Ep. 5: The Celebration – Planning America's Largest Small Town 250th Celebration

Surviving Top Chef and Changing the Bluegrass Culinary Game with Chef Paula Endara

What happens when a chef trained in avant-garde techniques in Spain takes over the culinary heart of Lexington, Kentucky? In this episode of The Best Bet Pod, host Claudia Coffey sits down with Chef Paula Endara, the Executive Chef of The Manchester Hotel and contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef Season 22. Paula breaks down her unexpected pivot from studying music to commanding elite kitchens, the intense mental resilience required to survive reality television cooking, and how she balances boundary-pushing techniques with soulful, comforting local flavors at Granddam and Lost Palm. If you love food culture, high-stakes competition, and authentic storytelling, this one is for you. 📺 WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN: * On TV: Watch the full broadcast on WBNA TV. * On the Radio: Tune in to 970 AM. * On Demand: Watch the video version on YouTube. * On the Go: Stream right here on Spotify, or find us on the iHeartRadio app and Apple Podcasts. Be sure to hit Follow so you never miss an episode in the coming weeks, and find us on social media at @TheBestBetPod for all the behind-the-scenes clips and updates. This episode of The Best Bet Pod is proudly sponsored by Town & Country Ford (fordlouisville.net).

Inside "The Red Rocks of Appalachia": How Laurel Cove Beat the Mega-Festivals

How does a tiny mountain town in Eastern Kentucky sell out an entire music festival weekend before announcing a single artist on the lineup? In this episode of The Best Bet Pod, host Claudia Coffey sits down with Jon Grace, the Director of Bell County Tourism and the visionary behind the Laurel Cove Music Festival in Pineville, Kentucky. Known to music lovers as "The Red Rocks of Appalachia," Laurel Cove has completely flipped the script on modern music festivals. Jon pulls back the curtain on how he curates a family-reunion atmosphere, scouts massive independent country and roots talent before they hit the global stage, and why music fans are ditching corporate mega-festivals for deeply authentic regional experiences. If you love live music, road trips, and pure Kentucky grit, this is one conversation you don't want to miss. Be sure to hit Follow so you never miss an episode in the coming weeks, and find us on social media at @TheBestBetPod for all the behind-the-scenes clips and updates. You can also watch the full show on WBNA TV or tune in to 970 AM. This episode of The Best Bet Pod is proudly sponsored by Town & Country Ford (fordlouisville.net).

Crafting History: The Backyard Hobby That Transformed a Hometown with Sawstone Brewing Co. 🍻

What happens when three friends move their monthly backyard brew day into a 100-year-old historic landmark? You make history. 🏛️✨ This week on The Best Bet, host Claudia Coffey sits down with Derek Caskey and Nicholas Hollan, co-founders of Sawstone Brewing Company. They share the grit it took to scale up from a hobby, renovate a century-old building, and bet on Morehead, Kentucky's very first craft brewery right before a global pandemic. From preserving historic "Prohibition-style" heritage beers to building a true community hub, this is a masterclass in homegrown entrepreneurship and business resilience. Brought to you by Town & Country Ford—your trusted partner on the road. Check out their latest lineup at FordLouisville.net [https://www.fordlouisville.net]. Tap into the conversation everywhere: * Listen: iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & 970 AM * Watch: YouTube & WBNA-TV (Ch. 21)

Corey Lanerie: Retirement, The Next Gen of Jockeys, & Racing's Digital Future

Legendary jockey Corey Lanerie sits down for an unfiltered, exclusive interview just days before hanging up his goggles at the end of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet. With over 5,000 career wins, Corey weighs in on the biggest story shaking up the backstretch: the future of horse racing media as FanDuel TV winds down its network operations. He also reveals the trainers he loved working with the most, the young jockeys he thinks are leading the sport into the next era, and exactly how much the physical training to be a rider has evolved over his 35-year historic career. 🔴 SUBSCRIBE to catch every episode of the podcast. Thank you to our official sponsor:This episode is brought to you by Town & Country Ford Kentucky. Looking for your next truck or SUV? Visit their team on Preston Highway in Louisville or check out their full inventory online at fordlouisville.net [http://fordlouisville.net]. 🎧 WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN: * TV & Radio (Kentucky Local): Tune in on WBNA-TV or catch the audio broadcast on 970 AM. * On Demand: Find the full video episode on YouTube and all audio platforms across iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

The Ultimate Southern Road Trip: Small Town Charm, Big Stage Music in Somerset, KY

If your ideal summer weekend involves incredible roots music, local bourbon, and a gorgeous lakeside backdrop, put this hidden gem on your radar immediately. This week, Claudia Coffey sits down with Tiffany Finley, Executive Director of the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset, Kentucky. Tiffany shares how this fiercely independent, two-day festival has preserved its community soul while booking world-class acts for over three decades. We dive into the stunning 2026 lineup (including bluegrass powerhouses Trampled by Turtles and rising stars The Creekers), why the festival grounds at Somerset Community College feel like a backyard party, and Tiffany’s "best bets" for experiencing the Lake Cumberland area like a local. Plus, stick around for our signature Rapid Fire "This or That" round to find out where the festival director sneaks off to get the best food on the grounds! Brought to you by: fordlouisville.net Links Mentioned: • Master Musicians Festival Tickets & Info: mastermusiciansfestival.org • Follow MMF on Instagram: @mastermusicfest • Southern Travel Best Bets: https://lctourism.com/ Hit that follow button so you never miss an insider guide to the best of music and travel in the South!