My Morning Cup
A Chattanooga podcast exploring what makes a happy, successful life through conversations with local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals. Each episode goes beyond career achievements to uncover the challenges, life lessons, and daily habits that shape fulfilling lives.
Discover how Chattanooga's most accomplished people start their day, and what's really in their morning cup.
A Chattanooga podcast exploring what makes a happy, successful life through conversations with local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals. Each episode goes beyond career achievements to uncover the challenges, life lessons, and daily habits that shape fulfilling lives.
Discover how Chattanooga's most accomplished people start their day, and what's really in their morning cup.
Episodes
Mar 16, 2026
E166 - Kip Henley's Morning Cup
Mar 16, 2026
Mar 16, 2026
1hr 5 min
Kip Henley never once considered a backup plan. He doubled down on his golf career 20 times, and he'd do it again.
In this episode, Kip shares the moment at 14 years old that changed the entire direction of his life, how a lesson with Jack Nicklaus's legendary teacher Jack Grout destroyed his confidence right before the biggest tournament of his career, and why Golf Channel picked him out of a thousand applicants for Big Break 2.
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Shawn Whitfield’s Morning Cup (E20)
Mark Reeves’s Morning Cup (E46)
Jimmy White’s Morning Cup (E143)
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Mar 9, 2026
E165 - Barry Courter's Morning Cup
Mar 9, 2026
Mar 9, 2026
1hr 5 sec
Barry Courter has been surrounded by music his whole life… but can only play the radio.
In this episode, Barry shares how putting yourself out there and asking questions can lead to cool opportunities, why he says he had “the best job in the city” as the entertainment writer for the TFP, and how the rise of music festivals like Bonnaroo has changed the entertainment landscape forever.
Barry Courter now manages Branch Services for the Northwest Georgia Regional Library System, but may be best known as the former food and entertainment writer and columnist for the Times Free Press. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-courter-7958155/).
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Tom Griscom’s Morning Cup (E23)
Dave Flessner’s Morning Cup (E100)
Scott Chase’s Morning Cup (E120)
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Mar 2, 2026
E164 - Coty Wamp’s Morning Cup
Mar 2, 2026
Mar 2, 2026
1hr 2 min
DA Coty Wamp’s career might be best described as a mix of gut, grit, and support.
In this episode, Coty shares how a high school mentor inspired her to pursue law school, how she “hit the reset button” and found her true calling, and what it was like running for office at the same time as her brother - County Mayor Weston Wamp.
Coty Wamp is the District Attorney General for the 11th District, which serves Hamilton County. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coty-wamp-a462939b/).
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Mayor Weston Wamp’s Morning Cup (E36)
Zach Wamp’s Morning Cup (E133)
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Feb 23, 2026
E163 - Janet Rehberg’s Morning Cup
Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
55 min
Janet Rehberg has led investor-owned utilities and co-ops, and now she's taking the helm at Chattanooga's pioneering municipal utility: EPB.
In this episode, Janet shares how her dad's modern mindset helped her excel in a male-dominated field, what it was like leading through Texas's catastrophic 2021 winter storm, and why EPB is pioneering quantum computing (and what it means for Chattanooga's future).
Janet Rehberg is the President and CEO-Elect of EPB. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-rehberg).
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Tasia Malakasis’s Morning Cup (E92)
Ken Jones’s Morning Cup (E122)
David Wade’s Morning Cup (E137)
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Feb 16, 2026
E162 - Jeff Styles's Morning Cup
Feb 16, 2026
Feb 16, 2026
1hr 4 min
Jeff Styles spent nearly 30 years as a talk radio personality in Chattanooga, known for challenging power, stirring debate, and trusting his audience to think for themselves.
In this episode, Jeff shares how adrenaline-fueled hobbies were more valuable to his career than work experience, why a detour into advertising solidified his talk radio career, and what it was like to hold influence in a city where words carried real consequences - like getting arrested on-air for littering.
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Clint Powell’s Morning Cup (E01)
Tim Dooner’s Morning Cup (E105)
Scott Chase’s Morning Cup (E120)
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Feb 9, 2026
Feb 9, 2026
56 min
Dr. Marilyn Helms and Dr. Deborah Arfken are two long-time educators whose careers were shaped as much by chance as by choice.
In this episode, Marilyn and Deborah share how they were both thrown into teaching careers, how a chance meeting on university committees in the late ’80s turned into a long-running research partnership, and why it’s “publish or perish” in the academic world.
Dr. Deborah Arfken is the Professor Emerita of Political Science and Public Service at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and you can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-arfken-389bb133/).
Dr. Marilyn Helms is the Dean Emerita of the Wright School or Business at Dalton State College and you can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynhelms/).
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Sheila and Dane Boyington’s Morning Cups (E128)
Shawanda Mason and Jennifer Holder’s Morning Cups (E145)
Hamp Johnston and Camille Daniel’s Morning Cup (E159)
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Feb 2, 2026
E160 - Mike Harrell's Morning Cup
Feb 2, 2026
Feb 2, 2026
1hr 53 sec
From constant moves as a kid to navigating multiple industries and unexpected career turns, Mike Harrell learned early that adaptability isn't optional.
In this episode, Mike shares how being transparent about company financials changed the way his teams understood their impact, how he learned to redefine what success actually means, and why he believes everyone should get fired at least once.
Mike Harrell is the CEO and Principal Business Advisor of Latitude Advisors. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelnharrell/).
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Jay Shaffer’s Morning Cup (E78)
George Mullinix’s Morning Cup (E129)
Doug Thompson’s Morning Cup (E139)
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Jan 26, 2026
Jan 26, 2026
53 min
From their first jobs at Rock City to co-founding RockPoint Bank, Hamp Johnston and Camille Daniel have come a long way.
In this episode, Hamp and Camille share what it actually takes to start a bank from scratch, what they learned raising capital and opening during a pandemic, and what's possible when a bank's decision-makers are based right here in Chattanooga.
Hamp Johnston is the President & CEO of RockPoint Bank and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamptonjohnston/).
Camille Daniel is the Chief Banking Officer of RockPoint Bank and you can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-daniel-981994111/).
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Jan 19, 2026
E158 - Dr. Lori Mann-Bruce's Morning Cup
Jan 19, 2026
Jan 19, 2026
1hr 3 min
Dr. Lori Mann-Bruce grew up on a working cattle farm and was never allowed to be bored.
In this episode, Dr. Bruce shares why her family would read the encyclopedia at dinner every day, how 4H played a huge role in her personal and professional development, and what it’s like coming to Chattanooga (specifically UTC) when it’s at an inflection point.
Dr. Lori Mann-Bruce is the Chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-mann-bruce-5358b1140).
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Dr. Rebecca Ashford’s Morning Cup (E16)
Dr. Claudia Kramer’s Morning Cup (E115)
Dr. Robert Dooley’s Morning Cup (E127)
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
Jan 12, 2026
E157 - Melissa Blevins's Morning Cup
Jan 12, 2026
Jan 12, 2026
56 min
Melissa Blevins learned early on that the best way through a crisis is to just have faith and keep moving forward.
In this episode, Melissa shares how growing up with very little taught her resilience and compassion, how a career in manufacturing built the foundation for leading a food bank, and how the Chattanooga Area Food Bank became more than a career… it became home.
Melissa Blevins is the President & CEO of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-blevins-21258063).
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Bob Culkeen’s Morning Cup (E116)
Brian Hunt’s Morning Cup (E138)
April Cameron’s Morning Cup (E146)
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.









