Welcome to Melissa, Texas
The Front Porch

Episodes

April 17, 2024

S2, E11: Tyler Brewer - 'Providing a Place for People to Simply Be'

Season 2, Episode 11: Coming out grad school, Tyler Brewer's first "real" job was with the City of Melissa. Ten years later, he's never left. On this episode of The Front Porch, the executive director of development explains what he …

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April 3, 2024

S2, E10: Joseph Armstrong - Forward Thinking & Raising the Bar

Season 2, Episode 10: Before jumping into commercial construction and owning/operating a local restaruant, Joseph Armstrong was a former youth pastor. During that season of his life, he learned the importance of focusing on other people. That life...

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March 20, 2024

S2, E9: Tammy Davis – Ripple Effects of a Servant Heart

Season 2, Episode 9: Tammy Davis is a longtime resident of Melissa, Texas. She also has a huge heart for giving back. It’s safe to say that Tammy Davis is selfless, and you’ll quickly find out in our conversation where …

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March 5, 2024

S2, E8: Bridget Saxton - Talking Up the Heart of Melissa

Season 2, Episode 8: It didn't take Bridget Saxton long to fall in love with Melissa, Texas. As the new communications manager for the city, Bridget has grown fond of this community in a very short amount of time. On …

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Feb. 21, 2024

S2, E7: Dana Conklin - Creating Ripple Effects

Season 2, Episode 7: Dana Conklin will be quick to tell you that she is a "victim of her raisin'. " She is definitely a servant leader, and she points to her upbringing for establishing that foundation of giving back. …

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Feb. 6, 2024

S2, E6: Mayor Jay Northcut – City's Growth Leader

Season 2, Episode 6: I bet you didn't know that Mayor Jay Northcut has run 20 marathons. I bet you also didn't know that he loves comic books. On this episode of The Front Porch, we pull back the curtain …

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Jan. 23, 2024

S2, E5: Courtney Willis - 'It Feels Good to Help People'

Season 2, Episode 5: There is nothing like a good comeback story - a story highlighted by resilience, love and selflessness. This is one of those stories! Our featured guest on this episode of The Front Porch is Courtney Willis. …

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Jan. 9, 2024

S2, E4: Preston Taylor - Plan Accordingly

Season 2, Episode 4: Preston Taylor and his young family now call Melissa, Texas, home. When he's not blazing a trail in commercial real estate, he is the chairman of Melissa's Planning and Zoning Commission.

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Dec. 19, 2023

S2, E3: Deric Salser – Gateway to Progress

Season 2, Episode 3: Deric Salser and the Salser Development Group are leaving a profound impact on Melissa, Texas. On this episode of The Front Porch, Deric Salser shares the vision and story and expectations of Gateway Village, which is …

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Nov. 29, 2023

S2, E2: Kelton Brewer – The Chance to Pay It Forward

Season 2, Episode 2: Kelton Brewer drowned when he was two years old. Based on accounts from the incident, Kelton said he actually died. But thanks to a neighbor, and Plano Fire and Rescue, he was revived and survived the …

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Nov. 29, 2023

S2, E1: Chief Eric Stokes – Just the Right Fit

Season 2, Episode 1: Eric Stokes hasn't been the Police Chief in Melissa, Texas, for very long. But he already has a heart for this community – and according to him, it starts with the people. After a long tenure …

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Oct. 7, 2021

Episode 30: Mike Demsky (Doug Out Sports Grill)

Episode 30: Mike Demsky has started a new chapter in his life. After spending many years in the golf industry – working at some of the best courses and clubs in North Texas – he decided it was time for …

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Sept. 16, 2021

Episode 29: Wayne Poage (Symmetry Sports Construction)

Episode 29: The importance of relationships in Melissa, Texas, keeps coming up on this podcast. Symmetry Sports Construction, which has played a significant role in almost every sports facility in Melissa, wholeheartedly believes in that philosophy....

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Sept. 2, 2021

Episode 28: Lynn Vanlandingham (Five Tool Baseball)

Episode 28: Lynn Vanlandingham, owner of Five Tool Baseball, has a passion for baseball. The cool part of his story is that fact that he has partnered with a community – Melissa, Texas – that has a passion for the …

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Aug. 19, 2021

Episode 27: Kent Jones Davis (The 25 Project)

Episode 27: Kent Jones Davis has called Melissa, Texas, home for more than 14 years. He has a heart for this community, but we wanted to bring him on the podcast to talk about the amazing ripples he's generating across …

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June 18, 2021

Episode 26: Dena Norton

Episode 26: Dena Norton has a servants heart for Melissa, Texas. She is the Director of Community Outreach, which runs the food pantry in Melissa. When Dena talks about the food pantry, and the amazing people they serve, she lights …

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June 3, 2021

Episode 25: Carson Ross and Kadyn King

Episode 25: Teenagers provide a completely different perspective about community. On this episode of "Heart of Melissa," we got the chance to visit with Carson Ross and Kadyn King, seniors in the Class of 2021 at Melissa High School. They …

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May 20, 2021

Episode 24: Principal Marcus Eckert

Episode 24: A series of powerful events led Marcus Eckert to Melissa, Texas. It started with a high school football game ... next came a hug from Duke Sparks ... then an answered prayer in the form of bird that …

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May 6, 2021

Episode 23: Rev. Stacey Piyakhun (Melissa UMC)

Episode 23: Stacey Piyakhun doesn't mix her words. She has a heart for the people in Melissa, Texas, and she does a beautiful job expressing that love and admiration. On this episode of "Heart of Melissa," Rev. Piyakhun – lead …

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April 15, 2021

Episode 22: Pastor Trey Graham (First Melissa)

Episode 22: Trey Graham wears a lot of different hats. He's the lead pastor at First Melissa ... he does the radio play-by-play for Melissa football ... he's an author ... and he hosts two radio shows. (That's not even …

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March 26, 2021

Episode 21: City Manager Jason Little

Episode 21: Melissa City Manager Jason Little has his finger on the pulse of this community. He has served in his current role for 15 years, and he has a servant's heart for Melissa, Texas. On this episode we discuss …

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March 11, 2021

Episode 20: George James

Episode 20: George James has called Melissa, Texas, home for a long time. Thirty-five years to be exact. He's seen a lot of changes in his community, especially in regards to Melissa Schools. James has been on the school board …

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Feb. 25, 2021

Episode 19: Pastor Ryan Ross (City Church Melissa)

Episode 19: Ryan Ross, pastor at City Church Melissa, has a huge heart for this community. The vision of his church captures that beautifully: "We are a community of people living for the glory of God and the good of …

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Feb. 11, 2021

Episode 18: Parris Hill Farm & Ranch

Episode 18: Diane and Lillie Miller have called Melissa, Texas, home for a long time. Their roots run deep. As Melissa continues to grow and evolve, the owners of Parris Hill Farm and Ranch are determined to hold on to …

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