

My Morning Cup
Costa Media Advisors
A Chattanooga podcast exploring what makes a happy, successful life through conversations with local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals. Each episode goes beyond career achievements to uncover the challenges, life lessons, and daily habits that shape fulfilling lives.
Discover how Chattanooga's most accomplished people start their day, and what's really in their morning cup.
Discover how Chattanooga's most accomplished people start their day, and what's really in their morning cup.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 22, 2023 • 32min
E19 - Chanda Chambers’ Morning Cup
The military holds an important role in Chanda Chambers’s life. In this episode, we learn how she went from the Army to Human Resources to owning a Welding and Fabrication business. We also explore the hardest parts of running a business as a woman, what her superpowers are, and how a stranger at Ruby Tuesday changed her career path.
Chanda is the Owner of Chambers Welding and Fabrication, Metal Makers, and Chambers PitMasters. You can connect with Chanda here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.

May 15, 2023 • 33min
E18 - Callie Starnes’ Morning Cup
This week we board the rocketship that is Callie Starnes’ broadcasting career! She shares how 9/11 piqued her interest in journalism and how she earned promotion after promotion (and you can too)! Plus, a few topics that are often overlooked in the media industry: staying safe in the field as a young female reporter and work/life balance.
Callie Starnes is the President and General Manager of Local 3 News. You can connect with her here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.

May 8, 2023 • 36min
E17 - Ron Harr’s Morning Cup
Ron Harr joins the podcast this week to explain his pinball-esque career and how he “fell” into many of the jobs he held. He shares how he became known as the $2 Million Man, and why you should always eat at the company potluck (or at least pretend to).
Before retiring and becoming a boat Captain, Ron held executive-level positions at AT&T, BCBST, and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. You can connect with Ron here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.

May 1, 2023 • 30min
E16 - Dr. Rebecca Ashford’s Morning Cup
Dr. Rebecca Ashford joins the podcast this week to talk about her journey from student to President of a community college. Plus, the superstitions that brought her to Tennessee, and why discipline, focus, and empathy are the key ingredients to success.
Dr. Ashford is the President of Chattanooga State Community College. You can connect with her here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.

Apr 24, 2023 • 27min
E15 - Jay Kennamer’s Morning Cup
Jay Kennamer has a knack for doing what others won’t and he makes major life decisions with a coin toss. In this episode, he shares stories from the courtroom and how he cleans up Chattanooga (literally and figuratively).
Jay is a partner and attorney at the McMahon Law Firm, Chattanooga’s most prolific and largest personal injury law firm. You can learn more about Jay here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.

Apr 17, 2023 • 28min
E14 - Dalya Qualls White’s Morning Cup
Sports, Homeland Security, and health insurance all have two things in common - communications and Dalya Qualls White. In this episode, Dalya shares how her career took her all over the East Coast, why she believes in being a mentor to others, and how to leverage LinkedIn to get recruited.
Dalya is the SVP and Chief Communications Officer at BCBST. You can connect with Dalya here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.

Apr 10, 2023 • 34min
E13 - Mayor Tim Kelly’s Morning Cup
Tim Kelly, the mayor of Chattanooga and successful businessman, shares his journey from dishwasher to political leader. He reflects on the pivotal role his parents played in shaping his career and discusses the challenges of navigating the automotive industry. Kelly explores the deep connection with his community, highlighting the Chattanooga Football Club's impact and his dedication to local initiatives. The conversation also tackles the importance of vulnerability and seeking help in personal growth, offering a refreshing perspective on strength and collaboration.

Apr 3, 2023 • 34min
E12 - Rich Mozingo’s Morning Cup
My guest this week is Rich Mozingo, President of the Chattanooga Lookouts. We discuss the career moves that brought him to Chattanooga (twice) and how the minor league is more so about selling than it is about baseball. Plus the history and future of the Lookouts, including the new stadium and most importantly where Rich stands on the DH and Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame.
Rich is the President of the Chattanooga Lookouts. You can connect with Rich here or learn more about the Lookouts here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.

Mar 27, 2023 • 35min
E11 - Ella Livingston’s Morning Cup
Ella Livingston was born in Ghana into a family of educators, health practitioners, engineers, and cocoa farmers. In this episode, we explore Ella’s experience at Spelman College (a women-only HBCU), how her time spent studying abroad in Japan led her to start a chocolate business while teaching math full-time, and the challenges she faced when starting her business.
Ella is the founder of Cocoa Asante, a brand that handcrafts chocolates that are almost too pretty to eat. You can connect with Ella here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.

Mar 20, 2023 • 29min
E10 - Brent Burks’s Morning Cup
Brent Burks joins the podcast this week to share the story of cutting his teeth in the courtroom, how family dynamics can shape a person’s career, and learning to adapt and hustle when your plans change beyond your control.
Brent is a partner and attorney at the McMahan Law Firm, Chattanooga’s most prolific and largest personal injury law firm. You can learn more about Brent here.
My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.


