Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev

Join Kosta and his guest: Jennifer Wilkerson, Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk.

In this episode: Jennifer, you’ve spent more than twenty-five years working throughout our justice system: from law enforcement and non-profit advocacy, and now the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. When you think about all the experiences you’ve had with the justice system and our community, what does justice mean to you? A lot of people have heard or seen the title Circuit Court Clerk, but most of us don’t truly understand the weight and complexity behind it. What is the real responsibility of your office, and what happens if the Clerk’s Office doesn’t function well? Your job isn’t easy. Managing court dockets for seven courts and seven judges is no small task. In your opinion, what’s the greatest determinant of whether our court system is running smoothly or not? 

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: Johnny Blayze, Executive Director and Co-Founder of UC Makerspace.

In this episode: The Upper Cumberland is changing. I’m sure people are tired of hearing us say it, but it’s true. Everyday we’re evolving into our next form and I see UC Makerspace playing a pivotal role in that evolution. For anyone just hearing about the concept of a makerspace for the first time, what should they know? At what point did you realize, Cookeville doesn’t have anything like this, but we need it - and I’m the person to make it happen? How is a makerspace different from a co-working space? Most of us are familiar with the Biz Foundry and the concept of a shared working environment, but UCM offers different opportunities. How would you compare these two?

Find out more about Upper Cumberland Makerspace:
https://ucmakerspace.org/

Get Tickets to the Makers Gala:
https://makersgala.org/

When? December 20th, 2025 at 5:30 pm

Where? Duck Pond Manor | 665 Duck Pond Rd, Sparta, TN 38583
Why? Every ticket fuels tools, training, and resources for makers in the Upper Cumberland, creating opportunities that last far beyond one night. Together, we’re building a space where ideas become reality and creativity has no limits.

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

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

Seth's Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 cups pasta
• 4 oz cheddar cheese (½ cubed, ½ shredded)
• 4 oz pepper jack cheese
• 4 oz gouda cheese
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard
• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
• 4 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup half & half

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the pasta and the cubed cheese (reserving the shredded cheese for topping). Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
3. In another large bowl, whisk together:
   • flour
   • salt
   • pepper
   • cayenne
   • dry mustard
   • nutmeg
4. Add sour cream, beaten egg, heavy cream, and half & half. Mix until smooth.
5. Pour the mixture over the pasta in the baking dish.
   Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
6. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until the top is just beginning to brown.

In this episode: We’re honored to have you with us on our favorite episode of the year. In celebration of Thanksgiving and our mission here at Better Together, I want to start with a simple question to set the mood. What’s one thing you’re thankful for this year? You’ve worked in the two major industries of the Upper Cumberland: dining and real estate. What has this taught you about our community and how did you use your experiences in the restaurant industry to grow as a real estate agent? It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without telling a few family secrets. Will you tell us about your favorite Thanksgiving dish and how we can make it?

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

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