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The American front porch represents the ideal of community in America. Just like on this community podcast, it’s where stories are celebrated. Welcome to The Front Porch – the official...
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The American front porch represents the ideal of community in America. Just like on this community podcast, it’s where stories are celebrated. Welcome to The Front Porch – the official community podcast of Melissa, Texas. On every episode, we share the stories of the people who live and work in this community. We also capture the heart of Melissa, Texas. This is The Front Porch.
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Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
9 JUL 2026 · Some of the greatest impacts on a community happen behind the scenes.
In this episode of The Front Porch Podcast, we sit down with Paul Anderson, President of the Melissa ISD School Board, to talk about his journey from moving to Melissa in 2007 to becoming one of the community's longest-serving leaders.
For the past 16 years, Paul has helped guide one of the fastest-growing school districts in North Texas, all while keeping the focus on what matters most: creating opportunities for students and preserving the culture that makes Melissa feel like home. He reflects on the tremendous growth our community has experienced, the importance of planning for future generations, and why strong partnerships between the school district, the City, and community organizations are essential to Melissa's continued success.
Beyond the boardroom, Paul's passion for serving others extends to the Melissa Sports Connection, where thousands of children each year have the opportunity to learn, compete, and grow through youth sports. Whether it's watching students walk across the graduation stage or seeing young athletes take the field for the first time, Paul believes every child deserves the chance to succeed.
Throughout the conversation, one message rises above the rest: Melissa's greatest strength isn't just its growth. It's the people who continue to invest in one another. As Paul shares, everyone here is rowing the boat in the same direction, working together to create the best possible future for the next generation.
If you've ever wondered what it takes to build a thriving community while holding on to its small-town values, this episode is one you won't want to miss.
Links:
Melissa ISD: https://www.melissaisd.org
Melissa Sports Connection: https://www.melissasportsconnection.org/home
City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music:
https://www.purple-planet.com
26 JUN 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: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
11 JUN 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: https://hernspc.com
Hern's Pro Products: https://hernspro.com
City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
28 MAY 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: https://www.yonxpizza.com
City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
15 MAY 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: https://www.fccardinals.com
FC Cardinals: https://www.facebook.com/fccardinalstexas
City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
23 APR 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: https://www.cardinalcarriersexpress.com
City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
2 APR 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: https://www.cardinalnationsports.com/
City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
19 MAR 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: https://www.acehardware.com/store-details/18751?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=localmaps&utm_content=18751
Melissa Rotary: https://melissarotary.org
City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
5 MAR 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 https://www.thesocietysalon.co 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: https://www.thesocietysalon.co
Gateway Podcast – Ash & Sage Sauna Spa: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-e1-ash-sage-sauna-spa-building-community-through-wellness--68348222
Gateway Podcast – Deric Salser (developer): https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-e3-deric-salser-gateway-to-progress--58059099
Gateway Podcast – Hope Coffee: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-e22-brian-masters-bringing-hope-to-melissa--61339174
Gateway Podcast – Pro Black Belt Academy: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-e20-alan-ellen-fighting-for-his-dream--61185849
City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
19 FEB 2026 · Season 4, Episode 8: Tarnesha Nickens is a firecracker! That is said probably ten times on this episode of The Front Porch. After hearing her story and all the ways she is giving back in Melissa, Texas, you understand how fitting that title truly is. She gets stuff done, and her driving force revolves around legacy. During our conversation, she said: "Sometimes your legacy is not always with the next generation - with your children - it's what your handprint has left in the community that you're in." That one was one of many "drop the mic" moments on this episode. #frontporch
Links:
City of Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
The American front porch represents the ideal of community in America. Just like on this community podcast, it’s where stories are celebrated. Welcome to The Front Porch – the official...
show more
The American front porch represents the ideal of community in America. Just like on this community podcast, it’s where stories are celebrated. Welcome to The Front Porch – the official community podcast of Melissa, Texas. On every episode, we share the stories of the people who live and work in this community. We also capture the heart of Melissa, Texas. This is The Front Porch.
show less
Information
| Author | City of Melissa |
| Organization | City of Melissa |
| Categories | Society & Culture , Documentary , Places & Travel |
| Website | www.cityofmelissa.com |
| - |
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