Dr. Lori Mann-Bruce grew up on a working cattle farm and was never allowed to be bored.

In this episode, Dr. Bruce shares why her family would read the encyclopedia at dinner every day, how 4H played a huge role in her personal and professional development, and what it’s like coming to Chattanooga (specifically UTC) when it’s at an inflection point.

Dr. Lori Mann-Bruce is the Chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-mann-bruce-5358b1140).

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

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

• Dr. Rebecca Ashford’s Morning Cup (E16)
• Dr. Claudia Kramer’s Morning Cup (E115)
• Dr. Robert Dooley’s Morning Cup (E127)

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

Melissa Blevins learned early on that the best way through a crisis is to just have faith and keep moving forward.

In this episode, Melissa shares how growing up with very little taught her resilience and compassion, how a career in manufacturing built the foundation for leading a food bank, and how the Chattanooga Area Food Bank became more than a career… it became home.

Melissa Blevins is the President & CEO of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-blevins-21258063).

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

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

• Bob Culkeen’s Morning Cup (E116)
• Brian Hunt’s Morning Cup (E138)
• April Cameron’s Morning Cup (E146)

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

To celebrate the third anniversary of the podcast, I bring back my good friends Chip Baker and Roy Vaughn to continue the tradition of an annual wrap-up episode.

We look back on the guests and moments that stood out, what made certain conversations resonate, and how the show has evolved over time. Along the way, the conversation touches on community in Chattanooga, personal milestones, and what’s ahead for the podcast in 2026.

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

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

• Chip Baker’s Morning Cup (E04)
• Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08)
• Mike Costa’s Morning Cup (E51)

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

Lucy Rymer has always had a "what have I got to lose?" mindset, and it's shown up at some of the most pivotal moments in her career.

In this episode, Lucy shares how growing up with stage fright taught her to push through fear anyway, why she ultimately chose a more practical path even when encouraged to pursue theater professionally, and how a career in banking eventually led to a full-circle moment that brought her back into the arts.

Lucy Rymer is the Executive Director of Cleveland’s Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-rymer-37506b21).

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

• Virginia Anne Sharber’s Morning Cup (E59)
• Andy Wood’s Morning Cup (E124)
• Mayor Kevin Brooks’s Morning Cup (E154)

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

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Kevin Brooks never planned on becoming the mayor of Cleveland, he just kept saying yes to serving people and following the next open door.

In this episode, Kevin shares how he always knew he wanted to be a public servant, why after six terms as Representative of the 24th District he decided to run for Mayor (what some considered to be a “step backwards” politically), and why not running for mayor earlier still weighs on him.

We also explore Cleveland's remarkable economic growth, including being named the #1 county in Tennessee for new manufacturing jobs in 2024, and Kevin's vision for the city's exponential growth over the next few years.

Kevin Brooks is the Mayor of Cleveland, Tennessee. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayor-kevin-brooks-88746726).

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

• Mitch Patel’s Morning Cup (E06)
• Paul Leath’s Morning Cup (E90)
• Zach Wamp’s Morning Cup (E133)

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

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Baron King has built a career stepping into hard situations and helping people find their way forward when they feel out of options.

In this episode, Baron shares how a childhood spent moving state-to-state taught him to embrace change, why he left a successful retail career for psychology and prison re-entry work, and what leading the CHATT Foundation has taught him about the realities of homelessness and the dignity every person deserves.

Baron King is the CEO of the CHATT Foundation. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/baronking) or learn more about the CHATT Foundation at https://chattfoundation.org.

If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like Father Dale Hall’s episodes (E49 and E101)!

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

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Robbie Ansary’s story starts as a refugee from Afghanistan when he and his family fled their home as a result of the Soviet invasion in 1980.

In this episode, Robbie shares what it was like to leave everything behind and cross the border under life-threatening conditions, how a chance encounter helped his family rebuild their lives in America, and how seeing HVA (a “mini-TVA” built by USAID) at nine years old sparked a dream that eventually led him to a 34-year career with TVA.

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

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII

Troy Kemp planned to teach for only two years, but has dedicated his life to being a “hope dealer” for young boys and their families.

In this episode, he shares why he turned down lucrative job offers to “feed his soul,” how leaving the classroom allowed him to multiply his impact, and how every chapter of his life has added a tool to the toolbox he now uses to rebuild trust at Chatt Prep.

Troy Kemp is the CEO of Prep Public Schools, a network of all-boys public charter schools. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/tfkemp).

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

• Dr. Elaine Swafford’s Morning Cup (E64)
• Ted and Kelly Alling’s Morning Cup (E69)
• Edna Varner's Morning Cup (E104)

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

Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII