Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev Morgan Franklin Media

Join Kosta and his guest: Mitchell White, celebrated artist, designer, and educator.
In this episode: Whether it’s through painting, floral design, events or educating others - your creativity and passion for art is larger than life and larger than you. You build a community everywhere you go, and that’s the throughline of this entire episode. What’s your advice to artists, or simply people in general on how to build a better community around them? You’ve worked in the Putnam County School System for nearly 3 decades, and over the past 30 years a lot has changed. As public schools continue to cut budgets for art programs across the country, what’s your personal testimony to the importance of art curriculums in school? Do you ever worry about the creativity and artistic skills that might be lost in the upcoming generations? How is AI and the internet already impacting the next generation of art?
Find out more about Mitchell White: https://www.mitchellwhite.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 Volunteer State Community College.
Find out more about Volunteer State Community College:https://www.volstate.edu/campuses/cookeville

Join Kosta and his guest: Mandy Perhay, CEO of Putnam County Family YMCA.
In this episode: What does our YMCA offer our community that no other facility or organization can? There are over 4,600 members at our YMCA and whether you’re 8 or 88 there’s something for everyone. Unlike most gyms, we’re encouraged to bring our kids to the Y. How does having a multigenerational space for fitness help strengthen our community? The YMCA isn’t the cheapest gym in Cookeville, it’s far from it. However, it does offer options and opportunities for all of our community. Will you tell us about membership options and how we are investing in our neighbors through our membership?
Find out more about the Putnam County Family YMCA: https://pcfymca.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 partner Sabrina Brazle, The Realty Firm.
Find out more about Sabrina Brazle:https://www.sabrinabrazle.com/

Join Kosta and his guest: Cyril Focht, 2024 House of Representatives Candidate for Tennessee’s 6th District .
In this episode: 
There are currently 3 candidates for the Democratic Primary of this seat including you, Lore Bergman and Clay Faircloth. Of the three, you’re the only candidate to raise campaign contributions with just under $55,000.00. Besides your ability to financially sustain this campaign, why do you believe you’ll be selected as the nominee on August 1st? 
Let’s talk specifically about the office you’re running for - Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. This position is currently held by John Rose and has been since 2019. This seat is up for reelection every 2 years and the 6th district spans from Crossville to East Nashville. How did the prospect of holding this particular office speak to you? 
As a country, we are more divided than ever on the social issues that impact our everyday life. From public schools, border policy, climate, healthcare - I can go on all day, but I won’t. The one thing we can usually agree on is there is too much money going into Washington. Americans are failing while corporations and the top 1% gain more wealth and power. What is your plan to work against this system for Tennesseeans?Find out more about Cyril Focht:https://vote4focht.us/
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: Blakelee Paige Smith, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, NP-C, Owner and Founder of Skin and Aesthetics.
Skin and Aesthetics was created to provide the highest quality and excellence in aesthetic dermatology to the Upper Cumberland. What started as a dream in 2019 became reality in 2023 when Skin and Aesthetics opened in Cookeville’s own Premier Medical Park.
In this episode: It seems like on every corner we have a bank, church or med spa. As a Dual Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, and someone with about 30 letters behind your name, what’s your professional opinion on med spas? Why are there so many and what kind of credentials does someone need to open one? I have two daughters and everyday I’m reminded this is not the lip smackers and apricot scrub generation I grew up in. Tweens and young girls want real skincare, but when is it actually appropriate? Small changes over time make a greater impact than big changes made sporadically. What are the small changes we can make to improve our skin, feel more confident, and go longer without needing professional beauty treatments?
Find out more about Skin and Aesthetics:https://theskinandaestheticsclinic.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: Mike Franklin, Co-Founder and Owner of Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy, and Owner of Cookeville’s newest luxury salon Wild Honey Beauty Co.
In this episode: After over a decade of being Cookeville’s beauty destination, this summer Loxx Salon and Spa is closing. As a business owner, how did you know it was time to move on? Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy opened in February of 2023, and has already celebrated several rounds of successful graduates and is getting ready for its largest cohort to date. What inspired Aspire and what is your biggest mission for this school? When it comes to the business of beauty, what’s one piece of advice you’d share with stylists, salon owners and anyone hoping to make a living from the beauty industry? 
Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com/
Find out more about Wild Honey Beauty Co.:https://www.facebook.com/wildhoneybeautycocookeville
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: Jonathan West, CEO of Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative.
In this episode: For those of us who don’t really understand how the internet works or how it’s changed over the last - let’s say 20 years - what’s fiber internet? What’s broadband? How do you know what kind of internet is right for you? How can access to broadband change the workforce of the Upper Cumberland? If anyone’s listening and thinking, well, I already have internet and it works well enough - I don’t want to go through the trouble of changing. What does Twin Lakes do differently?
Find Out More About Twin Lakes:https://www.twinlakes.netBetter 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/