My Morning Cup
Interesting conversations with genuine people who have successful careers, overcame challenges, and can provide life lessons that we all can use every day. This business-based podcast focuses on what makes a happy life. Find out what’s in my guests’ morning cups.
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Episodes
Monday May 29, 2023
Monday May 29, 2023
Who knew business and NASCAR had so much in common? Shawn Whitfield joins the podcast this week to tell us about his experience growing up in the oil distribution industry and why being the youngest person in the room can be a good thing (especially in sales). After leaving the oil business, Shawn went on to start a NASCAR-centric radio show and the Chattanooga Fitness Expo, a bodybuilding and fitness competition.
Shawn owns Whitfield Media Group and hosts Racing Talk Radio, the second-longest-running specialty radio show in Chattanooga, for 22 years. You can connect with Shawn here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
The military holds an important role in Chanda Chambers’s life. In this episode, we learn how she went from the Army to Human Resources to owning a Welding and Fabrication business. We also explore the hardest parts of running a business as a woman, what her superpowers are, and how a stranger at Ruby Tuesday changed her career path.
Chanda is the Owner of Chambers Welding and Fabrication, Metal Makers, and Chambers PitMasters. You can connect with Chanda here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
This week we board the rocketship that is Callie Starnes’ broadcasting career! She shares how 9/11 piqued her interest in journalism and how she earned promotion after promotion (and you can too)! Plus, a few topics that are often overlooked in the media industry: staying safe in the field as a young female reporter and work/life balance.
Callie Starnes is the President and General Manager of Local 3 News. You can connect with her here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
Ron Harr joins the podcast this week to explain his pinball-esque career and how he “fell” into many of the jobs he held. He shares how he became known as the $2 Million Man, and why you should always eat at the company potluck (or at least pretend to).
Before retiring and becoming a boat Captain, Ron held executive-level positions at AT&T, BCBST, and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. You can connect with Ron here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
Monday May 01, 2023
Monday May 01, 2023
Dr. Rebecca Ashford joins the podcast this week to talk about her journey from student to President of a community college. Plus, the superstitions that brought her to Tennessee, and why discipline, focus, and empathy are the key ingredients to success.
Dr. Ashford is the President of Chattanooga State Community College. You can connect with her here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Jay Kennamer has a knack for doing what others won’t and he makes major life decisions with a coin toss. In this episode, he shares stories from the courtroom and how he cleans up Chattanooga (literally and figuratively).
Jay is a partner and attorney at the McMahon Law Firm, Chattanooga’s most prolific and largest personal injury law firm. You can learn more about Jay here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Sports, Homeland Security, and health insurance all have two things in common - communications and Dalya Qualls White. In this episode, Dalya shares how her career took her all over the East Coast, why she believes in being a mentor to others, and how to leverage LinkedIn to get recruited.
Dalya is the SVP and Chief Communications Officer at BCBST. You can connect with Dalya here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
In this episode, we talk about the ups and downs of Mayor Tim Kelly’s career - starting with his first job as a dishwasher at the Vine Street Market. We also discuss the influence his parents had on his career (in their own very different ways), his most successful startup, and why drummers don’t name bands.
Mayor Tim Kelly is the mayor of the city of Chattanooga and a successful business owner. You can connect with him here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
My guest this week is Rich Mozingo, President of the Chattanooga Lookouts. We discuss the career moves that brought him to Chattanooga (twice) and how the minor league is more so about selling than it is about baseball. Plus the history and future of the Lookouts, including the new stadium and most importantly where Rich stands on the DH and Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame.
Rich is the President of the Chattanooga Lookouts. You can connect with Rich here or learn more about the Lookouts here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Ella Livingston was born in Ghana into a family of educators, health practitioners, engineers, and cocoa farmers. In this episode, we explore Ella’s experience at Spelman College (a women-only HBCU), how her time spent studying abroad in Japan led her to start a chocolate business while teaching math full-time, and the challenges she faced when starting her business.
Ella is the founder of Cocoa Asante, a brand that handcrafts chocolates that are almost too pretty to eat. You can connect with Ella here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.