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.

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/).

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

• Tasia Malakasis’s Morning Cup (E92)
• Charlie Brock’s Morning Cup (E95)
• Janet Rehberg’s Morning Cup (E163)

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.

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:

• Rich Mozingo’s Morning Cup (E12)
• Jim Kennedy’s Morning Cup (E37)
• Jimmy White’s Morning Cup (E143)

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.

Hugh Morrow grew up with Ruby Falls in his backyard, never imagining he'd be the one leading it into its 100th year.

In this episode, Hugh shares how a dual degree in marketing and chemistry gave him a perspective most people don't have, why it’s important to return every phone call, and what it means to lead one of Chattanooga's legacy attractions.

Hugh Morrow is the President and CEO of Ruby Falls. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-morrow-1744714/).

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

• Charles Wood’s Morning Cup (E55)
• Andy Wood’s Morning Cup (E124)
• George Mullinix’s Morning Cup (E129)

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.

Don Mueller has spent most of his career tackling one question: what's in the way of kids getting the care they need?

In this episode, Don shares how being trusted with real responsibility before he felt ready became a pattern that defined his career, why he had to hire his own replacement if he wanted to leave a job, and what it took to save a children's hospital in Philadelphia that was losing $97 million a year.

Don Mueller is the President and CEO of Siskin Children’s Institute. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-mueller-712ba94/).

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

• Hal Bowling’s Morning Cup (E75)
• George Bryant’s Morning Cup (E98)
• Kim White’s Morning Cup (E119)

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.

Kip Henley never once considered a backup plan. He doubled down on his golf career 20 times, and he'd do it again.

In this episode, Kip shares the moment at 14 years old that changed the entire direction of his life, how a lesson with Jack Nicklaus's legendary teacher Jack Grout destroyed his confidence right before the biggest tournament of his career, and why Golf Channel picked him out of a thousand applicants for Big Break 2.

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

• Shawn Whitfield’s Morning Cup (E20)
• Mark Reeves’s Morning Cup (E46)
• Jimmy White’s Morning Cup (E143)

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.