A Stogie for the Road

Everybody’s got a story. Everybody’s got a reason. Everybody’s got a link in their bio asking for help.And almost nobody wants to do the one thing that actually changes their life:Take responsibility and build something.This episode rips into the culture of public pity, online handouts, and the quiet addiction to being rescued. From grown adults treating the internet like a personal bailout system… to parents raising kids who think struggle is optional… this is the uncomfortable truth nobody wants to say out loud.This isn’t about people who truly need help. This is about the ones who refuse to help themselves.If you’re tired of watching people outsource their problems… If you’re done pretending effort is optional… If you believe discipline still matters…Then this one’s for you.No filters. No soft landings. No excuses.GoFund Yourself.

Most men are getting it wrong—and nobody’s saying it out loud.You’ve got one side trying so hard to be a “good man” that they lose their backbone… apologizing, over-explaining, and turning relationships into a negotiation.Then you’ve got the other side—guys who are great at being “men”… confident, dominant, decisive—but they bulldoze everything in their path and call it leadership.So what are you supposed to be?In this episode, we break down the difference between being a good man and being good at being a man—and why missing either one will cost you your relationships, your respect, and your peace.This isn’t about alpha vs beta.It’s about strength with a conscience. It’s about standing your ground without becoming a tyrant. It’s about caring without becoming a doormat.No fluff. No fake motivation. No internet personas.Just the truth most men don’t want to hear—but need to.If you’re tired of extremes and ready to actually get it right… this one’s for you.

There’s a side of men’s lives that almost nobody talks about.Not the loud, toxic, headline-grabbing stuff… but the quiet pressure.The kind that builds over time.In this episode, we’re talking about the reality of men who show up every day—who work, provide, take care of their families—and still feel like they’re carrying everything alone.Men who feel stuck. Men who feel unheard. Men who are trying to do the right thing… while quietly losing themselves in the process.This isn’t about blaming. This isn’t about attacking anyone.It’s about telling the truth.About the weight men carry… the silence they live in… and the pressure to hold everything together no matter what.If you’ve ever felt like you’re responsible for everything but allowed to talk about nothing…This episode is for you.

In this episode, Shawn takes an unfiltered look at the growing impact pornography and platforms like OnlyFans are having on men’s lives. What was once considered private entertainment has evolved into a powerful digital industry built on attention, dopamine, and loneliness—and many men are finding themselves stuck in a cycle they never intended to be part of.Drawing from research, cultural trends, and his own personal journey of self-reflection and therapy, Shawn talks honestly about how easy it is for fantasy to become an escape from real life—and how that escape can slowly drain motivation, confidence, and genuine connection.This episode isn’t about shaming anyone. It’s about awareness, responsibility, and having the courage to confront habits that might be holding you back from the life you actually want to build.If you’ve ever wondered how the modern internet is reshaping masculinity, relationships, and the way men seek connection, this conversation pulls the curtain back.Because the truth is simple: Fantasy may feel good in the moment—but it was never meant to replace real life.

For the past few weeks the podcast has been quiet, and many of you have asked why.The truth is that sometimes life forces you into a season where the smartest thing you can do is stay silent and let certain processes play out. When serious situations unfold, every word matters — and sometimes silence is the most responsible choice.In this episode, I talk about why I stepped back and the bigger pattern it made me think about: the culture of silence that exists wherever power, reputation, and accountability collide.From families to institutions to some of the most powerful people in the world, history shows the same pattern over and over again — secrets buried behind closed doors, people convinced the truth will never catch up to them, and the illusion that influence can protect them forever.We’ve seen this dynamic play out in some of the biggest scandals in modern history, including the Epstein case, which exposed how power can create a system where people believe the rules no longer apply to them.But the truth has a way of surfacing.Eventually.This episode is a conversation about integrity, accountability, and the reality that a man’s character is defined by what he does when nobody is watching.Because if the truth coming out someday terrifies you…that’s usually the sign something in your life needs to change.

This episode is about ownership — the kind that doesn’t come from blame, excuses, or public explanations.I talk honestly about where I handed my power away, how outside voices influenced decisions that weren’t theirs to make, and what it looks like to stop defending yourself and start fixing what actually matters. This isn’t about calling anyone out. It’s about calling myself forward.In a culture that encourages quick exits, loud opinions, and constant judgment, this conversation explores why repair is harder than walking away — and why it’s worth it. I share what changed when I stopped outsourcing my judgment, stopped recruiting opinions, and started taking full responsibility for how I show up in my life and relationships.If you’ve ever felt pulled in too many directions by advice, pressure, or noise — this episode is a reminder that ownership is quiet, clarity is internal, and growth begins when you choose to stand where you actually live the consequences.

This isn’t a highlight reel or a motivational speech. It’s an honest end-of-year reckoning.In this episode of A Stogie for the Road, I break down what this last year actually took from me — the illusions, relationships, and versions of myself that couldn’t come forward — and what it gave back in return: clarity, boundaries, discipline, and responsibility.We talk about why men repeat the same year, the quiet weight they carry, the danger of “good enough,” and the decision that makes a year matter.If this year broke you in places, it doesn’t mean it failed you. It might mean it prepared you.Listen carefully. And don’t carry this into next year.

Most boys are not broken.They’re unfinished.They grow up without instruction, without initiation, and without a clear understanding of what responsibility actually looks like. So they drift — distracted, anxious, reactive — mistaking noise for strength and comfort for meaning.This podcast is about the slow, demanding work of becoming someone solid.

Today we talk about the biggest fight against our biggest enemy .........OURSELVES!!!!

Men die every day from family that eat them alive inside and out. Stogie talks about this and everything in between. You are not going to want to miss this.

Why so quiet ? oh ill tell ya why . you know Stogie may get quiet but it never stays that way . tune and see what has happened and what is next .

Tonight stoge goes off on the beta male masses the are everywhere !!! They have no idea of what is coming as stogie rains down an air strike against them . Sit back RELAX and listen to the soothing sounds of Stogie let them have it while enjoying a premium hand rolled cigar .

This one ain’t for the faint of heart.In a world full of excuses, victimhood, and men hiding behind comfort, this episode delivers a ruthless wake-up call. We’re diving into why so many men have gotten soft — and how adversity isn’t your enemy… it’s your invitation to rise.I’ll walk you through hard stats, real talk, and my own personal hell — raising kids that aren’t mine while standing beside a woman healing from abuse — not for pity, but to show you what standing the fuck up looks like.This episode isn’t about motivation.It’s about obligation.It’s about Brotherhood.And it’s about you.Listen in if you’re ready to stop bitching and start building.

This episode rips the mask off the modern man and asks one simple question:Are you still hiding behind excuses… or are you ready to lead?Host Shawn Dirksen AKA STOGIE takes the gloves off and delivers a raw, unapologetic gut-check to men faking strength while running from accountability.You’ll hear:Why fake confidence is killing your leadershipThe real cost of living a lie (and what science says about it)The power of brotherhood and why isolation is destroying men’s livesPractical steps to reclaim your purpose, your presence, and your pathThis isn’t a motivational pep talk.It’s a line in the sand.And if you’re ready to step over it—welcome to The Backroom Brotherhood.

Men are drowning in silence . No Tribe. No mission. No damn support . In this episode , I break down why isolation is killing men and how THE BACKROOM BROTHERHOOD is the answer. This isnt self help fluff . ITS WAR!Fix yourself , Find your fire . And its time for the first time in your life ..... dont do it alone .

Addictions can be more than what most people think that they are . We as men have been groomed to normalize alot in our lives that dont enrich us and actually make us worse . This podcast comes from a place of love and growth and ALOT of personal experience . Lets see how much it resonates with you and how willing YOU are in getting honest when it comes to growth. "WHO ARE YOU " is the question we ask ourselves . Well..... the only way to find out is to get honest . Do you have what it takes ???

Stogie talks about his most recent fight for his freedom of speech and where he is going from here. We also unpack what it takes to build a dream in the face of adversity. Sit back, relax and enjoy this latest episode of STOGIE FROM THE LOUNGE.

Sit back and enjoy an fun filled hour with Stogies new co host and love of his life as they talk about everything from crazy ex husbands to what Renee does in the bathroom when she thinks stogie isnt around, Buckle in . This is a good one .

Please welcome my new co host and love of my life Renee to the show . Buckle in for some fun and hard hitting truth in another episode of STOGIE FROM THE ROAD .

When did men become weak and dangerous yet all the while be able to stand before the laws of man and cry the victim . Where did we as men lose our way so badly and in turn allow the real villain's that roam amongst us cry victim with a straight face. LETS TALK ABOUT IT

In this episode stogie talkes about getting his tail kicked west coast style, future plans , avoiding whores and making new friends . Settle in and enjoy another steaming pile of stogie !!!

In this episode stogie talks about all of our internal desires for attention and the balance within that struggle. Why do we seek approval and attention of others? where does it come from? Stay in it till the end where stogie drops a bombshell on some new news that he received during his time away from the road. Sit back relax and enjoy another episode of STOGIE FROM THE ROAD !!!!!

In this episode stogie talks about the plight of man in this new world of dating and how to maintaine your masculine energy .

PILOT EPISODE

Stogie gets back at it and brings you all up to speed on what's new and where we are going .

After a long break we are back and back for good . Nothing is stopping us now . Get ready for a great new batch of episodes coming up soon.

Stogie talks about the never ending evolution and discovery of what being in a truck does to you and how to rebuild what you have broken in the process .

Stogie talks about the change of not only the job but the change of mindset as well .

I am finally turning my key to the left . In this podcast i will explain why and what is on the horizon.

Stogie talks about raising the rent on the people that think they have access to your life at all times . Be a man and take your life back . once you do that you will have all the time in the world to achieve success . TRUST ME !!!!!

Today stogie reflects on the side of trucking that most dont have a clue about .

Stogie is back and talks about his break down in billings Montana

Stogie tells stories about his childhood .

Its time to open the books on Stogie the trucker and get down to business . You want answers ..... you are gonna find them here today .

Stogie sits down with jesse the mechanic and garrett the driver from Taylor Transport . Let the fun begin !!!

Stogie has his first guest Jordan and Aubrey on tonight . One of our newest drivers and his lovely wife talk about what its like to be a Taylor truckin family . Jordan has over 11 years of experience and is an incredible human being . This couple will renew your faith in what the future holds

So you dont think you need truck drivers????

Stogie talks about everything from cigars to the negative inner thoughts we deal with when it comes to achieving the impossible or what we may THINK is impossible.

Stogie rants about winter and how it wears on driver. We also cover how important it is to push through those hard times for the ones that depend on us .

Stogie talks about how to handle the haters and those people that try to snuff out your passion

This episode is dedicated to the men out there that are so busy working to build that they are never heard when they need it the most . It is also a call to action to they lost men out there that need to find their way back to what we need to be in order to rebuild what is now broken

Stogie talks about writing your own story instead of obsessing over your fellow mans path in life and how that effects this industry as a whole

Stogie talks about the childs dream of trucking and where it went if you lost it

The first episode of stogie from the road