Mokena's Front Porch Podcast Podcast By Israel Smith & Matt Galik cover art

Mokena's Front Porch Podcast

Mokena's Front Porch Podcast

By: Israel Smith & Matt Galik
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About this listen

Welcome to Mokena’s Front Porch – THE podcast for Mokena history and community!

Nestled in the heart of Chicagoland, Mokena began as a small farming community that flourished after the Rock Island train line arrived in 1852. Today, with a population of over 20,000, its rich past continues to shape its future.


Your hosts:

🔹 Matt – A lifelong Mokenian, local historian, and author of two books on Mokena history. His blog, Matt’s Old Mokena, serves as the foundation for many of our episodes, bringing forgotten stories of the village back to life.

🔹 Israel – A passionate storyteller who grew up hearing firsthand WWII accounts from his grandfathers. Since moving to Mokena in 2016, he has embraced its history, working through technical challenges as a first-time podcaster to bring this show to life. He’s a BIG fan of Mokena!


Join us as we explore the people, places, and moments that make Mokena special. Visit MokenasFrontPorch.com for more stories, updates, and ways to connect. You can also find us on social media!


Pull up a chair, get comfortable, and step back in time with us on Mokena’s Front Porch.

© 2025 Mokena's Front Porch Podcast Political Science Politics & Government World
Episodes
  • Recapping The March 19th Mokena 159 School Board Meeting - The A.I. Front Porch

    Recapping The March 19th Mokena 159 School Board Meeting - The A.I. Front Porch
    Mar 21 2025

    Send us a text

    THIS EPISODE WAS CREATED USING A.I. SOFTWARE AND MAY INCLUDE FACTUAL ERRORS IN THE EPISODE. PLEASE BE SURE TO VERIFY QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION YOURSELF AS WELL.

    With the explosion of A.I. (artificial intelligence), there are new tools coming along all the time! We shared the video of the March 19th Mokena 159 School Board meeting on our YouTube channel. Using that video and some amazing AI, I tried out this tool that creates an audio overview that sounds like an old fashioned radio program!
    So check out its review of the most recent school board meeting! Besides hearing how real this technology sounds, you will also get 3 hours of school board meeting debriefed down to about 20 minutes!

    Let us know what you think! Is this helpful?

    Support the show

    Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com

    Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch
    Check Out Our YouTube Channel For Some Great Videos

    Find Matt's Blog here: Matt's Old Mokena
    Photo & Artwork Credit: Jennifer Medema & Leslie V. Moore Jr.

    Do you have a question, comment or maybe an idea for an episode, you can email us at:
    MokenasFrontPorch@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    19 mins
  • Kim Huelsman - Candidate For Mokena Village Trustee

    Kim Huelsman - Candidate For Mokena Village Trustee
    Mar 18 2025

    Send us a text

    Kimberly Huelsman is a teacher at Sandburg High School in Orland Park. This is her first time running for elected office and she is running with the Mokena's Future slate.

    Support the show

    Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com

    Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch
    Check Out Our YouTube Channel For Some Great Videos

    Find Matt's Blog here: Matt's Old Mokena
    Photo & Artwork Credit: Jennifer Medema & Leslie V. Moore Jr.

    Do you have a question, comment or maybe an idea for an episode, you can email us at:
    MokenasFrontPorch@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • Dan Gilbert - Candidate for Mokena Village Trustee

    Dan Gilbert - Candidate for Mokena Village Trustee
    Mar 18 2025

    Send us a text

    Dan Gilbert teaches in Mokena 159 schools and is a Mokena Park District Commissioner. He is running with the Friends of Mokena slate, who's website is www.friendsofmokena.com

    Get to know Dan Gilbert and be sure to vote BY April 1st! Early voting starts March 17th!

    Please subscribe to our channel!

    Support the show

    Be sure to check out our website @ www.MokenasFrontPorch.com

    Follow Us On Facebook At Mokena's Front Porch
    Check Out Our YouTube Channel For Some Great Videos

    Find Matt's Blog here: Matt's Old Mokena
    Photo & Artwork Credit: Jennifer Medema & Leslie V. Moore Jr.

    Do you have a question, comment or maybe an idea for an episode, you can email us at:
    MokenasFrontPorch@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    52 mins
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