Hey, 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 th...
Jun 30, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 109
🌈 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...
Jun 23, 2025•57 min•Season 3Ep. 108
Join 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? La...
Jun 16, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 107
Join Kosta and his guest: Aaron Cofer, Community and Event Organizer for Indivisible . Indivisible Upper Cumberland is a non-partisan, issues-focused grassroots community, promoting civic engagement to hold our elected officials accountable. In this episode: We have a lot of ground to cover in this episode, but I think there’s one overarching question that sums up most of what we’re here to discuss. Does protesting work? Whether you’re on the right, left or center, we all want change. We’re in a...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 106
Join Kosta and his guest: Alex Garcia, Mayor of Monterey, TN . In this episode: When you were elected as Mayor, one of your greater missions was to be a new voice for Monterey. You wanted to represent Monterey in Putnam County and across the Upper Cumberland. When you think about Monterey, and how you want it to be represented, what does that mean to you? Earlier this year, we found out about the closure of Perdue Farms. This was devastating news for Monterey and the entire community. From the m...
Jun 02, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 105
Join Kosta and his guest: Penny Foister , Director of Putnam County 911 . In this episode: I think there’s only one question we can start this episode with: what happens when we call 911? You started as an EMT in 1992 with our favorite County Mayor Mr. Randy Porter. We’d be hard pressed to find someone that knows more about emergency services in Putnam County than you, so I have to ask: what’s the hardest job in emergency services? What’s something the average person completely misunderstands ab...
May 26, 2025•34 min•Season 3Ep. 104
Join Kosta and his guest: John Nisbet , Attorney and Founder of The Rogers Project. In this episode: We’re going to talk about what it really means to have law and order, but first I think there’s a bigger question on everyone’s mind, especially today: is there still justice for all? It’s unfortunate that we have to remind listeners this, but I think we should, representation in a court of law is a fundamental human right in the United States and most of the world. There’s a larger national conv...
May 19, 2025•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 103
Join Kosta and his guest: Melanie Hendricks, Plateau Regional Director for Alzheimer’s Tennessee . In This Episode: Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Between 1999 and 2014 Alzheimer's deaths in Tennessee more than doubled. Collectively, we’ll do almost anything to avoid talking about aging, death and what all of this will mean for ourselves and our family. Knowing what you know, what one conversation you wish every family would have when it comes to aging, care ...
May 12, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 102
Join Kosta and his guest: Alex Lisic , Executive Pastor at Christpoint Church and Creative Director at Fufild . In this episode: Most of our listeners probably know you from your time at LifeChurch and now, Christpoint Church where you and Elizabeth serve as Executive Pastors. Will you tell us about Christpoint and what makes it such a special place to worship? Not to go too far behind the curtain here, but you kind of have two full time jobs. You’re volunteering as the Executive Pastor at Chris...
May 05, 2025•53 min•Season 3Ep. 101
Join Kosta and his guest: Diana Mandli, scholar, entrepreneur, founder and former owner of the Bull and Thistle Gastropub. In this episode: Last week we talked with our friend Mark Dudney about the history of Jackson County and what brought us here today. Gainesboro is having a renaissance and it’s impossible to talk about the future of Jackson County without the woman that helped start it all. When you opened the Bull and Thistle in 2013 did you have any idea this would create a chain reaction ...
Apr 28, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 100
Join Kosta and his guest: Mark Dudney , Public Historian, Regional Planner, Producer, and Educator. In this episode: They say all press is good press. I’m going to ask you later in the episode if you think that’s true, but for now I want to start with the question on everyone’s mind: what do you do when white christian nationalists move in next door? Earlier this month you shared a touching testimonial about how you’re feeling in this moment. As a native of Jackson County you spoke from the hear...
Apr 21, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 99
Join Kosta and his guest: Mark Farley , Executive Director of UCHRA , UCDD and Core Partner of Empower UC . In this episode: Many Americans are questioning how well state and federally funded services really work for this country and if the price tag justifies the outcomes. For anyone listening and thinking, this is just more government bloat - what do you say to them? I want to talk about single parents because I know this is a part of our community you care for deeply. How is UCHRA, UCDD and E...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 98
Join Kosta and his guest: Karen Rathgeber Hale , Director of Camp Nakanawa . I hope you packed the bug spray, because this week we're going to Camp Nakanawa . In this episode: Camp Nakanawa is over 100 years old. As we’ve discussed, this is more than a camp, it’s tradition. How do you weigh the importance of preserving cherished rituals versus embracing new ideas, especially in an age of rapid cultural and technological change? Being away from home for the first time is scary. For many young peo...
Apr 07, 2025•38 min•Season 3Ep. 97
Join Kosta and his guest: Matt Brown, Certified Financial Planner, Branch Manager and Generational Wealth Planner at 304 Family Wealth of Raymond James . In this episode: Money is the last taboo topic. We’d rather talk about almost anything than how much money we make or have. That’s helped create a society of people who don’t really understand how money works - or how it could work for them. What do you wish you could tell everyone about their own wealth and financial success? Thinking about th...
Mar 31, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 96
Join Kosta and his guests: Catherine Jackson, Executive Officer of The Home Builders Association of the Upper Cumberland and Katie Hall, General Manager at Cookeville Kitchen Sales . In this episode: Building a house is like making a cake from scratch - I don’t know how . Let’s start there, because for most of us buying an existing home is confusing enough, what’s it like to build a house? From 2014 to 2024, the median price of a 3-bedroom house in Putnam County has increased over 115%. Buying a...
Mar 24, 2025•46 min•Season 3Ep. 95
*Disclaimer/Trigger Warning* This episode may not be appropriate for all ages and audiences as it contains candid conversations about child abuse, child predators, child sex offenders and cyber crime. Join Kosta and his guests: Lt. Heather Marshall, Public Information Officer and Detective Conor Sparkman from Cookeville Police Department . In this episode: We say this in every episode, but the Upper Cumberland is changing. We don’t live in the same world we grew up in and maybe that’s the scarie...
Mar 17, 2025•52 min•Season 3Ep. 94
Join Kosta and his guest: Tabitha Merritt, Director of Peach Tree Learning Center . In this episode: For many, homeschool feels like the only answer to an exceedingly difficult question. Where can my child learn where they’re safe , valued, and prepared for more than a standardized test? In your experience, when does a family know the answer is not public school? Over the next decade, education in Tennessee will change. While Education Freedom Scholarships aren’t currently available to homeschoo...
Mar 10, 2025•53 min•Season 3Ep. 93
🥳 Join Kosta and his 200th guest : Jill Stalnaker , Prevention Training Specialist at TN Voices , Owner of Leaning Tree Agency and Mom of 5. In this episode: In 2021 the recidivism rate in Tennessee was roughly 46%. That means that almost half of all individuals released from jail or prison were estimated to return within three years. Creating a normal life after incarceration isn’t easy. Reentry is difficult, slow and for many impossible. You help to make that process easier and more realistic...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 92
Join Kosta and his guest: Tammy Key , Owner of Key Learning and Development . In this episode: In your experience, what do the best teams have in common? There’s one thing mid-level managers, C-suite executives, parents and volunteer soccer coaches can all agree on: just because you have a group of people working together doesn’t make them a team. You’re an expert on leadership and team-building, and I think you’re the perfect person to answer the question of what makes a group of people a team?...
Feb 24, 2025•51 min•Season 3Ep. 91
Join Kosta and his guest: Michael Detwiler , local weather observer, member of CoCoRaHS and known across the Upper Cumberland as the Cookeville Weather Guy . In this episode: I think the only fitting first question for this episode has to be: can we actually predict the weather? Why do other weather reporters get it so wrong? You’re an on the ground weather observer and member of CoCoRaHS, for everyone just now realizing that’s how it’s pronounced will you tell us about the program and what weat...
Feb 17, 2025•40 min•Season 3Ep. 90
Join Kosta and his guest: Cindy Putman . Nationally recognized educator, advocate and consultant, Cindy works as the Ready To Learn Project Manager at WCTE and is the Academic Social Interventionist for the Putnam County School System . In this episode: You facilitated the first partnership between a public school system and a PBS station. You understand the importance of public works and the importance of giving more to those with less. What’s your message to those who question the effectivenes...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 89
Join Kosta and his guest: Tayton Swift , Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Football Player representing the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In this episode: You’re not only a student athlete, you’re a sponsored student athlete. Will you tell us about the process of securing sponsorships and how student athletes being able to profit from their NIL changes the opportunities they have throughout their career? Even as a student you’re not missing any opportunities...
Feb 03, 2025•25 min•Season 3Ep. 88
Join Kosta and his guest: Scott Miller , Founder and CEO of The Poverty Solution . In conjunction with countless partners and community leaders, UCDD and The Poverty Solution are overseeing a region-wide effort to lift 1,600 children and their families out of poverty by 2025. In this episode: Poverty isn’t a fringe issue. It’s our economic reality. As someone that’s dedicated their life to helping communities alleviate poverty, what opportunities did you see in the Upper Cumberland? Getting out ...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 87
Join Kosta and his guest Chad Mynatt , Director of Manna Global Missions and Co-Director of El Puente Community Cente r. El Puente is a Hispanic Community Center located in Cookeville, TN. El Puente's mission is to create a welcoming community and offer resources that empower and connect the Hispanic community of the Upper Cumberland. In English “El Puente” means “Bridge”. El Puente es un centro comunitario para hispanos en Cookeville, TN. In this episode: Roughly 10% of people living in Putnam ...
Jan 20, 2025•38 min•Season 3Ep. 86
Join Kosta and his guest: Susan Luna-Hazlewood , Director of Crawford Alumni Center at Tennessee Tech University . In this episode: Susan, you’re the Executive Director of the Tennessee Tech Alumni Association, you’re the Director of the Crawford Alumni Center and you also serve as the University's Chief Alumni Officer - needless to say, you know TTU alumni. But what do you wish every alumni knew about TTU? Higher education is an entire ecosystem all to itself - and I know that would take anothe...
Jan 13, 2025•52 min•Season 3Ep. 85
Join Kosta and his guest: David Uhrik , Owner and Director of Franklin Fixtures , US Pillars and Plenty Downtown Bookshop . In this episode: We’ll start with the most topical question first, Plenty Bookshop moved across the street from 48 West Broad Street to 41 West Broad Street on January 1st. This is Plenty’s 3rd location, and as an operations expert, I have to ask - what specifically spoke to you about this space? While many of our listeners might know you from Plenty Bookshop, and owning th...
Jan 06, 2025•51 min•Season 3Ep. 84
Join Kosta and his guest: McTelvin Agim , Defensive Lineman for the Tennessee Titans . In this episode: You know better than anyone becoming a professional athlete takes a lifetime of work and dedication. Let’s go all the way back to the beginning - what was life like for you as a kid? Over the last two years you’ve signed with the Broncos, Colts, Texans, and now the Titans - you’ve had the opportunity to work with hundreds of world’s most talented athletes and coaches, but of course - all us Ti...
Dec 30, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 83
Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Chelsea Dowell , Professor of Economics at Tennessee Tech University . In this episode: It was the most Googled question on November 6th, the day after the 2024 United States Presidential Election, and we’re here to ask you (a much more qualified resource than Google) what is a tariff? James Carville said it best, “It’s the economy stupid.” We’re all worried about the economy, but what exactly are we worried about? What’s made our groceries, housing and everything w...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 82
Join Kosta and his guest: Zakiya Roberts, Master Gardener, Director of Growing Garners and Owner of Pots of Peace . In this episode: Through Pots of Peace you’re not only able to interconnect our community through generations, you're able to bridge the information gap that’s expanding from generation to generation. What skills are you teaching that most Millennials, Gen Z, and even some Gen Xers didn’t grow up with? Teaching families how to be more self-sufficient is a cornerstone of your brand ...
Dec 16, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 81
Join Kosta and his guest: Hailey Sullivan , Upper Cumberland CTE Consultant for the Tennessee Department of Education . In this episode: For parents, especially in the Upper Cumberland, it feels like we’re being pulled in 20 different directions to figure out what’s “best” for our children. Whether it’s going to college, getting a technical certificate or entering the workforce right out of high school, the goal post is moving everyday. What’s your advice to parents on how to prepare their child...
Dec 09, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 80
