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.
Episodes
Monday Jan 13, 2025
E105 - Tim Dooner's Morning Cup
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Tim Dooner started his career in music production, but at 25, he left the record label life behind and found a new rhythm in logistics.
In this episode, Dooner shares what led him to pivot from the music industry to logistics, why he got sober, and how asking someone to be a guest on his podcast led him to move from Boston to Chattanooga.
Tim Dooner is the Host and Producer of the Freightwaves podcast “What the Truck?!?” You can learn more about him and listen to the podcast at freightwaves.com/news/author/timdooner
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Craig Fuller’s Morning Cup (E58)
Bruce Weiss’s Morning Cup (E89)
Tasia Malakasis’s Morning Cup (E92)
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 Jan 06, 2025
E104 - Edna Varner's Morning Cup
Monday Jan 06, 2025
Monday Jan 06, 2025
Edna Varner always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and thought she would be one forever! But once she was selected to be a principal, she knew it was the right move. Now she advises other educators in her role with the Public Education Foundation.
In this episode, Edna shares how she hit the jackpot with her parents and teachers, the two times she received very direct feedback (which made her rise to the occasion), and the meaning of the gift of “with.”
Edna Varner is the Senior Advisor of Leading and Learning at the Public Education Foundation. You can learn more about Edna and PEF on their website (pefchattanooga.org/our-team/dr.-edna-varner).
If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:
John Germ’s Morning Cup (E35)
Virginia Anne Sharber’s Morning Cup (E59)
Elaine Swafford’s Morning Cup (E64)
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 Dec 30, 2024
E103 - 2024 Year-End Wrap-Up
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
For a special end-of-year episode, I bring back my good friends Chip Baker and Roy Vaughn to continue the tradition of an annual wrap-up episode. We peel back the curtain and talk about My Morning Cup’s 2024 highlights, memorable moments with guests, and lessons learned.
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Chip Baker’s Morning Cup (E04)
Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08)
Mike Costa’s Morning Cup (E51)
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 Dec 23, 2024
E102 - Dave Kinzler's Morning Cup
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Most people can’t say they’ve biked coast-to-coast, but Dave Kinzler accomplished such a feat at a young age, and set out to accomplish even more throughout his life.
In this episode, Dave shares his 80% rule, why he believes in comfort in uncertainty, and the path that led him from the Marines to Capital Hill to One to One Health.
Dave Kinzler is the CEO of One to One Health, an innovative healthcare provider focused on lowering healthcare costs, one patient at a time. Learn more about One to One on their website (onetoonehealth.com) and you can connect with Dave on Linkedin (linkedin.com/in/davidkinzler).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Tracy Wood’s Morning Cup (E47)
Bob Corker’s Morning Cup (E52)
Patrick Wells’s Morning Cup (E61)
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 Dec 16, 2024
E101 - Father Dale Hall's Morning Cup (Part 2)
Monday Dec 16, 2024
Monday Dec 16, 2024
Father Dale Hall is back for a special holiday-edition of My Morning Cup. Instead of focusing on his career path like we did in Episode 49, we talk more in-depth about the CHATT Foundation, the three things that we can all do right now to support our local community, and about the upcoming Night of Remembrance.
You can learn more about the CHATT Foundation and their programs on their website (chattfoundation.org/get-involved)
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 Dec 09, 2024
E100 - Dave Flessner's Morning Cup
Monday Dec 09, 2024
Monday Dec 09, 2024
After 44 years of local reporting, there’s not a person who knows Chattanooga’s story better than Dave Flessner, which is exactly why we wanted to have him as our guest for the 100th episode of the podcast.
In this episode, Dave shares the unconventional path that led him to be a journalist, the history of the Times Free Press, and some of the hardest stories he’s had to cover during his career.
Dave Flessner recently retired as the Business Editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press. You can read his articles on the TFP website and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/david-flessner-39243413).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Jim Kennedy’s Morning Cup (E37)
Bob Corker’s Morning Cup (E52)
Cam Doody’s Morning Cup (E63)
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 Dec 02, 2024
E99 - Bill Crawford's Morning Cup
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Bill Crawford has worked his way up from Residential Wireman to President and CEO of Lawson Electric over the past 39 years.
In this episode, he shares how he started negotiating from the young age of 14 when he bought a car for his family, how he successfully grew the Dalton branch of the Lawson Electric, and why you should always look within before saying yes to opportunities.
Bill Crawford is the President and CEO of Lawson Electric. You can learn more about Lawson Electric on their website (lawsonelectric.com/about) and you can connect with Bill on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/bill-crawford-3818b717)
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Leslie Gower’s Morning Cup (E02)
Sheriff Austin Garrett’s Morning Cup (E71)
Darren Hodges’s Morning Cup (E94)
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 Nov 25, 2024
E98 - George Bryant's Morning Cup
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
George Bryant set out on a new path once he saw his parents’ tax return. From then, he knew he wanted to help others by demystifying money.
In this episode, George shares what it was like growing up in the family sandwich business, stories of several odd jobs he’s held, and how he got into finance despite originally wanting to be a doctor. Plus, he shares advice for young investors and the financial mistakes he sees many people making.
George Bryant is a Co-Founder and Principal of Apogee Wealth Partners. You can learn more about George and Apogee on his website (apogeewp.com/team) and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/george-bryant-cfp%C2%AE-4449b11b7).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Jay Kennamer’s Morning Cup (E15)
Chris Lytle’s Morning Cup (E28)
Chris Hopkins’s Morning Cup (E84)
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 Nov 18, 2024
E97 - Allen Clare's Morning Cup
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Allen Clare’s career has come full circle, from working in coal bunkers as a teenager to becoming GM of Eastern Coal and Gas for TVA. Now he’s the Senior Vice President of Power Operations, responsible for all non-nuclear power generation.
In this episode, Allen shares his “North Star” that guided many decisions, what it was like living at sea while in Navy, and the three skills he believes are essential for great leadership. We also discuss how the energy industry has evolved over the past 8 years and TVA’s focus for the future.
Allen Clare is the SVP of Power Operations for TVA. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/allen-clare-74709a62).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Matt Rasmussen’s Morning Cup (E57)
Jacinda Woodward’s Morning Cup (E70)
Jeff Lyash’s Morning Cup (E79)
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 Nov 11, 2024
E96 - Angela and Michael Ballard's Morning Cups
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Michael and Angela Ballard have used their careers as a tool to do what they love the most: travel.
In this episode, we talk about what it was like for both of them to grow up on cattle and dairy farms, why Michael moved to Saudi Arabia at the age of 12, and how Angela gave a stipulation when Michael proposed… which lit the travel flame for them. They also share stories from all around the world and explain how they now help other people travel.
Angela and Michael Ballard are the owners of We Married Adventure. You can learn more about them on their website, wemarriedadventure.com, and you can connect with them on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aesballard & linkedin.com/in/mike-ballard-2bb0587
You can also check out the websites they mentioned, nomadmania.com & secretflying.com
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!









