Podcast
Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev
Hosted by Morgan Franklin Media · EN
Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a podcast about business, parenting and living life intentionally. We're here every week to bring you intentional conversations on making your own path to success, challenging the status quo, and finding all the ways we're better. Recorded in Cookeville, TN, Kosta joins guests from all walks of life to bring fresh perspective and start your week with purpose. We're better together.
42episodes
Episodes
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Your Tax Dollars with Jordan Iwanyszyn
Jan 1201:04:38Tap to summarizeJoin Kosta and his guest: Jordan Iwanyszyn, former County Commissioner, career banker and 2026 Candidate for Putnam County Trustee.In this episode: You’re working hard, and that’s an understatement. You’ve had signage up for over a year, and in terms of market saturation: you’ve done an impeccable job. From a campaigning standpoint, what will it take to win this primary and how will you do it? Thanks to property taxes most of us are aware of the Putnam County Trustee’s Office. What does the Trustee actually do, and why does this office matter more than voters realize? Our county budget reporting has recently come under some scrutiny for transparency and accessibility to the public. If you’re elected, are there any specific things you’ll publish or report regularly so the public can better understand where money is and how it’s managed?Find out more about Jordan Iwanyszyn's Campaign:https://www.jordanforputnamcounty.com/Find Out more about Putnam County Elections: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter 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
Transcribe →¡Feliz Año Nuevo! with Wayne Nabors
Jan 500:58:37Tap to summarizeJoin Kosta and his guest: Wayne Nabors, Putnam County Clerk and Candidate for Putnam County Mayor. In this episode: This is the first official episode of 2026, and there’s no better way to ring in this election year than with a candidate interview. First of all, we want to thank you for all your hard work and dedication to Putnam County. You’re running for Putnam County Mayor, and I want to start there: why Mayor and why now? You’ve served as our Putnam County Clerk since 2002, and needless to say, a lot has changed since 2002. Over the past 24 years, what has this office taught you about Putnam County and what has it shown you we need to focus on next? This election cycle is going to shake things up. There’s no doubt about it. Whether it’s in the primaries or at the general election, 2026 is going to be an election year to remember. What is it about this moment in Cookeville and Putnam County that’s demanding change? Find out more about Wayne Nabors' Campaign for Putnam County Mayor:https://www.facebook.com/WayneNaborsTN/Find out more about Wayne Nabors and Putnam County Clerk:https://putnamcountytn.gov/county-clerkBetter 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
Transcribe →Restoring Childhood with Wren Goedken
Aug 4, 202500:51:03Tap to summarizeJoin 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
Transcribe →Mom Real Local with GraceAnn Witt
Jul 28, 202500:34:23Tap to summarizeJoin 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_localFollow 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
Transcribe →Reason Together with Tom Savage
Jul 21, 202500:59:43Tap to summarizeJoin 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
Transcribe →See Us with Steve Chatman
Jul 14, 202500:45:11Tap to summarizeJoin 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/risingabovedadsBetter 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
Transcribe →Anniston Academy with Dr. Kathryn DuBray and Dr. Erin Crouch Mekkaoui
Jul 7, 202500:49:46Tap to summarizeJoin 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:https://protectmypublicmedia.org
Transcribe →It's a Wig! with Heather Dye
Jun 30, 202500:46:32Tap to summarizeHey, y'all this is Kosta and today I’m here with my guest: Heather Dye, Entrepreneur, Professional Speaker and Owner of Wigs for Every Woman. In this episode: You’re a business owner, coach, mentor, community organizer and Mom. You’re the kind of person who turns a setback into an opportunity, and I think that’s the best place to start this episode. After a life-changing diagnosis of Alopecia, you started Wigs for Every Woman. Not to hide, but to show up in a whole new way. How did you feel the first time you put on a wig? Why is our hair such an emotional and vulnerable part of our appearance? Do you think there’s still a stigma arounds wigs, or wearing fake hair? Is it kind of like plastic surgery or injections?Find out more about Wigs for Every Woman:https://heatherdye.com/https://www.instagram.com/wigsforeverywoman/https://www.facebook.com/wigsforeverywomanBetter 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/
Transcribe →Unconditional Love with Bennie Taylor
Jun 23, 202500:56:40Tap to summarize🌈 Happy Pride Month! Y'all means ALL, and no matter what month it is, we're proud to represent all the people who make our community better when we're together.Join Kosta and his guest: Bennie Taylor, Community Organizer, former candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 and dedicated public servant. This month and every month we recognize the LGBTQ+ community in the Upper Cumberland that makes us better when we’re together. In this episode: As always, in celebration of Pride Month, I wanted to start this episode by asking you to share your personal story (as you feel comfortable) as someone in the LGBTQ+ community? What does Pride mean to you? Many of our listeners might know you as Bennie Taylor, candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 42. In 2024, you ran and lost to incumbent Ryan Williams. If you could do it again, would you do it? Why? Would you change anything? 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:https://protectmypublicmedia.org/
Transcribe →Tennessee Wetlands with Dr. Justin Murdock
Jun 16, 202500:41:58Tap to summarizeJoin Kosta and his guest: Dr. Justin Murdock, Ecologist, Professor of Biology, and Director of The Water Research Center at Tennessee Technological University. In this episode: Let’s start from the top, because if I’m being honest, my knowledge of Tennessee’s wetlands is that I’d assume it’s wet land. In April a bill passed the Tennessee House Legislature 71-21 to remove protections for up to 80% of Tennessee’s wetlands. What does that actually mean for our land, our water, and our safety? Lawmakers behind this bill claimed that isolated wetlands (especially small ones) are just “damp dirt.” From a scientific perspective, what do we lose when we lose even “minor” wetlands? This bill was framed as a defense of property owners’ rights. For anyone that’s tried to get flood insurance lately, I bet you can think of other property owners’ rights you might want more. Who pays the price when developers are no longer required to mitigate destruction of wetlands?Find out more about The Water Research Center and Dr. Justin Murdock: https://www.tntech.edu/research/wrc/https://www.tntech.edu/directory/cas/biology/justin-murdock.phpBetter 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
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