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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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

To celebrate the third anniversary of the podcast, I bring back my good friends Chip Baker and Roy Vaughn to continue the tradition of an annual wrap-up episode.  We look back on the guests and moments that stood out, what made certain conversations resonate, and how the show has evolved over time. Along the way, the conversation touches on community in Chattanooga, personal milestones, and what’s ahead for the podcast in 2026. 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: 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. 

Lucy Rymer has always had a "what have I got to lose?" mindset, and it's shown up at some of the most pivotal moments in her career. In this episode, Lucy shares how growing up with stage fright taught her to push through fear anyway, why she ultimately chose a more practical path even when encouraged to pursue theater professionally, and how a career in banking eventually led to a full-circle moment that brought her back into the arts. Lucy Rymer is the Executive Director of Cleveland’s Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-rymer-37506b21).  If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Virginia Anne Sharber’s Morning Cup (E59) Andy Wood’s Morning Cup (E124) Mayor Kevin Brooks’s Morning Cup (E154) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII 

Kevin Brooks never planned on becoming the mayor of Cleveland, he just kept saying yes to serving people and following the next open door. In this episode, Kevin shares how he always knew he wanted to be a public servant, why after six terms as Representative of the 24th District he decided to run for Mayor (what some considered to be a “step backwards” politically), and why not running for mayor earlier still weighs on him. We also explore Cleveland's remarkable economic growth, including being named the #1 county in Tennessee for new manufacturing jobs in 2024, and Kevin's vision for the city's exponential growth over the next few years. Kevin Brooks is the Mayor of Cleveland, Tennessee. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayor-kevin-brooks-88746726).  If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Mitch Patel’s Morning Cup (E06) Paul Leath’s Morning Cup (E90) Zach Wamp’s Morning Cup (E133) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Baron King has built a career stepping into hard situations and helping people find their way forward when they feel out of options. In this episode, Baron shares how a childhood spent moving state-to-state taught him to embrace change, why he left a successful retail career for psychology and prison re-entry work, and what leading the CHATT Foundation has taught him about the realities of homelessness and the dignity every person deserves. Baron King is the CEO of the CHATT Foundation. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/baronking) or learn more about the CHATT Foundation at https://chattfoundation.org. If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like Father Dale Hall’s episodes (E49 and E101)! My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Robbie Ansary’s story starts as a refugee from Afghanistan when he and his family fled their home as a result of the Soviet invasion in 1980. In this episode, Robbie shares what it was like to leave everything behind and cross the border under life-threatening conditions, how a chance encounter helped his family rebuild their lives in America, and how seeing HVA (a “mini-TVA” built by USAID) at nine years old sparked a dream that eventually led him to a 34-year career with TVA. My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Troy Kemp planned to teach for only two years, but has dedicated his life to being a “hope dealer” for young boys and their families. In this episode, he shares why he turned down lucrative job offers to “feed his soul,” how leaving the classroom allowed him to multiply his impact, and how every chapter of his life has added a tool to the toolbox he now uses to rebuild trust at Chatt Prep. Troy Kemp is the CEO of Prep Public Schools, a network of all-boys public charter schools. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/tfkemp). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Dr. Elaine Swafford’s Morning Cup (E64) Ted and Kelly Alling’s Morning Cup (E69) Edna Varner's Morning Cup (E104) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Maury Nicely wasn't planning on becoming a lawyer when he went to law school, but three decades later, he's built a thriving practice and become one of Chattanooga's most passionate historians. In this episode, Maury shares what he learned working both sides of the table as a law firm attorney and in-house counsel, why leaving a stable corporate job to start a law firm with partners during a recession was the best risk he ever took, and how his passion for local history turned into books and walking tours that bring Chattanooga's past to life. Maury Nicely is a Partner at Evans Harrison Hacket who specializes in Employment Law. You can learn more about him on their website: ehhlaw.com/index.php/maury-nicely If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Wade Hinton’s Morning Cup (E09) Virginia Anne Sharber’s Morning Cup (E59) Linda Moss Mines’s Morning Cup (E88) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

A childhood tornado scare could’ve left David Glenn terrified of weather forever. Instead, it set him on a path to become the calm voice Chattanoogans now trust when the sky turns dark. In this episode, David shares how his dad’s mantra of “If you’re scared, just learn” turned him into a self-proclaimed weather nerd, why he was so excited for his dream job that he once went 36 hours without sleep, and why he always puts the community first… even staying behind to broadcast when everyone else has evacuated. David Glenn is the Chief Meteorologist for News Channel 9. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/david-glenn-6297a518b). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Jed Mescon’s Morning Cup (E66) Tom Glenn’s Morning Cup (E125) Thom Benson’s Morning Cup (E136) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII 

Christie Mahn Faires has never been one to rest on her laurels. Whether campaigning for a traffic light to make her high school safer or championing recovery court to help people break the cycle of addiction, she's always looking for ways to make things better. In this episode, she shares how a passing comment changed her life's trajectory (twice!), why the path from aspiring broadcast journalist to General Sessions Court Judge made more sense than she ever imagined, and what no one tells you about running for an elected position. Christie Mahn Faires is a Judge for the Hamilton County General Sessions Court. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/christie-sell-646b7814). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Leslie Gower’s Morning Cup (E02) Callie Starnes’s Morning Cup (E18) Kurt Faires’s Morning Cup (E135) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Mitch Patel’s story is a masterclass in grit, gratitude, and bridge-building. In this episode recorded in front of a live audience at the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Mitch shares how he built his first hotel at the age of 27 with just $3,000, how Vision Hospitality Group has grown to more than 40 hotels in 8 states, why the Edwin Hotel holds such a special place in his heart, and what it means to serve as this year’s Chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Mitch Patel is the Founder & CEO of Vision Hospitality Group. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/mitch-i-patel-a8aa1213). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Mitch Patel’s Morning Cup (E06) John Germ’s Morning Cup (E35) Matt Hullander’s Morning Cup (E68) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII