Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev

Join Kosta and his guest: Grayson Cupit, Senior Software Engineer at Disney Streaming and Board President for the Culture Shock Collective.

In this episode: You’re exactly the kind of person we say we want to move to Cookeville. You’re a software engineer, community organizer, professional musician and a member of the least likely generation to move to Putnam County: Millennial. As a published researcher studying community resiliency, why do Millennials not want to move here? Cookeville and Putnam County are at a critical inflection point, and whether we want to admit it or not, in the very near future we’ll have to make decisions on topics like artificial intelligence, data centers and our digital security that will impact us for decades to come. What do you hope will happen? Do you think our current leadership has the knowledge and tools they need to reasonably make these decisions? You’re the newly elected President of the Board of the local non-profit Culture Shock, a community driven arts and community space working to provide a simple answer to a complex problem and reconnect our wider creative community with itself. Beyond a polished mission statement, what is Culture Shock?

Find out more about Culture Shock Collective:
https://cultureshocktn.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: Adam Poe, Vice President of the Highlands Economic Partnership, a collaborative, public/private sector program designed to boost economic and community development in Jackson, Overton, Putnam and White Counties.

In this episode: Last week, Highlands Economic Partnership hosted over 4,000 8th graders from 14 counties across the Upper Cumberland for the 8th Grade Career Fair. This is one of my favorite events presented by HEP, but besides being a fun field trip for kids, what does it really accomplish? The 8th grade is a particularly challenging time for any child and their parents, but, as luck would have it, our 8th graders today are also coming of age with one of the greatest technological and economic transformations of our lifetime. From a workforce perspective, why does technology in schools and how we prepare our 8th graders today matter? The first model of ChatGPT was released to the public in November of 2022. Pew Research Center estimates more than 25% of Americans interact with AI at least 3 times a day. What does this mean for schools, employers and the overall digital literacy of every person alive today?

Find out more about the Highlands Economic Partnership:
https://www.highlandsoftn.com/

Find out more about the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce:
https://cookevillechamber.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: Monica Mowdy, Pastor of WellSpring United Methodist Church, educator, advocate and candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 25.

In this episode: In the South, you’re everything a candidate should be, and shouldn’t be. You’re a woman, you’re a pastor, you’re a Democrat and you’ve spent your entire life in service to others. I want to start with your Ministry work. What brought you to the United Methodist Church? Do you believe there should be a separation of church and state, and if yes, how do you specifically honor that balance? You’re running in State House District 25, against our neighbor and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, what inspired this campaign and have you ever run for local office before? For the past 16 years the Tennessee Republican Party has held a super majority across the state. We’ve grown exponentially during this time by nearly every metric, but not everyone, especially those from Tennessee are feeling the benefits of our growth. What do you say to voters who are feeling left behind despite our successes?

Find out more about Monica Mowdy:
https://www.electmonica.com/

Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetn

Important Putnam County (2026 Federal and State Election) Dates and information:
Federal and State Elections will be held on November 3rd with early voting from October 14th to October 29th.
All early voting for Putnam County voters takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.
For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commission

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: Dr. Susan Miranda, Executive Director of The Bryan Symphony Orchestra.

In this episode: After a nationwide search you were appointed by The Bryan Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors earlier this year as our Executive Director. As a current member, I’d like to extend my sincerest gratitude for all your hard work and dedication. Tell us how you learned about the position and why you choose to join us at the BSO? The Symphony’s kickoff event for the 2026-2027 Season was earlier this week with our Labor Day Concert in Dogwood Park, will you give us a recap for anyone who wasn’t able to attend? Is it uncommon for a town like Cookeville to have a professional orchestra? Why do we have one? How do we keep it?

Find out more about The Bryan Symphony Orchestra:
https://www.bryansymphony.org/

Find out more about Dr. Susan Miranda:
https://susanmiranda.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: Lauren Pinkston, Candidate for Governor of Tennessee, running on the Independent ticket. 

In this episode: I’ll start with the question that’s haunted me my entire voting life: can an Independent win? Needless to say, it’s not an easy decision to run for Governor of Tennessee. What inspired your candidacy and how did you get here? I’m sure you’re getting a lot of commentary from the left and right, it’s the joy of being an independent candidate. What’s something you want to tell (D) voters? What’s something you want to tell (R) voters?

Find out more about Lauren Pinkston:
https://www.pinkstonfortn.com/

Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetn

Important Putnam County (2026 Federal and State Election) Dates and information:
Federal and State Elections will be held on November 3rd with early voting from October 14th to October 29th.
All early voting for Putnam County voters takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.
For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commission

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: Devin Baranowski, President of Art Round Tennessee.

In this episode: In the Upper Cumberland we’re truly fortunate to have a thriving arts community. From the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, to Fiddlehead Gallery at The Silver Fern, to Cookeville Performing Arts Center and the Appalachian Center for Crafts, we’re surrounded by art and artists. How does Art Round Tennessee support the greater mission of keeping art in the Upper Cumberland? Many of our listeners might recognize Art Round as the presenter of ART Prowl. This year you’ll host the 25th ART Prowl on the Westside, what’s new? What’s staying the same? This year we have a new addition to the Art Round family of events: Art in Bloom at Glass Tangerine Flower Farm on September 12th. What is Art in Bloom? 

Find out more about Art Round Tennessee:
https://www.artroundtennessee.org/

Art in Bloom | Garden Party Fundraiser
Saturday, September 12th - 5:00 - 8:00 PM

Glass Tangerine Flower Farm 

3380 Walnut Grove Road Sparta, TN 38583
Buy Tickets: https://www.artroundtennessee.org/art-in-bloom

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: Sam Brooks, Upper Cumberland Regional Director for Vol State Community College and President of Tennessee Tech Football Quarterback Club.

In this episode: For all our Tennessee Tech Football fans, this is the week we’ve waited for our entire lives. On Saturday the Golden Eagles will host Monmouth University as we celebrate the opening of Tucker Stadium West and the next era of TTU Football. As a fan, alumni and President of the Tennessee Tech Football Quarterback Club, what are you looking forward to most? The original Tucker Stadium was completed in 1966. While it might feel like 60 years, the actual renovation of the new stadium only started 2 years ago. For anyone that hasn’t been to a game in a few years, or ever, why is this new facility such a big accomplishment? On Saturday we enter a whole new world of college sports we’ve never had before. There are countless people, organizations and systems behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly and effectively. How does the Quarterback Club play a part in that success?

Find out more about The Quarterback Club at TN Tech:
https://www.ttuwingsup.com/qb-club

Find out more about TTU Football:
https://www.ttusports.com/sports/fball/index

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: Bobby Young, Franchisee at Jersey Mike's Subs Cookeville and Crossville. 

In this episode: Before you were Bobby Young the candidate, you were Bobby Young the Jersey Mike’s guy. As we said in the introduction you’re the owner of both Jersey Mike’s Cookeville and Crossville, how did you come to own and operate these stores? The election is over, and we promised everyone we’d get back to business, and we are. Bobby, you ran for County Commission in District 7, and although you didn’t win we want to thank you for your willingness to serve and start with the question every former candidate is being asked this week: do you plan to run again? When it comes to subs and sandwiches, we have options. Of course, Jersey Mike’s is the only option in our hearts and stomachs, but when you have this level of competition how do you make sure customers think of you first? 

Find out more about Jersey Mike's Cookeville:
https://www.jerseymikes.com/4026/cookeville-tn

Find out more about Jersey Mike's Crossville:
https://www.jerseymikes.com/4076/crossville-tn

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: Jaime Linder, Programming and Events Coordinator at Plenty Downtown Bookshop.

In this episode: This will be the first episode to air after our local election, and I want to promise everyone we’ll be returning to our normally scheduled programming. Our episode today is the perfect bridge from politics back to normal life. This fall, Plenty Bookshop, in partnership with the National Constitution Center, will host a book study with 250 participants here in the Upper Cumberland to learn about our United States Constitution. How did this all come together? The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. Why do so few of us understand it? You’ve already hosted an educational training with cohort leaders on the Constitution and what they can expect throughout this process. At the conclusion of this study, what’s one takeaway you hope all participants have? It’s the 250th anniversary of the United States, and by the end of this year, we’ll have 250 community members who (hopefully) truly understand the mission and vision of our Constitution. How does this improve our community? What can the Constitution teach us here in Putnam County?

Find out more about Plenty Downtown Bookshop:
https://www.plentybookshop.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 guests: County Commission Candidates for District 3, Shayne Bilbrey and Brendan Laney. 

In this episode: You're both running as Democratic Candidates in a county and state where Republicans routinely win by wide margins. Beyond listening and transparency, can you give voters one specific policy position or commitment that your Republican opponent in District 3 likely wouldn't and explain why that difference might be worth crossing party lines for? District 3, as the kids would say, is built different. Whether we want to talk about voter population, voter demographics or District boundaries, there’s no District like District 3. Why is this District so different? You’ve both been campaigning for well over six-months now. What’s one thing you’ve learned about your neighbors in District 3 you didn’t know this time last year?

Find out more about Shayne Bilbrey for Putnam County Commissioner District 3:
https://electshaynebilbrey.com/

Find out more about Brendan Laney for Putnam County Commissioner District 3:
https://votebrendanlaney2026.com/

Important Putnam County Election dates and information:
Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from Friday, July 17th to Saturday, August 1st.
All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.
For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commission

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