Welcome to Melissa, Texas
The Front Porch

Episodes

June 13, 2025

S3, E17: Joey Mitnick - Cutting to the Heart of Community

Season 3, Episode 17: Joey Mitnic k is cutting to the heart of Melissa, Texas - literally. He is the owner of Buffalo Joe's Barber Lounge in Melissa, and he's excited for his small business to be a cornerstone of this communi...

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May 29, 2025

S3, E16: Author Tammy Oveross - Pickled Legacy

Season 3, Episode 16: Published author Tammy Osburn Oveross does not live in Melissa, Texas. She doesn't work in Melissa either. But she is the perfect guest for this episode of The Front Porch , because her roots run deep in...

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May 14, 2025

S3, E15: Author Jake Evans - Rewriting the Meaning of Community

Season 3, Episode 15: Published author Jake Evans now calls Melissa, Texas, home. He loves this community, but it's his communities within the community that are starting to create impactful ripple effects - whether that's at...

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April 30, 2025

S3, E14: Melissa Farmers Market - A 'Truly Beautiful' Experience

Season 3, Episode 14: The Melissa Farmer's Market is alive again - and it's thriving! That is thanks to the love and passion of Caitlin Trahan and Britney West. These two stay-at-home moms wanted to restart the farmer's market, and it has grown into...

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April 16, 2025

S3, E13: Rachel and Lance Buckley - Finding Exactly What They Were Lo…

Season 3, Episode 13: When Rachel and Lance Buckley moved to Melissa, Texas, in 2019, they found exactly what they were looking for. But there is more to the story, because Lance Buckley - now a member of the Melissa Police Department - initially had...

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April 4, 2025

S3, E12: Marcial Marichalar: Making Melissa Smile

Season 3, Episode 12: When Marcial Marichalar put on his shorty shorts, boots and cowboy hat to run through the snowy streets of Melissa in 2019, he never imagined the impact it would have on his community. He just wanted to make people smile. That's...

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March 20, 2025

S3, E11: Jennifer Nehls: Getting the Library Outside Its Walls

Season 3, Episode 11: It's ironic that Jennifer Nehls has an incredible story, because for the last nine years she has worked at the Melissa Public Library. Her plan going into college was to be a marine geoscientist. Now, she's the Library Director...

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March 4, 2025

S3, E10: Jennifer Clark - Writing the Script for Downtown

Season 3, Episode 10: Jennifer Clark moved to Melissa, Texas, in 2019. She instantly fell in love with her new community. It didn't take her long to become very curious, too. So, she decided to scratch that curiosity itch by getting involved. It...

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Feb. 20, 2025

S3, E9: Amy Matthews - Embracing a Growth Mindset

Season 3, Episode 9: Amy Matthews has a pretty intimidating title. She is the Development Services Director for the City of Melissa. But don’t be scared by her position with the city. This is an engaging episode that really captures how Melissa is...

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Feb. 6, 2025

S3, E8: Terrell Smith (Asst. City Manager) - 'Daring But Cautious'

Season 3, Episode 8: Terrell Smith has only been on the job in Melissa, Texas, for a few months, but the new assistant city manager already has a heart for this community. On this episode of The Front Porch, Terrell Smith shares his story, talks about...

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Jan. 22, 2025

S3, E7: Katy Vendetti - 'Where Did I Move To?'

Season 3, Episode 7: Growing up in different metropolitan cities, Katy Vendetti never planted roots. After moving to Texas and becoming a mom ... that's all she wanted to do. Spoiler Alert: She quickly made that happen in Melissa, Texas. How did she...

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Jan. 8, 2025

S3, E6: Meals on Wheels - 'You're Not Alone in the Fight'

Season 3, Episode 6: Meals on Wheels of Collin County is creating ripple effects in Melissa, Texas (not to mention the other 26 cities across the county.) On this episode of The Front Porch, we sat down with two Meals on Wheels rock stars - Queen...

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Dec. 19, 2024

S3, E5: Braum's Granny - Source of Light and Kindness

Season 3, Episode 5: If you live in Melissa, Texas, you might not know the name Judy Lewis Smith, but I promise you know exactly who she is. You just know her as "Braum's Granny," and she has probably put a smile on your face with her heart-felt and...

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Dec. 5, 2024

S3, E4: Steve Zeigler: Slice of Community

Season 3, Episode 4: It's all about community and giving back for Steve Zeigler, owner of Mountain Mike's Pizza in Melissa, Texas. That's why he opened his very first Jersey Mike's. That's why he opened five more locations of the popular sandwich shop...

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Nov. 21, 2024

S3, E3: Sebastien Leitz: 'How Can We Impact Kids?'

Season 3, Episode 3: Sebastien Leitz wants to put Melissa, Texas, on the map, and he wants to do it one young athlete at a time. This former collegiate tennis player, who is co-owner of The Athlete Group, is helping turn up the knob on youth sports...

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Nov. 6, 2024

S3, E2: Z-Plex - Fielding the Hard Questions

Season 3, Episode 2: On this episode of The Front Porch, we share a conversation between Mayor Jay Northcut and community advocate Doug Zadow. Both of these gentlemen have been on the podcast before, but this particular episode will highlight their...

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Oct. 23, 2024

S3, E1: Melissa Rotary Club: Creating Ripple Effects

Season 3, Episode 1: Incredible ripple effects are being felt across Melissa, Texas, and the local Rotary Club is the catalyst behind a lot of it. On this episode of The Front Porch, we'll focus on a this impactful organization. We'll tell the Rotary...

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Oct. 9, 2024

S2, E24: Asst. Police Chief John Duscio - Passion Behind the Badge

Season 2, Episode 24: John Duscio, assistant police chief in Melissa, doesn't live in the community he serves, and he hasn't worked here very long. That doesn't matter. This long-time public servant already has a heart for Melissa, Texas. He also has...

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Sept. 25, 2024

S2, E23: Coach Ashley Pruitt - 'We Are ... Family'

Season 2, Episode 23: Coach Ashley Pruitt loves her family, and that is more than just her husband and two kiddos. That is also every volleyball player at Melissa High School. Coach Pruitt has instilled a family-first mindset in the volleyball...

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Sept. 11, 2024

S2, E22: Brian Masters - Bringing Hope to Melissa

Season 2, Episode 22: Potential has always intrigued Brian Masters, president of Hope Coffee. That is why he started his inspirational brand and why he wanted to bring his company to Melissa, Texas. Brian Masters firmly believes in this community, and...

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Sept. 4, 2024

S2, E21: Coach Matt Nally - 'It's About Winning Life'

Season 2, Episode 21: Coach Matt Nally wants to win football games, but over the last few years he's realized that's not why he does what he does. In the midst of his success on the football field, his philosophy on coaching has evolved. Instead of...

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Aug. 28, 2024

S2, E20: Allen Ellen - Fighting for His Dream

Season 2, Episode 20: Allen Ellen has been fighting for his dream for a long time. Now that lifelong dream is becoming a reality in Melissa, Texas. Allen is the Chief of Instruction at Pro Black Belt Academy, the new martial arts facility in Melissa....

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Aug. 15, 2024

S2, E19: Mila Figg - Creating Her Own 'Milk and Honey'

Season 2, Episode 19: Mila Figg is an all-star. She is a published author. She is a mechanical engineer. She is a small business owner. On this episode of The Front Porch, we give Mila the opportunity to share her inspiring story, because she now...

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July 30, 2024

S2, E18: Judge David Moore - 'Justice With Some Mercy'

Season 2, Episode 18: This conversation with Judge David Moore exemplifies our mission for this community podcast. His spirit and passion for Melissa, Texas, is contagious. His dedication to serving and giving back to this community is inspiring....

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