Doug's Front Porch

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 between our two countries. Check out Christoph'...

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

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 Porch Merch !  Support the show

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 United States.  Get your Front Porch Merch !  Supp...

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 whiskey as George teaches us about what in Gaeli...

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 and joys of raising young men in this d...

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 multi-cultural conversation! Get your Front Porch Me...

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 your Front Porch Merch: https://www.zazzle.com/store...

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 website:  https://www.centrecountypaws.org/ Get your...

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 the show!  [Originally aired on May 1,...

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-Wor...

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 Porch Merch ! Support the show

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 future. To get your Front Porch Merch ! Support th...

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 language and culture of her ancestors. Click here t...

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 a few of the things that the plain people ha...

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 f...

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 handles the grief associated with the loss of...

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 and culture.  Support the show

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. Finally we discuss the journey that his family has...

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 talking about the new restaurant that he and his wife ar...

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 to converse about the topic of homosexuality. We...

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

In this episode I am joined by friends from around the world up on the front porch. Each guest discusses how they and their family celebrate the Christmas season where they live. So grab your passport, we are taking a virtual trip to Canada, England, and Germany! Support the show

In this episode I welcome Shawn Becker up on the front porch. We discuss his time in the US Coast Guard stationed in Hawaii and on the Great Lakes, his busy job at a large beer distributor, and our shared love of motorcycling.  Support the show