Nice Ashes: Cigars and Culture

In this episode, Nate and Mike light up the "Warfighter Dumpster Fire" cigar and dive into an in-depth, data-driven discussion about the cultural integration of Somali refugees in Minnesota. They explore the complexities of Somali clan systems, family structures, religious practices, and challenges—like female genital mutilation and social discrimination—while also highlighting signs of successful...

In this episode, Nate and Mike dive into Somali literature as part of their ongoing Somali in Minnesota series. They explore the rich oral tradition, historic and modern poetry, theater, and novels, highlighting themes like nationalism, resistance, love, and cultural identity. They also discuss the compelling memoir Call Me American by Abdi Iftin, which offers a firsthand look at the Somali refuge...

In this episode, the hosts discuss the complex history of U.S. involvement in Somalia, focusing on how American foreign policy has contributed to longstanding instability in the country. They explore the Cold War era alignment shifts, support for military dictatorships, and the consequences of U.S. military withdrawal that coincided with severe droughts and famine. The discussion highlights the ri...

In this episode, the hosts Nate and Mike dive into a unique blend of cigar tasting and intriguing storytelling. They begin by sampling a flavored Robusto cigar, Isla del Sol, noting its sweet and cinnamon flavors, and pairing it with seasonal beers like Oktoberfest and Guinness. The cigar starts strong but loses appeal towards the end, leading to mixed reviews on its overall quality. The main disc...

In this episode, Nate and Mike dive into the fascinating world of Anglo-Saxon medical leech books, with a focus on the 9th-century Bald’s Leech Book. Between smokes of the Quorum Classic cigar (which they agree tastes terrible), the hosts explore historical remedies and medical knowledge from medieval England. They discuss the origins and meaning of “leech book” (where “leech” means doctor), the b...

In this episode, hosts Mike and Nate kick off with a humorous and candid review of the Quorum Shade cigar by JC Newman Cigar Company, describing it as unpleasant with strong notes of acetone and battery acid. Amid technical difficulties with their new podcasting gear, they manage to enjoy the moment pairing the cigar with seasonal beers. The discussion then shifts to a detailed exploration of U.S....

In this episode, hosts Mike and Nate are joined by guest Chris, broadcasting from a remote underground location in North Dakota. They discuss the unique culture of small-town North Dakota, focusing on the concept of "true sons" of North Dakota versus "townies"—locals born and raised who often hold significant social influence but can also exhibit exclusionary and sometimes problematic behaviors. T...

In this episode, hosts Nate and Mike smoke and review the Level Maduro cigar, following up on their previous episode with the Level Connecticut. While the Maduro shows some improvement, both agree it requires a slow, measured pace to avoid unpleasant flavors, and overall, it’s an average cigar for its low price point. The episode then shifts to a deep, data-driven discussion on Somali culture and...

In this episode, hosts Mike and Nate discuss smoking the Level Connecticut Robusto cigar, sharing its flavors and value while pairing it with different drinks. The conversation then shifts to the 2016 incident involving Harambe, the Cincinnati Zoo gorilla who was tragically shot after a child fell into his enclosure. The hosts explore various Harambe-related conspiracy theories, including distract...

In this episode, Nate and Mike kick off by enjoying and reviewing the Powstanie San Andreas Robusto Maduro cigar, generously provided by guest Mike Palmer from the previous episode. The cigar impresses them with its rich, spicy, and full-bodied flavor, earning high praise and a solid rating as a serious cigar lover’s choice. The bulk of the episode centers on an extensive and candid discussion of...

In this episode, hosts Nate and Mike are joined by special guest Mike Palmer—the national sales manager for Powstanie Cigars and co-host of the Cigar Hustlers Podcast. The discussion revolves around sampling and reviewing a Powstanie Habano Belicoso torpedo cigar provided by Mike Palmer. The trio shares their tasting notes, highlighting the cigar's woody, creamy, and nuanced flavor profile with a...

In this episode, hosts Mike and Nate begin by enjoying a budget-friendly but flavorful New World Navegante Robusto cigar from AJ Fernandez, paired with Castle Danger beer and Crown Royal whiskey. Their relaxed cigar chat sets the stage for a deep dive into contemporary issues facing men, inspired by their recent read: #MenToo by Bettina Arndt. They explore the complex dynamics around domestic viol...

Join hosts Mike and Nate on Nice Ashes as they light up cigars soaked in tequila and dive into their candid takes on cult-favorite cigars. Special guest Al returns to test his palate with the infamous Cult Blood Red Moon cigar, sparking plenty of laughs and honest reviews. Along the way, the trio shares nostalgic movie chats, debates Hollywood’s firearm inaccuracies, and critiques recent sci-fi an...

In this podcast episode, hosts Nate and Mike enjoy smoking a well-aged Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Dark Knight Toro cigar while diving into a deep and detailed true crime discussion. They focus on the 1983 murder of Barbara Grams in Tampa, Florida, exploring the investigation, trial, and wrongful conviction of Robert DuBoise, who spent 37 years in prison due to flawed bite mark forensic evidence a...

In this episode, hosts Nate and Mike smoke the Peloto Cubano cigar, sharing candid impressions of its inconsistent quality and unusual labeling. Nate recounts a recent trip to Chicago to meet longtime friend Simcha and experience a traditional Jewish Shabbos (Sabbath) with him and a guest named Thomas, an incoming convert to Judaism. They discuss the cultural and religious practices observed durin...

In this episode, Mike and Nate enjoy smoking the Nest Maduro Toro cigar while diving into an extensive, candid review of the 2025 Disney live-action remake of Snow White . They discuss their expectations, the film’s heavy emphasis on modern, feel-good messaging over traditional storytelling, and its notable departures from the original animated classic. They critique the overly polished visuals, q...

In this experimental episode, Mike and Nate light up a unique Dominican Sumatra cigar and chat about their flavor notes before diving into a lively discussion on classic movies getting re-released in theaters in 2025. They cover the enduring cult status and legal battles surrounding Kevin Smith’s Dogma , share personal takes on films like The Sound of Music , Brokeback Mountain , Monty Python and...

In this episode, Nate and Mike enjoy the Nest Blackbird Cigar Company Connecticut Toro while diving deep into the controversial and tangled world of healthcare in America. They discuss the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the company's practices of denying claims, whistleblower allegations, shareholder lawsuits, and the broader systemic issues in for-profit health insurance. Alongsid...

In this episode, Nate and Mike smoke the visually striking Marco V Dieci X cigar while joined by special guest Ryan Burns — a leading DB Cooper expert and top contributor to the DB Cooper subreddit. They dive deep into the legendary airplane hijacking case from 1971, revealing fascinating insights from recently released FBI files, witness accounts, and new theories about the mysterious hijacker's...

In this episode, Mike and Nate enjoy a budget-friendly Hoya del Jefe cigar while diving into a fascinating history topic: some of the shortest-lived countries in history. From quirky frontier republics like the Great Republic of Rough and Ready to the Republic of Ezo in Japan, the brief Palmetto Republic of South Carolina, and the modern tale of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), they explor...

In this episode of "Nice Ashes," hosts Nate and Mike enjoy the Schizo Toro Maduro cigar while diving into the fascinating topic of minced oaths—phrases that replace swear words or blasphemies to soften their impact. The discussion starts with the hosts sharing their cigar pairings and expressing their enjoyment of the Schizo Toro. As they move through the episode, they explain the history of mince...

In this episode of the podcast, hosts Nate and Mike dive into the controversial death of Johnny Ringo, a notorious figure from the Wild West. As they enjoy cigars and drinks, they explore various theories about how Ringo met his end in 1882. Beginning with their thoughts on a mediocre Don Rafael cigar paired with local brews, the discussion quickly shifts to historical details about Ringo's violen...

In this podcast episode, Mike and Nate discuss their latest cigar, the Schizo Toro, admiring its impressive packaging and label design while also exploring its flavor profile. They delve into a quirky conversation about the art and design of cigar labels, hinting at their past experiences with lower-quality cigars. Transitioning from cigars to conspiracy theories, Mike introduces the topic of Muss...

In this episode, hosts Nate and Mike dive into the world of underground bunkers, inspired by a controversial claim that the U.S. government has spent $21 trillion to construct an extensive network of doomsday shelters for the elite. As they smoke a troubled cigar, they discuss the assertion made by former housing official Catherine Austin Fitz, who alleges that these bunkers were created between 1...

In this episode of "Nice Ashes," hosts Nate and Mike revisit the Chillin' Moose cigar, trying its Maduro version despite previously swearing off it after a disappointing experience. The duo discusses the cigar's design and hopes for a better flavor profile, comparing it to coffee and discussing their drink pairings. The episode includes a fun guessing game where Mike attempts to identify various s...