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 learn…

In this episode I welcome fellow PA Dutch instructor and friend, Ethan Rode, up on the front porch. We discuss his childhood growing up on a farm, his move to Canada to study linguistics and his recent work as an online instructor of the PA Dutch language. Get your Front Porch Merch! Become a Patron! Support the Show.…

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 qu…

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: t…

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 Pennsy…

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 locall…

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 wal…

In this episode we welcome 2024 in by taking a short journey through my trusty Baer's Agricultural Almanac. We take a look at long range forecasts for the year, major anniversaries happening, and some humorous stories as well. Get your own Baer's Almanac! Get your Front Porch Swag! Support the Show.By Doug Madenford

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 a…

In this episode I welcome Brian Aynardi, a dear friend and distant cousin, up on the front porch. We talk about his childhood in Wyomissing, PA, and his journey to Penn State to pursue degrees in Turf Management. We spend the rest of our conversation talking about his addiction to alcohol and his successful road to recovery. Learn more about Alcoho…

In this episode I welcome Gretchen Swank up on the front porch. We discuss her childhood in the mountains of central PA, her time as a criminal investigator for the Pennsylvania State Police and her recent journey into the world of Urglaawe and Braucherei. Learn more about Urglaawe! Read Gretchen's essay that we discuss! Get your Front Porch Merch!…

In this episode I welcome Nancy Rodabaugh on to the front porch. Nancy recently completed the 500+ mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage through France and Spain. We talk about her preparation, her journey, and what the experience taught her. Learn more about the Camino de Santiago! Get your Front Porch Merch! Support the Show.…

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 en…

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 …

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 coun…

In this episode I welcome seven of my current seniors up on the front porch to discuss their thoughts on their upcoming high school graduation. We discuss their fears, accomplishments and future plans. Shout out to Rebecca Muthler, Chris Corbin, Madeline Jones, Jack Hanna, Peter Monoski, Kelsey Burrows, and Aaron Eldred for their words. Get your Fr…

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…

In this episode I welcome longtime friend and proud PA Dutchman, David Adam, on to the front porch. We discuss his bi-lingual childhood, how he met his wife of 62 years, and his love of teaching PA Dutch. Get your Front Porch Merch! Support the Show.By Doug Madenford

In this episode I invite Shan Packer up on the front porch. We discuss his childhood growing up in a real company town, his career as a machinist and his eventual transition to teaching, and we close our conversation with a discussion about the current state of career technical education in our society. Today's vo-tech is not the same vo-tech that …

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 learn…

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 cl…

In this episode I welcome friend and colleague, Ryan Veltri, up on the front porch. We discuss how soccer has played a major role in his life from playing to coaching, the ups and downs of being a high school emotional support teacher, and the joy that the Dave Matthew's Band brings him. Get your front porch merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store/padu…

In this episode I welcome Jenn Eaton up on the front porch. Jenn is the curator at the Pennsylvania Military Museum located in Boalsburg, PA. We talk about all things history and the challenges that she and her colleagues face trying to make history fun and welcoming to new generations. Learn more about the PA Military Museum! Get your Front Porch …

In this episode I welcome high school friend, Kai Miller, up on the front porch. Kai has had a career that has taken her from NASA to the VA to her own business ventures. Kai has been a student and teacher of communications her whole life. In our interview we take a deep dive on just what is effective communication and how a true understanding of t…

In this episode I welcome Taylor Leitzell onto the Front Porch. Taylor is a financial planner by trade and we talk all things money and savings. Taylor is able to make these difficult conversations easy to have, as you will hear in our talk. Want to know what an IRA is? No idea how a 401K works? Sit down, hit play, and enjoy! Taylor Leitzell is wit…

In this episode I welcome the new year by paging through my trusty Baer's Almanac for 2023. I highlight important anniversaries being celebrated this year as well the overall forecast for the year and finally give some sage advice from the one and only Amos Appleschnitz! Get your own Baer's Almanac! Get your Front Porch Merch! Support the Show.…

In this episode the one and only Belsnickel joins me on the Front Porch. Yep, that crusty, sometimes mean, Christmas gift giver of the Pennsylvania Dutch, comes out of the shadows and sits down with me for an honest conversation. We really gain some insight into his background and just what makes him tick. Get your Front Porch Merch! Support the Sh…

In this episode, I welcome Christoph Erbach on to the Front Porch. We discuss his childhood growing up in small town Germany,. Christoph explains how the German health insurance system works as we compare and contrast it to the American system. We close our discussion with a lively talk about the power of music and friendships in forming bridges be…

In this episode we hear four funny stories about Thanksgiving provided by listeners of the show! Not every Thanksgiving is a Hallmark style experience as you will quickly find out listening to these experiences! Get your Front Porch Merch! Support the Show.By Doug Madenford

In this episode I welcome David Hunsicker up on the Front Porch. We discuss his very PA Dutch childhood, his conversion to Islam, his time spent in Turkey and Uzbekistan, and close talking about his job working in the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. A fascinating conversation to say the least! Click to learn more about Uzbekistan! Get your Front …

In this episode I welcome Ann Wheeler on to the front porch. Earlier in Ann's life she clerked for a judge on the federal 6th circuit court. I invited Ann on to give us all a Civics 101 lecture on the Supreme Court. We discuss how the court works, just what do the justices do, and what might the future look like for the judicial system in the Unite…

In this episode I welcome George Reppert up on the front porch. He might just be one of the most interesting men in the world as you will hear from our interview. We discuss the time he lived in a homeless shelter even though he wasn't homeless and his experiences of owning a head shop in the 1970s. We then get a full on lesson about all things whi…

In this episode I welcome childhood friends Dustin Shirk and Aleks Salks up on the front porch. We discuss the journey that we have been on as fathers of young boys. We base our conversation on an interview of author Jon Tyson who's book: "The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character. We discuss the difficulties …

In this episode I welcome Christina Heilig up on the front porch. Christina joins us from Buchen, Germany, where she is a high school English and Spanish teacher. We discuss and explain the German school system, how German children learn about WWII and the holocaust, and compare and contrast our two countries. Sit back and enjoy this fascinating mu…

In this episode I welcome Frank Resek up on the front porch. We discuss his 20+ year career as a youth mental health counselor. We talk about the rise in mental health issues among youth in America, how he deals with his clients and their families, and the value of building relationships. Support the Show.…

In this episode I welcome former student, Katelyn W., on to the Front Porch. We discuss her love of planes, having co-piloted with her father before she was 6 years old, to her time at the United States Air Force Academy. We close the conversation talking about how she achieved her life-long goal of becoming a fighter jet pilot in the USAF. Get you…

In this episode I sit down with Lisa Bahr, the Executive Director for Centre County PAWS. We discuss her job as the director of an animal shelter, the benefits and challenges associated with rescue animals, and what a life with animals has taught her. [Originally aired January, 1, 2021] To learn more about Centre County PAWS, please visit their web…

In this episode I get to interview a life-long friend, Dustin Shirk. I've known Dustin since Kindergarten and we've been close ever since. We get to get talk about his relationship with his brother, his journey to becoming a music teacher, and his love of both jazz and running. I felt there was no better person to get the inaugural interview. Enjoy…

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 en…

In this episode I welcome Bradley Smith up on the front porch. We discuss his journey from a kid loving history movies to being a curator at the Pennsylvania State Museum. We also discuss just what an archivist does as well as why learning history is so important. Visit the Pennsylvania State Museum Visit the Berks History Center Get your Front Por…

In this episode, I welcome six of my graduating seniors up on the front porch. They tell us about their feelings as they prepare to graduate, what they believe is the number one issue facing teens today, how Covid impacted their high school experience, and what their future plans are. Listening to these teens will restore some of your faith in our …

In this episode I welcome Ashley Snyder up on the front porch. Ashley is is a high school German teacher at Conrad Weiser School District. We talk about her journey from her own high school days to her time spent in Germany to eventually having her own classroom. We also discuss just what it means to be PA Dutch to her and how she connects to the l…

In this episode I welcome Josh Brown up on the front porch. Josh and I co-authored a textbook on Pennsylvania Dutch, but that isn't what we chat about. We discuss his life journey through languages including his time studying and researching at Penn State for his PhD and his various field work among the Amish and Mennonite peoples. We tells us just…

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 …

In this episode, I welcome Inge Williams up on the front porch. Inge is the pastor at Frieden's Lutheran Church in Shartlesville, PA. We talk about her time spent in Germany and Oman and the faith journey she went on to her life in ministry. We discuss the culture shock she experienced as she moved into a traditional PA Dutch community and how she …

In this episode, I welcome Lawrence Morris up on the front porch. Lawrence is a professor of English at Albright College in Reading, PA. We discuss his strong Irish-American heritage which led him down an academic road in classical and medieval literature. We discuss the Irish Gaelic language and his fascination with the Pennsylvania Dutch language…

In this episode I welcome one of my old college friends, Nick Robinson, onto the front porch. We discuss our shared college memories highlighting the morning of September 11th. We talk about his various moves and jobs that took him all over America and beyond. We close our conversation talking about his time in Africa and marrying his Kenyan wife. …

In this episode, I welcome my dear friend, Vinnie Kishbaugh, up on the front porch. We discuss his childhood growing up in Berwick, PA, and his love of football. We talk about his life-long relationship with the food industry from washing dishes to being an executive chef to teaching culinary arts to high schoolers. We close our conversation talkin…

In this episode, I welcome friend and colleague, Lindsay Kalbach, up on the front porch. We discuss the rewards and challenges of teaching high school literature and writing plus the state of public ed today. We also talk about her experiences of being part of the LGBTQ+ community in a very socially conservative area and the struggles of being able…

In this episode I welcome 2022 with a quick overview of the year from my trusty Baer's Agricultural Almanac and Gardening Guide. We look at predictions for the new year as well as important anniversaries, horoscopes, and a few corny jokes. Happy New Year 2022, everyone! To get your own copy: Baer's Almanac Support the Show.…