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  • S4, E16: Darren Thompson – An Education in Legacy

    S4, E16: Darren Thompson – An Education in Legacy
    Jun 26 2026
    Season 4, Episode 16 of The Front Porch Podcast features Darren Thompson, who serves on the Melissa School Board and was an inaugural member of Leadership Melissa.

    The people who shape our lives often never realize just how far their influence will reach.

    From growing up in a family of educators to building a career as an IT Engineer for Toyota, Darren shares how his mother's passion for serving students inspired a lifelong commitment to giving back. What began around the family dinner table eventually led him to Melissa, where a simple question, "How can I help?", opened the door to serving both the school district and the community he now calls home.

    Along the way, Darren reflects on why Melissa's schools first attracted his family, what he learned through Leadership Melissa, and why understanding how a community works is one of the best ways to become part of it.

    This episode is a reminder that strong communities are built by people who care enough to get involved, invest in others, and leave things better than they found them.

    Listen now for a conversation about education, leadership, service, and the ripple effect one person can have on an entire community.

    Links:

    City of Melissa: Website

    Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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    20 Min.
  • S4, E15: Inventing a Life of Faith, Family and Community

    S4, E15: Inventing a Life of Faith, Family and Community
    Jun 11 2026
    What starts as an idea can sometimes grow into something much bigger.

    In this episode of The Front Porch Podcast, we sit down with Roberto and Katie Hern, owners of Hern's Pest Control and Hern's Pro Products, to talk about the journey that led them from Southern California to North Texas and from a simple observation in the pest control industry to becoming inventors with a patented product.

    After nearly three decades in the pest control business, Roberto noticed a common problem in Texas homes that wasn't being addressed. What began as an idea developed in their kitchen eventually became a patented product designed to help homeowners protect their homes from pests. But bringing that idea to life wasn't easy.

    Along the way, Roberto and Katie share the challenges, sacrifices, and unwavering faith that carried them through the process. They reflect on the importance of putting God first, family second, and community third, and how those values have shaped both their business and their lives.

    The conversation also offers a glimpse into the partnership behind the success. Roberto credits Katie as the rock of their family and the person who encouraged him to pursue the idea when it was still just a dream. Katie shares her own commitment to serving others through her involvement in the community, church, and local schools.

    This episode is a reminder that success isn't always measured by profits or patents. Sometimes it's measured by the people who stand beside you, the problems you're willing to solve, and the impact you're able to make along the way.

    Listen now and hear the story of faith, family, perseverance, and a family's journey to turning an idea into reality.

    Links:

    Hern's Pest Control: Website

    Hern's Pro Products: Website

    City of Melissa: Website

    Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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    31 Min.
  • S4, E14: Anthony Obiselu (Yonx Pizza) - A Slice of Life

    S4, E14: Anthony Obiselu (Yonx Pizza) - A Slice of Life
    May 28 2026
    Season 4, Episode 14 of The Front Porch Podcast features Anthony Obiselu, part owner of Yonx Pizza Bar & Co.

    Links:

    Yonx Pizza Bar & Co: Website

    City of Melissa: Website

    Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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    29 Min.
  • S4, E13: FC Cardinals - The Ultimate Goal

    S4, E13: FC Cardinals - The Ultimate Goal
    May 15 2026
    Season 4, Episode 13 of The Front Porch Podcast features Cachelle and Puc Westrupp, the owners and operators of FC Cardinals Soccer Club in Melissa.

    What started with a single team of 4-year-olds has grown into a program serving more than 200 kids across 14 teams, all built around one mission: putting kids first.

    In this episode, Cachelle and Puc share why they saw opportunity in Melissa long before the growth arrived, how they’ve worked to make competitive soccer affordable for families through sponsorships and scholarships, and why creating quality young adults matters just as much as developing athletes.

    From partnering with Melissa ISD and supporting Special Olympics to helping young players dream of one day competing in Melissa’s world-class high school stadium, FC Cardinals is focused on more than soccer.

    They’re building community, friendships, and opportunities for local families. Listen as they talk about growth, family, affordability, and their ultimate goal of supporting Melissa students both on and off the field.

    Links:

    FC Cardinals: Website

    FC Cardinals: Facebook

    City of Melissa: Website

    Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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    27 Min.
  • S4, E12: Cardinal Carriers - Delivering on Faith

    S4, E12: Cardinal Carriers - Delivering on Faith
    Apr 23 2026
    Season 4, Episode 12: Faith led Jamie and Seth Tilley to Melissa, Texas. They were traveling three days a week from their home in Richardson to attend First Melissa and spend time with Seth's dad. During those frequent visits, they started to fall in love with community, specifically the people. Then ... a seed was planted by one of Seth's friends that changed everything. That seed was watered by Jamie and Seth's entrepreneurial spirit and Cardinal Carriers Express was born, filling a huge void in the community. On this episode of The Front Porch, Jamie and Seth share their story, which is highlighted by their devout faith. #frontporch

    Links:

    Cardinal Carriers Express: Website

    City of Melissa: Website

    Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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    32 Min.
  • S4, E11: Cardinal Nation – 'We Want to Build State Champion Winners'

    S4, E11: Cardinal Nation – 'We Want to Build State Champion Winners'
    Apr 2 2026
    Season 4, Episode 11: Zach Stinton and Bruce Tyner love the game of football. They also love kiddos and Melissa, Texas. What do you do with all that love? You create Cardinal Nation Sports. On this episode of The Front Porch, these two passionate fathers talk about how and why they created this community's premier sports league. Cardinal Nation gives every kid in Melissa, Texas, the opportunity to play football or run track. That's all Zach and Bruce wanted to do - that has been their driving force since Day 1. But they also have a lofty shadow mission: Help Melissa High School win state championships for years to come. #frontporch

    Links:

    Cardinal Nation Sports: Website

    City of Melissa: Website

    Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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    34 Min.
  • S4, E10: Santa Phil - Ambassador of Joy

    S4, E10: Santa Phil - Ambassador of Joy
    Mar 19 2026
    Season 4, Episode 10: Phil Lytle – a.k.a. Santa Phil – has a heart for giving back in this community. That is kind of ironic to say, because his actual heart was the culprit behind this life-changing transformation. It was a health scare and a brush with death that inspired Santa Phil to start spreading joy across Melissa, Texas. Whether that's greeting customers at Ace Hardware, putting out flags for the Rotary Club or participating in one of the city's citizen's academies ... he's determined to be a light in this community. We even asked him if he thought he was a blessing to Melissa, Texas. Listen to this episode of The Front Porch to hear his drop-the-mic response. #frontporch

    Links:

    Ace Hardware Melissa: Website

    Melissa Rotary: Website

    City of Melissa: Website

    Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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    25 Min.
  • S4, E9: Ashlee Palma (The Society Salon) - Highlighting Community within the Community

    S4, E9: Ashlee Palma (The Society Salon) - Highlighting Community within the Community
    Mar 5 2026
    Season 4, Episode 9: Ashlee Palma had a tough decision to make when she was opening her own salon. She was living in Melissa, Texas, but starting her business down the road in McKinney was the safer bet. Ashlee decided to take a chance and get ahead of the wave in her new hometown. She opted to open The Society Salon and Boutique in Gateway Village last November, and she's starting to hit her stride. The community has embraced her business model, which revolves around creating community within community. This is a empowering conversation with a small business owner, wife, mom ... and soccer coach, who loves how this community shows up. #frontporch

    Links:


    The Society Salon & Boutique: Website

    Gateway Podcast – Ash & Sage Sauna Spa: Listen Now

    Gateway Podcast – Deric Salser (developer): Listen Now

    Gateway Podcast – Hope Coffee: Listen Now

    Gateway Podcast – Pro Black Belt Academy: Listen Now

    City of Melissa: Website

    Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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    32 Min.