My Morning Cup

Growing up, Darrell Patterson didn’t think broadcasting could be a career… but once he made the realization it could be, he took it and ran with it!

In this episode, we discuss what it was like growing up as the fifth of six boys in “Mac-Minn” County, getting into a radio station at the ripe young age of 12, and leading Channel 9 around to #1 in just one year alongside Bob Johnson and Don Welch.

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

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

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Mayor Tim Kelly has announced his intention to seek a second term as the Mayor of Chattanooga, so he’s back as a guest on the podcast to talk about what it’s *really* like to run a city government. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at the City’s recent rebrand, the rail system feasibility study, and the City-in-a-Park vision.

If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like Episode 13, where we talked about his career path that led him to become the Mayor.

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!

Bill Carney has always had a passion for woodworking and teaching others. He started his career as a high school woodshop teacher, but soon realized that he wanted to open his own business.

In this episode, we discuss the myth of job security, his brief foray into sales, and the series of events that led to him opening Chattanooga Woodworking Academy.

Bill Carney is the Founder and Director of Chattanooga Woodworking Academy. You can learn more about Bill and CWA at chattanoogawoodworkingacademy.org/about-cwa

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

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!

Tim Dooner started his career in music production, but at 25, he left the record label life behind and found a new rhythm in logistics.

In this episode, Dooner shares what led him to pivot from the music industry to logistics, why he got sober, and how asking someone to be a guest on his podcast led him to move from Boston to Chattanooga.

Tim Dooner is the Host and Producer of the Freightwaves podcast “What the Truck?!?” You can learn more about him and listen to the podcast at freightwaves.com/news/author/timdooner

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

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!

Edna Varner always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and thought she would be one forever! But once she was selected to be a principal, she knew it was the right move. Now she advises other educators in her role with the Public Education Foundation.

In this episode, Edna shares how she hit the jackpot with her parents and teachers, the two times she received very direct feedback (which made her rise to the occasion), and the meaning of the gift of “with.” 

Edna Varner is the Senior Advisor of Leading and Learning at the Public Education Foundation. You can learn more about Edna and PEF on their website (pefchattanooga.org/our-team/dr.-edna-varner).

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

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 a special end-of-year episode, I bring back my good friends Chip Baker and Roy Vaughn to continue the tradition of an annual wrap-up episode. We peel back the curtain and talk about My Morning Cup’s 2024 highlights, memorable moments with guests, and lessons learned.

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

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!

Most people can’t say they’ve biked coast-to-coast, but Dave Kinzler accomplished such a feat at a young age, and set out to accomplish even more throughout his life.

In this episode, Dave shares his 80% rule, why he believes in comfort in uncertainty, and the path that led him from the Marines to Capital Hill to One to One Health.

Dave Kinzler is the CEO of One to One Health, an innovative healthcare provider focused on lowering healthcare costs, one patient at a time. Learn more about One to One on their website (onetoonehealth.com) and you can connect with Dave on Linkedin (linkedin.com/in/davidkinzler).

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

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!

Father Dale Hall is back for a special holiday-edition of My Morning Cup. Instead of focusing on his career path like we did in Episode 49, we talk more in-depth about the CHATT Foundation, the three things that we can all do right now to support our local community, and about the upcoming Night of Remembrance.

You can learn more about the CHATT Foundation and their programs on their website (chattfoundation.org/get-involved)

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!

After 44 years of local reporting, there’s not a person who knows Chattanooga’s story better than Dave Flessner, which is exactly why we wanted to have him as our guest for the 100th episode of the podcast.

In this episode, Dave shares the unconventional path that led him to be a journalist, the history of the Times Free Press, and some of the hardest stories he’s had to cover during his career.

Dave Flessner recently retired as the Business Editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press. You can read his articles on the TFP website and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/david-flessner-39243413).

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

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!

Bill Crawford has worked his way up from Residential Wireman to President and CEO of Lawson Electric over the past 39 years.

In this episode, he shares how he started negotiating from the young age of 14 when he bought a car for his family, how he successfully grew the Dalton branch of the Lawson Electric, and why you should always look within before saying yes to opportunities.

Bill Crawford is the President and CEO of Lawson Electric. You can learn more about Lawson Electric on their website (lawsonelectric.com/about) and you can connect with Bill on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/bill-crawford-3818b717)

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

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!