Front Porch with the Fitzes cover

Front Porch with the Fitzes

Elyse Fitzpatrick, Joel Fitzpatrick, Jessica Thompson

Front Porch with the Fitzes, is a weekly chinwag featuring author Elyse Fitzpatrick and two of her three kids, Jessica Thompson and Joel Fitzpatrick. Sometimes some unexpected folks might even drop by and sit for a spell. Every week they'll jibber about family life, things that interest them in culture or news, and what they're learning about the Lord. Imagine sitting on the front porch of your ol' Kentucky home, listening to three slightly off-kilter believers talk about life, do a lot of laughing at each other and everyone else…and then, of course, there's always the bluegrass music playing in the background.

Front Porch with the Fitzes, is a weekly chinwag featuring author Elyse Fitzpatrick and two of her three kids, Jessica Thompson and Joel Fitzpatrick. Sometimes some unexpected folks might even drop by and sit for a spell. Every week they'll jibber about family life, things that interest them in culture or news, and what they're learning about the Lord. Imagine sitting on the front porch of your ol' Kentucky home, listening to three slightly off-kilter believers talk about life, do a lot of laughing at each other and everyone else…and then, of course, there's always the bluegrass music playing in the background.

Episode 495: 52 years, Toy Story, and Love

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Episode

Episode 495: 52 years, Toy Story, and Love 30 Jun 2026

In this week's episode, Pop and Elyse talk about what it is like being married for 52 years. They also talk about the breakups they experienced before they were married. Then we look at which Toy Story character we relate to more when it comes to baseball. Hear Elyse Preach Here Hear Jess Preach Here

Episode 494: Padres, cowboys, and the least of these 09 Jun 2026

In this episode, we talk about how terrible the Padres are. We talk about how wonderful the weather is. You know, just normal San Diego things. Then we talk about cowboy boots and being cheap. Pop closes us out with a great devotional on who Jesus came to save.

Episode 493: Indio, A.I. and the Pope 03 Jun 2026

In this week's episode, we talk about our recent vacation to Indio (it is as glamorous as it sounds). We talk about the Pope's encyclical on A.I. and his undergarment habits.

Episode 492: The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus 02 Mar 2026

We talk about the book the Relentless Tenderness of Jesus by Brenan Manning

Episode 491: Patron Saints, Favorite Cities, and Immigrants 27 Jan 2026

In this week's episode we find out who the patron saints are for very random things. We talk about where we would live if we didn't live in America's Finest City. Then Joel closes us out with a great devotional on resident aliens in our country.

Episode 491: Patron Saints, Favorite Cities, and Immigrants 27 Jan 2026

In this week's episode we find out the Patron Saint for some pretty unhinged things. We also talk about where we would live if we weren't living in America's Finest City. Then Joel closes us out with a great devotional on the "resident alien in our land".

Episode 490: Pretzels, Presents, and Do not fear 20 Jan 2026

In this podcast, we talk about our favorite types of pretzels. We talk about our favorite presents from Christmas. And Pop closes us out with a devotional on fighting fear.

Episode 489: Presents, Santa and Jesus is the reason for the Season 16 Dec 2025

The fam gets together to talk about what we want for Christmas. We did deep into the psyche of why Pop loves being Santa Claus. We remind you that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Episode 488: Being Late, Working Late, and God's never ending love 25 Nov 2025

In this week's episode we talk about our families obsession with being on time. We talk about our families obsession with working until the last minute. Then Joel closes us out with a banger of a devotional on how God takes the darkest parts of our stories and redeems them.

Episode 487: Sales, Emails, and Generosity 18 Nov 2025

In this week's email we talk about the sale of the Padres. We talk about the release of the emails. Pop gets in trouble because of a hypothetical situation that Joel creates. Joel talks about the importance of giving your resources.

Episode 486: Deeby, Nuggets, and Making Christians Weird Again 28 Oct 2025

Joel shares a story about his dog. Jess and Elyse share the story of going to Buc-ees. Then Joel and Elyse talk about how we need to make Christianity Weird Again.

Episode 485: Everything sucks but Buc-ee's 21 Oct 2025

In this week's episode, we talk about the best thing Texas has to offer... Buc-ees! Pop closes out with a great devotional on abundance.

Episode 484: Padres (sad face), Baby Neil, and a MASSIVE rant 07 Oct 2025

This was recorded after the Padres won game two of the Wild Card series. So, needless to say, we were incredibly hopeful. Brutal. Then we talk about the newest edition to our family. Then Joel and Elyse go on a rant about the behavior at the Ryder Cup.

Episode 483: Stolen goods, Stolen first place, and Shame 19 Aug 2025

In this week's episode, we talk about our FIRST PLACE PADRES. We talk about some stolen goods. And Joel closes us out with a personal story on shame.

Episode 482: Padres, Immaturity, and more immaturity. 05 Aug 2025

In this week's episode, we talk about the Padres' trade deadline. We talk about being immature and we keep talking about it.

Episode 481: Good Weed, Pop's Bday, and our Neighbors 22 Jul 2025

Jessica talks about her big mess-up while preaching. We talk about our recent trip to the Padres game to celebrate Pop's 75th birthday. Elyse shares about a conversation she had with her landscaper that encouraged her.

Episode 480: Little League, Padres, and Healing 08 Jul 2025

In this week's episode we talk about a recent experience with a little league game. We give an update on the Padres. Pop closes us out with a great devotional on the willingness of Jesus to heal us.

Episode 479: Pop is 75! He tells us what he has learned 01 Jul 2025

We celebrate Pop's 75th birthday. He tells us what he has learned about life. And that somehow digresses into how often he changes his chonies. Just absolute ridiculousness.

Episode 478: Europe, Castles, and Building 24 Jun 2025

We are finally back! Joel tells us all about his vacation to Europe. He gets pretty deep with the lessons he learned. Elyse closes us out with a devotional written by N.T. Wright.

Episode 479: Protests, Padres, and Prayer 24 Jun 2025

In this week's podcast, we talk Padres vs. Dodgers. We recorded this on the night that the fight happened. So, we hadn't seen it yet. But we did predict it. We talk about going to the "No King" protest. Then Pop closes us out with a short devo on praying for others.

Episode 477: The Pope, The Padres, and the Resurrection 13 May 2025

We talk about the new pop. We talk about our Padres. Then Pop closes us out with a great devotional on the importance of the resurrection.

Episode 476: Pop, Pope, and Peter 29 Apr 2025

We talk the Pop. We talk the Pope. You know we talk the Padres. Then Elyse closes us out with a devotional on Peter

Episode 475: 1st place PADRES, Earthquakes, and the Resurrection 22 Apr 2025

We talk about our first-place San Diego Padres (which will probably not be in first when this is released). We talk about the recent earthquake! Then Elyse closes us out with a great Easter devotional.

Episode 474: Weddings, Games, and Our King 15 Apr 2025

After another month off we talk about the... Padres. Huge surprise, I know. We talk about Joel's daughter getting married. Then Jessica closes us out with a devotional on Jesus' triumphal entry.

Episode 473: Fainting, Weddings, and Imagination 18 Mar 2025

The gang talks about the upcoming wedding. Jess talks about fainting and rollerskating. Elyse closes us with a devotional on imagination.

Episode 472: AARP, Hair Dye, and Ash Wednesday 04 Mar 2025

In this week's episode, Jess talks about turning 50. Joel asks the very daring question, "Why do women dye their hair?" And then we close out talking about the practice of Ash Wednesday.

Episode 471: Birds, Turtles, and Sharks 25 Feb 2025

In this week's episode we take a quick dive into all things nature.

Episode 470: Why is Pop the best? 18 Feb 2025

In this week's episode, we attempt to answer the questions: Why is Pop the best? and What the heck is happening in the US?

Episode 469: A full on rant and then a poem 04 Feb 2025

In this week's episode the crew talks about what has happened in the U.S. in the last few weeks. Then we close it out with a poem in order to have some hope.

Episode 468: Mafia, Updates and Jesus Wept 21 Jan 2025

Well, we finally did it. We are so back. For this week. At least. In this week's episode we talk about playing the game Mafia. Joel gives us a big update. Then Elyse closes us out with a beautiful devotional on the heart of Jesus.

Episode 467: Fruits, Nuts, Trump's Cabinet & Jesus 19 Nov 2024

We talk our favorite fruits & nuts. We talk about Trump's appointments for his cabinet. Elyse closes us out with a reflection on the beauty of Jesus.

Episode 466: Sequels, Wheelchairs, and the Elections 12 Nov 2024

In this week's episode, we talk about our favorite sequels. We recount one of the times Jess was furious with Joel. Then we close out with our thoughts on the elections/

Episode 465: Yeeturus, Sadres and the Election 05 Nov 2024

Jessica talks about her recent surgery. We do one final update on the Padres season. Then we talk a bit about the election and what our hope is.

Episode 464: The Padcast 08 Oct 2024

This is a partial recording! So if you love the Padres this is the padcast for you.

Episode 463: Padres (of course), Cal Fire, and Devotional Roulette 01 Oct 2024

In this week's episode we talk about our beloved Padres. We give an update on Jonas fighting fires. Elyse is the next contestant on Devotional Roulette

Episode 462: Padres (of course), the Fall, and Bible Verse Roulette 24 Sep 2024

We talk about the Padres... of course. Just one more month of having to listen to us talking about them. We talk about our favorite parts of the Fall. And then Joel is the contestant on Bible Verse Roulette.

Episode 461: Padres (of course), The debate (of course), Bible Verse Roulette 19 Sep 2024

We talk about the end of the Padres season... of course. We play Bible verse roulette where Joel stops at a random place in the Bible and Jessica has to do a devotional from it.

Episode 460: Water Zumba, Kid's sports, and Give Them Grace 03 Sep 2024

In this week's podcast we catch up with all the things from the last week. Mimi talks about her new favorite passion. We close out talking about Give Them Grace.

Episode 459: Snoop Dogg, Astronauts, and Love 20 Aug 2024

In this week's episode, we talk about Snoop Dogg at the Olympics. We talk about the astronauts that are stuck at the space station. Pop closes us out with a devotional on love.

Episode 458: No-hitters, No-Biden, and the Elder Brother 30 Jul 2024

In this week's podcast we talk about the Padres throwing a no-hitter. We talk about the Olympics. We talk about Biden dropping out. Then Joel closes us out with a devotional on the elder brother.

Episode 457: Voting Game, Biden, Trump, and a Prayer for our Nation 22 Jul 2024

In this week's episode, which was recorded last week, we try and predict if Biden will drop out. We talk about our recent vacation. Then Jess reads a prayer she wrote for our nation after the assassination attempt.

Episode 456: Rams, Dancing, and Sabbath 25 Jun 2024

In this week's episode we talk about Joel's new purchase. We talk about our Father's Day celebration. We talk about medical procedures and Pop says the thing that blows our minds. Then we close by talking about the Sabbath.

Episode 455: Memes, Graduations, and Faithfulness 18 Jun 2024

In this week's episode we catch you all up on Jess becoming famous. We talk about all the new news of our lives.

Episode 454: Life updates, Anniversaries & Beauty 28 May 2024

We are back! We each give an update about what's been going on. Elyse and Phil advise on how to stay married for 50 years. Jess shares a story about someone trying to sell her a vacation club membership. Then we close out with a devotional on beauty.

Episode 453: Superstitions, Piercings, and Preaching Christ 23 Apr 2024

We are back! Listen in to see who got a new piercing and where. Hint - it is not Pop.

Episode 452: Concerts, Eagles, and a Benediction for the Traveler 05 Mar 2024

In this week's episode we talk about a concert we are about to go to. Elyse talks about her beloved bald eagles. Joel closes us out with a benediction for the traveler.

Episode 451: Cruising, Carrots, Praying and Pastor Pop 13 Feb 2024

In this week's episode we talk about cruising on a shiP. We talk about serving refugees this last week. Pop tells a story that Joel and Jess had never heard. Then Pastor Pop closes us out with a devotional.

Episode 450: Favorite Colors, Last Meal and the Refugee 06 Feb 2024

In this week's podcast we talk about our favorite colors... which delays the intro by almost 10 minutes. We talk about what our last meal would be. Elyse closes us out with a series of verses on the refugee and foreigner.

Episode 449: Venmo, Floods, and Food 30 Jan 2024

In this week's episode, Elyse talks about a recent transaction on Venmo. We talk about the historic flooding that just happened here in San Diego. Then we talk about serving some food to friends.

Episode 448: Pastor Pop, Kidney Stones and John 1 23 Jan 2024

In this week's episode we hear about Pop's new role. Joel talks about his current situation with kidney stones. Then Pop leads us in a devotional about John 1.