My Morning Cup

E85 - Gerald McCormick's Morning Cup

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!

E84 - Chris Hopkins's Morning Cup

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!

E83 - Emily Mack's Morning Cup

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)

E82 - Tom Henderson's Morning Cup

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)

E81 - Peppo Biscarini's Morning Cup

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)

E80 - Bridgett Massengill's Morning Cup

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)

E79 - Jeff Lyash's Morning Cup

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)

E78 - Jay Shaffer's Morning Cup

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 dealt, 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)

E77 - Calvin Sneed's Morning Cup

You may recognize Calvin Sneed from his many years as the main anchor on the 6pm news for Channel 9, but he didn’t start his journey there…
 
In this episode, Calvin shares how he worked his way up from photographer to main anchor, how he’s the only African American man in East Tennessee to be a main anchor on the news (and why that shouldn’t be the case), and why he’s returning to his roots of photography, but this time it’s for bridges!
 
Calvin Sneed is now retired but keeps a hand in local broadcast news while pursuing his passion, bridge hunting. You can learn more about his Bridge Hunters on his website (ilovebridgesandtunnels.com) and you can connect with Calvin on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/calvin-sneed-75754523).
 
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:
Callie Starnes’s Morning Cup (E18)
Dr. Ternae Jordan’s Morning Cup (E56)
Jed Mescon’s Morning Cup (E66)

E76 - Christian Höferle's Morning Cup

Christian Höferle is a native of Germany who made his way to the States through a student exchange program. After returning to Germany and growing a career as a journalist, Christian and his wife made a huge decision to move to Cleveland, Tennessee. 
 
In this episode, Christian shares how he dealt with his family’s disappointment when he didn’t take over the family butcher business, what it was like meeting celebrities like Peter Gabriel and Jay-Z, and why his business focuses on building cultural bridges (not walls).
 
Christian Höferle is the Founder and Owner of The Culture Mastery, which provides cultural training and support for global companies. You can learn more about The Culture Mastery on the website (theculturemastery.com) and you can connect with Christian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/interculturaltrainerconsultant).
 
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:
Tom Griscom’s Morning Cup (E23)
Becky Blaesing’s Morning Cup (E26)
Valoria Armstrong’s Morning Cup (E60)