Join Kosta and his guest: Michael Ruff, Actor, Producer, and Director of Upcoming Cookeville Theatre Company Production: Crowns.

In this episode: For our listeners who aren’t familiar, how would you describe Crowns to someone hearing about it for the first time? What makes this story feel alive and necessary today? Crowns centers around the Black church tradition of hats, not just as fashion, but as identity. What do you hope your audience learns about these traditions and culture, especially the audience here in Cookeville? This story is about legacy: the members of our community who shape our lives, and who we become to serve others. When you think about your own story, who are the hat wearers in your life?

Find out more about Cookeville Theatre Company:
https://www.cookevilletheatreco.org/

Crowns Auditions Information: 

Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 pm / Monday, December 15 at 6:00 pm

First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall: 20 N Dixie Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.

Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:
https://www.misssallies.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Jeffrey King, Director of Nuclear Engineering at Tennessee Tech University.

In this episode: The word nuclear carries a certain gravity - no pun intended. Nuclear bomb, nuclear winter, the nuclear option: when we go nuclear, there’s no going back. When you hear the word nuclear what does it mean to you? Should we be afraid of nuclear energy? What will it take to undo the decades of fear and skepticism around all things nuclear? You’re the new director of TTU’s Nuclear Engineering program and quite frankly, this is the answer to all my prayers of the past decade. If the Upper Cumberland can become a hub of nuclear industry, it’d change everything. How will your program help to advance our community economically and environmentally?

Find out more about Nuclear Engineering at Tennessee Tech University:
https://www.tntech.edu/majors/nuclear-engineering.php

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.

Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:
https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Hey, y'all this is Kosta and today I’m here with my guest: Stacye Choate, Attorney at Law and Candidate for Putnam County County Commission District 2. 

In this episode: Stacye, you’re officially our first candidate interview of the 2026 election cycle and the first Democrat running in a local election that we’ve ever hosted on the podcast. It’s an honor to have you, and I think the best question to start with is: why now and why the Democratic ticket?

I watched your speech announcing your candidacy and something really stuck with me. You said, “Republicans do not hold the market on Christianity, I am a Christian. The teachings of Jesus call us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to show compassion, to stand with the vulnerable, and to reject hatred.” As a Christian, why do you feel there’s such harsh lines drawn for both political parties around religion?

In 2025, Putnam County has zero representation from the Democratic Party. There’s not one elected official in this county with a (D) beside their name. For residents of the Upper Cumberland, that’s not hard to believe. What might surprise our listeners is in 2000, Putnam County had zero representation from the Republican Party. There were zero candidates with an (R) beside their name. How did this happen? Do you think it could happen again?

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

Join us with Plenty Downtown Bookshop at A Novel Affair: A Jane Austen Gala for Literacy on November 8, 2025 at Putnam County Convention Center.

Find out more about A Novel Affair: A Jane Austen Gala for Literacy and buy tickets here:
https://plentybookshop.com/gala

Join Kosta and his guest: Will Roberts, Executive Director of Cookeville Rescue Mission.

In this episode: Most people know the Cookeville Rescue Mission in theory. They drive by the building or they see a billboard - they know it exists, but they might not know more than that. What do you wish our community knew about the work you do and the individuals who walk through your doors every day? You have a motto at CRM I love: we’ll help you do anything, but we won’t help you do nothing. What does this motto mean to you? You know both sides of this story, you’ve lived through both the struggle of addiction and the redemption of recovery. When you’re talking with someone who is where you once were, what’s the first thing you want them to know?

Find out more about Cookeville Rescue Mission:
https://cookevillerescuemission.org/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.

Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:
https://www.misssallies.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Troy Smith, Author, Historian and Professor of History at Tennessee Tech University.

In this episode: In 2021 you started writing an opinion column in the Sparta Expositor called “A Liberal Dose”. This column began at the request of the Expositor’s Editor looking to add more progressive commentary after the events of January 6th and the insurrection on our nation’s capital. After writing your column for more than 4 years you’ve been asked to take a step back from the publication citing security concerns and threatening messages directed at you specifically. My first question starts here: who do you think is actually being protected by this column getting ending? Freedom of speech in America is a hot topic. Not to make light of the situation, but it has been for about 250 years. When you think about the moment we’re in: the tragic assination of Charlie Kirk, the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, the cancellation of Stephen Colbert and contributors like you across the country, what does this mean for the freedom of speech and what can we do to protect it? As Mark Twain famously said, “History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes.” You know a lot more about history than me, and I want to take this opportunity to ask you, what comes next? What comes next in the United States? What comes next in Cookeville?

Read Dr. Troy Smith's Blog:  
https://tnwordsmith.blogspot.com
 
Shop Dr. Troy Smith's Published Works on Amazon:
https://us.amazon.com/stores/author/B004G7QU7A?ccs_id=b910bd69-aade-430a-b2a9-220a051d438e

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

Join us with Plenty Downtown Bookshop at A Novel Affair: A Jane Austen Gala for Literacy on November 8, 2025 at Putnam County Convention Center.

Find out more about A Novel Affair: A Jane Austen Gala for Literacy and buy tickets here:
https://plentybookshop.com/gala

Join Kosta and his guest Cookeville Police Department’s Sergeant Charlotte Austin.

In this episode: You lead Cookeville Police Department’s Community Services Program with a dedicated mission to unify law enforcement and the public. Most people would rather get a root canal than hang out with on-duty police officers for fun, so how do you effectively bring everyone together to make meaningful progress towards this goal? In 2015 you joined CPD as a part-time dispatcher. Two years later, you became a certified officer and quickly rose through the ranks, first as a Field Training Officer, then as a Detective, and most recently, as Sergeant in March 2024. For those of us who are blissfully unaware of how the ranks of law enforcement works, will you tell us about each of these positions? You teach LEAD the next evolution of DARE to 4th graders across Putnam County. What’s a lesson from the 4th grade classroom you think everyone could benefit from hearing? 

Find out more about Cookeville Police Department:
https://cookeville-tn.gov/245/Police-Department

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.

Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:
https://www.misssallies.com

This is Kosta and today I’m here with my guest: Chad McDonald, Assistant Director of Cookeville Department of Leisure Services and Public Facilities. Soon to be Department Director beginning October 6, 2025.

In this episode: Leisure Services is the heart of Cookeville. Your department oversees ten city parks, Cookeville Performing Acts Center, two museums, our farmers market, and countless other recreation and events centers. In your opinion, what role does Leisure Services play in shaping Cookeville’s identity and quality of life? You’ve served the City of Cookeville and Leisure Services in various roles for over thirty years. In 1992 you started a part time job in the Cookeville Drama Center (now the Cookeville Performing Arts Center) while attending TTU. Now, thirty-three years later you’re designated to be the next Director of the Cookeville Department of Leisure Services and Public Facilities. What’s one thing about this department that hasn’t changed? Across the City of Cookeville Offices there’s a clear effort to provide transparency and a more community focused approach to outreach and engagement. How is Leisure Services helping to provide more robust updates and involvement to residents, specifically through digital media and online platforms?

Find out more about Cookeville Department of Leisure Services and Public Facilities: 

https://www.cookeville-tn.gov/284/Leisure-Services

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

Join us with Plenty Downtown Bookshop at A Novel Affair: A Jane Austen Gala for Literacy on November 8, 2025 at Putnam County Convention Center. 

Find out more about A Novel Affair: A Jane Austen Gala for Literacy and buy tickets here:
https://plentybookshop.com/gala

Join Kosta and his guest: Lindsay Pride, journalist and Editor of the Herald-Citizen.

In this episode: You started at the Herald Citizen in 2002 as a reporter. I want to step back in time for a moment, because the Herald-Citizen, and your career as a journalist, have drastically changed since 2002. Will you take us through a day as a reporter for the Herald-Citizen in 2002 verses a day as editor in 2025? To put it plainly, local newspapers are suffering. Wikipedia says the United States saw the loss of an average of two newspapers per week between late 2019 and May 2022. That’s astounding and heart breaking. Local journalism is the first draft of history. How can we protect local newspapers, and why should we put forward the effort to do it? The way we consume news has changed. The way we collect and report information has also changed. Our trust in the information we consume has changed. How does the Herald-Citizen not only keep, but gain the trust of readers and the community at large?

Find out more about the Herald-Citizen:
https://www.herald-citizen.com/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.

Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:
https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Johnnie Wheeler, First Vice Chair of Cookeville NAACP.

In this episode: Over the past 50 years you’ve seen our county from every angle. From your professional work at UCHRA, to your political service in the County Commission, to the countless boards, committees and commissions you’ve seen it all. When you look at your work so far, what’s the through-line that ties it all together? Cookeville and Putnam County are changing everyday. Right now it feels like we’re a caterpillar in a cocoon waiting to transform into a beautiful butterfly. What do you hope the next metamorphosis of Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland looks like? On September 25th to 27th Cookeville will host the Tennessee NAACP State Conference. Why is hosting the 79th NAACP State Convention in Cookeville significant right now for the Upper Cumberland and for the state?

Find out more about Cookeville NAACP:
https://www.naacpcookevilleputnam.org/

NAACP Events Free to the Public: 

Thursday, September 25th:
11:30 AM -11:50 AM, Press Conference

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Health Expo

6:30 PM -8:30 PM, Mass Meeting

All three events at the Putnam County Event Center: 2121 Event Ctr Dr. Cookeville, TN 38501

Friday, September 26th:
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Youth & College Community

Putnam County Event Center: 2121 Event Ctr Dr. Cookeville, TN 38501

Saturday, September 27th:
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Community Town Hall
McClellan Church of Christ, 141 McClellan Ct., Cookeville, TN 38501

For more info, e-mail:

naacp.cookevilleputnam@gmail.com

2025 State Conference Full Schedule: https://www.naacpcookevilleputnam.org/_files/ugd/ebc8cd_03afdd7443ac450cad519d7dfc9e9feb.pdf

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.

Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:
https://www.misssallies.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Alissa Hudson, Ophthalmologist and Owner of Middle Tennessee Eye. 

In this episode: I think we can all agree, there’s only one place we can start this episode - and it’s inside an eyeball. We all have eyes, but most of us have no idea how they work or why they don’t work correctly. So, I hope it’s not too much to ask: how do our eyes work? You’re an Ophthalmologist specialising in refractive surgery like LASIK and multifocal cataract surgery. I’ve had LASIK and it’s truly incredible. How did you get into this specialization and how has refractive surgery changed vision care overall? This is switching gears, and I’m only asking because I know people who go years, sometimes decades without getting an eye exam. How often should we be coming in? 

Find out more about Middle TN Eye:
https://www.middletneye.com/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.

Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:
https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Join Kosta and his guest: AJ Donadio, Community Leader, Veteran, Activist and Professor in the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing at TTU.

In this episode: You serve the community through a variety of non-profits from Cookeville Independence Again to Highland AMVETS Post 44. Will you tell us about all the organizations you’re working with and how they contribute to our community? In 2021 you helped charter the TN Tech chapter of Turning Point USA. To make a long story short: there were some people who didn’t like it. In today’s political climate it’s impossible to make everyone happy. What has that experience taught you about being true to your own political beliefs and how to deal with situations where people don’t like what you’re doing? You’ve served nearly a decade on Putnam County Commission helping to ensure the steady growth and financial responsibility of our county. When you look at where we are today, what opportunities do you think we have on a city and county level?

Find out more about Highland AMVETS Post 44:
https://www.highlandamvets44.org/

Find out more about Blood Assurance:
https://www.bloodassurance.org/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Volunteer State Community College.

Find out more about Volunteer State Community College:
https://www.volstate.edu/campuses/cookeville

Hey, ya’ll! This is Kosta and today I’m here with my guest: Samantha Raper, President and Founder of Cookeville Inclusive.

In this episode: Cookeville Inclusive started with a Facebook post and has evolved into a movement. Will you tell us about who the community is for and how it has reenergized the inclusive spirit of the Upper Cumberland? Inclusivity can mean different things to different people. How do you translate your vision of inclusivity into actionable opportunities that make a difference in Cookeville? Everyday we decide what we want Cookeville to be. As you know, moving here in the early 2000s, 25 years can change everything. What do you hope Cookeville will look like 25 years from now? 

Join Cookeville Inclusive:
https://www.cookevilleinclusive.com/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.

Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:
https://www.misssallies.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/845010580811087/

Join Kosta and his guest: Ali Bagci, Cookeville City Council Member, veteran and community organizer.

In this episode: You can’t teach experience. That was one of my favorite quotes from your website, because it’s true. No matter how we try, we can’t teach experience. Professionally, you’ve worked in manufacturing, project management, healthcare, and as an Officer in the United States Navy. Cumulatively, how do you think that experience has shaped your approach to leadership for Cookeville City Council and beyond? For most of us, we won’t care about how the government works until we need something or we’re mad about something. Why does local civic engagement matter and why should every resident of Cookeville be invested in the decisions and success of Cookeville City Council? We want to see Cookeville grow responsibly. That was a core mission of your campaign in 2022 and it’s been at the forefront of every Tennessean's mind for at least the past decade. How do we keep growing steadily and sustainably?

Contact Ali Bagci and learn more about the City of Cookeville:
https://www.cookeville-tn.gov/
https://www.cookeville-tn.gov/directory.aspx?EID=195

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.

Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:
https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Join Kosta and his guest: James Mills, City Manager for the City of Cookeville.

In this episode: The City of Cookeville recently launched a new segment on social media called Cookeville Q&A: where residents can write in with their questions to city representatives. Most of the questions understandably are about roads and traffic. Do you think the general public doesn’t fully understand the scope of projects like these or are we indeed entitled to have a total meltdown on South Jefferson Avenue? From what I can tell, there’s no sign of Cookeville slowing down. Whether it’s economic development, infrastructure or new neighbors from California, we’re all gas and no brakes. As our current City Manager and former Planning Director, are you ever afraid this could all be too much of a good thing? The median sold home price for July 2025 in Cookeville was $362,000 according to the National Association of Realtors. On Zillow, in Cookeville there’s exactly 10 listings for homes under 200,000. Our median household income is $48,501. That’s a really long way of saying it’s mathematically impossible for the majority of Cookeville residents to buy a home without support. What can the city do to change this? 

Find out more about The City of Cookeville:
https://www.cookeville-tn.gov/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.

Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:
https://www.misssallies.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Rick McDonald, Retired Tennessee Department of Transportation Operations Supervisor. 

In this episode: If you drive in Tennessee, you’re enjoying the hard work of TDOT. Like many state and government entities, we might be familiar with the department, but not know exactly what it is. What is TDOT? What does TDOT do? You’ve worked with TDOT for over 36 years, since 1988. Needless to say, we live in a completely different world from 1988. What’s changed the most for TDOT? Overton County alone has over 160 miles of state roads. Can you put into perspective for us what it’s like to maintain 160 miles of road? What does that look like on a day-to-day basis? 

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.

Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:
https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Wren Goedken, STEM Teacher at Algood Middle School and organizer for the Restoring Childhood Initiative. 

Restoring Childhood is a grassroots movement of parents, educators, and community leaders who want to help kids reclaim play, creativity, connection, and freedom by intentionally reducing screen time and sparking meaningful change in how we think about childhood.

Restoring Childhood is a non-partisan, community-driven initiative open to everyone who cares about kids and wants to see them thrive.

In this episode: What makes Restoring Childhood different from other child enrichment or education programs? Do you think it can change the culture of how children learn and play in the Upper Cumberland? What can children and parents alike expect from events hosted by Restoring Childhood? Whether it’s a book study or unstructured play time, what should we know? A lot changes over 30 years, and as a teacher I can only imagine the changes you’ve seen. In your opinion what’s changed the most since you started teaching?

Find out more about Restoring Childhood Putnam County:
https://www.restoringchildhoodputnamcounty.com/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.

Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:
https://www.misssallies.com

Join Kosta and his guest: GraceAnn Witt, founder of Mom Real Local, Your guide to young mom life in the Upper Cumberland area of TN! Connecting Moms. Sharing moments. Discovering places.

In this episode: What’s the hardest part of being a mom that no one talks about? How does Mom Real Local help to ease those hardships? What’s something you wish you could tell every new mom, or even, every new mom moving to the Upper Cumberland? In your opinion, what are the three most underrated places or experiences in Cookeville that every mom should know about?

Find out more about Mom Real Local:
https://linktr.ee/momreal_local

Follow GraceAnn and Mom Real Local on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/momreal_local/
https://www.instagram.com/graceann_momreal/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Volunteer State Community College.

Find out more about Volunteer State Community College:
https://www.volstate.edu/campuses/cookeville

Join Kosta and his guest: Tom Savage, President of Cookeville-Putnam NAACP, Vice President of Tennessee Conference of the NAACP and Pastor at Greater Faith Church of God in Christ Livingston. 

In this episode: For anyone who doesn’t know, or isn’t exactly sure, what is the NAACP? At the time of this recording, earlier this week, a member of the Upper Cumberland NAACP was arrested while approaching his County Commissioner after the conclusion of the County Commission meeting. What’s your response? Why do you think it happened? You’ve lived in the Upper Cumberland your entire life. You’ve been a black man in the Upper Cumberland your entire life. What’s changed? What’s the same?

Find out more about Cookeville-Putnam NAACP:
https://www.naacpcookevilleputnam.org/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.

Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:
https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Join Kosta and his guest: Steve Chatman, Vice President of Ministry Advancement and Pastoral Care at Rising Above Ministries and Co-Host of the Rising Above Dad’s podcast.

In this episode: In the Upper Cumberland alone there are more than 70,000 individuals living with special needs. Putnam County Schools averages 1 in 5 students has an IEP. This isn’t a fringe demographic, it’s a defined segment of our community. With all this in mind, why are there not more resources, opportunities and infrastructure created specifically for the over 20% of individuals in this community and state that live with special needs? 

You’ve worked with families for over 30 years. As the old saying goes, no family is perfect. What’s a universal piece of advice you’ve found to be true for both families supporting a member with special needs and those who are not? 

How has your life changed for the better since having children with special needs? 

Find out more about Rising Above Ministries:
https://www.risingaboveministries.org/

Listen to Rising Above Dad's:
https://www.risingaboveministries.org/risingabovedads

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.

Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:
https://www.misssallies.com

Join Kosta and his guests: Dr. Kathryn DuBray and Dr. Erin Crouch Mekkaoui, Co-Founders of Anniston Academy, Cookeville’s first therapeutic microschool built for neurodivergent learners.

In this episode: Most schools ask kids to fit the system. You built a system to fit the kids. What happens when a child actually feels seen in a classroom? You both grew up alongside autism: Kathryn as a parent, Erin as a sibling. How has that shaped the way you view education differently from traditional public or private school? We hear the word neurodivergent thrown around a lot these days. What does it actually mean to be neurodivergent?

Find out more about Anniston Academy:
https://www.annistonacademy.com/

Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.

This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners and listeners.

Speak out and help ensure necessary programming is available for generations to come and support WCTE PBS:
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