My Morning Cup

Harshad Shah learned early on that giving back isn't something you do once you're successful, it's just something you do.  In this episode, Harshad shares what it was like growing up the youngest of 11 in post-independence India, how he didn’t plan to stay in America but a one-month visit to Chicago changed his mind, and how a $30,000 lab in his garage grew into Hamilton Plastics and a portfolio o...

For Dr. Patricia McLelland, becoming a doctor wasn't the plan until a mission trip to Uganda changed everything. In this episode, Tricia shares how being a patient in a third-world hospital shaped the way she practices medicine today, what a mentor taught her about choosing a career based on what she *didn't* enjoy, and how a patient in Portland rewired her entire approach to women's health. Dr. P...

Ketha Richardson has spent his career building bridges between people, opportunities, and communities. In this episode, Ketha shares how a career in procurement led him to one of EPB's most community-facing roles, why having a mentor matters (and how to find one), and how he's helping Chattanoogans land careers they never even knew existed. Ketha Richardson is the Director of Workforce Development...

Dr. Mina Sartipi was taught by her parents that there were no limits, and that's truly been the case throughout her life. In this episode, Mina shares how she earned one of the 100 spots at Iran's top engineering university, why the Argentinian tango led her to plant roots in Chattanooga, and how she has helped lead some of UTC's most ambitious research initiatives, such as the MLK Smart Corridor....

Marcia Kling (aka Miss Marcia) helped raise many of today's leaders with her shows on WTVC: Romper Room School and Funtime. In this episode, Marcia shares how faith has guided her through every major decision of her life, how she went from working in churches in Chattanooga and New York to children's television host, and what it took to come back to the show she loved after being told she might ne...

Tim Moore doesn't follow the expected path in his career, his content, or the stories he chooses to tell. In this episode, Tim shares how the people closest to him have pushed him to see things he couldn't, why he's built a career by putting other people's stories at the center, and what it looks like to build an audience around curiosity rather than expectations. Tim Moore is the Founder of Colli...

Dr. Reginald Smith has spent his career building bridges between people, communities, and opportunity. In this episode, Dr. Smith shares how watching his father build a nonprofit alongside a successful career planted a seed early, why he chose UTC over Howard University despite his family's deep HBCU roots, and what it felt like being handed the keys to a 95-year-old organization at 29 years old....

Dr. Katie Duffy doesn't turn away from opportunities that scare her. In this episode, Dr. Duffy shares why an unconventional academic background gave her an edge in healthcare,  how taking on a challenge that had nothing to do with her job description opened a door she never expected, and how she found herself in the CEO seat just four months into a new role. Dr. Katie Duffy is the CEO of Universi...

Jerry Summers has spent 60 years as one of Chattanooga's most tenacious criminal defense lawyers, but law wasn't even his first choice (or second, or third).  In this episode, Jerry shares how a shoulder injury ended his baseball career and set him on an unexpected path, why he left the DA's office after 28 months because he'd rather get people out of jail than put them in, and how the lawyer who...

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 Chatt...

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 P...

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 adv...

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. Yo...

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...

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 Fal...

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 $...

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 tho...

Barry Courter has been surrounded by music his whole life… but can only play the radio. In this episode, Barry shares how putting yourself out there and asking questions can lead to cool opportunities, why he says he had “the best job in the city” as the entertainment writer for the TFP, and how the rise of music festivals like Bonnaroo has changed the entertainment landscape forever. Barry Courte...

DA Coty Wamp’s career might be best described as a mix of gut, grit, and support.  In this episode, Coty shares how a high school mentor inspired her to pursue law school, how she “hit the reset button” and found her true calling, and what it was like running for office at the same time as her brother - County Mayor Weston Wamp. Coty Wamp is the District Attorney General for the 11th District, whi...

Janet Rehberg has led investor-owned utilities and co-ops, and now she's taking the helm at Chattanooga's pioneering municipal utility: EPB. In this episode, Janet shares how her dad's modern mindset helped her excel in a male-dominated field, what it was like leading through Texas's catastrophic 2021 winter storm, and why EPB is pioneering quantum computing (and what it means for Chattanooga's fu...

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 cit...

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...

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. Mik...

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 &am...

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 Un...