Front Porch AF

susanhavlish
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Neighbors Kelli & Sue -- from the Bend in Madison, TN -- and guests, 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. Snark meets joy on Front Porch AF. New episodes every other Wednesday. We hope.

  1. 12/24/2025

    Ep.23 Holiday Traditions with the Front Porch AF Family

    Kelli and Sue host a festive holiday edition of Front Porch AF with family, friends, and remote guests sharing favorite traditions — from tractor Christmas displays and eggnog recipes to St. Nicholas boots and gumbo. Plus a Bonus Video of the gang singing “Blue Christmas” — Front Porch AF style. Of course, there are Neighborhood Notes, listener mail, a Snack Friday Cookbook, and, challenging “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” for Sue’s new favorite Christmas song: Jason Quicksall’s "Git Off My Ass This Christmas”! And we plan how to invite our fellow North-of-Nashville neighbor Pete Hegseth to join us on the Front Porch. For videos, photos, and more, visit FrontPorchAF.com and socials @FrontPorchAF. Happy All The Holidays!

    36 min

  2. 12/10/2025

    Ep.22 Democrats and Democracy with Lauren Egan of The Bulwark

    Hosts Kelli and Sue welcome Lauren Egan of The Bulwark to discuss the high-stakes Tennessee District 7 special election between Democrat Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps, the effects of gerrymandering, and why national Democrats are pouring in resources. The conversation covers campaign strategy, cultural messaging, the role of social media and rising Democratic figures, the impact of the Epstein files, and Lauren’s reporting background from Washington to Ukraine — plus light neighborhood stories, DoorDash mishaps, and local happenings. And for more photos, videos, and folderol: FrontPorchAF.com

    34 min

  3. 11/26/2025

    Ep.21 Conexión Américas: Latino Community Connections

    Given the topic of immigration and immigrants in today's America, this episode's guest is most enlightening. Kelli and Sue sit down with Diana Perez from Conexión Américas to learn how the nonprofit supports Nashville's Latino community through English classes, education assistance, food distribution, workforce programs, and more. The episode highlights personal stories of success, current challenges facing immigrant families, community partnerships, and upcoming events like Mezcla and the online holiday bazaar. In a bonus video, Diana weighs in on the "Huggy v. Coozie" debate--and let's just say she is most diplomatic in her thoughts on this subject! Neighborhood Notes: It was *snowing* in Nashville on November 10. so Sue was getting out of town to warmer climes. And Kelli mysteriously acquired a boxful of motorcycle gear she can't remember ordering. Just another day in our 'hood. So grab a drink and join us on our audio front porch. And for more photos, videos, and tomfoolery, visit FrontPorchAF.com. Cheers, y'all!

    32 min

  4. 11/12/2025

    Ep. 20 The Oasis Center: Standing with LGBTQ+ Youth

    "Big change has to start somewhere, and it starts just by doing it." In this episode of Front Porch AF, hosts Kelli and Sue chat over drinks and laughter before welcoming Joseph Clark from Nashville’s Oasis Center to discuss support networks for LGBTQ+ youth. They cover Oasis’s Just Us program, mental health services, the Stonewall Scholars internship, ways to volunteer or donate, and how adults can advocate for young people. For more information visit oasiscenter.org. Of course, there's also talk of wrestling, farm auctions, and the Drink Specials, Neighborhood Notes, and folderol y'all have come to expect on our audio front porch.  Check out extras at FrontPorchAF.com.  Cheers!

    32 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    Ep.19 My Cluck Hut: Making Good Trouble & Fighting Fascism, One Bar of Soap at a Time

    “Right now we just can’t forget that on a long enough timeline, fascism always loses.”  —My Cluck Hut co-founder Trevor Silva Fighting against fascism and for love and acceptance — that’s My Cluck Hut, a company started during the 2020 pandemic on a mission to change the world, one bar of soap at a time. Founders Dr. (by marriage) Trevor Silva and Dr. (for real) Jennifer Berry join Kelli and Sue to talk about their mission-driven company and how they give back, all done with wit, a smile, and a lot of love. As listeners have come to expect, there’s also porch chatter about Neighborhood Notes (Sue fell in love with a chicken; Kelli learned all about tonic water), Drink of the Day (vodka is back on Sue’s beverage menu), and more. Kelli and Sue also solved the dilemma of what swag to give their guests—since they usually give a Cluck Hut Candle! (Turns out the “replacement” swag made a great pairing with the candle. And yes, there’s video.) Come join Kelli and Sue on their audio front porch, grab a drink, share a  story, and solve ... all the problems of the world. Cheers, y’all! For photos, videos, and more: FrontPorchAF.com

    32 min

  6. 10/22/2025

    Ep.18 Fix the System Yourself: Run for Something!

    After scintillating talk of snapping metal huggies, haunted drive-through car washes, and Taylor Swift’s new album (Sue is clueless), we talk about how to change the system from within with Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run For Something, a nonprofit organization which recruits and supports young, diverse progressives running for down-ballot office. Since its launch in 2017, Run for Something has helped elect more than 1500 leaders across nearly all 50 states. And fun fact: More people have signed up with Run for Something in the past ten months than during the entirety of Trump’s first four years in office. This is a must-hear conversation, especially if the current state of our politics reduces you to tears or rage—or in Sue’s case, a fifth gimlet. Shoutout and thanks to Tim Miller of The Bulwark (Sue’s spirit animal) for suggesting Amanda as a guest. So grab a beverage, pull up a chair, and join us on our audio front porch, and help us solve ... all the problems in the world. And there's more photos, videos, fun, and calls to action at FrontPorchAF.com

    36 min

  7. 10/08/2025

    Ep.17 'MADISON' — Our 'Hood Has a Coffee Table Book!

    Our little town of Madison, Tennessee gets the big-city treatment with a new coffee table book! On this episode, Kelli and Sue sit down with author — and neighbor — Laura Amaral to talk about the new book MADISON: Portraits of Our Neighbors, created with award-winning photographer (and yes, neighbor) Stacie Huckeba. This luscious book captures nearly a hundred Madisonians — artists, business owners, farmers, musicians, and longtime locals — in a visual time capsule of this historic community on the north side of Nashville, Music City USA. The episode highlights how the project came together, the importance of preserving local stories, the character—and characters—that make Madison, and The Bend, unique. And of course, where listeners can find the book and see images online. Published by Vanderbilt University Press, MADISON debuts at the Southern Festival of Books, October 19, 2025. Full disclosure: Front Porch AF host Kelli is one of the cool kids featured in the book, along with her power tools, of course! There’s also a Bonus Porch Talk video with our neighbor, singer-songwriter-farmer Nicki Bluhm at her barn down the Bend. Nicki, along with horses Mo and Omega and blue heeler Birdie, are featured in MADISON. But no episode of Front Porch AF would be complete without Neighborhood Notes—including Sue’s Wrestling Adventures and Kelli’s new friends from Down Under. Oh, Sue also raps. Yes. You gotta hear it to believe it. Come join Kelli and Sue on their audio front porch, grab a drink, share a story, and solve ... all the problems of the world. Cheers, y’all! For more, visit FrontPorchAF.com.

    37 min

  8. 09/24/2025

    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

    36 min
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About

Neighbors Kelli & Sue -- from the Bend in Madison, TN -- and guests, 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. Snark meets joy on Front Porch AF. New episodes every other Wednesday. We hope.

Information

  • Creator
    susanhavlish
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Front Porch AF