Front Porch AF

Ep.16 Tattoo Sue: A 77-Year-Old’s First Ink & the Grit Behind the Art

"With Instagram and internet research, there is no excuse now for going to a bad tattoo artist."
—SHANNON WAGES, Tattoo Artist
 
We start off with how Sue got her first tattoo at age 77 (from a great tattoo artist, Chuy, at his Tatuajes Raza studio), and why the rainbow peace sign is so meaningful to her. And fun fact: Kelli's first tattoo was administered by a dude named Buzzard in a Mississippi double-wide.
 
Then tattoo artist extraordinaire Shannon Wages joins Kelli and Sue to share her 19-year journey from working the shop counter to becoming a leader in an all-female tattoo studio. She discusses breaking into a male-dominated industry, mentoring other artists, and the importance of health, safety, and professional standards.
 
The conversation covers tattoo culture shifts—sleeves, face tattoos, and cover-ups—along with stories about refusing certain designs and advice for anyone considering a tattoo: do your research and choose a reputable artist.
 
Of course, there are Neighborhood Notes and Daisy the Dog updates (she's doing better!), along with the Mailbag, Drinks of the Day, and how we used Sue's tattoo as a benchmark in the show's aim to making a positive difference.
 
Please join Kelli and Sue on their audio front porch for this and more—and together we can solve ... all the problems of the world.
 
 
Photos, bonus video and more at FrontPorchAF.com

Ep.15 Survivors of Sexual Violence, Silent No Longer

Q: What is the one thing you want our listeners to know?
A: If you've been impacted by sexual assault, it was NOT. YOUR. FAULT.    —Greta McClain, founder of Silent No Longer
This episode focuses on gender-based sexual violence. Our guest is Greta McClain, founder of Silent No Longer, an organization which empowers survivors of sexual violence to transform their stories into powerful forces for education and inspiration.
Greta served as a Nashville police officer for more than a decade, then was the Victims of Crime Coordinator with the Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence.
On a June night in 2017, in the parking lot of a truck stop, Greta was raped. She found herself sinking in despair after the attack, unable to come to grips with what had happened, and started planning to end her life. As she was writing her final good-byes to family and friends, a news story caught her eye. Something about ... "me too."
Greta says that the hashtag #metoo saved her life. She realized that if the #metoo survivors could go, so could she. And not only could she go on, she could help others go on, too. Silent No Longer was born.
Our conversation covers Greta’s work using creative expression to support survivors, available resources, and practical ways listeners can offer support.
But Kelli and Sue also have to touch base with each other about Neighborhood Notes—Sue was in a music video! Kelli's new Australian friends love the pod! There's a Grass Roots & Nudie Suits Festival coming to Madison!—and of course, their Drinks of the Day (hint: Kelli's contains the word "Miller" and Sue channels her Grandma Linnie's alcohol preferences). There's also Aunt Janet's "Hillbilly Dew"—yes, the recipe is on the website.
Please join Kelli and Sue on their audio front porch for this and more—and together we can solve ... all the problems of the world.
More lots more, visit FrontPorchAF.com.
 

Ep.14 Troops in the Streets & "Toeing the Line": A Veteran Reflects on Military Service

Kelli and Sue welcome veteran Wes Minto to the front porch to discuss his Army experience, deployment to Iraq, and concerns about the use of military forces in U.S. cities, especially in the light of a soldier’s training to “toe the line.” Wes also offers practical advice on supporting veterans and how the public can engage with service members during tense moments.
Along with travel tales from Down Under (Kelli went to Australia) and Up Yonder (Sue went to Michigan), a music video cameo, a fan’s Haiku to the show, and much more, it’s a darn good episode. And a important one, given what is happening on the streets of American cities today.
For more information on how to support veterans, show photos, bonus videos, and drink advice, check out the website FrontPorchAF.com.

EP0 NO NEW EPISODE - We Got Stood Up!

Ep.13 Getting Old Ain't For Wimps: The Worst and Best of Aging

“The best thing about getting older is ... I got nothin’ to lose!”
—Dr. Bob, on the Front Porch of Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge in Madison, TN
To set the stage for our foray into the topic of aging, we checked in with neighbors and friends about what they considered to be the worst and best parts of getting older. From the worst of chin hairs, sore joints, and the loss of loved ones, to the best of gaining wisdom, getting more comfortable with the idea of death, and not giving a rat’s ass about what other people think, folks from 29 to 77 weighed in.
Kelli and Sue then sat back and talked about their own worst of/best of aging lists, exploring money, health, dementia, freedom, and family—a poignant and candid conversation that celebrates the journey of life, over paths smooth and rough.
We also pass along some tips for getting your affairs in order (aka “Get your shit together, Kelli!”) before going to The Big Podcast in the Sky.
For audio clips of the full man/woman-on-the-street interviews, more about the pod and Kelli-Sue adventures, music, photos, and videos, check out the website: FrontPorchAF.com
Neighborhood Notes (of course we have those!) touch on why weeding sucks, doggy acupuncture, and for all you grammar nerds out there, breaking down definite vs. indefinite articles. You’re welcome.

Ep.12 Planned Parenthood — Healthcare Under Attack & Fighting Back

After recapping a week of barbeque and burgers, juke joint dancing, beer parkas, and how Kelli is Rube-Goldberg-ing her own swimming pool, we spoke with our special guest, Francie Hunt, Executive Director of Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood (TAPP).
Francie made headlines in 2022, when she walked 538 miles across Tennessee, from Memphis to Johnson City, on Walk for Our Lives, what she calls her “pilgrimage for abortion rights and bodily autonomy,” in support of Planned Parenthood.
Francie talks about Planned Parenthood’s history, its healthcare services (no, it’s not just abortion), and the threat that these services are facing from the unpopular attempts of the current administration to gut Planned Parenthood and the healthcare so many count on.
There’s good news, though, with new initiatives by Planned Parenthood to aggressively combat efforts to kill it—with Campaign Crash Courses, Grassroots Organizing Retreats, and the Pink Horizon—all of which are designed to grow their network of committed legislators, raise awareness and support among the public, and continue to defend and protect reproductive rights and healthcare.
For more about neighborhood notes, the mailbag, and general folderol, check out the website FrontPorchAF.com

Ep.11 PFLAG: LGBTQ+ Allies

After a glorious month of Pride festivities and shenanigans (see below), we capped it all off with a conversation with Kathy Halbrooks, PFLAG National Board Member and former Co-Chair, now Community Liaison, of PFLAG Nashville.
PFLAG ​is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Founded in 1973 by the parents of a gay man who was beaten at a protest, PFLAG, as Kathy explained, used to stand for "Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays," but the organization has broadened to include all gender identity populations.
Kathy tells us about how PFLAG offers support to those at all stages of their LGBTQ+ journey, as well as to their families and friends who are looking for ways to understand and support them. PFLAG offers a variety of services, from physical and mental healthcare to advocacy work and group meetings.
PFLAG also advocates against harmful legislation to the LGBTQ+ community.
But the core of PFLAG are the personal stories from the communities they serve. Many of those personal stories end with someone telling PFLAG: "You saved my life." Learn more at PFLAG.org  and PFLAGNashville.org.
Kelli also reminds Sue that "A" is actually a vowel.
Of course, the podcast wouldn't be complete without Kelli's Huggy of the Day (and how President George H.W. Bush gets pulled into this, we still don't know), the Pride Parade After-Party at Dee's, and how Kelli moved 44 tons of gravel.
And we think we're going to do a mini-video talk about the Westboro Baptist Church. Stay tuned.
For more audio, video, fun, and folderol, visit and sign up for our newsletter with exclusive subscriber content at FrontPorchAF.com

Ep.10.5 Audio Extra! We Respond to Negative Comments & Discouraging Words

<Porch Talk Video HERE.> Our current Pride Special episode features an interview with Olivia Hill, Tennessee's first transgender elected official. Part of our outreach on socials included boosting a video of a short extra interview with Olivia to a wider Facebook audience than we usually get to.
And it worked! The first day we got hundreds of new views--and then we got comments. All of which were, shall we say, discouraging and negative, and all prompted by Olivia's statement that she has transitioned and is no longer male: "You're a DUDE." "DNA." "Yes, SIR!" And so on and so on.
So we decided to talk about this negativity, how to create a dialogue rather than knee-jerk-ism, and whether (and how) to continue getting out of our silo.
We made a short video of us talking it out, and this is the audio of that.
More at FrontPorchAF.com
 
 
 
 
 

Ep.10 Pride Special with Olivia Hill, TN Transgender Lawmaker

“They can tell me what bathroom to use ... but they can’t take away who I am.”
—OLIVIA HILL
Kelli and Sue celebrate Pride Month with our special guest, Olivia Hill, Nashville Metro At-Large Council Member, and the first elected transgender lawmaker in Tennessee history!
Olivia’s transition journey belies the scare-tactic claim that kids can go to school one sex and come back the other—and other falsehoods about the transgender community.
After serving 10 distinguished years in the Navy, including combat in Desert Storm, Olivia spent nearly 30 years operating the Vanderbilt University Power Plant. In 2019 she chose to live her truth and transitioned. Since then Olivia has become a fearless nationally recognized voice for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and justice for all marginalized communities.
In 2023, Olivia shattered history, becoming the first trans woman ever elected to public office in the deep-red state of Tennessee.
Olivia Hill’s story isn’t just about resilience — it’s about defiance, courage, and the relentless pursuit of a world where everyone has the right to live authentically, lead boldly, and rise without fear.
Olivia’s interview capped off a full weekend of Drag Brunch Fun, Wrestling Mania, and fresh roadkill ... so grab a drink, pull up a seat, and join us for this Special Pride Episode of Front Porch AF!  Find out more at TheOliviaHill.com

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.