I started this podcast out of real curiosity. I genuinely enjoy talking with people and learning from their experiences—getting to know who they are and what shaped them into the person they are today. It began with a simple idea: getting to know people I thought I already knew a little better.

Over time, it’s grown into something more. Now, it’s not just about talking with people in my network—friends, people from my local community, fellow Naval Academy alumni, or veterans—but also about sitting down with those unique people all around us, our ‘neighbors’ in the broadest sense, who have interesting stories, different perspectives, and real experience to share. We talk about successes and failures, lessons learned, and the things that actually shape a life, so I can learn from them and apply that wisdom to my own growth.

If that’s something you value—if you enjoy real conversations, curiosity, and learning from other people—you’re in the right place. I’d love for you to listen, subscribe, and follow along for the ride. Join me to Know Your Neighbor.

Steve Samaras is the owner and founder of Zachary’s Jewelers in Annapolis, Maryland.

His iconic store in the heart of downtown’s main street has become a local institution, known for more than just fine jewelry. Steve’s approach to business is rooted in personal values, genuine care for people, and a belief that success doesn’t require sacrificing who you are.

His story is one of craftsmanship, community, and building something lasting the right way.

🔗 Website: Zachary’s Jewelers
📸 Instagram: @zacharys_jewelers

Kate Myers is the author of the novels Excavations and Salty. From studying archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania, to working in television and digital media, and ultimately to fiction writing.

Kate shares stories from real archaeology digs, her career stops at CBS, CollegeHumor, and BuzzFeed, and how those experiences shaped her writing. Now based in Annapolis, Kate reflects on creative pivots, storytelling, trusting unconventional career paths and seeing one of her books adapted for the screen as a new television series. 

🌐 Kate Myers — https://katemyersisanauthor.com

📘  Excavations 

📕  Salty

📸Frontdoorsofannapolis

📸⁠Know Your Neighbor

Carrie Chojnowski, a Certified Holistic Gut Specialist and Health Coach with Thrive4Life Holistic Health and member of The Kinney Clinic, joins Know Your Neighbor  to discuss the science and art of gut health. She shares how she built her practice, why the gut is often called the body’s “second brain,” and what simple habits can help anyone strengthen their microbiome and overall well-being—no matter where they live.

🌿 Thrive4Life Holistic Health website
🏥 The Kinney Clinic
🎙️ Thrive With Carrie
📸 @thrive.with.carrie

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📸 @KYN_Pod

John Frenaye, creator of Eye On Annapolis, joins Know Your Neighbor to share how he built a thriving local news and storytelling platform that connects an entire community. From breaking news to hidden gems, Eye On Annapolis has become a model for how local media can create impact, trust, and belonging—lessons that resonate far beyond Annapolis.

🎙️ Eye On Annapolis Podcast
🌐 Eye On Annapolis Website
📸 Eye On Annapolis Instagram

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📸 KYN Pod Instagram

Our first return guest.....In this follow-up episode, Know Your Neighbor  welcomes back Dr. Ben Horn — a former Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot who made a remarkable career transition into dentistry and periodontistry.

The conversation picks up where his first episode left off, diving into the second chapter of his professional life. Ben shares what it was like going through the demands of dental school while raising a young family, and the critical support his wife provided along the way.

He also reflects on the through line between military aviation and dentistry: the ability to compartmentalize and bring total focus to the task at hand.

Whether in the cockpit or the operating chair, Ben thrives in high-consequence environments that demand presence, precision, and purpose.

This episode is a story of discipline, reinvention, and the pursuit of excellence in entirely different arenas.

🔗 Connect with Ben: Ben Horn on LinkedIn

🎧 Follow the show: KYN POD IG
📝 Share your thoughts: Feedback Survey

Dr. Erin Kinney is the founder of The Kinney Clinic in Annapolis, Maryland and a leader in the naturopathic health space.

Dr. Kinney shares her personal journey into medicine, which began after navigating her own health challenges, and what inspired her to launch The Kinney Clinic — a practice dedicated to helping patients uncover the root causes of their symptoms and restore balance in both body and life.

The conversation explores the biology of stress and the vital role hormones like cortisol play in overall well-being, along with practical ways to build healthier habits and improve resilience.

A thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion with one of the area’s most respected voices in holistic healthcare.

🎧 Guest Links:
🌐 The Kinney Clinic Website
📸 Dr. Kinney on Instagram
📸 The Kinney Clinic on Instagram
📚 Author of the upcoming book: The Cortisol Cure (Fall 2026)

🎙️ KYN Links:
📸 @kyn_pod on Instagram
📝 KYN Feedback Survey

Amanda Appelbaum is a former lawyer turned functional health coach who helps people heal from the inside out. In this episode, she shares her personal journey, what inspired her to shift careers, and how she now guides others through mindset work, gut health, and sustainable lifestyle change.

Amanda believes true wellness starts with a deep dive into your own psyche — and builds from there.

If you’re a busy parent, a health-curious skeptic, or someone who’s hit a wall with conventional medicine — this conversation is for you.

🔗 Connect with Amanda:

🌐 amandalaurenwellness.com

📸 @amandalaurenwellness on Instagram

📌 KYN Links:

📸 @kyn_pod on Instagram

📝 Feedback Survey

Know Your Neighbor is a podcast that brings listeners closer to the incredible people shaping their communities — one conversation at a time.

John Schofield — Navy veteran, master communicator, and host of the Sing Second Sports podcast — joins Know Your Neighbor for a conversation that spans leadership, storytelling, and community building.

This episode explores John’s journey from his start in ROTC at Villanova University to his career as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) in the U.S. Navy. After his operational tours, he transitioned to teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he became a passionate supporter of the institution. John later shifted into Public Affairs, ultimately continuing his impact post-service as Director of Communications at the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (USNAAA&F).

The discussion also covers the origin story and growth of Sing Second Sports, a podcast dedicated to covering Navy athletics and connecting the Academy community through thoughtful storytelling and commentary.

Get an inside look at the role of communication in leadership, the power of alumni engagement, and what it means to “play the long game” — both in service and beyond.

📌 John's Links:

📸 Follow Sing Second Sports on Instagram

📌 KYN Links:

Know Your Neighbor is a podcast that brings listeners closer to the incredible people shaping their communities — one conversation at a time.

Dave Sikorski grew up with a fishing rod in hand and the Chesapeake Bay woven into daily life. Today, as Executive Director of Coastal Conservation Association Maryland, he leads efforts to amplify the voices of anglers, hunters, and conservation-minded citizens across the state.

This episode explores his journey from childhood fishing trips with his father and grandfather to his current role at the helm of one of Maryland’s most influential environmental organizations. Topics include CCA Maryland’s initiatives—such as reef ball programs for habitat restoration—and the broader importance of protecting the Bay’s natural resources.

Through a conversation rooted in passion, local legacy, and purpose-driven work, this episode highlights the connection between people and place—and the power of community to drive meaningful change.

🔗 Coastal Conservation Association Maryland: ccamd.org
🎣 CCA MD Podcast – "What’s On the Line": YouTube Channel
📬 Contact Dave Sikorski: [email protected]
📸 Follow CCA MD on Instagram: @cca_md

🗣️ Listener Feedback: Know Your Neighbor Feedback Survey
📱 Follow Know Your Neighbor on IG: @kyn_pod