Simply Stogies

A podcast for cigar enthusiasts and cigar aficionados. Interviews with blenders, principles, owners, and others in and around the cigar industry. From the PCA Trade Show to local B&Ms and regional events, we cover it all. Join James and Nick Syris (owner of LH Cigars) on the 1st and 15th of every month.

Simply Stogies is a leisure podcast hosted by James Giehm, with 270 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

James Giehm hosts Simply Stogies, a leisure show with 270 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #271

  Episode 187: Nimmer Ahmad of Valacari Cigars

  Aug 14, 20261h 29m

  James and Jimmy sit down with Nimmer Ahmad of Valacari Cigars. Valacari Cigars is celebrating their 10th year in the cigar industry in 2026 and James asks Nimmer about it. Nimmer discusses some of the changes the brand has gone through, what it takes to make it in the industry, and some of the ongoing trends. Nimmer discloses what he believes is his biggest regret in the last 10yrs, as well as his "obligation" to be a mentor to new brands coming into the industry. We also discuss the Decimus, the limited annual release celebrating Valacari's 10ys in the industry.

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  Episode #270

  83 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

  Aug 7, 20261h 24m

  Jimmy and James return to "talk about Vance Taylor behind his back." The duo spend a lot of time giving their opinions of Stoicism. While Vance did a great job answering some of the darker themes of the popular philosophy, Jimmy and James weren't satisfied. Did Vance sway James from Nihilism? Can Stoics fall in love? Is Stoicism indifferent? Do Stoics make better leaders or colder leaders? Can religion and Stoicism coexist? Jimmy and James don't have answers...but they certainly have a lot of questions.

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  Episode #269

  Episode 186: Vance Taylor of Stoic Cigars

  Jul 31, 20261h 34m

  James and Jimmy sit down with Vance Taylor of Stoic Cigars. We catch up with Vance and find out how his first two yeas in the cigar industry have gone and what lessons he's learned in that time. We then turn our attention to the "dark side" of Stoicism. What does Stoicism and Nihilism have in common? Can James not road rage? How do Stoics look at tragedy. It is a high level conversation over different philosophies and how to approach life and business.

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  Episode #268

  82 Clear the Air: A Simply Stogies Podcast After Show

  Jul 24, 20261h 23m

  New host of Clear the Air, Jimmy D, brings James and Tim back to the microphone to discuss the latest interview with Tim Ozgener of Oz Family Cigars. The trio discuss the trust manufacturers put in the retailers (and vice versa), the relationship aspect of the business (manufacturers and factories, and retailers and manufacturers), how cigar sizes affect sales, and cigar events. The trio dive into Tim Ozgener's relationship with his father and the lessons he's learned both in his time in the cigar industry and away from it.

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  Episode #267

  Episode 185: Tim Ozgener of Oz Family Cigars

  Jul 17, 20261h 37m

  James and Jimmy sit down with Tim Ozgener of Oz Family Cigars at The Drawing Room in Davenport, Iowa. The trio discuss Tim's creativity, his history in the cigar industry, and the impact his father had on him. From his days with CAO to coming back to the industry, Tim dives into what lessons he learned, what his father taught him, his family, and working with retailers.

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Recent guests on Simply Stogies. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

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