Doug's Front Porch

Thanksgiving, that most American of holidays. In this episode, I reach out and ask various friends what Thanksgiving means to them. Their responses give us all the opportunity to think about what Thanksgiving means to each of us and to consider what we are truly thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Support the show

In this episode I welcome back to the front porch Matthew DeSantis and Kevin Shock. We discuss two of the topics we are often taught not to talk about: politics and religion. We tackle the idea of separation of church and state, the role that social media has had on both topics, and where each of them see politics and the church 25 years from now. Hear Kevin's solo Front Porch Episode ! Hear...

In this episode I welcome Andrea Dobrozsi up on the front porch. We discuss her time serving in Americorps in Chicago, her job as a high school counselor, our shared journey of losing a parent to cancer, and being the wife to a restaurant owning husband. Check out: Fireside Pizza ! Support the show

The brotherly love is flowing in this episode as I welcome my very own brother, Steven Madenford, onto the front porch. We discuss our grandparents' legacy and their effect on us, his love of all things history (in particular the Civil War), his job as a manager of a manufacturing company, and his eternal drive and relentless work ethic. To learn more about Randy Dietrich and his winery, chec...

In this episode I welcome Abigail Shrack up on the front porch. We talk about growing up on her family farm and her year spent in Venezuela. We discuss her transition from teaching to serving on her local school board. We conclude our conversation discussing and explaining what being on a "Sheep to Shawl" team is all about! Learn more about "Sheep to Shawl" ! Support the show

In this episode Mike Connor joins me on the front porch. Mike is the choral director at the same high school where I teach. We discuss his childhood filled with music, the influential directors that he has had over his lifetime, and what it takes to lead not only youth choirs but also adult choirs. Learn more about the Williamsport Civic Chorus ! Support the show

In this episode I take a break from interviewing a friend. It is mid-August which is back to school season here in the USA. I decided to dedicate an entire episode to discussing just what back to school means for me as a teacher. I reached out and asked some of my teacher friends for their input as well. They talk about what they are looking forward to in the new year and how teaching during Covid...

In this episode I welcome Brad Blymier up on the front porch. We discuss his childhood growing up around the PA Dutch in Hannover, PA. We also discuss his wild ride from selling software to starting his own oyster company. We talk about how Covid made him have to change his business and the future of aquaculture and the food industry. To learn more about Brad's company, visit: War Shore Tradi...

In this episode I welcome my dear friend from college, Georgie Donnelly, up on the front porch. We discuss her childhood in England and Wales being the only girl playing soccer amongst a sea of boys, her move to Lock Haven University where she became an All-American, and her transition from a player to now a coach. Support the show

In this episode I welcome Don Heminitz onto the front porch. We discuss his childhood as a boy playing the flute, a brief history of fife and drum music during the Civil War, and his current job as a Pilgrim living in the year 1627 at Plimoth Plantation. To learn more about Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II, please visit: https://www.plimoth.org/ Support the show

In this episode I welcome Seth Anthony up on the front porch. We begin with a discussion about his childhood growing up in the dog show world. The rest of the episode is dedicated to a talk about fraternalism in America. Seth tells us about his love of Fezes, the current movement to document fraternalism's story in American history, and how the various fraternal organizations might survive mo...

In this episode I welcome my childhood and kindergarten friend, Lauren Grim, up on the front porch. We discuss how in her career she has often found herself the lone female surrounded by men, her love of gardening, her competitive spirit, and her fear of hills.  Support the show

In this episode it is just me rocking on the front porch. May of 2021 marks the one year anniversary of the podcast! I take an opportunity to reflect on all that has happened in the past year paying special attention to the recent loss of my paternal-grandfather, Ray H. Madenford.  I also look forward to what the new year and year two of the podcast might bring! Support the show

In this episode Charles Fergus joins me on the front porch. We discuss his childhood growing up in Centre County, PA. We also talk about his journey from being a nature writer to a writer of historical mysteries. Finally we discuss his love of singing and the various groups the he sings with in his free time. To learn more about Charles and purchase his books, check out: https://charlesfergus.com/...

In this episode, my dear friend from college choir, Sara Mull, joins me on the Front Porch. We discuss our own versions of how we met, her challenging and rewarding career as a nurse, how COVID has completely changed the game of her profession, and her uncanny ability to balance a career, a marriage, and five children all at the same time.  Support the show

In this episode Kelly McManus joins me on the front porch. We discuss her career in the army including her time spent on Capitol Hill and at the Pentagon. We also talk about the issue of sexual assault in the military and her wildly successful YouTube channel. To view Kelly's YouTube Channel: Kelly Does Her Thing Support the show

In this episode I sit down with my dear friend from elementary school, Matthew DeSantis. We discuss our memories of elementary school, experiences in his high school Model UN club, the role of civic education in America, and where we are politically as a nation. Matthew hosts the podcast, From the Swamp to the Swamp. Check it out at the link below: https://amalfimedia.com/swamp  Support the show

In this episode I interview friend and collaborator, Dave Kline. To anyone who has spent any time in Berks County, PA, that name means something: music. We discuss his 40+ year career in broadcasting and performing, his love of bluegrass and folk music, the meaning of life, his creative process, and he even sings for us. Dave shows us that music has a magic all of its own. To learn more about Dave...

In this episode I sit down with my dear friend and collaborator, Rachel Yoder. We discuss her personal journey to becoming a full-time practicing artist, how she encourages her children to always think creatively, and how the art that she creates helps her and her customers connect to our shared culture and heritage. To learn more about Rachel's art, check out her website: https://www.rachely...

In this episode I sit down with my good friend, Rev. Kevin Shock. We discuss his job as a pastor and the journey that brought him to that profession. We also talk about faith in practice in the 21st century and his undying love of punk music.  Send your audio greeting to: djmadenford@gmail.com Support the show

In this episode I sit down with one of my oldest friends, Brad Weidenhammer. We discuss his decision to move south for college, his challenging and exciting career as a civil engineer, how transportation and infrastructure might look 10 years in the future, and sharing his love of music with his children. To learn more about Brad's current work project, check this out: https://www.hrbtexpansi...

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. To learn more about Centre County PAWS, please visit their website:  https://www.centrecountypaws.org/ To email an audio introduction for an upcomin...

In this bonus episode I say good bye to 2020. I look back on the year that 2020 was and also look forward to 2021. I wish all of you a blessed New Year!  Support the show

In this episode I sit down with Patrick Donmoyer, a friend and a colleague in our mission to preserve the Pennsylvania Dutch language and culture. We discuss his work as the director of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University, Powwowing and the Belsnickel, and the idea of cultural identity. To learn more about the PA German Cultural Heritage Center, please visit the...

In this episode I sit down with Marlo Patterson. We discuss her childhood as an "Marine Brat" and how all of that moving around influenced the person that she is today. We also discuss her mission trip to Northern Iraq in 2019 and how that experience has affected her both personally and also her faith.  Support the show