The Sunny Side of Life with Troy Thompson
Everyone needs a place they can call their “center of the universe”, for Troy Thompson and family, that is a place called Sunnyside in rural Iowa. Pioneer back with the old sergeant to a way of life that loves (most of) the neighbors, tries to see the good in everyone, prizes hard work, a good story, an honest laugh, and a fair deal of individual liberty. Welcome to life, liberty, and the pursuits that make us happy on the Sunnyside of Life.
Episodes
521 episodes
Pots of Gold: A Trip To The Capital
This week at Sunnyside, Troy recounts his trip to Des Moines as a lobbyist for schools, gives his take on some recent bills he likes, some he doesn't, and some he thinks are just silly. Then, he reviews The Promised Land series an...
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Season 4
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Episode 42
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1:12:37
The Ballad of Red Rock
This week, Troy shares the story of a little town under a lake: A place called Red Rock. It's a tale of forced migration. No conspiracy just a nice place for birds to roost.
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Season 4
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Episode 41
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50:19
Keep on the Sunnyside of Life...
This week, Troy comes down from the Johnny Cash show with Vinylfest, shares some insights on the show and possibilities for the future, let's us in on the Homefront at Sunnyside and highlights some upcoming shows and an an event you'll want to ...
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Season 4
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Episode 40
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33:43
CASH!
This week - it's all about CASH with special guests Donovan Johnson and Elizabeth May joining Troy at Sunnyside as VINYLFEST V: CASH approaches this Saturday January 17th at the Boman Fine Arts Center in Forest City see the link below to ...
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Season 4
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Episode 39
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1:13:23
20 (or 26) Hopes for 2026
This week, Troy returns with 20 (or 26) hopes or the new year. You'll be happy to listen in to this one!TEXT THE SHOW, folks (there's a link! Just be sure to add your name and phone or email in your message to be contacted!)
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Season 4
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Episode 38
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1:01:45
The Christmas Eve Miracle: A Sunnyside of Life Theatre of The Mind Presentation
Enjoy this Theatre of the Mind Presentation from the Sunnyside of Life Players this Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas!To buy your tickets to the one night only event of Vinylfest V: Johnny Cash simply follow this linkL
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Season 4
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Episode 37
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50:44
Lord, Have Mercy...
This week, on the Sunnyside of Life, Troy celebrates a birthday and visits an Orthodox Church, shares his comparisons with "rock'n'roll Sunday" at the local church and finds peace in the hymnal. To learn more see what the Orthodox C...
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Season 4
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Episode 36
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1:01:01
Worlds Collide
This week, at Sunnyside, Troy covers the past two week break and delivers some insights on preparations for being a grandpa and preparations for Christmas via a trip to KC, life on the farm, and time with the boys...
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Season 4
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Episode 35
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1:06:38
Thankful
This week at Sunnyside - Thanksgiving! Our favorite holiday and we're looking forward to family gathering and giving thanks. We wish the very same to you and yours!Happy Thanksgiving from The Sunnyside of Life!
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Season 4
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Episode 34
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18:00
Remodeling Broken Lives: Dr. John Graham
This week, Troy welcomes Dr. John Graham to Sunnyside. Dr. Graham is the Executive Director of Good Samaritan Home located in the greater Dayton, Ohio region. Since 2001, starting with opening his own home to homeless convict, John has remodele...
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Season 4
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Episode 33
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1:04:32
Simply the Besch: Meet Stacy Besch
This week, Troy expands the podcast empire to include video (which can be found on his YouTube Channel: Sunnyside Farm Studios) with Iowa Senate District 5 Republican candidate: Stacy Besch. Stacy is spokesperson for Team Iowa and has been comb...
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Season 4
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Episode 32
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1:33:32
Cutting Through The Static with Tony Coloff and Orin Harris
It all has to start somewhere and for Troy, the love for audio production like The Sunnyside of Life, is rooted in his radio experience starting at the age of 16 at the local radio station working for for his first boss off the farm: Tony Colof...
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Season 4
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Episode 31
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1:22:26
Government Closed: AI is Open
This week at Sunnyside, Troy takes a look at the 21st century and decides maybe this shutdown thing will open up doors to efficiencies achievable through artificial intelligence. And, big news from Sunnyside Farms Studios as November appr...
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Season 4
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Episode 30
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55:49
The Cooker: Chris Wellendorf
This week Troy welcomes Chris Wellendorf to Sunnyside. Chris is the Food Service Director for Forest City Community School District but he's also a musician, an actor, a chef, a brewmaster, and a "cooker"! Find out how this eclectic modern day ...
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Season 4
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Episode 29
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1:15:46
Ghosts in the Parlor
This week, Troy reviews the Netflix series: "The House of Guinness" and shares his take on revisionist history spanning examples from the re-writing of the Guinness family history for entertainment purposes to the rewriting of American history ...
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Season 4
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Episode 28
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59:18
Trouble in DMPS
This week, Troy updates listeners on the happenings at Sunnyside and delves into the situation with Dr. Ian Roberts, the Superintendant of Des Moines Public Schools.
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Season 4
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Episode 27
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52:29
Last Week Hurt
Last week at Sunnyside was difficult. There's a void that will linger a great while. As the world considers the loss of Charlie Kirk in one way or another, we consider our own loss: Dennis Burkholder. Heidi and Reed's Dad, Bev's husband, Papa t...
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Season 4
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Episode 26
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1:27:04
We're All Going to Die: Isaiah Schott - The Funeral Director
This week on The Sunnyside of Life, Troy sits down with the last guy you want to talk to...the local funeral director! And you know what? He's amazing! Isaiah Schott has been a funeral director for nearly twenty years and when you listen to him...
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Season 4
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Episode 25
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1:13:44
Up 4 Local Lumber with Adam Upmeyer
This week at Sunnyside, Troy visits with Adam Upmeyer, owner of the Garner Lumber and Supply - the local lumber yard that has kept Troy supplied these last few years with great quality lumber and products for all his varied building projects. G...
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Season 4
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Episode 24
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1:15:13
The Winter of '39
This week at Sunnyside, Troy recounts his speech to the full faculty and staff of the community school district and the significance of that high school diploma based on the stories and recollections of his grandfather who moved into town from ...
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Season 4
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Episode 23
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32:21
Small Town Sunshine: Julianna Burkholder
Who brings the Sunnyside of Life to small town businesses, community celebrations, and planned events? The local Chamber of Commerce Director, of course! This week, we meet Julianna Burkholder who has been the Executive Director of the Forest C...
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Season 4
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Episode 22
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1:08:53
Ireland with Brendan the Navigator!
Well, we missed a week while away to Ireland and it just wouldn't be right to talk about the trip without the best National guide in Ireland to help me out - the man who spent 10 days guiding our way through Ireland - Brendan McCarthy. Get to k...
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Season 4
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Episode 21
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1:24:16
Volunteer!
It's a short one, but this volunteer spirit with Troy is a little heavy - remember when you see someone who needs help and you gave it? Meh. Do your part and enjoy the reward - stay busy and don't bump your nose!
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Season 4
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Episode 20
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25:49