The Upper Cumberland Lifestyle Show

What happens when a former Fortune 500 executive turned pastor and a globe-trotting flight attendant retire? If you're Skip and Terri Ritter — you don't slow down. In this heartfelt interview, we dive into the fascinating lives of two individuals who've lived coast to coast, shaped careers in wildly different industries, and ultimately chose to retire in Cookeville, TN — where they've become pillars of community service.

Career radio personalities Jason & Sheila join us today to give us the backstory on how they got into radio, their dynamic careers and how they come together to be the hosts of Good Morning Cookeville!

In this episode our lead hairstylist and dear friend Emily Bochette discusses the process of purchasing the historic Borden Jewelry in downtown Cookeville and what she plans to do with the building.

In today's episode, we sat down with Blair Dudley to talk about Hip Cookeville and Cookeville Businesses!

This week we sit down with Diego Alvarez, who shares his unique journey from military medic to the world of grazing tables.

This week, we're diving into the brand-new 2025 art issue! We highlight the talented contributors who helped bring it to life and the creative work they put into this year's edition.

This week we spotlight our very own founder, Chelsea Dartez. Chelsea opens up about her passion for singing growing up, the career path that shaped her future, and her early days in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Our guest this week is former Mayor of Cookeville Ricky Shelton. Ricky discusses the 2020 tornado followed by COVID, and how he and Mayor Porter navigated that difficult time. We also discuss Red, White & Boom, Ricky's consulting business Shelton Consulting Solutions and what is next for Trackside Food Truck Park!

Our guest this week is Cookeville's local radio legend, Philip Gibbons. Featured in the first class of Most Influential People and our premiere edition, Philip is beloved by all in our community and the country radio world alike.

Go behind the scenes of Cookeville Lifestyle Magazine with founder Chelsea Dartez, Editor-in-Chief Andrew Buckner, and special guest + lead hairstylist, Emily Bochette. Not only is Emily a high sought after local hairstylist and extension specialist, she also has a star studded clientele.

Go behind the scenes of Cookeville Lifestyle Magazine with founder Chelsea Dartez, Editor-in-Chief Andrew Buckner, and special guest + lead makeup artist, Jamhile Eckert.

Go behind the scenes of Cookeville Lifestyle Magazine with founder Chelsea Dartez, Editor-in-Chief Andrew Buckner, and special guest Randy Porter. Not only is Randy the Putnam County Mayor, he was also the cover model for our 2023 Most Influential People edition.

Guest host Lewis Matheney leads this episode of The Upper Cumberland Lifestyle Show, sitting down with Jennifer Welch, Director of Cookeville Children's Theatre, and Beth Potent Anderson, Board Chair. Together, they share how the organization is shaping young performers, building confidence, and creating meaningful opportunities through the arts. 

We sit down with our Cookeville Lifestyle gift guide curator, friend and co-owner of the entire Workout Anytime FRANCHISE, EJ Williams in this episode! 

Go behind the scenes with the Upper Cumberland Lifestyle media team with founder Chelsea Dartez, Editor-in-Chief Andrew Buckner, and special guest + lead photographer, Abby Weeden. Abby is the owner of Edison Hills, a vintage shop in downtown Cookeville as well as a photographer for artists, brands, and couples.

In this behind-the-scenes episode, Chelsea Dartez, Founder of Cookeville Lifestyle Magazine, sits down with Andrew Buckner, Editor-in-Chief, to discuss everything publishing a magazine. From the initial idea to the launch party, there is so much detailed work that goes into every step of the process. 

Special guest Shan Stout joins us on this episode of The Upper Cumberland Lifestyle Show for a deeply moving and inspiring conversation. As the Director of Tourism for Putnam County and a Winter 2024 cover feature, Shan is widely known for helping tell the story of the Upper Cumberland—but her own story is nothing short of remarkable. Born during a tragic house fire that led to an emergency C-section, Shan was declared deceased at birth before her mother demanded doctors continue life-saving efforts. A micro-preemie with significant medical challenges, Shan was born blind and faced overwhelming odds from the very beginning. Against every medical expectation, Shan survived, regained her sight, and went on to build a successful creative career as a bestselling children's book illustrator before ultimately returning home to serve the region she loves. In this episode, Shan reflects on her miracle life, the experiences that shaped her resilience and perspective, and how those early challenges influence her leadership today. She also shares insight into tourism, storytelling, and the power of place—offering a meaningful look at how personal purpose and community impact intersect in the Upper Cumberland. This conversation brings our magazines to life and highlights the extraordinary stories behind the people shaping our region.