My Morning Cup

Growing up, Valoria Armstrong wanted to be an attorney. She never imagined that she would have a career in HR or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.   In this episode, Valoria shares how she was elected President of the NAACP board at the age of 26, how she evaluates opportunities before committing to them, and why inclusion comes before diversity at Unum.   Valoria Armstrong is the Chief Global Inclusion & Diversity Officer at Unum. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.   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: Wade Hinton’s Morning Cup (E09) Tom Cupo’s Morning Cup (E32) Candy Johnson’s Morning Cup (E48)

Virginia Anne’s career did not start in the art world, despite a passion for the performing arts. She originally followed in her father’s footsteps as a lawyer, but her involvement in the community grew, leading her to the Hunter Museum nine years ago.   In this episode, we discuss what it was like to be the second woman ever hired at Miller & Martin, switching her focus from litigation to commercial real estate, and why art is so important.    Stick around until the end to hear a special announcement about an upcoming exhibit at the Hunter Museum!   Virginia Anne Sharber is the Executive Director of the Hunter Museum of American Art. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.   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) Vance Travis’s Morning Cup (E40) Bob Corker’s Morning Cup (E52)

Entrepreneurship has always been in Craig Fuller’s blood. From a young age, he’s been starting and growing businesses.   In this episode, Craig shares the ups and downs of his career, starting with growing Xpress Direct to $140 million in revenue within two years, then getting fired from the family businesses (twice), and now leading FreightWaves and acquiring legacy media brands.   Craig Fuller is the Founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.   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: Brian Elrod’s Morning Cup (E29) Stephanie Stuckey’s Morning Cup (E33) Tiffanie Robinson’s Morning Cup (E39)

Matt Rasmussen originally wanted to be an archeologist (thanks, Indiana Jones!) or a forester, but after settling into engineering in college, he never looked back and has had a wildly successful career with the Tennessee Valley Authority.    In this episode, Matt shares his many steps up the corporate ladder and what makes someone stay at one company for 22 years. He also gives the inside scoop on nuclear power and what happens behind the scenes at TVA.   Matt Rasmussen is the SVP of Engineering and Operations Support at TVA. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.   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 Cupo’s Morning Cup (E32) Mark McKnight’s Morning Cup (E39) Mark Reeves’s Morning Cup (E46)

Dr. Jordan is not a “pulpit pastor” - he’s active in the community. He’s the pastor of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church and some will tell you he is the pastor of Chattanooga. He founded an anti-violence program called Stop the Madness, which combatted the crack epidemic in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1992. Now, Stop the Madness is a national non-profit.   In this episode, we discuss gratitude, finding inner peace despite adversity, Stop the Madness, why he refused his life’s calling for so long, and what it was like growing up in the 70s as a black man in Chattanooga.    Dr. Ternae Jordan is the Pastor of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. You can learn more about him here and you can find his book, Crossing Jordan, here.   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: Wade Hinton’s Morning Cup (E09) DeJuan Jordan’s Morning Cup (E34) Father Dale Hall’s Morning Cup (E49)

Charles Wood is a self-proclaimed “class clown” turned salesman. Despite an unstable childhood, he’s built a solid career in Economic Development.    In this episode, we discuss how backpacking through Central America changed his perspective on life and his pit stops in Mobile, College Station, and Pensacola before arriving in Chattanooga 12 years ago. Plus, how he’s steering the Chamber towards Economic Development by inviting the right people to the right rooms.   Charles is the President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.   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: Leslie Gower’s Morning Cup (E02) Ron Harr’s Morning Cup (E17) Jim Kennedy’s Morning Cup (E37)

With a passion for music and comedy, no wonder Eric Foster became an on-air personality for a radio station!   In this episode, Eric shares his process for writing his stand-up acts, how he got started in radio, and what it’s like to donate a kidney?!   Eric is the Program Director and an on-air personality for Brewer Media Group. You can learn more about him here.   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: Clint Powell’s Morning Cup (E01) Callie Starnes’s Morning Cup (E13) Jared Stehney’s Morning Cup (E30)

Most people would get tired of traveling if they lived in 7 states during their childhood, but it only grew Sybil Topil’s love of seeing new places.   In this episode, we discuss her role of “putting Chattanooga on the map,” her resourcefulness that helped her find jobs in France and Nashville, how introverts can create a persona for networking, and the challenges that come along with a cancer diagnosis.   Sybil is the VP of Marketing and Engagement for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here, and you can read the Jimmy Buffet article we mentioned here.   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: Dalya Qualls White’s Morning Cup (E14) John Germ’s Morning Cup (E35) Karen Shostak’s Morning Cup (E44)

Bob Corker, a retired politician who served as a US Senator and Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, shares his journey from mayor to influential leader. He discusses his early days in construction, the drive-through restaurant revolution, and the role of community in shaping his passion for public service. Corker reflects on the challenges of affordable housing and the importance of mentorship. Concluding with thoughts on happiness, he emphasizes the joy found in connections with family and community.

This week my good friends, Chip Baker and Roy Vaughn, return to My Morning Cup to turn the tables on me. I open myself up to their invasive questioning.   Was my plan to be a broadcaster or did I stumble into the industry? Why did I start the My Morning Cup podcast? And, of course, what would I tell my 25 year old self that is important for a happy life? I hope you take 40 minutes to enjoy the conversation.    I look forward to a great year #2 of My Morning Cup.   My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.   If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like: Chip Baker’s Morning Cup (E04) Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08)