Join Kosta and his guest: Andrew Smith, Senior Instructor in the Department of English at Tennessee Tech University, Author, Editor, and Publisher of Everything's Folked Music Fanzine and Host of Teacher on the Radio on WTTU 88.5 FM.

In this episode: This episode will air on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and we hope it serves as a reminder of the enduring strength of MLK’s message and legacy. You’ve spent many years teaching students and our community about the life and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. If you could pick one lesson for our listeners to reflect on from his work and advocacy, what would it be? Your father marched with MLK in Selma in 1965. What did that mean to you growing up and how did the advocacy of your parents influence the person you are today? Martin Luther King Jr. talked about a revolution of values moving from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. What does that look like for a working-class, conservative leaning community like ours?

Find out more about Andrew Smith and Teacher on the Radio:
https://soundcloud.com/teacherontheradio

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: 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-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: 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-clerk

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