Then, for the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a challenge: put your charity dollars where they'll do the most good. Tom explains why the Stix & Stuff Podcast is now a monthly donor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, how to vet a charity before you give, and why one well-known organization doesn't make his cut.

In this episode: – Misinformation vs. disinformation vs. malinformation: definitions and the difference – "We report, you decide"? Tom's case that the media has already decided for you – Data centers, ICE, and the midterms: the stories Tom says are being spun – How to vet a charity: overhead, watchdog ratings, and the 75% rule – Tunnel to Towers: 91 cents of every dollar to the cause, and mortgage-free homes for the families of fallen first responders and service members

Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome from the courtyard 1:09 – What misinformation actually is 1:45 – The data center example 2:55 – What disinformation is, and why the media is a master at it 4:57 – Malinformation: truth out of context 6:10 – Abolish ICE: Tom's take on the real agenda 7:19 – Heading into the midterms: beware the half-truth 7:56 – Doing something good: the 25th anniversary of 9/11 9:08 – How to vet a charity (and why the ASPCA doesn't make Tom's cut) 10:44 – Tunnel to Towers: where your $11 a month actually goes 12:37 – Closing thoughts

Do something good this week: donate to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org.

Opinions in this episode are Tom's alone and do not reflect the views of any sponsor.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Real Talk. Rural Life. Common Sense. Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

In this episode: – What AI actually is: data processing, learning, prediction (simpler than you think) – Data centers: why one side of the aisle suddenly can't stand them, and what Tom thinks is really behind it – "Don't let the chickens run the hen house": Tom's case for independent AI oversight that isn't Republican, Democrat, or Big Tech – Autonomous cars, AI drive-thrus, and the "nobody wants to work" tirade – Why Tom says the AI race matters as much as the Industrial Revolution did

Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome from the courtyard (and the fake chickens) 1:36 – Why today's topic is "AI in your pie" 2:17 – What AI actually is: the 3 basic parts 4:24 – So what's the big deal? Chickens and hen houses 6:54 – Data centers and the campaign against them 8:34 – Cigar break 9:19 – The internal combustion engine, and why we can't slow down now 10:16 – AI, jobs, and skilled labor 11:58 – Autonomous cars: friend or foe? 13:34 – Elections, algorithms, and the SAVE America Act 16:02 – What's coming next on Stix & Stuff

Opinions in this episode are Tom's alone and do not reflect the views of any sponsor.

Take care of yourself, enjoy life, and do something special for somebody this week.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Real Talk. Rural Life. Common Sense. Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

His argument runs from the Barbary Wars and America's earliest conflicts in North Africa to present-day immigration, Muslim communities in American cities, and the political strategies he believes are reshaping the country. Tom contends that demographic change in states like Michigan, Georgia, Texas, and New York carries consequences beyond religion or culture — for elections, political power, and the direction of the country.

In this episode: – The Barbary Wars and early American history – Immigration and assimilation – Changing American demographics and voting blocs – Democratic and Republican political strategy – Tom's argument about where he thinks it's heading

Agree with him. Disagree with him. Hear the argument before deciding, then do your own homework.

Opinions in this episode are Tom's alone and do not reflect the views of any sponsor.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Real Talk. Rural Life. Common Sense. Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Back at the Crawford In-Town Ranch for another "Did You Know?", Tom starts with the staggering scale of retail shrinkage in stores across America — the numbers, what retailers are seeing on the ground, why the losses hit everybody's wallet, and why he thinks the problem isn't being taken seriously.

Then the conversation turns to data centers, AI, and what comes next. With data centers becoming a fight in communities across the country, Tom takes on the biggest arguments — electricity, water, noise, local tax revenue — and whether America can afford to fall behind in the AI race.

Agree with him. Disagree with him. Yell at the screen if you need to. Just don't steal the screen.

And a milestone worth celebrating: Stix & Stuff has passed one million views. To everyone who's watched, subscribed, shared an episode, or stumbled into this wonderfully weird corner of the internet — thank you.

Opinions in this episode are Tom's alone and do not reflect the views of any sponsor.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Real Talk. Rural Life. Common Sense. Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

They found the waste. Tons of it. Then it all ground to a halt, and not one politician on the left or the right has been indicted. Tom's take — blunt and open — on fraud, term limits, and how a $175K salary turns into a $30 million net worth.

Timestamps 0:20 – Live from the Ellijay Cigar Lounge 0:57 – Where to eat, drink, and wander in Ellijay 4:10 – Whatever happened to DOGE? 6:37 – The Attorney General question 7:47 – How does this keep happening? 9:35 – Term limits 12:04 – Where Tom actually stands 14:15 – Do something special for somebody this week

Opinions in this episode are Tom's alone and do not reflect the views of any sponsor.

Visit the sponsors, all within reach of downtown Ellijay: Ellijay Cigar Lounge (on the square), House of Applejay (distillery, East Ellijay), Château Meichtry (winery, worth the drive), Buckley Vineyards & Buckley Downtown (new restaurant and tasting room), The Roof & The Door (restaurant upstairs, speakeasy downstairs — ask about a horse), and Smitty's Cigars (Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville).

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Cocktails featured: – Classic Appletini — vodka, Applejay, splash of lime – Hank's Cosmo — vodka, cranberry liqueur, lime – Applejay Mule — Applejay, Fever-Tree blood orange ginger beer, lime – Appalachian Iced Tea "The Chuck" — vodka, Applejay, iced tea, lime

Along the way: Applejay's run in the "Coolest Thing Made in Georgia" competition, why Caroline backs original artists over AI music, and how the distillery turned the 2026 FIFA World Cup into watch parties and a prediction game.

Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome and a word on sponsors 2:29 – Meet Caroline + "Coolest Thing Made in Georgia" 5:11 – The Classic Appletini 6:06 – Hank's Cosmo 7:26 – The Applejay Mule 8:39 – Appalachian Iced Tea: "The Chuck" 10:06 – AI, music, and supporting original artists 14:14 – World Cup 2026 watch parties 18:23 – The free prediction game 20:11 – Cheers and wrap-up

Local, leaf-peeper, or just passing through the Blue Ridge - come taste what Ellijay's pouring.

House of Applejay | East Ellijay, GA | houseofapplejay.com

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

After celebrating a 50,000-view milestone and a round of thanks to the local businesses that keep the show going, Tom digs into the trends he finds most disturbing about where the country is headed: primary elections with 20% turnout, a cultural apathy he sees taking hold in modern urban centers, a news media that profits from chaos, and a public that lets talking points do its thinking.

Are we looking at facts, or letting the narrative think for us? Tom's answer: take off the blinders and have the honest debate.

Timestamps 0:00 – Catching up and a milestone: 50K views 1:40 – Shoutout to the local Georgia sponsors 7:28 – Old school vs. new school: the microphone debate 9:15 – Divided America Pt. 4: disturbing trends 10:15 – The baffling truth about voter apathy 12:38 – Cultural apathy and the left's blind spots 16:41 – Why the news media is the devil 19:41 – Do something special for someone this week

Opinions in this episode are Tom's alone and do not reflect the views of any sponsor.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Tom settles into the Bobby Cox chair at the Ellijay Cigar Lounge for part three of the "Divided America" series and takes on the death of civil discourse — the respectful, open exchange of ideas that's supposed to help a country find common ground, and that Tom says no longer exists.

Nobody gets a pass. Tom calls out the right — Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nancy Mace, Anna Paulina Luna, Rand Paul — for putting "principles" ahead of the people they serve, and the left for media bias, labels, and political violence. Then he gets to the fix, which starts with regular people: the next time someone disagrees with you, don't insult them. Ask them why.

Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome: RIP Bobby Cox 1:45 – Keeping the cigar lit 2:24 – What civil discourse actually is 3:05 – Calling out the right: MTG, Nancy Mace, Anna Paulina Luna, Rand Paul 6:15 – Decorum vs. stupidity: why shutting down the government helps no one 6:45 – Attack the ideas, not the person 8:55 – Calling out the left: media bias, labels, and political violence 11:00 – Protesting vs. anarchy 12:00 – Handling someone who ignores the facts: just ask "why?" 14:00 – The mental health crisis in America 15:20 – Why Tom could never be a Walmart greeter 16:28 – Do something special for someone this week

Opinions in this episode are Tom's alone and do not reflect the views of any sponsor.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

This time Tom goes back to the foundations: the history of gerrymandering from its 1812 origins to today's software-drawn maps, and the "packing and cracking" of districts that, in his view, concentrates political power in urban centers at the expense of rural communities. With redistricting authority shifting back to the states, Tom asks whether a republic can hold its integrity when the road to the ballot box is drawn for partisan advantage.

In this episode: – From Patrick Henry's early maneuvering to the 1960s "one person, one vote" doctrine – Packing and cracking: how districts are drawn to dilute opposition votes – The rural–urban representation gap – Why immigration trends and census shifts shape future congressional maps

"Elections have consequences, but the maps that define them determine our future."

Opinions in this episode are Tom's alone and do not reflect the views of any sponsor.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

From having thousands of dollars in gear stolen — and miraculously recovered — to grinding it out on Broadway in Nashville, Adrian walks through the highs, the setbacks, and what he learned along the way. This isn't a polished industry story. It's the real one.

In this episode: – The gear theft, and how it came back – What the Broadway grind in Nashville really looks like – Songwriting in practice: inspiration is fleeting, so catch it in the moment – Protecting your voice, literally and figuratively – Why staying true to yourself beats chasing a label

Closes with a live performance of "Blue Eyes Across State Lines."

Stream Adrian Stover: Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6DQtFmLsWmgCEbU98IyfQa Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/adrian-stover/1629483513 Facebook: facebook.com/theadrianstover Instagram: instagram.com/theadrianstover

Missed his first visit? Go back to the December episode for "Pretty Little Devil."

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Tom shares his take on: – The SAVE Act and election policy – Immigration and the voting debate – Government structure, term limits, and how the process is supposed to work – The historical context behind major legislation – Why public opinion keeps pulling further apart

Agree or disagree, the ask is the same: stay informed, think critically, do your own research.

Opinions in this episode are Tom's alone and do not reflect the views of any sponsor.

Recorded at the Ellijay Cigar Lounge, downtown Ellijay, GA.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Hibernation Hank is House of Applejay Distillery's signature winter tradition — a Southern twist on Groundhog Day where Hank is "awakened" each year to deliver his official prediction. Tom records on-site during the event with distillery founder Caroline Porsiel and David Zelski, the Bear Whisperer himself, who leads the annual awakening and announces Hank's verdict.

In this episode: – How a distillery invented its own regional folklore – David Zelski on the art of waking a bear – Winter cocktails, live entertainment, and the crowd that keeps growing – The buzz that brought FOX 5 Atlanta to a small mountain town

Featuring David Zelski (host of GPB's A Fork in the Road and the SEC Songs guy) and Caroline Porsiel of House of Applejay.

Visit: House of Applejay, East Ellijay, GA.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Tom sits down with Nashville recording artist Adrian Stover at 29 North for a raw conversation about growing up on rock and roll, blowing out his vocal cords in Music City, and reinventing himself with a new sound and a brand-new record. The episode closes with a live performance of his original "Pretty Little Devil" — a gritty, grunge-leaning country/rock song about love, tension, and the kind of woman you never quite get over.

If you were raised on Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, the Stones, CCR, and SRV, you'll feel right at home.

In this episode: – First guitar at 9, first paid bar gig at 13 at Chevel's in Murphy, NC – Burning out in Nashville and finding a new voice – The new record and where the sound is headed – Live: "Pretty Little Devil"

Fueled by a glass (or two) of Rich Mountain Red from episode sponsor Chateau Meichtry in Ellijay, GA — Tom's "Six Flags of wineries."

Stream Adrian Stover: Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6DQtFmLsWmgCEbU98IyfQa Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/adrian-stover/1629483513 Facebook: facebook.com/theadrianstover Instagram: instagram.com/theadrianstover

Recorded at 29 North, Ellijay, GA.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

John's story runs from early coffeehouse gigs to dropping out, hitting the road, and touring alongside Steve Martin and the Dirt Band. He talks about the moment he joined the band, what a life in music actually looks like, and how a song comes together — catching melodies and lyrics wherever they show up.

In this episode: – John's path from coffeehouses to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Songwriting in practice: capturing inspiration on the go – His new album, upcoming shows, and where he's headed next – The Ellijay Songwriters Festival, held each May, and why it's one of the most intimate music experiences in the mountains

Recorded at 29 North, Ellijay, GA [add website/social].

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Tom returns to House of Applejay in East Ellijay for a double feature. First up, distillery founder Caroline Porsiel — back on the show after one of our most popular episodes — with more from the mother-and-daughter team turning German liqueur-making heritage into small-batch Appalachian spirits. Then Justin Heitman [add one line: who he is / what he does], with stories you'll be repeating later.

What you'll get: – Real conversation, no fluff, no sermon – A featured cigar and pour worth seeking out – Why cigar culture turns strangers into regulars – Black bears, Groundhog Day, and a couple of stories that go sideways in the best way

If you laughed once or learned once, follow the show and share it with a buddy who needs a better lounge.

Visit: House of Applejay, East Ellijay, GA.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Tom sets up at Smitty's Cigar Lounge in Gainesville, GA with Rob Thigpen and Don Thompson — two guys who kept a cigar shop thriving through ownership changes, a pandemic, and a never-ending supply of dad jokes.

Inside: the origin of Smitty's (founded by Clark Smith in 1997), how Rob went from humanitarian work in Russia and Ukraine to humidor duty, how Don went from Army MP and Savannah PD to professional community-builder, and why this lounge runs on regulars, laughs, and the occasional Friendsgiving. Also on the menu: boutique sticks, a proper bar, and the firm belief that cigars are a shortcut to conversation.

Timestamps 0:20 – What this show is (and why Guinness + Maduro works) 1:17 – Smitty's tour: big humidor, bigger hospitality 3:20 – The "Smitty" behind Smitty's and the handoff to Rob and Don 5:31 – Rob's unlikely path: orphanages to overring 8:23 – Don's path: Army MP → Savannah PD → cigar shop counselor 11:30 – Why cigar lounges = community (not a theory — proof) 21:01 – Yes, women smoke cigars; no, this isn't a boys' club 22:57 – Friendsgiving, watch parties, and why people keep coming back 28:04 – Where to find Smitty's online

Follow Smitty's Cigar Lounge: smittyscigarlounge.com | IG & FB @SmittysCigarLounge

If you laughed once, learned once, or lit up once — follow the show and tell a friend who needs a better lounge.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

It started with a spontaneous decision to buy a building on the square. Add Iraima's Cuban heritage and lifelong connection to cigars, and you get a shop that's become a gathering place — weekly veteran groups, events with brands like Plasencia and Kristoff, and a room where the regulars feel like family.

In this episode: – How Smokey Bear came to life on the Blue Ridge square – Iraima's Cuban roots and what cigars meant growing up – Cigar fellowship: the veteran groups and brand events that keep the lounge full – Pairings, special-edition releases, and the craft behind the world's finest blends – A few laughs, tangents, and Blue Ridge stories along the way

Seasoned aficionado or casual enthusiast, you'll enjoy the warmth, humor, and authenticity of this one. Pull up a chair, light up a stick, and join the conversation.

Visit: Smokey Bear Cigars, downtown Blue Ridge, GA.

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Davis shares how the lounge came together, what makes a cigar worth your time, and why a high-end lounge in a small mountain town became a genuine community hub — the kind of place where people from every walk of life pull up a chair and stay a while.

In this episode: – A pastor's case for cigar culture: craftsmanship, camaraderie, connection – Building a welcoming high-end lounge in downtown Ellijay – What to try if you're new to premium cigars – Why the lounge matters to the community beyond the smoke

Naturally, this is a home-game episode for Tom. Music by Surrender Hill.

Visit: Ellijay Cigar Lounge, downtown Ellijay, GA 

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Kevin walks Tom through the wines that put Buckley on the map: the Malbec No. 7 aged in Jack Daniel's barrels, a French-inspired sparkling wine made in the traditional champagne method, and the fan-favorite Campfire blend. Then the conversation moves out of the cellar to how Buckley Vineyards became a full destination — live music, an outdoor amphitheater, and a sound system built to keep guests coming back.

In this episode: – The story behind Malbec No. 7 and the whiskey-barrel aging – Making traditional-method sparkling wine in the Georgia mountains – Why the Campfire blend is the one everybody asks for – Turning a vineyard into a live-music destination

If you love wine, live music, and people who build things their own way, this one's for you.

Plan a visit: Buckley Vineyards, Ellijay, GA [add website].

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com

Jono's story runs from earning the Silver Medal for Bravery in law enforcement to raising over $100,000 for shelter dogs through the annual Lasagna Cook-Off at Buckley Vineyards. He and his wife Ashley ("Blondie") have changed what shelter life looks like in Gilmer County: every dog walked daily, new play yards built through grassroots fundraising, and a community that shows up for its "pitties."

In this episode: – From detective to insurance exec to full-time rescue advocate – How the Lasagna Cook-Off became Gilmer County's biggest animal fundraiser – What it takes to get every shelter dog walked every day – The other causes Jono champions: Meals on Wheels, Tunnel to Towers, and Neurofibromatosis awareness

Recorded on location at Buckley Vineyards in Ellijay, GA. Music by Surrender Hill.

Learn more or get involved at Ellijay Paws in Need [add website/Facebook link].

Stix & Stuff Podcast with Tom Crawford | Ellijay, Georgia Sponsor inquiries: thestixandstuffpodcast.com