Front Porch AF

Ep.9 Saving the World, Saving Souls

“The problem isn’t organized religion. It’s bad religion.” —Rev. Jay Voorhees
Saving the world by activism and outreach—or simply by helping your fellow human beings when they need you—is our theme, and we were thrilled to welcome our dear friend and spiritual advisor, Reverend Jay Voorhees, to talk with us.
After bailing Kelli out of Grammar Jail, we review some Very Important Happenings on the Bend, including fire ants, a Tecate without a lime, cephalopods. You know, normal stuff.
Then we focus on how to make a positive difference in our world—and how saving the world and saving souls converge for Jay. He tells us about his work helping to transform lives through empathy and spiritual grounding, particularly among the homeless community. Jay delves into how everyday acts of understanding and empathy can make the world a better place for everyone.
And then we all have a drink. On a coaster that has a very important message.
Find out more—and read that coaster’s message—at FrontPorchAF.com or wherever you pod.

Ep.8 Pets and the Homeless Community

Well, Kelli almost didn't make it for this episode—her flight to Nashville was diverted (in the middle of a tornado!) to St. Louis, where she had to rent a car to make it back—just in time to welcome our special guest for this episode: Laurie Green, founder of SAFPAW (Southern Alliance for People and Animal Welfare), a nonprofit that helps the homeless community face the daily challenges of living in poverty with their pets. 
Laurie reports on the challenges faced by the thousands of unhoused in Nashville. She and SAFPAW help feed and provide assistance to those struggling with housing and income crises. On her visits, she is known not only as the "Dog Lady" but also as the "Food Lady" because some days, as her story of one little boy reminds us, she provides her clients the only meal they will have.
But we also find out ways we can help. And that's the good news.
In other porch action, Sgt. Sue of The Grammar Police explains why a prepositional phrase can have more impact that a possessive. You'll just have to tune in to find out more about this burning issue. And all the other usual folderol. Please grab a drink and sit down with us for a visit.

Ep.7 Girl Talk: Kelli, Sue & Piper AF

In this special edition of the pod, Front Porch videographer/researcher Piper Miegs returns from her travels and joins Kelli and Sue to quaff a cocktail and solve all the problems ... oh wait. We don't solve *anything* on this episode! We just sit around and gab about all sorts of things—especially about growing older.
At 77, Sue is a lot closer to The End than Kelli or Piper, but turns out we all share the changes aging brings to our identities, our bodies, and our thoughts of What Comes Next.
We recorded during Jazz Fest, so there was talk of that, and of getting calls from The Bulwark (swoon!) and our congressman (whaaa?), among other items of note and nonsense. We hope you enjoy listening to "Girl Talk" as much as we enjoyed recording it.
Website with pics, notes, recipes, and ramblings: FrontPorchAF.com.

Ep.6 Equine Therapy - Horses Helping Humans

After a week when Sue survived a bloody (the blood was on her!) wrestling match and Kelli returned without serious injury from horse (no drinking while riding) camp, we gathered on our audio front porch to welcome neighbor Robbin Nolen to talk about equine assisted therapy.
Robbin is a certified EAGALA Equine Specialist and runs Discovery Stable here on the Bend. She and her 11 horses provide equine therapy to a broad range of clients: youth with autism, sex trafficking victims, trauma survivors, and others with mental health challenges.
They talk about the therapy process itself, its effects on both the clients and the horses, and how people can find out how to avail themselves of equine assisted therapy.
And ... Sue makes a mistake. But she owns up.
More at FrontPorchAF.com.

Ep.5 Backyard Chickens - Who Gives a Cluck?

What with the price of eggs today, a lot of folks have turned to raising their own chickens. After talk of Kelli’s new mini excavator (named Cecile Richards) and Sue’s visit to a local hardware store for a jazz concert, they welcome local realtor and all-around badass neighbor Abigail Niles to their audio front porch.
Abby introduces us to her flock of backyard chickens, tells how she got them and cares for them, and recounts the joys and perils of urban chicken husbandry. (There’s an inordinate amount of laughter in this episode, and Sue is the main guffaw-er. She promises to keep it in check for future shows.)
Kelli and Sue also discuss avian flu, its impact on the domestic chicken industry, its threat to the wild bird population—and how we can all help contain its spread.
On the website FrontPorchAF.com is a special Bonus Video of a visit with Laura Jo Amaral, their neighbor down the Bend, who has been raising chickens for seven years. “Free range,” indeed!
Fun Fact: Chickens are stalkers. Who knew? ... For more, come sit on the porch with Kelli and Sue, grab a drink, and tune in for a clucking good time. (And maybe even learn a little something useful along the way.)
 

Ep.4 Ain't No Transgender Mice: Biomedical Research, Transgenic Mice, and Science Challenges

After a "is it a coozie or a huggy?" debate and sharing the recipe for a Grandma Linnie Cocktail, Kelli (a scientist) and Sue (not a scientist) welcome biomedical researchers Jeanne Wallace, D.V.M., Dipl. ACLAM, and Ronald Emeson, Ph.D. — who actually work with genetically modified mice — for an illuminating and thought-provoking conversation about transgenic (no, not transgender) mice: how they were developed and how they are vital to making medical progress for humans. We also talk about the role of veterinary medicine in the care of these animals, and we look at what is at stake with looming federal cuts to biomedical research.
And since Sue (who hasn't had a biology class since 1963) could understand every word of the discussion, you know these scientists are down to earth — we think you will enjoy getting to know them, and learning more about this fascinating, and possibly endangered, field of study.
There's also talk of lost cows and airline food ... what's not to love? So grab a cocktail, join us on the Front Porch, and solve all the world's problems.
Cheers!

Ep.3 Don't Call Us, We'll Call You: Communicating Effectively with Lawmakers

After we -- Kelli and Sue -- get done rehashing our very glittery evening at a swank dinner and other neighborhood goings-on, we welcome our special guest Tonya Hancock, Nashville Metro Council Member for District 9, to talk about getting the attention of lawmakers to press an issue: how to find their contact information; what makes a good email, text, or voicemail; what *not* to do; and why we're drinking coffee and not alcohol for this prerecorded interview (hint, it was 8 o'clock in the morning and we were at the local Madtown Coffee shop).
Not to worry, though, we rectify that with mimosas and beer when we get back in the studio to record the rest of the episode. Which includes talk of "transgender" mice (clue: not a thing) and a farewell to a Very Good Dog.
So please join us on our audio front porch, grab a drink, and solve all the world's problems.
Oh, and check our website and socials for Tonya's Madison Margarita recipe ... yum!

Ep.2 Thou Doth Protest Too Much: Songs of Protest, Revolution, and Women's Suffrage

Kelli and Sue welcome multi-talented Americana singer-songwriter Steff Mahan to our audio front porch to talk about songs of protest and protest movements, from the American Revolution to the Women's Suffrage Movement through today's trying times. Steff will knock your socks off when you hear her sing her own protest song, "I Don't Understand" ... hell, Steff, neither do we.
We also talk about voting at the Farm Bureau Co-Op and getting glittered up for the fancy schmantzy (well, for us) Human Rights Campaign dinner.
GOOD TASTE ADVISORY: Sue sings for more than 40 seconds in the episode. You have been warned.
PROTEST PLAYLIST: To hear some of Kelli's (and Sue's) favorite protest songs, click here
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN YOU PROTEST: The ACLU has you covered—click here.
Please join us on our audio front porch, grab a beverage, and listen while we talk some snark, talk some joy, and solve the world's problems.
 

Welcome to Our Front Porch: Ep. 1, Neighbors, Cocktails, and Roadkill

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Front Porch AF," where neighbors Kelli and Sue blend hospitality with laugh-out-loud stories and a dash of snark. Broadcasting from their audio front porch in rural Madison, Tennessee, they aim to bring neighbors from near and far together over shared experiences and adult beverages, with the aim of finding ways to make a positive difference in our world.
In this first episode, they recount the history of their friendship, share stories about runaway horses and roadkill recipes, and explore ways to think globally and act locally. Kelli and Sue introduce the Front Porch AF team and set the stage for future episodes focusing on communication with lawmakers, protest songs, and how to beat the high price of eggs. Join in as they sip on their favorite beverages and dive into neighborhood goings-on, sustainability topics, and life in today's America, all seasoned with a good dose of humor--and some salty language!
And watch out for bedazzled orthopedic shoes. Just sayin'.
FrontPorchAF.com for more.

Front Porch AF Trailer

Coming Soon! Here's the trailer for our new podcast, FRONT PORCH AF with Kelli and Sue. Neighbors Kelli & Sue--on the Bend in Madison, TN--hang on their audio front porch, drink, laugh, gossip, discuss politics, dogs, local goings on, why Indian motorcycles are a girl's best friend--and how we can all make a positive difference in our world.
Upcoming episodes include "Doth Thou Protest Too Much? Talkin' 'Bout Protest Songs," "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You: How to Get the Attention of Your Legislators" -- and "Price of Eggs Too High? Get a Chicken!"
Please join Kelli and Sue and their special guests on our front porch, have a drink, and help us solve the world's problems together. Everyone is welcome here.
New episode coming soon, wherever you get your podcasts.