My Morning Cup

E55 - Charles Wood's Morning Cup

Charles Wood is a self-proclaimed “class clown” turned salesman. Despite an unstable childhood, he’s built a solid career in Economic Development. 
 
In this episode, we discuss how backpacking through Central America changed his perspective on life and his pit stops in Mobile, College Station, and Pensacola before arriving in Chattanooga 12 years ago. Plus, how he’s steering the Chamber towards Economic Development by inviting the right people to the right rooms.
 
Charles is the President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.
 
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:
Leslie Gower’s Morning Cup (E02)
Ron Harr’s Morning Cup (E17)
Jim Kennedy’s Morning Cup (E37)

E54 - Eric Foster’s Morning Cup

With a passion for music and comedy, no wonder Eric Foster became an on-air personality for a radio station!
 
In this episode, Eric shares his process for writing his stand-up acts, how he got started in radio, and what it’s like to donate a kidney?!
 
Eric is the Program Director and an on-air personality for Brewer Media Group. You can learn more about him here.
 
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:
Clint Powell’s Morning Cup (E01)
Callie Starnes’s Morning Cup (E13)
Jared Stehney’s Morning Cup (E30)

E53 - Sybil Topel’s Morning Cup

Most people would get tired of traveling if they lived in 7 states during their childhood, but it only grew Sybil Topil’s love of seeing new places.
 
In this episode, we discuss her role of “putting Chattanooga on the map,” her resourcefulness that helped her find jobs in France and Nashville, how introverts can create a persona for networking, and the challenges that come along with a cancer diagnosis.
 
Sybil is the VP of Marketing and Engagement for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here, and you can read the Jimmy Buffet article we mentioned here.
 
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)
John Germ’s Morning Cup (E35)
Karen Shostak’s Morning Cup (E44)

E52 - Bob Corker’s Morning Cup

This week’s guest needs no introduction! Everyone knows his political story, from mid-size city mayor to US Senator and Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee. How did he get there? In this episode, we discuss his early career days on construction sites, the formation of Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, and the importance of having bold visions.
 
Bob Corker has owned several businesses and held several political positions. He is now retired and not on LinkedIn, but you can learn more about him here.
 
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
 
Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
 
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Tom Griscom’s Morning Cup (E21)
Todd Womack’s Morning Cup (E23)
Vance Travis’s Morning Cup (E40)

E51 - Mike Costa’s Morning Cup

This week my good friends, Chip Baker and Roy Vaughn, return to My Morning Cup to turn the tables on me. I open myself up to their invasive questioning.
 
Was my plan to be a broadcaster or did I stumble into the industry? Why did I start the My Morning Cup podcast? And, of course, what would I tell my 25 year old self that is important for a happy life? I hope you take 40 minutes to enjoy the conversation. 
 
I look forward to a great year #2 of My Morning Cup.
 
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
 
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Chip Baker’s Morning Cup (E04)
Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08)

E50 - Reflections on One Year of My Morning Cup

This week, we’re doing things a bit differently on the podcast! We look back on the past year to celebrate the first anniversary of My Morning Cup. 
 
In this episode, we discuss the unexpected themes that emerged, what happens behind the scenes to bring the podcast to life, and what’s in store for 2024. 
 
Stay tuned for the entire episode to hear an exciting announcement and be sure to subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.
 
Madison is the owner of SpeakEasy Productions, a podcast production and editing company. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.

E49 - Father Dale Hall’s Morning Cup

You may know this week’s guest as the “Chaplain of the Streets” - AKA Father Dale Hall, an Anglican Priest who has dedicated his life to serving the homeless. 
 
In this episode, Father Dale shares the path that led him to the Chatt Foundation, what a day in the life of a Chaplain looks like, and how *everyone* is much closer to being homeless than we’d care to admit.
 
Dale Hall is the Chaplain at the Chatt Foundation. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here or follow him on Twitter/X here.
 
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
 
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
DeJuan Jordan's Morning Cup (E34)
John Germ’s Morning Cup (E35)
Donna McConnico’s Morning Cup (E43)

E48 - Candy Johnson’s Morning Cup

Candy Johnson has a “non-traditional” career path which started with aspirations to become a famous supermodel. She won Miss Barbizon in 1994 but after becoming a single mom she decided to go to college instead. She earned her degree as a single mom and went on to get her Masters.
 
In this episode, Candy shares how she learned to deal with rejection, how moving to Chattanooga from the Nashville area opened her eyes to the work Chattanooga needs to do with inclusion of all citizens, and what the Urban League’s focus is for the future.
 
Candy is the President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.
 
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
 
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Wade Hinton’s Morning Cup (E09)
Jim Kennedy’s Morning Cup (E37)
Jay Dale’s Morning Cup (E42)

E47 - Tracy Wood’s Morning Cup

Growing up, Tracy wanted to be a psychologist, but different opportunities arose and she found herself with a career in the healthcare industry. After starting and selling her business, she made her way to Chattanooga as CEO of Hospice of Chattanooga.
 
In this episode, Tracy dispels myths about hospice, answers how healthy Chattanooga is (or rather, how unhealthy it is), and explains which trait all good CEOs should have.
 
Tracy is the CEO of Journey Health Foundation. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.
 
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
 
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Gideon Thomas’s Morning Cup (E07)
Ron Harr’s Morning Cup (E17)
Tom Cupo’s Morning Cup (E32)

E46 - Mark Reeves’s Morning Cup

How many people can say they had a revelation to pursue a specific career? Not many, but Mark Reeves can, and it happened in a movie theater parking lot, of all places.
 
In this episode, Mark shares how teaching led him to the TSSAA, what the TSSAA *really* is, and why you always need to be yourself. Plus, why you should attend the Blue Cross Bowl later this week!
 
Mark is the Executive Director of the TSSAA. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here and you can find information about the upcoming Blue Cross Bowl here.
 
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
 
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08)
Dalya Qualls White’s Morning Cup (E14)
Tim Morgan’s Morning Cup (E24)