My Morning Cup

Brian Hunt grew up redeeming Coke bottles for a nickel, and now leads a century‑old, family‑founded manufacturer as its first non‑family CEO.

In this episode, Brian shares how humble beginnings shaped his work ethic, how “getting cultured” in Boston taught him to be more assertive, and why he left a Fortune 250 track to join a family business built on servant-hearted values.

Brian Hunt is the President and CEO of Southern Champion Tray. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-hunt-44ab7813). 

This episode was recorded with a live audience at the Global Leadership Summit.

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

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David Wade started his career digging holes, and now he’s finishing his career digging out of them.

In this episode, he shares how he worked his way up from line helper to CEO of EPB, why he pivoted when he was “right at the finish line” of his apprenticeship, and how The Gig put Chattanooga on the map.

David Wade is the President and CEO of EPB. You can learn more about him and EPB on their website: epb.com/about/leadership

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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Thom Benson has a habit of stepping up before he knows exactly where it’ll lead, and it's served him well throughout his career.

In this episode, Thom shares how volunteering at his college radio station set him on the path to journalism, how raising his hand for the weekend meteorologist role changed the course of his TV career, and how volunteer diving at the Tennessee Aquarium eventually turned into a full-time position he’s held for nearly two decades.

Thom Benson is the VP, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer for the Tennessee Aquarium. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/thombenson).

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!

Kurt Faires learned early that average effort = average results... a principle he’s carried through every season of life.

In this episode, Kurt shares why he earned a law degree but waited nearly 20 years to practice, how his career in private investing and business turnarounds ultimately brought him to Chattanooga, and how he went from running marathons to being told he had just 4 months to live… twenty years ago.

Kurt Faires is a Corporate Attorney at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/kurtfaires).

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!

Stephen Culp is one of Chattanooga’s most prodigious and low-key entrepreneurs. 

In this episode, Stephen shares why curiosity is the driving force behind most of his decisions, what it was like being in Europe when the Berlin Wall fell (and participating in it), and how going to Stanford forced him to be entrepreneurial, which ultimately led him to start Smart Furniture and Delegator, as well as to come back to Chattanooga.

Stephen Culp founded Smart Furniture and co-founded Delegator. You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/stephenculp).

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!

Zach Wamp didn’t just serve eight terms in Congress, he also helped spark a legacy of leadership in his own family.

In this episode, he shares how overcoming addiction in his 20s shaped his faith, leadership style, and belief that people will forgive you if you’re honest. He also reflects on what it meant to represent Tennessee during some of the country’s most defining moments, and how both of his children have since stepped into public leadership in their own way.

Zach Wamp served as the U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 3rd District from 1995 to 2011 and is now the founder of Zach Wamp Consulting. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/zach-wamp-30ab3351).

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 nearly 20 years, Tom Satkowiak helped shape the stories coming out of Tennessee Athletics, but behind the press conferences and player profiles was a personal journey most people never saw.

In this episode, Tom shares how he found his calling at a very young age, how a life-threatening liver disease reshaped his faith and career, and why he eventually stepped away from college sports to join TVA and focus on doing “the next right thing.”

Tom Satkowiak is the Senior Strategic Communicator (East Region) for TVA. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/thomas-satkowiak).

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!

From flying C130s into conflict zones to commanding global military operations, Kevin Hyde’s story might seem more like an action movie than real life.

In this episode, Kevin shares how his time at the Air Force Academy was “sink or swim,” why sometimes the fastest way to get results is by breaking bread, and how he’s now guiding a nonprofit that provides support, stability, and hope to our community.

Kevin Hyde is the CEO of Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ckhyde) and you can learn more about Partnership FCA on their website (partnershipfca.com).

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!

Jason Provonsha has never been a fan of “winging it.” Maybe it’s because he spent part of his childhood keeping his dad’s FBI job a secret, or because of the critical lessons a mentor taught him…

In this episode, Jason shares his journey from healthcare marketing to logistics, why he once thought he’d have to leave Chattanooga to grow his career, and what it’s taken to scale Steam without losing focus on what matters most.

Jason Provonsha is the CEO of Steam Logistics, one of the fastest-growing third-party logistics companies in the country. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jasonprovonsha).

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!

George Mullinax was raised to take risks and trust that he could rise to the challenge. That mindset carried him through the highs and lows of corporate life, and eventually led him to leave it behind entirely to start something of his own.

In this episode, George reflects on the unexpected turns that shaped his path, from family business losses and early morning side jobs to years of night classes while working full time. He also shares why he walked away from a VP-level role rather than uproot his family, and how he built a thriving media company with zero background in publishing.

George Mullinax is the owner of CMC Media & Marketing Group, the company behind CityScope, HealthScope, and several other Chattanooga-based publications. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/george-mullinix-aa628ba). 

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!