The Burn Down Podcast

In the BDP studio, we’re joined by JD Summa, the founder of Kings Capital Construction, one of New York’s prominent construction firms. JD takes us through his incredible journey of building a $60M business defying the odds and proving doubters wrong when he launched during the 2008 real estate crash.

From overcoming industry challenges to the leadership principles that fueled his success, JD’s story is ...

Since our very first episode back in July 2019, The Burn Down Podcast has been on an incredible journey—bringing people together one cigar at a time. In this special 300th episode, we take a reflective walk down memory lane, celebrating six unforgettable years filled with meaningful conversations, memorable interviews, laughter, lessons, and the deep connections we've built with our guests and each other over cigars.

This episode i...

This week at the BDP studio a Burn Down FIRST, we had the pleasure of hosting the amazing Chef Matt Wasson, known from Food Network’s Chopped and Ciao House! He cooked live, dazzling us with rosemary focaccia, his signature spicy rigatoni, and bone marrow polpette. The creamy vodka sauce was perfection, and the meatballs melted in your mouth with every bite.

Joining us as well was Adrian from NY Cigar Club, an exclusive members-onl...

This week we ask ChatGPT to put its tinfoil hat on and start asking questions. Why did the government turn against tobacco after centuries of widespread acceptance? The tangled web of politics, profit, and public health narratives in real-time. Could it be a battle between Big Tobacco and the pharmaceutical industry? A shift in addiction economics? Or a calculated move to keep the population stressed and dependent? Together, we’ll...

Besides Eric being 22 mins late to the podcast! We have Neel Anand in the studio, not only does Neel enjoy cigars, bourbon and having a good time with the boys! He is also the 30 year-old entrepreneur behind Westchester Technology Group. The leading IT force in Westchester County. In just over five years, Neel has turned his solo IT company into a 7 figure business by the time he was 28!  We discuss how Neel rapidly built a busines...

This week in the studio, we’re joined by Angela—a former banking professional who made the switch to driving buses to prioritize family time. Angela is also a passionate cigar enthusiast, and we explore her journey, the life-changing decisions she’s made, and how her Italian heritage inspired her love for cigars! We also discuss how she founded the Hudson Valley Herf and launched her own podcast, Puros & Music!

Instagram: @pu...

In the studio this week we have Jacob Restituto. Jacob is a musician by trade, in 2014 he started going full time becoming songwriter, singer and producer. During his journey he also became a YouTuber with over 150K subscribers and making close to nearly 6 figures from YouTube! Recently, he has a taken a little step back YouTube and now currently manages the "Resituto Farm" in Long Island and also he is the host of the "New York Bu...

Hailing from the 6th borough Yonkers, NY, Tony Moxberg has spent 20 years turning his life struggles into powerful music. Starting in his bedroom, he evolved to collaborate with icons like Styles P, Jadakiss, Rick Ross, Fabulous, Fat Joe, Benny the Butcher, Joell Ortiz, and Jim Jones, to name a few. 

Since founding Black Cloud Ent. in 2005, Tony has partnered with major labels like D-Block and Empire Music. His relentless drive has...

In the studio this week we have Melanie aka Maduro Meli. A mom of 3 and who been enjoying cigars for 20 years. We discuss Melanie's Puerto Rican heritage, her love for food as a form of expression, and how her passion for cigars have shaped her journey into the cigar industry. We discuss the significance of boutique cigar brands, and her role as an ambassador for GetYourCigars.com. Who carry the blueprint and diligent cigar!

Instag...

In the studio we have Executive Chef Admir Alibasic, owner of One Rare Italian Steakhouse. Admir is Brooklyn-born chef with Albanian roots who discovered his passion for cooking at the age of 17. Starting as a prep cook at his uncle’s iconic Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse in Manhattan. With a background in food science, he’s mastered the art of dry-aging steaks and creating unorthodox dishes that push boundaries. Admir also brings his...

Will La Salle grew up in the Bronx projects and was a correctional officer and a NYPD School Safety Agent for 17 years. Will had no intentions of being an actor, director, and producer but he started making films in 2019 with a goal of making 9 films in 9 years, currently he is on his 6th movie with "The Security Guard". Since his start he has redefined indie filmmaking with zero-dollar budgets! Starting his career in...

Jesse Ortiz, a seasoned IT professional and owner of TOC Media, an upstate NY-based media and marketing company, manages over 80 Instagram accounts, including one for the NY Cigar Association. Jesse shares his expertise on social media algorithms, offering valuable insights into understanding what the platforms prioritize to achieve optimal results.

@toc_media @tastes.of.cuba @modernmasterpiece_official

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The world of cigars is full of myths! What's fact, what's fiction, and what’s just plain absurd? In this episode, we tackle the most common cigar myths we've heard and set the record straight once and for all!

Order The Blueprint & The Diligent Cigars Here!

 https://www.flyingcigars.com/brands/the-burn-down-podcast/

 https://getyourcigars.com/products/the-burn-down-podcast-sampler-pac...

As the new year kicks off, there’s already plenty happening in the cigar industry. We’re here to give you a quick rundown and the highlights. Enjoy!

Order The Blueprint & The Diligent Cigars Here!

 https://www.flyingcigars.com/brands/the-burn-down-podcast/

 https://getyourcigars.com/products/the-burn-down-podcast-sampler-pack

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This week we discuss the uncovering of  how USAID is using our hard-earned tax dollars on projects/causes that seemingly offer no direct benefit to us or our nation. We’ll dive into why our funds appear to be spent recklessly without clear accountability, and why tracking these expenditures matters for everyone. This isn’t about political sides—it’s about ensuring that every dollar we earn is invested wisely. We all w...

This week, we have in the studio  Brian Hudson—who is a certified wine sommelier, NYC restaurant manager who managed LAVO Italian Restaurant for almost 10 years and now manages HaSalon in Hells Kitchen, not to mention Justin’s lifelong best friend! Together, we reminisce about their adventurous childhood escapades, delve into the rigorous journey of mastering the art of wine, and unveil the electrifying, fast-paced wo...

We're back and it feels good to be back in the BDP studio! After 2 weeks away from podcasting, Justin is officially a father! Does that make us a Dad podcast now? We discuss Justin's new Dad life, how we are FED up with the Chiefs , and super bowl our predictions! Are you really that excited for this super bowl?

Order The Blueprint & The Diligent Cigars Here!

 https://www.flyingcigars.com/brands/th...

The dominance of super teams  and lack of team loyalty has drained the league of unpredictability, and the camaraderie among players has overshadowed the fierce rivalries that once defined the sport. The focus has shifted to an analytics-driven style of play, where three-point shooting reigns supreme and defense has become a forgotten art. The intense matchups of the past, like Lakers vs. Celtics, have given way to a ...

In today’s episode, we discuss CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg’s move to end third-party fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram in the U.S. replacing it with a Community Notes model.

The change promises less censorship by loosening restrictions on mainstream topics while prioritizing enforcement on illegal or high-severity content. What will this mean for the cigar industry and cigar content creators that ...