Doug's Front Porch

In this episode I continue the tradition of talking with some of my graduating seniors. This year I welcome Griffin Redmon, Sofia Dressler, Elise Cygan, and Emily Shetler onto the Front Porch. We discuss their time in high school, their accomplishments, their fears, and what they are most proud of. We close our discussion with our usual 10 quick questions.

Get your Front Porch Merch!

Become a Patron of the Show!

S...

In this episode I welcome Tara Mondock up on the front porch. We discuss her childhood in Florida, her sojourn to college in western North Carolina, and her work with the Extension Office at the Pennsylvania State University. We then turn our discussion to her experience as an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star and their main charity: the Service Dog Project. We close the discussion with our 10 quick questions.

In this episode I welcome Dr. William Donner onto the front porch. Bill is currently the Freyberger Professor of Pennsylvania German Studies at Kutztown University and is also the chair of the Anthropology and Sociology Department. We discuss his time living on a small Polynesian island in the pacific to his work studying and researching the Pennsylvania Dutch. We also talk about how he defines culture and just how do cultures evol...

In this episode I welcome Lew Bryson up on to the front porch. We discuss his journey from rural Lancaster county to his love of food and drink including his various publications about beer and whiskey. We close our discussion talking about his current podcast, Seen Through A Glass, and discuss the value and importance of eating and drinking locally.

Get Lew's Books!

Hear Seen Through A Glass!

Get y...

In this episode I welcome Richard Mammana on to the front porch. We discuss his multi-ethnic childhood growing up in Easton, PA. We also discuss his acamdemic journey of studying greek, latin, and church history. We close our conversation with a discussion about his current work of documenting colonial-era Pennsylvania Dutch tombstones and what walking hundreds of old cemeteries has taught him about life.

Check out Richar...

In this episode I welcome Katy Bodenhorn Barnes up onto the front porch. We discuss her childhood in north Texas and her journey to college at BYU. We talk a lot about her current role as the Director of Genealogical Services at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. We close our conversation with some deep questions about the power of genealogy and how learning about your past can make you a better person.

Learn more abo...

In this episode I welcome Hiram Smith up on the front porch. Hiram is a professor of Spanish and Linguistics at Bucknell University here in central PA. We discuss his youth as an "Army Brat" and the various places that he lived growing up. We also discuss African-American-English and its history within the American story as well as an honest and enlightening discussion on the "N-Word." We close the interview wit...

On this episode, Pete Ruggieri joins me on the front porch. We talk about his time as a 911 dispatcher in Chester County, PA and then we discuss his various charity work. Pete is the brains behind the annual Santa Stumble held in Lancaster each that has raised thousands of dollars to benefit the Lancaster mounted patrol and K-9 units. We close our discussion with stories about his involvement in fostering Doberman Pinschers. [Origi...

In this episode I welcome my dear friend, Michael Werner, up on the front porch. Michael is a publisher in the Palatinate region of Germany, who runs the PA Dutch language newspaper: Hiwwe wie Driwwe. Over the years his love of the PA Dutch language and culture and his work with it has helped build a strong transatlantic bridge between our two countries. We discuss his love of languages and his journey to connect with his own cultu...

In this episode I welcome German YouTuber, Feli from Germany, on to the front porch. We discuss her childhood in Munich, her various trips back and forth between the US and Germany, and the growth and success of her YouTube channel. She truly is a cultural ambassador between our two countries with a unique perspective and ability to teach the value of our differences and similarities. 

Check out Feli from Germany's Y...

In this episode I welcome friend and colleague, Len Rutecki, onto the front porch. Len is the autism teacher at my school and we discuss all things autism from what it is to how he works with his students. We also discuss how Len uses his gifts and abilities to raise money and awareness for autism outside of school. Throughout his life he has learned one thing that he continues to challenge us all to do: be kind.

Learn mo...

In this episode I welcome former student and friend, Kathryn Kline, up on the front porch. We discuss her love of writing that lead to a career in journalism. We talk about her experiences from writing obituaries for the local newspaper to being a press intern in the US Senate and now her job with a major network news bureau in Washington DC. We close our conversation with some honest talk about the current media landscape and what...