My Morning Cup

E100 - Dave Flessner's Morning Cup

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!

E99 - Bill Crawford's Morning Cup

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!

E98 - George Bryant's Morning Cup

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!

E97 - Allen Clare's Morning Cup

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!

E96 - Angela and Michael Ballard's Morning Cups

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!

E95 - Charlie Brock's Morning Cup

Charlie has made his mark supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem, not only in Chattanooga, but all across Tennessee.
In this episode, Charlie shares what it was like growing up in the Brock Candy family business, how he first got involved in the startup ecosystem as CEO of The Company Lab and then LaunchTN, and why he creates “intentional serendipitous collisions” for entrepreneurs.
We also discuss quantum computing and and how Chattanooga will benefit from the technology.
Charlie Brock is the Founder of Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/charliebrock) and learn more about the CQC on their website (chattanoogaquantum.com)
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Hal Bowling’s Morning Cup (E75)
Keith Sanford’s Morning Cup (E86)
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!

E94 - Darren Hodges's Morning Cup

Darren Hodges (AKA Mr. Coca-Cola of Chattanooga) began his career at Coca-Cola United in 1986 and has worked a variety of positions, all the way up to Division Vice President.
In this episode, Darren shares a behind-the-scenes look at Coke’s operations and positions, its important history in Chattanooga as the first franchised bottler of Coca-Cola products, and how “divine intervention” kept him from pursuing another career path.
You can connect with Darren Hodges on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/darren-hodges-724a4811) and you can learn more about Coca-Cola Bottling Company United on their website (cocacolaunited.com/locations/chattanooga).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08)
Mark Reeves’s Morning Cup (E46)
Paul Leath’s Morning Cup (E90)
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!

E93 - Stacy Johnson's Morning Cup

A month-long trip to Costa Rica completely changed the trajectory of Stacy Johnson’s career.
In this episode, Stacy shares how a series of career disruptions led her to pivot from graphic design to nonprofits and why a trip to Costa Rica to learn Spanish led her to pursue new passions. Plus, we also discuss how the Latinx community in Chattanooga has changed over the past twenty years and why La Paz has shifted their focus as a result.
Stacy Johnson is the President and CEO of La Paz, an organization whose mission is to empower and engage Chattanooga’s Latino population. You can connect with Stacy on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/stacy-johnson-7bba232b) and you can learn more about La Paz on their website (lapazchattanooga.org).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Candy Johnson’s Morning Cup (E48)
Emily Mack’s Morning Cup (E83)
Keith Sanford’s Morning Cup (E86)
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!

E92 - Tasia Malakasis's Morning Cup

Tasia Malakasis’s career can be classified as a series of “happy accidents.” In this episode, she shares how she started in sales (as all CEOs should), then pursued her love of food by acquiring Belle Chevre and taking it to the next level. We also discuss how she landed at The Company Lab, and why the organization has pivoted their focus to sustainable mobility.
Tasia Malakasis is the CEO of The Company Lab, a nonprofit that accelerates early-stage startups in the sustainable mobility space. You can connect with Tasia on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/tasia-malakasis-4829a45)
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Craig Fuller’s Morning Cup (E58)
Susan Vandergriff’s Morning Cup (E72)
Emily Mack’s Morning Cup (E83)
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!

E91 - Joe Jacobi's Morning Cup

Joe Jacobi is an Olympic Gold Medalist, Performance Coach, and Author. After winning the gold in the 1992 canoe slalom event, he’s dedicated his life to teaching others how to perform well in their own lives.
In this episode, Joe shares what it’s *really* like to win a gold medal, how he got started canoeing at the age of 8 years old, and why he moved to La Seu d’Urgell, Spain.
We also talk about the idea of living well so you can compete well, why he believes in process over results, and how he must learn every single day in order to survive and thrive.
You can subscribe to the Thinking in Waves newsletter (joejacobi.ck.page/921d235cfe) and you can connect with Joe on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jacobijoe).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
Gail Loveland Barille’s Morning Cup (E22)
Scott Martin’s Morning Cup (E31)
Mark McKnight’s Morning Cup (E39)
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!