Welcome to Melissa, Texas
The Front Porch

Episodes

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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July 17, 2024

S2, E17: Chris Thatcher - All About the Residents

Season 2, Episode 17: Chris Thatcher was destined to work in city government. From his father to his brothers, public servicet has become a calling, and Chris Thatcher takes his role as Utility Billing Director in Melissa, Texas, very seriously. For...

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July 3, 2024

Andrew Lowry: Service Above Self

Season 2, Episode 16: Andrew Lowry served our country for 34 years in the Army Reserves. When he got out, he made it his mission to give back and embrace the community that supported him and his family for so long. Melissa, Texas, has benefitted from...

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June 19, 2024

S2, E15: Nolan Harvey - Building Community

Season 2, Episode 15: Nolan Harvey, the contracted city engineer in Melissa, brings a completely different perspective to this episode of The Front Porch. He has worked for the City of Melissa for almost 9 years, and he has been at the forefront of...

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June 4, 2024

S2, E14: Alyssa Chaney - Celebrating Cardinal Pride

Season 2, Episode 14: Alyssa Chaney grew up in Melissa, Texas. She left to attend college in Stephenville, Texas, but as soon as she graduated from Tarleton State University, she came straight back home. Now, she is getting the amazing opportunity to...

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May 22, 2024

S2, E13: Fire Chief Carl Nix - All in the Family

Season 2, Episode 13: Melissa's Fire Chief does not live in the community that he serves, but his love and passion for Melissa, Texas, runs deep. That love and passion - along with his heart for his fire family - is what inspires Carl Nix to spend two...

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May 1, 2024

S2, E12: Don Dykstra - Homeward Bound

Season 2, Episode 12: On this podcast, we tell the story of Melissa, Texas, by sharing the stories of the people who live and work here. This episode of The Front Porch is a little different. Our featured guest, Don Dykstra - owner of Bloomfield...

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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 loves about...

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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 her kind heart comes from. On...

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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 this episode of The Front Porch,...

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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. From serving on the Melissa City...

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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 and really get to know the elected leader of...

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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. Courtney and her...

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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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