Episodes

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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 starting to...

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 near-tragic accident. Since...

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 – and working up the ranks – in...

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 a new adventure. That's when this 11-year...

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....

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 game as well. On this episode of...

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 the world with The 25 Project....

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 up. It was very...

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 discussed...

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 landed on his back fence. That bird was...

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 pastor at Melissa United...

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 counting being a dad and...

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 the community's expectations of...