My Morning Cup

Marcia Kling (aka Miss Marcia) helped raise many of today's leaders with her shows on WTVC: Romper Room School and Funtime.

In this episode, Marcia shares how faith has guided her through every major decision of her life, how she went from working in churches in Chattanooga and New York to children's television host, and what it took to come back to the show she loved after being told she might never speak again.

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

Tim Moore doesn't follow the expected path in his career, his content, or the stories he chooses to tell.

In this episode, Tim shares how the people closest to him have pushed him to see things he couldn't, why he's built a career by putting other people's stories at the center, and what it looks like to build an audience around curiosity rather than expectations.

Tim Moore is the Founder of Collision Marketing, also known as “Tim Eats” on Instagram. You can follow him on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tim_eats___/). 

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

Dr. Reginald Smith has spent his career building bridges between people, communities, and opportunity.

In this episode, Dr. Smith shares how watching his father build a nonprofit alongside a successful career planted a seed early, why he chose UTC over Howard University despite his family's deep HBCU roots, and what it felt like being handed the keys to a 95-year-old organization at 29 years old.

Dr. Reginald Smith is the President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginaldsmithphd/). 

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

Dr. Katie Duffy doesn't turn away from opportunities that scare her.

In this episode, Dr. Duffy shares why an unconventional academic background gave her an edge in healthcare,  how taking on a challenge that had nothing to do with her job description opened a door she never expected, and how she found herself in the CEO seat just four months into a new role.

Dr. Katie Duffy is the CEO of University Surgical Associates. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-duffy-a16b69130/). 

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

Jerry Summers has spent 60 years as one of Chattanooga's most tenacious criminal defense lawyers, but law wasn't even his first choice (or second, or third). 

In this episode, Jerry shares how a shoulder injury ended his baseball career and set him on an unexpected path, why he left the DA's office after 28 months because he'd rather get people out of jail than put them in, and how the lawyer who got a D in constitutional law ended up arguing before the Supreme Court (and winning).

Jerry Summers is a founding member of Summers, Rufolo and Rodgers. You can learn more about him on their website: https://www.summersfirm.com/attorneys-and-staff/jerry-h-summers/

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

Mark Kennedy has spent four decades telling other people's stories, but this week, we're turning the tables so he can tell his.

In this episode, Mark shares how a shy drummer learned to build confidence one baby step at a time, the impetus behind his long-running Life Stories column, and why he believes good writing should be the softest exchange of ideas.

Mark Kennedy is a columnist for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kennedy-a1159a180/). 

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

Lesley Scearce has always walked into opportunities ready to be taught by others.

In this episode, she shares what it took to become an Executive Director at only 22 years old, how she wasn’t ready to leave On Point after seventeen years but a mentor’s question pushed her, and how the United Way of Greater Chattanooga is focused on building a bigger table for the community.

Lesley Scearce is the President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-scearce-11761b87/).

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

Kimberly Cooper Thomas has always been a voice for the voiceless, whether it was as the SGA President, as an attorney, or now in her current roles at UTC and Sister in the Shadow.

In this episode, Kimberly shares why she’s always had a “challenge accepted” mindset, how a difficult chapter in Kentucky changed the way she sees privilege, and why she keeps her knuckles bloody for the students she advocates for.

Kimberly Cooper Thomas is the Director of Success at the Decosimo Success Center at UTC and Chief Collaboration Officer of Sister in the Shadow. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-thomas-jd-consultant/).

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

Most people climb career ladders. Dr. Duncan Earl builds his own.

In this episode, Duncan shares how his childhood aspirations to become an inventor led him to quantum computing, why he believes being a generalist is just as important as being an expert, and what quantum will look like in 5 years for the average Chattanoogan.

Dr. Duncan Earl is the Senior Director of Quantum Networking at IonQ. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-earl-50857b14/).

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

Jason Freier spent years as a lawyer before minor league baseball changed everything. Now he owns three teams, including the Lookouts.

In this episode, Jason shares why he gave up his dream of attending Stanford for Harvard, how a single legal case introduced him to minor league baseball and changed the entire trajectory of his career, and why he had his sights set on the Chattanooga Lookouts long before he bought them in 2015.

Jason Freier is the Chairman and CEO of Hardball Capital, which owns several minor league baseball teams, including the Chattanooga Lookouts. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfreier/).

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.