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/).

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

• Linda Moss Mines’s Morning Cup (E88)
• Dave Flessner’s Morning Cup (E100)
• Thom Benson’s Morning Cup (E136)

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.

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/).

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

• Jay Dale’s Morning Cup (E42)
• Edna Varner’s Morning Cup (E104)
• Ken Jones’s Morning Cup (E122)

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.

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/).

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

• DeJuan Jordan’s Morning Cup (E34)
• Dr. Robert Dooley’s Morning Cup (E127)
• Baron King’s Morning Cup (E153)

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.