Hello from My Front Porch

- Season 6

(2021)

Hello From My Front Porch S6E01: Season 6 of our show launches with a soft reboot featuring a very special conversation I recently was able to have with Michael Nesmith known for The Monkees, The First National Band, and his work as a music video industry pioneer.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E02: The remaining members of The Monkees (Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith) are underway in their Farewell Tour. A celebration of the 55 year phenomenon. I got to attend the San Antonio show and chat with a fellow fan afterward.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E03: No one I've met through ATD has impacted me personally and professionally to the degree that Jacque Burandt has. This humble, lovable woman is a genuine treasure in every respect. And she's got a book coming out to further prove it.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E04: Belinda Roberts manages the little Filipino Store that could. In this case they were able to win top honors at the 2021 World Food and Music Fest, third year in a row, and in doing so has pulled off something that no one else has ever been able to do.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E05: A group of my friends threw me a birthday party in 2019 at the bowling alley one of them owned. That was the night I first met the woman who would steal my heart. Now she's taken me back to the same bowling alley two years later.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E06: It's no secret that the world changed dramatically during 2020. The ripple effects of those changes continue to be felt. One of the most noticeable ones is worker shortages. My friend and business owner Steve Roberts shares his thoughts.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E07: Attended my 2nd concert of The Monkees farewell tour, this one in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. And got to meet a couple of high energy fans who definitely defy the stereotype that Mike and Micky only appeal to those of us with gray hair.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E08: What a joy to get to attend my 3rd concert of The Monkees farewell tour in the birthplace of Peter Tork. His musical legacy, along with his bandmates, clearly continues to appeal to multiple generations of delighted fans.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E09: An extended interview many years in the making. It was a great time visiting with my dear friend Angel Dean Collins and hearing about her new career direction. Though an unexpected change, Angel is clearly in her efflorescence.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E10: An apology 45 years in the making. My sister Toni stopped by to deliver a special gift to me. It was thoughtful, it was sweet, and it was her way of attempting to close the book on the legacy of a 45-year old legendary act of destruction.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E11: Halloween is a very special time for a lot of people, but for my girlfriend Lisa it is a time to let her creativity and ingenuity flourish. Her front yard becomes a full-scale festive display. Now I get to help host this fun for everyone.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E12: The Filipino-American Society of Iowa was able to again hold it's Pista sa Nayon (community celebration) in person this year. Which meant we also got to crown our new 2021 Miss Philippines of Iowa: Pepsij Santchi.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E13: My 4th and final concert of The Monkees farewell tour. Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith bring "The Mike and Micky Show" to the beautiful State Theater in Minneapolis, MN. A gorgeous venue for a final night spent with my favorite group.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E14: I brag about my team at work a lot because they frankly deserve it. I am fortunate to get to lead a group of individually talented, creative, and passionate individuals. For the first time I gathered them all together... in Des Moines, Iowa.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E15: I love my family. I really do, no matter what you've heard. But as our numbers continue to expand, and more growth is already on the horizon, I'm finding that the opportunities to gather all of us are becoming as rare as they are precious.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E16: The COVID-19 pandemic rages on. Sadly so does the misinformation being spouted by a lot of well-meaning folks, on both sides of the vaccination debate. It's time for a bit of Front Porch common sense to be reinserted into this divisive debate.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E17: Pie Five Pizza in Ankeny, IA has been a favorite place of mine. Not even just for the pizza, but also for the friendship that I have with franchise owner 'Pizza Steve' Roberts. But even as this door sadly closes, another exciting door is opening.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E18: As Paul Harvey used to say: "And now the rest of the story." My good friend 'Pizza Steve' Roberts has risen from the ashes like phoenix as he and his family prepare to relaunch the Dexfield Diner and Pub in his hometown of Redfield, IA.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E19: Here she is. The most beautiful baby in the world. Yes, I'm biased and so what. Getting to meet and hold my first grandchild Elliana Victoria Moon has been a thrill. I didn't know how I'd feel about being a GrandPappy. Turns out it feels awesome.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E20: Micky Dolenz is that last remaining member of The Monkees, my all-time favorite band. He has embarked on a limited tour celebrating his band mates and the legacy of the amazing ride that was The Monkees. So of course I had to attend.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E21: I don't normally focus on work colleagues here on the Front Porch, but this time I'll make an exception. Will Cook has been a great guy to work with as a training professional. Now he's going to be answering a higher calling. Much higher.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E22: Attended my second 'celebrating the Monkees' event with remaining Monkee member Micky Dolenz. This one right in Iowa, at the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk. My guest Greg may have the best costume I've seen yet.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E23: When my dad lost his companion Fox a couple of years ago it was a very tough emotional hit to him. But then along came Chester who has filled that empty place and has become my dad's new best buddy. It's easy to see why, too.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E24: As the Filipino-American Society of Iowa prepares for it's first-ever Summer Gala we've opted to do a series of video-based promos. Guess who's in charge of those? But I get to work with a wonderful group of 'performers' as we put them together.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E25: Over the years I have won awards and received various honors. But my good friend Steve Roberts at the Dexfield Diner and Pub recently bestowed upon me one of my favorites. He has named a pizza on their menu after me and let me design it, too.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E26: Internationally-famous Filipino performer Nina came to Iowa for a first of it's kind concert. She stopped in at Roberts Filipino Store in Des Moines to greet fans. I also got to spend a little Front Porch time with Nina and her tour partner Luke.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E27: The Smith name is listed as one of the most common surnames on the planet. A professional friend of mine, David Smith, also happens to be a bit of expert on the true history of our shared name and the lineage it represents.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E28: My youngest brother Zene Smith is front man for the band Fight the Fade. They have achieved success here in the U.S. as well as in Europe. He and his equally talented wife Kelsey talk about the band and the other priorities in their lives.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E29: Des Moines is fortunate to be home to two organizations supporting the Filipino-American community. The Filipino-American Association of Iowa (FAAI) held their 47th annual picnic where I learned how much they really like birds.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E30: Politics has become a battle of negativity with the 'winner' of an election often being the one left standing after exchanging bitter, ugly, personal attacks. But Iowa Representative Eddie Andrews seems to refreshingly reject that mindset.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E31: My elementary school music teacher, Mrs. Ellen Severin, was a huge positive influence on my life. I credit here as being one of those who cultivated a true appreciation for singing in me. Catching up with her was a true joy.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E32: I got to spend an entire weekend getting better acquainted with my gorgeous granddaughter Elliana. We had lots of fun and laughs. And there were some extra special guests who also stopped by to spend family time together.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E33: My bestie Tarah and I did our annual judging of new foods available at the Iowa State Fair. For the first time since we've done this we actually agreed some of the Fair's rankings. I also got to start the day by performing the National Anthem.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E34: We are now less than 2 months from the 2022 general election and the political ads, social media posts, and memes are coming out in full force. Unfortunately these come with a great deal of deceptive messages and hypocritical statements.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E35: My mom is scheduled to have surgery on her knee due her loss of cartilage there, resulting in painful bone on bone when she moves those joints. This prompted an analogy in my mind of how we interact with others around us.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E36: It's not uncommon for people to say they don't know how I manage to do everything that I do. Well the truth is sometimes I can't because it's just too much all at once. Which is kind of the way I currently feel and it has worn me down.

Hello From My Front Porch S6E37: Lisa and I visited the World Food and Music Festival in downtown Des Moines to enjoy the various foods, crafts, and music. And to especially support the folks at Roberts Filipino Store who are the returning Hall of Fame champions of the event.