My Morning Cup

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

Most people see an airport. April Cameron sees a small city — one she's helped run for 28 years and now leads as its 'Mayor.' In this episode, April shares how a mentor's confidence launched her from accountant to CFO, what finally convinced her to pursue the CEO role, the surprising truth about how airports actually make money, and why every ticket you buy is a vote. April Cameron is the President and CEO of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/april-cameron-3a9aa0266).  If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Charles Wood’s Morning Cup (E55) Bridgett Massengill’s Morning Cup (E80) 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 and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Shawanda Mason’s and Jennifer Holder’s careers have been defined by scrappiness and leaps of faith. In this episode, they share how growing up somewhat isolated in small towns helped spark their creativity, how Jennifer’s early idea for The Chattery grew into a partnership after an elevator meet-cute, and how they have turned burnt lemons into lemonade. Jennifer and Shawanda are the Co-Founders of The Chattery, a Chattanooga-based nonprofit that advocates for lifelong learning. You can learn more about them at https://thechattery.org/about.  If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Ella Livingston’s Morning Cup (E11) Gail Loveland Barille’s Morning Cup (E22) Susan Vandergriff’s Morning Cup (E72) 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

Justin Robertson has built his career by taking on challenges that pushed him to grow and relying on his survival instincts along the way. In this episode, he shares how he navigated the sudden elimination of 43 assistant principal positions early in his career, how persistence and smart networking carried him from teacher to principal to superintendent, and why he’s doubling down on K-2 literacy and expanding Future Ready Centers. Dr. Justin Robertson is the Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. You can learn more about Dr. Robertson and Hamilton County Schools’ Leadership Team on their website: https://hcde.org/our-leadership/  If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Bo Drake’s Morning Cup (E65) Edna Varner’s Morning Cup (E104) Dr. Robert Dooley’s Morning Cup (E127) 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

Jimmy White has always been able to see the end game. Whether that’s on the golf course or when putting together a complex real estate deal. In this episode, he shares how golf prepared him for the highs and lows of business, why “the third time’s the charm” pushed him to leave golf and dive into real estate, and how he’s built a career on win-win deals that create lasting value for Chattanooga. Jimmy White is the President and Managing Partner of Urban Story Ventures. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jimmy-white-a2392b5). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Patrick Wells’s Morning Cup (E61) Emily Mack’s Morning Cup (E83) Dave Kinzler’s Morning Cup (E102) 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!