Jeff Styles spent nearly 30 years as a talk radio personality in Chattanooga, known for challenging power, stirring debate, and trusting his audience to think for themselves.

In this episode, Jeff shares how adrenaline-fueled hobbies were more valuable to his career than work experience, why a detour into advertising solidified his talk radio career, and what it was like to hold influence in a city where words carried real consequences - like getting arrested on-air for littering.

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

• Clint Powell’s Morning Cup (E01)
• Tim Dooner’s Morning Cup (E105)
• Scott Chase’s Morning Cup (E120)

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.

Dr. Marilyn Helms and Dr. Deborah Arfken are two long-time educators whose careers were shaped as much by chance as by choice.

In this episode, Marilyn and Deborah share how they were both thrown into teaching careers, how a chance meeting on university committees in the late ’80s turned into a long-running research partnership, and why it’s “publish or perish” in the academic world.

Dr. Deborah Arfken is the Professor Emerita of Political Science and Public Service at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and you can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-arfken-389bb133/).

Dr. Marilyn Helms is the Dean Emerita of the Wright School or Business at Dalton State College and you can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynhelms/).

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

• Sheila and Dane Boyington’s Morning Cups (E128)
• Shawanda Mason and Jennifer Holder’s Morning Cups (E145)
• Hamp Johnston and Camille Daniel’s Morning Cup (E159)

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.

From constant moves as a kid to navigating multiple industries and unexpected career turns, Mike Harrell learned early that adaptability isn't optional.

In this episode, Mike shares how being transparent about company financials changed the way his teams understood their impact, how he learned to redefine what success actually means, and why he believes everyone should get fired at least once.

Mike Harrell is the CEO and Principal Business Advisor of Latitude Advisors. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelnharrell/).

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:

• Jay Shaffer’s Morning Cup (E78)
• George Mullinix’s Morning Cup (E129)
• Doug Thompson’s Morning Cup (E139)

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

From their first jobs at Rock City to co-founding RockPoint Bank, Hamp Johnston and Camille Daniel have come a long way.

In this episode, Hamp and Camille share what it actually takes to start a bank from scratch, what they learned raising capital and opening during a pandemic, and what's possible when a bank's decision-makers are based right here in Chattanooga.

Hamp Johnston is the President & CEO of RockPoint Bank and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamptonjohnston/).

Camille Daniel is the Chief Banking Officer of RockPoint Bank and you can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-daniel-981994111/).

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.

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