ATF PODCAST

In this episode of the ATF Podcast, Alek Olson has an insightful conversation with the talented Atticus Shaffer, who may better be known as Brick Heck on the sitcom 'The Middle.' They discuss a range of topics, including the current state of our country, Atticus's journey in Hollywood as a conservative and Christian, his strong work ethic, and much more.Learn more about Adam Guard and Dreamer Cigars by reading the ATF Magazine article “Big Dreams” or by finding Dreamer Cigars on YouTube as well as all major social media platforms!

It was an absolute pleasure to have Adam Guard, Founder of Dreamer Cigars, on the podcast! Dreamer Cigars' mission is to, bring cigars to the next generation through cigar education”. Learn more about Adam Guard and Dreamer Cigars by reading the ATF Magazine article “Big Dreams” or by finding Dreamer Cigars on YouTube as well as all major social media platforms!

For nearly 2 decades, Brent actively served in the United States Army Special Operations as a Green Beret and a Delta Force Operator. Since his time actively serving in the military, he has turned his attention to serving our nation's first responders, both in training as well as in bringing awareness to the sacrificial work they do every day. First Responder Coffee Company's charitable mission is to create awareness of the needs of our first responders as well as financially support them by providing “equipment, training, and mental health support services”. Learn more about First Responder Coffee Company by clicking on the link below and learn how you can partner with them by buying coffee or donating to their current project! First Responder Coffee Company: https://bit.ly/3X8c6ZF

It was my pleasure to sit down and interview Mikey Zahn from Mikey Lights It & Co. Back in 2014, Mikey sold me my first cigar and my passion for cigars has not lost its momentum since then. Mikeys' journey in the cigar industry is packed with experiences that not many in this space have had the chance to experience. From working the front desk at a retail shop to moving to Honduras to work at the Plasencia Factory, to being a sales representative for Alec Bradley, to working for Winner Tobacco Wholesale, to now owning his own company that curates parcels of premium cigars for people across the country to enjoy!

Having grown up in the Dominican Republic, Alexander Berezowski could not ignore his passion for cigars and the cigar industry, so he started My Cigar Pack - a premium cigar subscription that is driven by bringing value to the consumer while also respecting the roots of the cigar industry and those who make My Cigar Pack possible! We hope you enjoy this episode with Alexander Berezowski and that you head on over to mycigarpack.com and subscribe to whatever membership level serves you best!

Jared Bickel is the Operations Director at James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, KY. Jared is a level 3 sommelier, runs the retail operation at the distillery, is in charge of the Single Barrel Program, is on the tasting board, and he is the brand ambassador at James E. Pepper Distillery! Jared is extremely passionate about the whiskey business, works as hard as he can to uphold the quality that this historical distillery demands, and is one of the best in the business when it comes to customer experience! Be sure to take a tour at the James E. Pepper Distillery next time you are in Kentucky and be sure to tell them that we sent you! Learn more about James E. Pepper Distillery by visiting jamesepepper.com.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Matthew Matheny, the owner of Lake Country Cigars! This is my "local" cigar lounge and it is where my passion for cigars grew, so it is my pleasure to be able to introduce Lake Country Cigars to our ATF Magazine subscribers! "Cigar lounges can be found all across the country and worldwide, but each shop has its own flare and flavor. As Matthew says, Lake Country Cigars has the “living room-style” setup that is very cigar-heavy. He did not want to draw the bar crowd, the loud nightlife, and the party atmosphere that is found at many lounges. He preferred his lounge to be a place where customers are welcomed, encouraged to ask questions, try new cigars, dive deep into conversations with others at the shop, and truly become a part of the Lake Country Cigars family." Learn more about Lake Country Cigars by visiting LCCigars.com.

You may know Mitch Brouillette from the viral and inspirational video created by “Dude Be Nice” at Heritage High School in Brentwood, CA where they along with the student body celebrated and honored him for the work he has done as a school resource officer. He not only was there to serve and protect the students, but to be their friend and build relationships with those that he swore to protect. Check out that video by visiting this link: https://youtu.be/T1uAp69IJnkMitch is an active law enforcement officer with over 20 years of experience. Mitch Is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.He holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from California Coast University and graduated from the Stanislaus County Office of the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Training Center. He has worked patrol, investigations (Special Victims / Crimes against children Detective), school resource officer, and currently serves as a Patrol Sergeant.Mitch is an active SWAT Team (15 years) member. His current role is the team leader. He has held many different roles as a SWAT Team operator including; Sniper/ Sniper Team leader, breacher, NFDD (flash bang) and chemical agents.He is a Chemical Agent Instructor, NFDD (Flashbang) Instructor, ALICE Training Institute certified Active Shooter Response Instructor and Law Enforcement Active Shooter Instructor. Critical Incident response Instructor for CATO (California Association of Tactical Officers).Mitch is a graduate of CATO's (California Association of Tactical Officers) Strategic Leadership Program. He is currently part of the CATO training cadre and serves as CATO's Vendor Coordinator for the CATO conference. He also holds certification as an NRA Pistol Instructor.In this episode, we dig into what the role of a school resource officer is, how the public, as well as the media, should respond and handle the increasing amount of violent crime in places like schools and churches, and what are some simple steps that we can take to be better prepared for the worst. Mitch demands our respect and attention and we hope this interview gives you insight and knowledge on what police officers in law enforcement are dealing with day in and day out.

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Ernie Medina holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Thermodynamics.As a decorated U.S. Marine Captain who proudly served as an infantry officer for eight years, his time as a platoon commander, operations officer and company executive officer allowed him the privilege of commanding and supporting upwards of 1,200 Marines at home and abroad.Ernie is a certified Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Instructor Trainer, NRA instructor and USCCA Training Counselor. He has been a high-level combatives and weapons expert for nearly 20 years.Ernie has also completed the U.S. Marine Corps, High-Risk Personnel (CCW) training, holds a Marine Corp martial arts 1st degree Black Belt, and remains a 6th degree Master Level Instructor in karate (Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan).When Ernie isn't working, he is spending time with his girlfriend and dog, working out, riding motorcycles and attending more firearms and martial arts courses.

Don Doroteo is a family-owned cigar company that was "Born Out of Passion and Legacy". Juan Lugo is truly living the American Dream. From growing up in New York City, serving in the U.S. Air Force, diving headfirst into trading cryptocurrency, to launching Don Doroteo - Juan Lugo's dream is to leave a legacy for his family and his children; he is doing that with Don Doroteo! Learn More about Don Doroteo by visiting Dondoroteo.com.

According to the Premium Cigar Association, “The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is the leading authority and advocate for the premium cigar and pipe retailer industry. The PCA is dedicated to the current and future success of brick-and-mortar premium tobacconists. Founded in 1933 as the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America, the PCA is the largest, most active, and longest-running trade association representing and assisting premium tobacco retailers, manufacturers, and partners in the industry. We offer premier services in education, advocacy, and business development, helping protect our members' businesses from unfair regulations while simultaneously helping them grow and succeed.”

Josh Kosnick is the Owner and Founder of Kairos Coaching & Consulting. I have loved the content that he has been writing on his social media platforms. He is uniquely gifted in regard to communication and leadership and is doing great things with the knowledge and resources he has gained over the years! A couple of months back, we reconnected over our passions for cigars, whiskey, and fruitful conversations! Josh is a writer for ATF Magazine. His article in the first issue is not only about what we can learn from the success of Sir Winston Churchill, but the failures that are often overlooked. I have enjoyed getting to know Josh over the years and as you will see, he is a wealth of insight and knowledge. We hope you enjoy this episode of the ATF Podcast!

You may know Mitch Brouillette from the viral and inspirational video created by “Dude Be Nice” at Heritage High School in Brentwood, CA where they along with the student body celebrated and honored him for the work he has done as a school resource officer. He not only was there to serve and protect the students, but to be their friend and build relationships with those that he swore to protect. Check out that video by visiting this link: https://youtu.be/T1uAp69IJnkMitch is an active law enforcement officer with over 20 years of experience. Mitch Is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.He holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from California Coast University and graduated from the Stanislaus County Office of the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Training Center. He has worked patrol, investigations (Special Victims / Crimes against children Detective), school resource officer, and currently serves as a Patrol Sergeant.Mitch is an active SWAT Team (15 years) member. His current role is the team leader. He has held many different roles as a SWAT Team operator including; Sniper/ Sniper Team leader, breacher, NFDD (flash bang) and chemical agents.He is a Chemical Agent Instructor, NFDD (Flashbang) Instructor, ALICE Training Institute certified Active Shooter Response Instructor and Law Enforcement Active Shooter Instructor. Critical Incident response Instructor for CATO (California Association of Tactical Officers).Mitch is a graduate of CATO's (California Association of Tactical Officers) Strategic Leadership Program. He is currently part of the CATO training cadre and serves as CATO's Vendor Coordinator for the CATO conference. He also holds certification as an NRA Pistol Instructor.In this episode, we dig into what the role of a school resource officer is, how the public, as well as the media, should respond and handle the increasing amount of violent crime in places like schools and churches, and what are some simple steps that we can take to be better prepared for the worst. Mitch demands our respect and attention and we hope this interview gives you insight and knowledge on what police officers in law enforcement are dealing with day in and day out.

In this episode, we spoke with Steve Crain. Steve is the manager at The Tinder Box at Easton in Columbus, OH, the host of the Bourbon & BS Podcast, and the co-owner of BS Cigars. We covered everything from how Steve got his start in the cigar industry, what sets his shop apart from the rest, the story behind BS Cigars, and how Steve is pursuing the American Dream today!

Storm Boen, a decorated veteran of the US Army, is the owner and founder of Operation Cigars for Warriors. Cigars for Warriors, a registered 501(c)3 charity, is a non-profit whose mission is to deliver cigars to the United States Armed Forces who are sacrificially serving in active combat zones across the globe. For our soldiers on deployment, something as simple as sitting down with a cigar can make a world of difference for them. It gives them a chance to take a few moments, relax, and enjoy a taste of home. Storm, along with his selfless team and support from their donors, have delivered over 1.3 million (and counting) cigars to our troops overseas. We enjoyed our conversation with Storm and believe that you will too. Storms story that led him to serve our troops in this way is challenging and inspiring. Cigars for Warriors is a charity that we trust and encourage you to go out of your way to donate to their mission. Donating is as simple as dropping a cigar (or 20) in the donation box at your local cigar shop. You can also donate by visiting cigarsforwarriors.org/donate-now - it makes a world of difference to those who receive them! If your local shop is not yet a Cigars for Warriors donation center, encourage them to do so and direct them to CFW by visiting cigarsforwarriors.org/contact-us. Cigars for Warriors is made possible only by generosity and donations and they as well as our troops overseas would greatly appreciate your support!

Michael Herklots, Owner and Founder, has a fascinating story. The experiences that led him to accomplish what he has today range from working in a doughnut shop to earning his B.A. from the Berklee College of Music to being the Vice President of Nat Sherman International. His story, passion, and drive are excellent examples of what it looks like to not allow success to turn into hubris and failure to turn into defeat. We hope that you find this episode just as insightful, educational, and inspiring as we did!

In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with Derek Reed, Owner and Founder of Club Carraway. Club Carraway is a private club located in the Semple Mansion in Minneapolis, MN with a strong 1920s aesthetic. Club Carraway is self-described as a private sanctuary dedicated to bespoke grooming, leisure, and vice. Club Carraway offers custom tailoring and grooming. The club also boasts a beautiful cigar lounge. Derek is a great example of what it looks like to live out the American dream and turn your hopes and dreams into a reality!

In this episode of the ATF Podcast, we had the honor and privilege of speaking with Jon Huber, Owner and Founder of Crowned Heads Cigars. In the episode, we covered everything from how Jon got started in the premium cigar business, his personal and professional goals, what inspires his brand, and how he is actively pursuing the American dream. Learn more about Jon and Crowned Heads Cigars by visiting crownedheads.com and follow them on Instagram by visiting instagram.com/thecrownedheads. If you are not already subscribed to ATF Magazine, go to ATFLifestyle.com/subscribe to subscribe today!