My Morning Cup

Brad Leon has built his career around a single conviction: talent is widely distributed, but opportunity isn’t.

In this episode, Brad shares how one poster inspired him to become a teacher instead of a lawyer as planned, why a missed promotion taught him to value relationships as much as results, and how he’s helping students earn a debt-free degree and a guaranteed job through BlueCross’s BlueSky Institute.

Brad Leon is the Executive Director of the BlueSky Tennessee Institute for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-leon).  

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Jon Dickerson has never shied away from an adventure, trusting he'll figure the rest out along the way.

In this episode, Jon shares how a finance major ended up teaching English in South Korea and backpacking across Europe, how an early job at a fast-growing startup became a crash course in building and launching products, and how he came to found Gumption, a matchmaking tool for commercial real estate lenders and borrowers.

Jon Dickerson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gumption. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathangdickerson/). 

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Nick Wilkinson's career has taken more turns than he originally planned, but each stop teed him up perfectly for his role as CEO of the Tivoli Theatre Foundation.

In this episode, Nick shares how a lawn-mowing business taught him early that he didn't want to wait around to be given anything, how working in fundraising, the music industry, and economic development turned out to be the exact résumé he needed, and what it's taken to lead the massive restoration of the historic Tivoli Theatre.

Nick Wilkinson is the CEO of the Tivoli Theatre Foundation. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickwilkinson1/). 

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Rae Bond has gone from award-winning journalist to a congressman's press secretary to one of the most trusted voices in healthcare.

In this episode, Rae shares how one phone call pulled her from Idaho newspapers into Washington politics, why an innate fear of failure has driven her to take on things she never thought she could, and how she built Project Access to connect thousands of working, uninsured patients with the care they need.

Rae Bond is the CEO of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society and the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rae-bond-faamse-8ab8a34/). 

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Nicole Brown has reinvented herself more than once, from radio personality to professor to award-winning filmmaker to healthcare leader.

In this episode, Nicole shares how a Tom Brokaw poster launched her career in broadcasting, how she found her calling as a documentary producer giving voice to untold stories, and why she's leading a STEAM and health academy to open doors for Chattanooga's next generation.

Nicole Brown is the South Region Manager for Common Health & Benefit at CommonSpirit Health. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-brown-mpa-304085103/). 

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Rob Philyaw thought a law degree would set him apart in business, but it actually sent him in an entirely different direction.

In this episode, Judge Rob Philyaw shares why being a little naive and bold has opened doors, how “holding out” landed him on the juvenile court bench, and why he focuses on helping youth find a better path (not just punishment).

Rob Philyaw is the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-d-rob-philyaw-556613/). 

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Eleanor Cooper was a driving force for Chattanooga Venture and Vision 2000, laying the groundwork for our city’s renaissance.

In this episode, Eleanor shares why her search for "what's worth learning" led her to Japan, how a B.B. King concert showed her that Chattanooga was ready to change, and what it looked like from the inside as the city reinvented itself.

Eleanor Cooper is an educator. You can learn more about her on her website, https://eleanormccalliecooper.com/about-eleanor/

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

Adam Kinsey has always had a knack for seeing what a place could become (often long before anyone else does).

In this episode, Adam shares how driving past construction sites as a kid shaped the way he sees a city, how Track 29 helped put Chattanooga on the map for touring musicians who used to skip right past us, and what it takes to breathe new life into a property as storied as the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

Adam Kinsey is the President of The Kinsey Company and Partner of Kinsey Probasco Hays. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-kinsey-4741a967/).

If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Shannon Burger has been a K9 handler, a CPA, a firefighter, an entrepreneur, and now: CEO of one of Chattanooga’s fastest growing healthcare organizations.

In this episode, Shannon shares how bracelets and bubblegum were the first signs of an entrepreneurial mind, what working nights as a firefighter taught her about public service and teamwork, and how Cempa has evolved over the past decade to meet the changing needs of our community.

Shannon Burger is the CEO of Cempa Community Care. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-burger-dsc-mba-cpa-55b8391a/).

If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like:

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Chip Baker is back for round two of My Morning Cup as he begins his third term as County Commissioner for District 2.

In this episode, Chip shares why he gave up a fast-rising hospital career to stay in Chattanooga for good, how a knock on the door pulled him onto the school board and into a lifetime of public service, and why he refuses to accept that local politics has to be a slugfest.

If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like his episode #4, his first appearance on the podcast!

Chip Baker is the County Commissioner of District 2, and President of Baker Associates, an authorized licensee of Crestcom International. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chip-baker-3768518/). 

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.