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 Sep 09, 2024
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Captain Richard Simms has an eclectic career path, from Game Warden to Videographer to Executive Producer, and ultimately back to the outdoors.
In this episode, Richard shares how a coin toss influenced where he landed as a Game Warden, why family drives every decision he makes, and how he left his 9-5 to pursue his “weekend gig” - Scenic City Fishing Charters - and is now affiliated with nine additional guides.
Richard Simms is the owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/sceniccityfishing) and you can learn more about his fishing charters on his website (sceniccityfishing.com).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Mark McKnight’s Morning Cup (E39)
Calvin Sneed’s Morning Cup (E77)
Tom Henderson’s Morning Cup (E82)
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!
Monday Sep 02, 2024
Monday Sep 02, 2024
Keith Sanford’s community involvement and love of Chattanooga makes everyone feel as though they’ve worked with him in some form or fashion, despite only working at three places during his 44-year career.
In this episode, Keith shares what it was like working his way up to Market President at First Tennessee (now First Horizon), being expected to be involved in the community (and ending up loving it), and what penguins are really like… hint: they’re not all cuddly!
Plus, we talk about what Keith will be doing once he retires later this year.
Keith Sanford is the President and CEO of the Tennessee Aquarium. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/keith-sanford-9718981a) and you can learn more about the aquarium on their website (tnaqua.org).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Tom Griscom’s Morning Cup (E23)
Jay Dale’s Morning Cup (E42)
Virginia Anne Sharber’s Morning Cup (E59)
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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Most people know Gerald McCormick from his time with the Tennessee General Assembly… but he didn’t start there! In this episode, we discuss his early career in the billboard and commercial real estate industries, joining the National Guard, and running for office when he returned from deployment.
Gerald also shares about his infatuation with Elvis when he was a child, why he switched from Democrat to Republican when running for office, and his recent diagnosis of ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Gerald McCormick is a Consultant with The Ingram Group. Previously he was a State Representative from 2004-2018 and held several leadership positions, including House Majority Leader and Chairman of the Budget Subcommittee of House Finance, Ways and Means. You can learn more about Gerald on The Ingram Group website (ingramgroup.com/gerald-mccormick) and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/gerald-mccormick-733b764b/).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Leslie Gower’s Morning Cup (E02)
Tom Griscom’s Morning Cup (E23)
Bob Corker’s Morning Cup (E52)
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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Chris Hopkins is a lifelong learner, committed to helping others and keeping an optimistic view on life.
In this episode, Chris shares his career highlights - all the way back to age 6 when he was selling vacuums with his grandmother, to being a plant superintendent right out of college, and selling his business and getting into the finance industry. We also discuss his passion for music and reading… including his western swing band that played at Riverbend a few times, and how he reads two or three books a week.
Chris also opens up about the massive heart attack he had at the age of 39, how he recovered from it, and what it was like to receive a heart transplant and meet the donor’s family.
Chris Hopkins is the Co-Founder and Principal of Apogee Wealth Partners. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has been in the finance industry since 1998. You can learn more about Chris and Apogee on his website (apogeewp.com/team) and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/chris-hopkins-cfa-7751745).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Chip Baker’s Morning Cup (E04)
Becky Blaesing’s Morning Cup (E26)
Matt Hullander’s Morning Cup (E68)
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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!
Monday Aug 12, 2024
Monday Aug 12, 2024
From Preservation Planner to Mayor’s Liason in Indianapolis, and now President and CEO of River City Company in Chattanooga, Emily Mack’s contributions have been instrumental in shaping downtown developments in both cities.
In this episode, Emily shares how volunteering at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio ignited her passion for architecture and historic preservation, why you should say yes to roles you might feel a little unprepared for, and how she draws inspiration from powerful role models like Wonder Woman and Princess Diana.
Plus, she shares what happens behind the scenes with major redevelopment projects like Hawk Hill and the ONE Riverfront Plan.
Emily Mack is the President and CEO of River City Company, the economic development engine for Downtown Chattanooga. You can connect with Emily on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/emilymack/) and learn more about River City Company on their website (rivercitycompany.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:
Todd Womack’s Morning Cup (E21)
Bo Drake’s Morning Cup (E65)
Bridgett Massengill’s Morning Cup (E80)
Monday Aug 05, 2024
Monday Aug 05, 2024
Tom Henderson is a longtime broadcast journalist who now spends his days as a gentleman farmer, where the most stressful part of his day now is tending to tomatoes.
Tom shares why journalists and reporters should want the right people to be mad for the right reasons, how he switched from radio to TV and then left his dream job to come back to Chattanooga, and how he brought the Channel 9 team together after a major loss.
Tom Henderson retired in 2021 from his role as News Director of Channel 9. You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/tom-henderson-9789356).
You can read about the Medellin cartel airport bust we discussed here: upi.com/Archives/1982/10/26/Smugglers-fire-at-police/1679404452800
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:
Jared Stehney’s Morning Cup (E30)
Mike Costa’s Morning Cup (E51)
Jed Mescon’s Morning Cup (E66)
Monday Jul 29, 2024
Monday Jul 29, 2024
Peppo Biscarini broke a swimming world record at just 15 years old and felt invincible, but his world came crashing down when he suffered a literal back-breaking accident.
In this episode, Peppo shares how the devastating loss of his swimming career led him to start several businesses, including a shoe-import business and a fin manufacturing company. We also talk about living in some of the most beautiful places in the world: Milan, San Diego, Lake Como, Palm Beach, and finally Chattanooga. Plus, his 3-year involvement with black magic and his religious awakening when he realized greed only leads to melancholy.
Peppo Biscarini is an “elite athlete, turned entrepreneur, morphed into fisher of souls.” He is also the host of the Equipaggiati podcast, a religious podcast that releases episodes daily. The English version of his podcast will be released next year, but in the meantime you can subscribe to the Italian version here: buzzsprout.com/2100258
You can also connect with Peppo on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/peppo-biscarini-061b1b6b)
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:
Mike Costa’s Morning Cup (E51)
Patrick Wells’s Morning Cup (E61)
Christian Höferle’s Morning Cup (E76)
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Monday Jul 22, 2024
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
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
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)