Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Chelsea Dowell, Professor of Economics at Tennessee Tech University.

In this episode: It was the most Googled question on November 6th, the day after the 2024 United States Presidential Election, and we’re here to ask you (a much more qualified resource than Google) what is a tariff?

James Carville said it best, “It’s the economy stupid.” We’re all worried about the economy, but what exactly are we worried about? What’s made our groceries, housing and everything we spend our paycheck on, especially here in the Upper Cumberland so much more expensive? 

We’re told daily our economy in the State of Tennessee is one of the best in the United States. According to the published budget on our state website we have a rainy day fund of $2,070,000,000.00. However, Tennessee is ranked in the top 10 states for poverty, and the median income is $33,901.00. How can the economy be thriving, and our state has billions in savings, while the average Tennessean is making roughly $16 an hour?

Find out more about the Economics program at Tennessee Technological University:
https://www.tntech.edu/majors/economics.php

https://www.tntech.edu/directory/business/chelsea-dowell.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 Miss Sallie's Market.

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

Join Kosta and his guest: Zakiya Roberts, Master Gardener, Director of Growing Garners and Owner of Pots of Peace.

In this episode: Through Pots of Peace you’re not only able to interconnect our community through generations, you're able to bridge the information gap that’s expanding from generation to generation. What skills are you teaching that most Millennials, Gen Z, and even some Gen Xers didn’t grow up with? Teaching families how to be more self-sufficient is a cornerstone of your brand and mission. What does self-sufficiency mean to you? Why should it be important to all of us? Let’s talk about Growing Gardeners and bringing kids into the garden. What do children learn from being in the garden they aren’t learning at home or school?

Find out more about more about Zakiya Roberts, Pots of Peace and Growing Garners:
https://potsofpeace.square.site
https://www.instagram.com/pots_ofpeace
https://www.facebook.com/PotsofPeace/

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: Hailey Sullivan, Upper Cumberland CTE Consultant for the Tennessee Department of Education.

In this episode: For parents, especially in the Upper Cumberland, it feels like we’re being pulled in 20 different directions to figure out what’s “best” for our children. Whether it’s going to college, getting a technical certificate or entering the workforce right out of high school, the goal post is moving everyday. What’s your advice to parents on how to prepare their children for success? Most middle school students are between the ages of 10 and 14. The majority of these kids are more worried about getting their braces off than getting a job, and understandably so. How do you get 12 year olds excited about career development and why does it matter at this age? When we’re looking at the Upper Cumberland, and what’s to come - what do you think the most valuable career paths over the next decade will be and what industries will be fading out? 

  
Find out more about Upper Cumberland CTE:
https://www.tn.gov/education.html
https://www.facebook.com/people/Upper-Cumberland-CTE/61559875886783/?_rdr

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 partner Sabrina Brazle, The Realty Firm.

Find out more about Sabrina Brazle:
https://www.sabrinabrazle.com/

Join Kosta and his guest: Lisa Mackie, Executive Director of Deeper Still Upper Cumberland. The mission of Deeper Still Upper Cumberland is to bring healing and lasting freedom to abortion wounded hearts of women and men.

The Upper Cumberland chapter was founded by Lisa Mackie after she attended a Deeper Still retreat. This chapter is an affiliate of the founding Deeper Still based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Find out more about Lisa Mackie and Deeper Still Upper Cumberland:
https://www.deeperstilluppercumberland.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: Shaun Scantland, Business Development Consultant at Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

This week we're celebrating Thanksgiving, biscuits and gravy, and all the ways we're better together.

We’re honored to host Shaun on this special Thanksgiving episode, because he makes this community and podcast better everyday. Thank you to our guest host of Questions from a Cornucopia, BTwKY Producer Morgan Franklin and special guest Finn Scantland.

Shaun's Dressing Recipe:

Step 1: Cornbread

Ingredients

• 2 cups White Lily white cornmeal mix
• 1 1/3 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal mix, milk, canola oil, and beaten egg until smooth.
3. Pour the batter into a greased black iron skillet for best results.
4. Bake at 450°F until the top is golden brown.

Step 2: Cornbread Dressing

Ingredients

• 1 batch cornbread (6 cups crumbled)
• 3 cups bread crumbs (use wheat bread)
• 2–4 chicken breasts, boiled until done and drained (set aside)
• 2 cups onion, sautéed in butter until tender (set aside)
• 3–4 cups chicken broth (2 large cartons; add as needed for "soupy" consistency)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 heaping tsp ground sage
• 1 tsp dried marjoram
• 1 1/2 tsp dried rosemary

Directions

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
   • Boil the chicken breasts until done, drain, and shred.
   • Sauté the onions in butter until tender.
   • Crumble the cornbread and bread crumbs into a large mixing bowl.
2. Mix the Dressing:
   • Add the shredded chicken and sautéed onions to the bowl.
   • Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, thyme, sage, marjoram, and rosemary.
   • Stir in the beaten eggs.
3. Add Chicken Broth:
   • Begin by adding 1 carton of chicken broth, then gradually add more until the mixture is "soupy."
   • Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Bake:
   • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
   • Spray your baking dish with non-stick spray.
   • Pour the mixture into the prepared dish.
   • Bake for about 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown.

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: Jennifer Hutchinson-Tracy, Director of the Putnam County Animal Shelter.

In this episode: Adopting a pet is a magical experience. What’s one of your favorite adoption stories from here in Putnam County? And what do we need to know about how to adopt our next furry friend? How many animals are currently at the Putnam County Animal Shelter and what does the intake to adoption rate look like for any given month? If you could manage one misconception people have about animal shelters or even animal control, what would it be? You’ve helped thousands of families here in the Upper Cumberland find another member of their family and a pet they will cherish for the rest of their life. The holidays are right around the corner, everyone wants a puppy for Christmas, what’s your message to families on adopting instead of shopping from a breeder this holiday season?

Find out more about Putnam County Animal Shelter:
https://www.cookeville-tn.gov/161/Animal-Shelter

Find out more about Friends of Putnam County Animal Shelter:
https://friendsofcpcanimals.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

Join Kosta and his guest: Senator Paul Bailey, Tennessee State Senator, Representing the 15th District.

In this episode: I know some people are listening and thinking, I know what a State Senator is - but I don’t actually know. Will you walk us through what you do at the Capitol and how the State Senate impacts our lives here in the Upper Cumberland? You’re a strong supporter of small government to expedite economic growth in Tennessee. In your experience, why is small government the most effective way to govern and how is it helping to drive the economic growth in the 15th District? In many years, when you decide to hang up your hat - what do you hope is your legacy from your time serving your community, this district, and our great state of Tennessee?

Find out more about Paul Bailey:
https://paulbaileyfortn.com
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member.aspx?district=S15

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 partner Sabrina Brazle, The Realty Firm.

Find out more about Sabrina Brazle:
https://www.sabrinabrazle.com/

Join Kosta and his guest: Amy McBroom (Stockwell), Director of The Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center.

In this episode: It’s almost the holidays, it’s an election year, and we’re feeling stress from every angle right now. I read something really devastating on your Facebook that sometimes people feel like they have to wait until after holidays or big life events to ask for help or leave an abusive partner because they don’t want to ruin anything. What would you say to these victims? I can’t get this information out of my head: 1 in 3 women is a victim of domestic abuse and 1 in 4 men are victims, I had no idea. Do you think most people know this? Domestic abuse can be mental, physical, economic or psychological, and it’s not always easy to tell when someone is being abused. If we suspect someone is being abused what should we do?

Find out more about Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center:
https://ucfamilyjusticecenter.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

This episode contains themes that may be distressing to some listeners: including child loss, death, extreme weather events and other content that is not intended for children. We understand if this episode is too overwhelming for you to listen to at this time. We hope all our audience will read the Collin's Family Story and consider making a donation to The Magnolia Foundation.

Join Kosta and his guest: Matt Collins, Founder of The Magnolia Foundation.

On March 3, 2020, the Upper Cumberland changed forever. For the community, it was an indescribable loss - for Matt, it was an unimaginable one. The tornado that ravaged the Upper Cumberland took the one thing we can never replace, 19 members of this community, including Matt and Macy's beautiful daughter Hattie Jo.

To honor Hattie Jo, the Collins family started the Hattie Jo Collins Memorial Scholarship, an endowed scholarship at Tennessee Tech University that benefits students in the nursing program. In 2023, they founded The Magnolia Foundation which seeks to serve families who have also experienced the pain of child loss.

Find out more and donate to The Magnolia Foundation:
https://www.themagnoliafoundation.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: Amy Ing, Owner of Spotlight Costumes.

In this episode: Collectively we spend a pretty penny on Halloween, in America alone we spent 12.2 billion dollars in 2024. So, how does renting a costume from you compare to buying a costume online or at a big box store? Because after you buy the costume, wig, shoes, and accessories, it can easily be $200-$300 for a cheap costume you’re never going to wear again. Halloween is right around the corner, and in the true spirit of the season and this episode, I want to talk about dressing up for Halloween. What’s your favorite Halloween costume that you’ve ever had? What does the process of finding our dream Halloween costume look like with the help of Spotlight Costumes?

Find out more about Spotlight Costumes:
https://www.spotlightcostumes.net/

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