Excited for the 2018 Maryland General Assembly session?

So are we.

In the latest episode of the Frederick Uncut podcast, Frederick News-Post politics reporters Danielle E. Gaines and Kelsi Loos sit down with host Colin McGuire to discuss what Annapolis has in store during the 90-day session, which kicks off Wednesday.

From the big issues including brewery regulations and paid sick leave policies to the proposed legislation from local lawmakers, this episode serves as a primer for those interested in county and state politics.

Despite what Taylor Swift might think, most of us can unanimously agree: 2017 was the worst. We all bore witness as the entertainment industry burned, fueled by countless allegations of sexual assault against some of its most powerful players. Covfefe was a thing. The Emoji Movie disgraced screens all over the nation.

For life coach Anne Kelly, though, focusing on the negatives just gets in the way of accomplishing goals. The Frederick-based instructor joined host Colin McGuire and News-Post reporter Kate Masters in the studio to discuss how to improve 2018, from positive thinking to finding the courage to make major life changes. She also explained the secrets behind key coaching techniques, including one her website touts as “the most effective learning process in the world.”

Chef Bryan Voltaggio, the executive chef and owner of Frederick's Volt restaurant, is a man who has experienced many adventures. He's cooked for celebrities like Bruno Mars and even jumped out of a plane and then competed in a cooking competition on the Food Network minutes later. Voltaggio was a finalist on Top Chef season 6 as well as Top Chef Masters. But Voltaggio is also more than that. He shares his favorite holiday dish and how he rose up the ranks to be the successful chef and business owner that he is today.

Santa's helper and Thurmont mayor, John Kinnaird joins host Colin McGuire and reporter Samantha Hogan to talk about what it means to don the red suit and to help protect and develop an evolving community as well as his holiday traditions, immigration to the U.S. and small town politics.

On the latest episode of Frederick Uncut, Aje Hill, founder of the charity I Believe in Me, sat down with host Colin McGuire and News-Post reporter Nancy Lavin to talk about his past and the future of his program.

He eventually hopes to start chapters nationwide, helping children who lack the support networks in their families or communities to overcome their circumstances and find success.

Come Dec. 14, Frederick Alderman Josh Bokee will hang up his political hat after one term on the board.

On the latest episode of Frederick Uncut, Bokee sat down with host Colin McGuire and News-Post reporter Mallory Panuska to talk about everything from his time on the dais over the last four years and some of the hot-button city issues he tackled, to running across the Bay Bridge and the surprising deliciousness of McDonald’s new chicken tenders.

The current mayor and Board of Aldermen will hold their last public hearing Thursday, with the new elected officials set to be sworn in on Dec. 14.

Frederick Police Department Officer Dan Sullivan, a former Army Green Beret soldier and current instructor, joins host Colin McGuire and News-Post reporter Jeremy Arias to discuss his role in the FPD Police Academy. Sullivan talks about some of the techniques he brought to the academy and how he gets inside recruits' head.

Tom England, co-owner of Dancing Bear Toys and Gifts in Frederick, sits down with host Colin McGuire and News-Post reporter Nancy Lavin to share the secrets to his business success and why you won't find any battery-powered toys on the shelves at Dancing Bear.

They also discuss Frosty Friday, the downtown Frederick alternative to Black Friday, and England's career journey from scientist and government contractor to toymaker and seller. Plus, England takes a gander on which of the 2017 nominees made the cut into the National Toy Hall of Fame — the suspense will be worth it, we promise.

Carin Robinson, a political science professor at Hood College since 2009, helped organize the “Training Ms. President” program — a collaboration of Hood College, Goucher College, Washington College and Mount St. Mary’s University — a multi-day seminar each year for young women interested in pursuing careers in politics.

In the latest episode of the Frederick Uncut podcast, Robinson joined host Colin McGuire and Frederick News-Post reporter Danielle E. Gaines to talk about women in politics and the intersection of politics and religion, a focus of her research.

On the latest episode of Frederick Uncut, Kenyon Parker, 92, shares his story of life before, during and after the war, and how he's adapted to nearly a century of societal changes. Podcast host Colin NcGuire and News-Post reporter Nancy Lavin also talk about The News-Post's special publication, "Voices of Valor," which pays homage to more than 50 WWII veterans who live in Frederick County, including Parker.

Their stories offer a glimpse into the lives of the "Greatest Generation" — across theaters and branches of service, of men and women, black and white and Japanese-American, some who experienced battle and bloodshed and others whose service was unlike the Hollywood characterization of war.