The Burn Down Podcast

In the studio we have Gil Monge, founder of GCD Auto Studio and Gillin Auto Interiors. Growing up in the South Bronx as the youngest of four brothers, Gil’s passion for cars started early. In 2006, he launched Gillin Auto Interiors, turning that passion into a business. By 2019, he expanded with GCD Auto Studio in Florida, NY—a boutique, state-of-the-art shop for high-end custom builds. His work gained national attention, earning a...

In this episode, just before we started recording, we heard the news that Charlie Kirk had been assassinated. It makes us ask—what is happening to our society? No matter what side of the political spectrum you’re on, and no matter how much you disagree with someone’s views, it should never justify taking a life over. We must do better!

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Inside the BDP studio, we sit down with carpenter union foreman and owner of Blaise Construction, Blaise Ridulfo! He shares what it’s like balancing life in the union while running his own business, how he still finds time to enjoy cigars, and why he believes men are the biggest cry babies. All that and more in this episode!

Order The Blueprint & The Diligent Cigars Here!

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(Audio Technical Difficulties Until 25Mins 18 Sec We Apologize)

Meet Lisa Stramiello better known as Luminisa a vibrant force of nature with unmatched authenticity and electric energy! Born and raised in the heart of Brooklyn, NY, Lumi brings a bold blend of tradition and flair to the world of cigars. Trained by master roller Francisco Almonte of DBL Cigars, she’s a true artisan, handcrafting cigars with precision and passion.

What...

In the studio this week, we’re joined by Joe Cosentino who brought us delicious food from the famous Bronx G & R Deli! Joe, a Bronx native who built his real estate empire from the ground up. Known as the King of Bronx Realty, Joe shares how two decades of hustle and dedication shaped his journey to the top. As the Broker and Owner of Morris Park Realty Group and Westchester Realty Consultants, he specializes in residential and...

In this episode, we’re joined by Blanca Biede, who flew all the way from Iowa to be on the podcast! Blanca is a columnist for Humo Latino Magazine, a cigar lover, a bikini division bodybuilder, and a proud member of the women’s motorcycle group The Litas. She shares her story of how she became fascinated with the cigar industry, how her passion for writing landed her a spot with Humo Latino, what it takes to compete as a bikini bod...

We sit down with Adam Vohra — founder of ARV Enterprises and Director of Partnerships for Greenwich, Upper Westchester, and Darien/New Canaan Lifestyle Magazines. Adam shares his inspiring journey of sobriety, being 3 years alcohol-free, and how that led him to launch The Finding Purpose Podcast, now with over 65 episodes. From planning high-end events to helping others find meaning through recovery, Adam’s story is all about turni...

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!

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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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