us to celebrate the shop’s runners and talk about his Yellowstone and Grand Teton race plans. We get into race-day etiquette, fueling, charity races, and what makes people pay good money to put themselves through another finish line.

Then the conversation heads toward food: local restaurants, pizza, ramen, mushrooms, and a grits debate that picks up when Parker drops in ahead of her 21st birthday. Lee also shares the story of trying reindeer heart in Norway.

Along the way: what it takes to put on a band gig, Penny’s latest outfits, texting versus calling, and why this podcast could use a producer.

Pick a side in the comments: grits—yes or no? And runners, what’s your biggest race-day pet peeve?

Subscribe for more cigars, laughs, and real talk from the Hot Ashes crew.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Cigars, drinks, and the weekend
01:57 Celebrating the shop’s runners
03:23 Race fees, medals, and getting hooked
04:27 Texts, calls, and Cody’s late arrival
08:30 Beard-growing plans
10:43 Allergies and the upcoming band gig
11:17 Cape Carteret Fall Festival
16:13 Penny’s new outfits
17:52 Camera trouble and the search for a producer
19:27 What goes into a band gig—and setting a rate
21:33 A tough night performing and October birthdays
24:27 Beer history, ramen, and takeout
25:20 Pizza, coffee, and food that’s too hot
28:08 Remembering an early podcast episode
32:50 Cody joins: race accomplishments and charities
35:47 Yellowstone and Grand Teton race plans
37:23 Disney’s Goofy Challenge
38:34 Race winners and unbelievable running paces
45:20 Race etiquette and runners’ pet peeves
52:34 Race-day fueling and hydration
53:42 Parker joins: birthday plans and the great grits debate

#HotAshesPodcast #Running #Cigars #FoodDebate #SwansboroNC

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On this episode of Hot Ashes, Lee and TK welcome Don Radley and his son Eddie for stories about family, service, and life in Maine and North Carolina. Don and Eddie share highlights from their Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., including the veterans’ memorials and the warm reception they received.

The conversation also ranges through Maine hunting and fishing, tuna stories, music and DJing, family milestones, and the Radleys’ move to North Carolina. Plus, hear about the candy shop’s remodel and its upcoming trunk-or-treat event.

Chapters 00:00 Opening conversation
01:07 Welcome to the Hot Ashes podcast
02:18 Meet Don Radley and Eddie
04:00 Don’s move from Maine to North Carolina
07:24 Don and Eddie’s Honor Flight experience
08:13 What an Honor Flight is
11:58 Veterans, service, and the bonds formed on the trip
18:27 The American Legion reception
23:57 D.C. memorials and what the trip includes
31:18 Hunting and guiding in Maine
34:50 Moose hunting and camp traditions
36:56 Partridge hunting and Maine wildlife
41:35 Duck hunting and cold-water safety
43:49 TK talks about his recent DJ gig
45:13 Building a set and sharing music across generations
49:48 Songs, memories, and musical tastes
55:58 Don and Pam’s 60th wedding anniversary
01:06:28 Remodeling the candy shop
01:07:30 Trunk-or-treat plans in Swansboro
01:12:50 Tuna fishing and the family boat
01:22:10 Conversation about France and its protests

#HotAshesPodcast #HonorFlight #Veterans #Maine #NorthCarolina #Hunting #Fishing #TunaFishing #DJ #Music #Family #Podcast

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For the first time since Episode 1, it’s just Lee and TK on the Hot Ashes Podcast! They catch up over cigars and drinks, swap stories about camping and Busch Gardens, get into TV, horror movies, and martial arts, then talk band rehearsals, music gear, merch, and getting back behind the DJ booth.

Plus: low-country boils, ghost stories, band chemistry, wedding gigs, and a little local show plug. Settle in and hang out with Lee and TK.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome back: cigars, drinks & the Navy's birthday
03:45 Weekend work and a low-country boil
07:01 Croatan camping plans and Jared's trail story
10:54 Busch Gardens and Howl-O-Scream
17:00 Theme parks, turkey legs & Medieval Times
20:46 TV recommendations and watching shows together
23:27 Horror movies, haunted houses & ghost stories
28:05 Heroes, TV pacing and show endings
38:23 Sam Elliott, Ed O'Neill & celebrity martial arts stories
43:14 UFC, martial arts and Steven Seagal
48:19 Rumble and the news cycle around murder trials
52:52 DJing again and Lee's band-practice routine
54:57 Rehearsals, setlists and adding new songs
59:17 Band chemistry, egos and working as a team
1:05:00 Fill-in musicians and band auditions
1:07:12 Rehearsal gear and sharing band expenses
1:09:31 Hot Ashes Podcast merch
1:12:53 Getting back into DJing and gig life
1:17:05 Wedding gigs, band rates and venue stories
1:28:43 Heart Stop show plug
#HotAshesPodcast #HotAshes #Podcast #PodcastEpisode #CigarPodcast #CigarTalk #Cigars #LiveMusic #BandLife #MusicianLife #DJLife #PopCulture #TVShows #HorrorMovies #Camping #NorthCarolina #EasternNC #JiuJitsu #UFC #BuschGardens

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Welcome back to the Hot Ashes Podcast! This episode starts with cigars and drinks, then dives into whitewater rafting, kayaking, river safety, and unforgettable stories from the water.

Malcolm and Solange share their experiences as guides, including a rookie’s dramatic Big Drop incident, a high-stakes trip on the Zambezi, and what it takes to read rapids and keep a boat safe. The conversation also covers multi-day Grand Canyon trips, river-camp routines, Colorado’s Gore Canyon, rock climbing, and skydiving.

Later in the episode, the group discusses the Meet the Authors event at the Carolina Museum of the Marine, Chris’s book *Earn This Chair*, self-publishing and writing tools, and his Rabasi Thrive Coaching work helping people navigate career and identity transitions.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome to the Hot Ashes Podcast
01:29 Meet Malcolm and Solange
04:48 Working in rafting, jeep tours, and event transport
07:42 Camp Hale and the 10th Mountain Division
09:46 How whitewater rapid classes work
12:29 A high-water rafting story
17:29 Learning to read the river
22:07 The Zambezi and the Ghost Ride rapid
28:21 Paddle technique and river safety
30:19 Rafting versus kayaking
34:08 How new rafting guides qualify
37:43 Malcolm’s Big Drop rookie story
42:30 The aftermath—and a surprising thank-you
46:32 Ghost boats and river safety
48:08 Grand Canyon trips and keeping food cold
51:22 Groovers and river-camp etiquette
53:28 Crew roles on a multi-day trip
59:59 Taking the podcast on the road
01:01:03 The gnarliest whitewater in the U.S.
01:03:46 Colorado’s Gore Canyon
01:10:30 Climbing, heights, and adventure stories
01:19:26 Skydiving stories
01:25:44 Surfing in Mexico and paragliding

#HotAshesPodcast #WhitewaterRafting #Kayaking #Colorado #GoreCanyon #GrandCanyon #AdventureStories #MeetTheAuthors #EarnThisChair #SelfPublishing #Writing #Veterans #Coaching

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The crew is back with cigars, drinks, and plenty to talk about. This week, TK shares stories from a high school reunion, and the group reflects on how life changes after high school—and after leaving the military.

They discuss the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, finding a new sense of purpose and community, and why control, courage, and consistency matter. They also talk fitness and discipline, including 1,000 workouts in 100 days, early-morning runs, and staying active in retirement.

Plus: an update on the upcoming Meet the Authors event, Cody’s ongoing truck repair saga, and a conversation about local community and connection.

Chapters

00:00 Podcast intro and what everyone’s smoking and drinking
04:02 Episode 54 updates and merch
05:43 High school reunions and growing up
14:08 Identity and transitioning to civilian life
28:20 Fitness, consistency, and Hot Works
33:37 Cody’s truck repair update
39:35 Meet the Authors event
54:01 Running, connection, and morning routines
1:14:13 Fitness, community, and church
Subscribe for more conversations with the Hot Ashes crew.

#HotAshesPodcast #MilitaryTransition #Veterans #Fitness #Community #Cigars

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Lee, TK, Chris, Solange, Roger, and the George's Cigar Shop crew are back for another episode about everything and nothing. This one goes from soaking jokes to heaven-and-hell theories to Lee opening up about living with a heart condition that shocks him back into rhythm — plus AI that blackmails its boss, 1,000 workouts in 100 days, and why nobody actually loses their tribe when they take off the uniform.

🔥 WHAT WE'RE SMOKING & DRINKING Lee — George's Box Press Torpedo + Perney Hays TK — George's Short Story + Founders All Day IPA Chris — Romeo y Julieta 1875 + high quality H2O Roger — George's Gordo + Bourbon Together single barrel ("chocolate cherry cola")

00:00 Cigars & Drinks
03:00 Beard Talk
08:00 Mormon Loopholes
09:57 Heaven or Hell on Earth
13:26 The 1971 Silver Dollar
18:59 HBOT for Heroes
19:46 Meeting Richard Petty
21:51 Museum of the Marine
24:39 500 Subscriber Giveaway
25:14 Thrive Coaching Launch
26:00 The October 1 Panel
28:01 This Generation Doesn't Suck
37:20 Three Rules for AI
40:49 Two Claudes in a Loop
43:14 AI Blackmails the CEO
47:39 Anatomy of Peace
52:15 People, Not Objects
1:06:01 Shoes Off
1:08:39 The Crusty Old Gunny
1:11:49 Sharecropper's Wisdom
1:15:19 The Enforcer
1:17:18 1,000 Workouts, 100 Days
1:20:49 Three Years Sober
1:22:28 Irreverent Warriors
1:23:30 Matt Reeves' Story
1:26:23 A Call From Korea
1:28:50 Tau Proteins & Sleep
1:32:00 Belligerent Drunks
1:40:00 Losing a Friend
1:50:00 Blue Belt at CXBJJ
2:00:00 Living With ARVC
2:15:00 Find Your Tribe

🎗️ ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED Carolina Museum of the Marine — nonprofit, 100% donor and admission funded. Book & communication panel on 1 October, $6 admission. Irreverent Warriors — veteran mental health through camaraderie and hikes. Crystal Coast hike: 17 October. Jacksonville hike in March. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Heroes — free HBOT for veterans and active duty in North Carolina. The Honor Foundation — special operations transition support. Rabasi Thrive Coaching — transition coaching, launching 1 October.

📚 BOOKS MENTIONED The Anatomy of Peace & Leadership and Self-Deception — The Arbinger Institute Sharecropper's Wisdom — Gen. J.R. Gorham Commitment to Love — Cleeve McClary Tempus Fugit Bastards — John Jay Lee B1 of Zero — Carla Murphy Laughing and Crying with U.S. Marines — Adam Walker

🎯 500 SUBSCRIBERS = SWAG GIVEAWAY. We're at 212. Do the math, then do the thing.

Thanks to George's Cigar Shop in Swansboro, NC for the space, Candy Adventure for the stickers, and American Graphics in Roanoke, VA for the hats.

#HotAshesPodcast #CigarPodcast #Veterans #IrreverentWarriors #Swansboro #ARVC #Jiujitsu

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