Episodes
6 days ago
E80 - Bridgett Massengill's Morning Cup
6 days ago
6 days ago
Bridgett Massengill has many roots across East Tennessee, which has played a major role in her community development career.
In this episode, Bridgett shares her professional zigs and zags, including the time she was promoted from intern to Executive Director. We also talk about the challenges she faced as a young woman in leadership positions, how a calendar quote put her on a new life path, and why change should always be a choice.
Bridgett Massengill is the President and CEO of Thrive Regional Partnership. You can learn more about Thrive on their website (thriveregionalpartnership.org) and you can connect with Bridgett on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/bridgettmassengill).
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Dr. Rebecca Ashford’s Morning Cup (E16)
Todd Womack’s Morning Cup (E21)
Bob Corker’s Morning Cup (E52)
Monday Jul 15, 2024
E79 - Jeff Lyash's Morning Cup
Monday Jul 15, 2024
Monday Jul 15, 2024
Jeff Lyash grew up in a small coal mining town and decided to follow in his grandfathers’ footsteps, never imagining that his path would lead him to become CEO of the largest public power company in the United States.
In this episode, Jeff shares which three qualities he implements every day for success, why everyone should be fearless about change, and how if you identify the biggest problems and make a contribution… things will generally work out.
Jeff Lyash is the President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority. You can learn more about Jeff on the TVA website (tva.com/about-tva/our-leadership/our-executive-leadership/jeffrey-(jeff)-j.-lyash)
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Matt Rasmussen’s Morning Cup (E57)
Jacinda Woodward’s Morning Cup (E70)
Christian Höferle’s Morning Cup (E76)
Monday Jul 08, 2024
E78 - Jay Shaffer's Morning Cup
Monday Jul 08, 2024
Monday Jul 08, 2024
Jay Shaffer has had a dynamic career path, from starting in oil rigging and pivoting to lending, then tech and startups, and now angel investing…
In this episode, Jay shares why he’s always prepared to play the cards he’s dealth, how a 4am realization changed the trajectory of his career, and how connections play a big part in finding new opportunities (but sometimes it’s a whole lot of luck too).
Plus, he shares a few tips for all startup founders, especially those who are looking for investors.
Jay Shaffer is the Market Director for Venture South, an early stage angel investor firm. You can learn more about Venture South on their website (venturesouth.vc) and you can connect with Jay on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jaydshaffer).
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Josh Manning’s Morning Cup (E27)
Cam Doody’s Morning Cup (E63)
Barry Large’s Morning Cup (E73)
Monday Jul 01, 2024
E77 - Calvin Sneed's Morning Cup
Monday Jul 01, 2024
Monday Jul 01, 2024
You may recognize Calvin Sneed from his many years as the main anchor on the 6pm news for Channel 9, but he didn’t start his journey there…
In this episode, Calvin shares how he worked his way up from photographer to main anchor, how he’s the only African American man in East Tennessee to be a main anchor on the news (and why that shouldn’t be the case), and why he’s returning to his roots of photography, but this time it’s for bridges!
Calvin Sneed is now retired but keeps a hand in local broadcast news while pursuing his passion, bridge hunting. You can learn more about his Bridge Hunters on his website (ilovebridgesandtunnels.com) and you can connect with Calvin on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/calvin-sneed-75754523).
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Callie Starnes’s Morning Cup (E18)
Dr. Ternae Jordan’s Morning Cup (E56)
Jed Mescon’s Morning Cup (E66)
Monday Jun 24, 2024
E76 - Christian Höferle's Morning Cup
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Christian Höferle is a native of Germany who made his way to the States through a student exchange program. After returning to Germany and growing a career as a journalist, Christian and his wife made a huge decision to move to Cleveland, Tennessee.
In this episode, Christian shares how he dealt with his family’s disappointment when he didn’t take over the family butcher business, what it was like meeting celebrities like Peter Gabriel and Jay-Z, and why his business focuses on building cultural bridges (not walls).
Christian Höferle is the Founder and Owner of The Culture Mastery, which provides cultural training and support for global companies. You can learn more about The Culture Mastery on the website (theculturemastery.com) and you can connect with Christian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/interculturaltrainerconsultant).
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Tom Griscom’s Morning Cup (E23)
Becky Blaesing’s Morning Cup (E26)
Valoria Armstrong’s Morning Cup (E60)
Monday Jun 17, 2024
E75 - Hal Bowling's Morning Cup
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Hal Bowling is on a mission to grow Chattanooga’s entrepreneur community one business at a time with LAUNCH, which makes intergenerational wealth possible for anyone, not just an elite few.
In this episode, Hal shares how after graduating college he went looking for adventure and ended up in Australia, how he spent the beginning of his career working for non-profits but pivoted to starting an advertising business, why he “left the blackjack table” and sold his interest to his business partners, and how all of those experiences led him to launch LAUNCH.
Hal Bowling is the Founder and Co-CEO of Launch Chattanooga. You can learn more about Launch and the Kitchen Incubator on their website (launchchattanooga.org) and you can connect with Hal on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/halkbowling).
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Kenyatta Ashford’s Morning Cup (E05)
DeJuan Jordan’s Morning Cup (E34)
Felicia Jackson’s Morning Cup (E45)
Monday Jun 10, 2024
E74 - Bill Priestley's Morning Cup
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Bill Priestley is a 27-year sports broadcast veteran. His journey started when he was forced to go (at least) five hours away for college and opened the “wrong door.”
In this episode, we talk about taking major gambles with career moves, putting dreams on pause, and the magic formula for finding a job that aligns with your interests and abilities.
Bill Priestley is the owner of The Dream Job Factory, a program where he speaks to high schools and colleges about how students can identify their dream careers. You can connect with Bill on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/billpriestley/) and you can learn more about The Dream Job Factory on the website (dreamjobfactory.com).
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Dalya Qualls White’s Morning Cup (E14)
Tim Morgan’s Morning Cup (E26)
Jared Stehney’s Morning Cup (E30)
Monday Jun 03, 2024
E73 - Barry Large's Morning Cup
Monday Jun 03, 2024
Monday Jun 03, 2024
This special edition of the podcast was recorded with a live audience during Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week - so of course this week’s guest is Barry Large, the quintessential Chattanooga entrepreneur!
In this episode, Barry shares how he grew up with a front-row seat to entrepreneurship, seeing his parents own and operate a brick business. This sparked something in him, leading him to pitch a business idea to his best friend - Ted Alling. A year later, their other best friend Allan Davis joined them and the three successfully grew Access America to $500 Million in just ten years. But it didn’t happen without a few bumps and bruises along the way…
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here!
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Brian Elrod’s Morning Cup (E29)
Cam Doody’s Morning Cup (E63)
Ted and Kelly Alling’s Morning Cups (E69)
Monday May 27, 2024
E72 - Susan Vandergriff's Morning Cup
Monday May 27, 2024
Monday May 27, 2024
Susan Vandergriff can give us an inside look into what it’s like to work in each of the corporate, non-profit, and small business worlds thanks to her unique blend of career experiences. But that’s not the only thing with a unique blend…
Her business, The Happy Birdwatcher Co., is the only company in the country that uses data to create a unique blend of seeds to attract birds to your backyard.
In this episode, we talk about how her business came to be, the harsh realities of being a business owner (especially as a woman), and what it was like to grow up in an idyllic small town, seeing her family involved in the community and politics.
Susan Vandergriff is the Founder and Owner of The Happy Birdwatcher Co., which delivers thoughtfully blended birdseed, tailored to your backyard. You can connect with Susan on Instagram (@happybirdwatcherco) and learn more about her company on the website (happybirdwatcher.com).
If you’re interested in the Merlin birding app, you can learn more and download it here: merlin.allaboutbirds.org
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Gideon Thomas’s Morning Cup (E07)
Gail Loveland Barille’s Morning Cup (E22)
Felicia Jackson’s Morning Cup (E45)
Monday May 20, 2024
E71 - Sheriff Austin Garrett's Morning Cup
Monday May 20, 2024
Monday May 20, 2024
Sheriff Austin Garrett has had a long career in law enforcement, following (somewhat) in the footsteps of his father, Austin “Cowboy” Garrett.
In this episode, Sheriff Garrett shares his three reasons for doing the job, why the HCSO uses social media to share the good and the bad, and how he maintains a work/life balance despite having to always be “on.”
Plus, he shares behind-the-scenes information on how the City and County work together, and why he’s been “working short” without a Chief Deputy for almost 2 years.
Sheriff Austin Garrett was sworn in as the 60th Sheriff of Hamilton County in 2022. You can learn more about him on the HCSO website here: hcsheriff.gov/gen_info/about_sheriff.php You can also learn more about the Forgotten Child Fund at forgottenchildfund.org
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Chip Baker’s Morning Cup (E03)
Mayor Weston Wamp’s Morning Cup (E36)
Karen Shostak’s Morning Cup (E44)