Episodes

Episode 17: Kenny Deel has a passion for the kids in Melissa, Texas, and he has dedicated his entire career to Melissa Schools. Deel was recently honored for that passion and dedication. In August of 2022, the first football game will by played at...

Episode 16: Michelle Stradling and her husband, Jesse, ended up in Melissa, Texas, because of the water tower. Not really. But kind of. They have a fun, adventurous story that got them from Arizona to Texas and ultimately to Melissa. They moved to...

When Victoria Marshall asked her family what they thought about her opening a boutique in downtown Melissa, she was certain they would squash that idea. They didn't. They actually encouraged the former school teacher and Mary Kay director to go for...

Duke Sparks is on fire for Melissa, Texas. After a storied career as a coach and administrator across the state, he landed in Melissa at a pivotal time in his life. He was entrenched in this community when an unimaginable tragedy ripped through his...

Rachel Buckley is giving back to Melissa, Texas, in a very unique way. She is a partner/trainer for Camp Gladiator. Not only is she helping people live a healthy lifestyle, she is building a community inside a community that she has fallen in love...

There is a lot of love, faith and history in a slice of Marlo Hofman's pie. The owner of Cross My Heart & Hope For Pie is building on a legacy that was started in the kitchen by her grandmother and cultivated by her momma. Now Hofman, and her two...

When you set up roots in a community, cool things happen. Mary Ann Little – owner and artistic director at Bella Couture Salon – is living that truth. After moving to Melissa, she opened her boutique hair salon in downtown Melissa. The community...

If you drive through downtown Melissa, Texas, you can't miss Darin Jordan's place. It's small and quaint and smells like heaven. The little log cabin that houses Hidden Aces BBQ is starting to make a name for itself in Melissa (and across the region)....

Episode 9: When George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, 16-year-old Ashton Mitchell-Johnson got mad. He said he wanted to punch something. But this passionate teenager from Melissa, Texas, channeled that anger and decided to do something impactful...

Episode 8: Passion. That one word sums up this episode of "Heart of Melissa" with our featured guest Kellie Maynard, director of the Melissa Education Foundation. She has a heart for anything and everything Melissa, Texas, and that came out on this...

Episode 7: Reed Greer has been mayor of Melissa, Texas, for 11 years. To say that he has a heart for this community is an understatement. He was initially drawn to Melissa for the schools, but now – after more than 18 years – Mayor Greer loves so much...

Episode 6: You might know Brooke and Ethan Redden, but do really know them? Do you know how they met and/or got married? Both very cool stories that they share on this episode of "Heart of Melissa." That is an amazing aspect of this podcast ......

Episode 5: Need some inspiration or motivation? Listen to this episode of "Heart of Melissa." The passion and energy of our featured guest – Keith Murphy, superintendent of Melissa Schools – is inspiring and contagious. Where does that fire come from?...

Episode 4: Part of Melissa's story is its bright future. On this episode ... we visit with Dave Quinn, who is leading the charge for economic development in this community. Dave – along with his company, Day One Experts – have been brought in to help...

On this special edition of "Heart of Melissa" ... we got the opportunity to spotlight Shannon Sweat and Omar Landrum. We focused on their individual stories, discussed how they ended up in Melissa, Texas, and found out what they love about their...

Episode 3: What do you get when you combine an entrepreneurial spirit with community pride? Melissa, Texas, is lucky to know the answer to that question. For the last 35 years, Doug Zadow has developed a love and passion for his community. He has been...

Episode 2: Covid-19 has impacted everyone in some shape, form or fashion. High school seniors were effected in a very profound way. On this episode of "Heart of Melissa," we share the stories of Grayson Hurst and Bella Blankenship, seniors at Melissa...

Episode 1: Danielle Dorman-Chapa moved to Melissa her sophomore year of high school. The city limit sign read: "Population: 301." She thought her life was over, even though she loved how beautiful it was. After she started her family, she moved back...