n this cozy, hilarious, and heartfelt episode of My Kommunity, I’m joined by lifelong friend Amanda McGowan as we unwrap our most ridiculous, warm, and unforgettable holiday memories—from awkward Santa photos and St. Patrick’s Day chaos to pranks, fire sticks, and egg hunts gone wrong. 🥚🎄

In this emotional and deeply insightful episode of My Kommunity, I sit down with the brilliant and compassionate Nye Jones, a wellness advocate and DEI professional, to talk about mental health, grief, equity, and the deeper systems that impact our well-being.

In this episode of My Kommunity, I sit down with my lifelong friend Jake Murtaugh to reflect on our shared journeys through mental health, anxiety, self-awareness, and the importance of deep friendships over time and distance.

In this soul-stirring episode of My Kommunity, I sit down with Isiah Sestoto—a deep thinker, storyteller, and emerging author—for an unfiltered conversation about mental health, identity, and navigating the chaos of modern life.

In this hauntingly fun episode of My Kommunity, John sits down with scientist and former radio host Dr. Victoria Sharp, who shares some chilling personal stories that will stick with you like a haunted melody. From her childhood encounters with the mysterious Scratch Man to eerie tales of staircases in the woods, fungi with minds of their own, and cryptid lore like the Jersey Devil — this episode blends science, folklore, fear, and fun.

Tune in as John and Victoria explore how spooky stories reflect our deepest fears, the role of intuition, and why sometimes the things we can’t explain are the most fascinating of all.

👻 Grab your nightlight and enjoy this spine-tingling ride!

In this eerie and emotional episode of My Kommunity, John sits down with special guest, poet and editor Chimen Kouri — to share chilling, true supernatural experiences that will make you sleep with the lights on. 🕯️👀

From a terrifying red-haired spirit that haunted Chimen's family for years… To sleep paralysis figures, three-knock warnings, and an emotional visitation from a past-life lover… This episode dives into the unexplained, the unbelievable — and the undeniably real.

🎙️ Topics we cover:

• Childhood ghost sightings
• Sleep paralysis demons & the "Hat Man"
• Paranormal activity in suburban New Jersey
• Spirit guides, past lives, and dream visitations
• Why not all ghosts are evil

💬 Whether you're a skeptic, believer, or someone in between — this episode might change how you think about the spirit world.

📚 Learn more about Chimen:

• Peach Milk (Bottlecap Press, 2021)
• What Haunts Me The Most (Currency Press, 2023)

In this deeply personal and joyfully creative episode of My Kommunity, host John Garis sits down with his wife, Katie Garis, for the final installment of the Hobbies Edition — and it might just be the most heartfelt one yet. 💛

Katie opens up about:

🧶 Her lifelong love of crochet, crafting, and carpentry 📚 How books and video games became tools of connection and comfort 🏠 The inspiration behind becoming a civil engineer 🎮 Childhood memories of The Sims, GameCube, and bonding with family 🧠 Living with perfectionism and learning to embrace the big picture 🎉 Her dreams of turning creativity into a future business

From handmade bachelorette party gifts to shelves she built herself, Katie shares the real, raw truth behind the joys and challenges of being a maker, and how it all ties into family, identity, and love.

It’s an episode full of laughs, nostalgia, insight — and one very competitive game of Mario Party. 💥

In this episode of My Kommunity, John sits down with his childhood best friend Pat Strickland — a world traveler, lifelong athlete, and diehard Washington Commanders fan. From snowball fights that felt like warzones to traveling across Southeast Asia, Pat shares how hobbies, sports, and fandom shaped his identity.

We dive into:

• Pat’s early days playing every sport under the sun
• His hilarious snowball sniper moments
• Moving to China and lessons from life abroad
• His deep-rooted loyalty to the Commanders (formerly Redskins)
• What it means to stay true — to your hobbies, to your team, and to yourself

Plus, Pat shares life advice from his travels: the value of curiosity, being off the beaten path, and why loyalty always pays off in the long run.