My Morning Cup

Darin Wright, the owner of Elea Blake Cosmetics, empowers clients through personalized color analysis. She shares her early sales experiences, from selling makeup at 14 to learning the importance of honesty in communication. Darin’s transition from waitressing to the beauty industry shows her journey of self-discovery. With anecdotes from her career in real estate and the challenges of a male-dominated field, she emphasizes passion over profit and the joy of creating makeup that truly fits every individual.

Doug Thompson has a knack for seeing the bigger picture… whether on the soccer field, in business, or in civic life. In this episode, Doug shares why the best players are the ones who make everyone else better, how a detour into screenwriting led him to USC and ultimately into a career in real estate development, and why he had to “fire” himself in order to move his career forward. Doug Thompson is the President of HFS Capital Advisors. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/doug-thompson-28218613). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08) Edna Varner’s Morning Cup (E104) Kim White’s Morning Cup (E119) 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!

Brian Hunt grew up redeeming Coke bottles for a nickel, and now leads a century‑old, family‑founded manufacturer as its first non‑family CEO. In this episode, Brian shares how humble beginnings shaped his work ethic, how “getting cultured” in Boston taught him to be more assertive, and why he left a Fortune 250 track to join a family business built on servant-hearted values. Brian Hunt is the President and CEO of Southern Champion Tray. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-hunt-44ab7813).  This episode was recorded with a live audience at the Global Leadership Summit. If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Jay Dale’s Morning Cup (E42) Tom Glenn’s Morning Cup (E125) Jason Provonsha’s Morning Cup (E130) 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!

David Wade started his career digging holes, and now he’s finishing his career digging out of them. In this episode, he shares how he worked his way up from line helper to CEO of EPB, why he pivoted when he was “right at the finish line” of his apprenticeship, and how The Gig put Chattanooga on the map. David Wade is the President and CEO of EPB. You can learn more about him and EPB on their website: epb.com/about/leadership If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Matt Rasmussen’s Morning Cup (E57) Bill Crawford’s Morning Cup (E99) Ken Jones’s Morning Cup (E122) 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!

Thom Benson has a habit of stepping up before he knows exactly where it’ll lead, and it's served him well throughout his career. In this episode, Thom shares how volunteering at his college radio station set him on the path to journalism, how raising his hand for the weekend meteorologist role changed the course of his TV career, and how volunteer diving at the Tennessee Aquarium eventually turned into a full-time position he’s held for nearly two decades. Thom Benson is the VP, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer for the Tennessee Aquarium. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/thombenson). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Keith Sanford’s Morning Cup (E86) David Carroll’s Morning Cup (E111) Andy Wood’s Morning Cup (E124) 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!

Kurt Faires, a Corporate Attorney at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C., shares his extraordinary journey from private investing to practicing law after two decades. He reflects on the life lessons learned through his marathon training and a challenging cancer diagnosis. Kurt dives into the importance of civic engagement, honesty, and gratitude, emphasizing how these values enhance community life in Chattanooga. He also discusses the complex landscape of education reform and the evolving political dynamics in Tennessee, highlighting the need for bipartisanship.

Stephen Culp is one of Chattanooga’s most prodigious and low-key entrepreneurs.  In this episode, Stephen shares why curiosity is the driving force behind most of his decisions, what it was like being in Europe when the Berlin Wall fell (and participating in it), and how going to Stanford forced him to be entrepreneurial, which ultimately led him to start Smart Furniture and Delegator, as well as to come back to Chattanooga. Stephen Culp founded Smart Furniture and co-founded Delegator. You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/stephenculp). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Cam Doody’s Morning Cup (E63) Christian Höferle’s Morning Cup (E76) 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!

Zach Wamp didn’t just serve eight terms in Congress, he also helped spark a legacy of leadership in his own family. In this episode, he shares how overcoming addiction in his 20s shaped his faith, leadership style, and belief that people will forgive you if you’re honest. He also reflects on what it meant to represent Tennessee during some of the country’s most defining moments, and how both of his children have since stepped into public leadership in their own way. Zach Wamp served as the U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 3rd District from 1995 to 2011 and is now the founder of Zach Wamp Consulting. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/zach-wamp-30ab3351). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Weston Wamp’s Morning Cup (E36) Bob Corker’s Morning Cup (E52) Gerald McCormick’s Morning Cup (E85) 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!

For nearly 20 years, Tom Satkowiak helped shape the stories coming out of Tennessee Athletics, but behind the press conferences and player profiles was a personal journey most people never saw. In this episode, Tom shares how he found his calling at a very young age, how a life-threatening liver disease reshaped his faith and career, and why he eventually stepped away from college sports to join TVA and focus on doing “the next right thing.” Tom Satkowiak is the Senior Strategic Communicator (East Region) for TVA. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/thomas-satkowiak). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08) Dalya Qualls White’s Morning Cup (E14) Mark Reeves’s Morning Cup (E46) 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!

From flying C130s into conflict zones to commanding global military operations, Kevin Hyde’s story might seem more like an action movie than real life. In this episode, Kevin shares how his time at the Air Force Academy was “sink or swim,” why sometimes the fastest way to get results is by breaking bread, and how he’s now guiding a nonprofit that provides support, stability, and hope to our community. Kevin Hyde is the CEO of Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ckhyde) and you can learn more about Partnership FCA on their website (partnershipfca.com). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Mickey McCamish’s Morning Cup (E25) Jay Shaffer’s Morning Cup (E78) Allen Clare’s Morning Cup (E97) 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!