My Morning Cup

Mayor Tim Kelly has announced his intention to seek a second term as the Mayor of Chattanooga, so he’s back as a guest on the podcast to talk about what it’s *really* like to run a city government. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at the City’s recent rebrand, the rail system feasibility study, and the City-in-a-Park vision. If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like Episode 13 , where...

Bill Carney has always had a passion for woodworking and teaching others. He started his career as a high school woodshop teacher, but soon realized that he wanted to open his own business. In this episode, we discuss the myth of job security, his brief foray into sales, and the series of events that led to him opening Chattanooga Woodworking Academy. Bill Carney is the Founder and Director of Cha...

Tim Dooner started his career in music production, but at 25, he left the record label life behind and found a new rhythm in logistics. In this episode, Dooner shares what led him to pivot from the music industry to logistics, why he got sober, and how asking someone to be a guest on his podcast led him to move from Boston to Chattanooga. Tim Dooner is the Host and Producer of the Freightwaves pod...

Edna Varner always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and thought she would be one forever! But once she was selected to be a principal, she knew it was the right move. Now she advises other educators in her role with the Public Education Foundation. In this episode, Edna shares how she hit the jackpot with her parents and teachers, the two times she received very direct feedback (which made her ris...

For a special end-of-year episode, I bring back my good friends Chip Baker and Roy Vaughn to continue the tradition of an annual wrap-up episode. We peel back the curtain and talk about My Morning Cup’s 2024 highlights, memorable moments with guests, and lessons learned. 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...

Most people can’t say they’ve biked coast-to-coast, but Dave Kinzler accomplished such a feat at a young age, and set out to accomplish even more throughout his life. In this episode, Dave shares his 80% rule, why he believes in comfort in uncertainty, and the path that led him from the Marines to Capital Hill to One to One Health. Dave Kinzler is the CEO of One to One Health, an innovative health...

Father Dale Hall is back for a special holiday-edition of My Morning Cup. Instead of focusing on his career path like we did in Episode 49, we talk more in-depth about the CHATT Foundation, the three things that we can all do right now to support our local community, and about the upcoming Night of Remembrance. You can learn more about the CHATT Foundation and their programs on their website ( cha...

After 44 years of local reporting, there’s not a person who knows Chattanooga’s story better than Dave Flessner, which is exactly why we wanted to have him as our guest for the 100th episode of the podcast. In this episode, Dave shares the unconventional path that led him to be a journalist, the history of the Times Free Press, and some of the hardest stories he’s had to cover during his career. D...

Bill Crawford has worked his way up from Residential Wireman to President and CEO of Lawson Electric over the past 39 years. In this episode, he shares how he started negotiating from the young age of 14 when he bought a car for his family, how he successfully grew the Dalton branch of the Lawson Electric, and why you should always look within before saying yes to opportunities. Bill Crawford is t...

George Bryant set out on a new path once he saw his parents’ tax return. From then, he knew he wanted to help others by demystifying money. In this episode, George shares what it was like growing up in the family sandwich business, stories of several odd jobs he’s held, and how he got into finance despite originally wanting to be a doctor. Plus, he shares advice for young investors and the financi...

Allen Clare’s career has come full circle, from working in coal bunkers as a teenager to becoming GM of Eastern Coal and Gas for TVA. Now he’s the Senior Vice President of Power Operations, responsible for all non-nuclear power generation. In this episode, Allen shares his “North Star” that guided many decisions, what it was like living at sea while in Navy, and the three skills he believes are es...

Michael and Angela Ballard have used their careers as a tool to do what they love the most: travel. In this episode, we talk about what it was like for both of them to grow up on cattle and dairy farms, why Michael moved to Saudi Arabia at the age of 12, and how Angela gave a stipulation when Michael proposed… which lit the travel flame for them. They also share stories from all around the world a...

Charlie has made his mark supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem, not only in Chattanooga, but all across Tennessee. In this episode, Charlie shares what it was like growing up in the Brock Candy family business, how he first got involved in the startup ecosystem as CEO of The Company Lab and then LaunchTN, and why he creates “intentional serendipitous collisions” for entrepreneurs. We also disc...

Darren Hodges (AKA Mr. Coca-Cola of Chattanooga) began his career at Coca-Cola United in 1986 and has worked a variety of positions, all the way up to Division Vice President. In this episode, Darren shares a behind-the-scenes look at Coke’s operations and positions, its important history in Chattanooga as the first franchised bottler of Coca-Cola products, and how “divine intervention” kept him f...

A month-long trip to Costa Rica completely changed the trajectory of Stacy Johnson’s career. In this episode, Stacy shares how a series of career disruptions led her to pivot from graphic design to nonprofits and why a trip to Costa Rica to learn Spanish led her to pursue new passions. Plus, we also discuss how the Latinx community in Chattanooga has changed over the past twenty years and why La P...

Tasia Malakasis’s career can be classified as a series of “happy accidents.” In this episode, she shares how she started in sales (as all CEOs should), then pursued her love of food by acquiring Belle Chevre and taking it to the next level. We also discuss how she landed at The Company Lab, and why the organization has pivoted their focus to sustainable mobility. Tasia Malakasis is the CEO of The...

Joe Jacobi is an Olympic Gold Medalist, Performance Coach, and Author. After winning the gold in the 1992 canoe slalom event, he’s dedicated his life to teaching others how to perform well in their own lives. In this episode, Joe shares what it’s *really* like to win a gold medal, how he got started canoeing at the age of 8 years old, and why he moved to La Seu d’Urgell, Spain. We also talk about...

The military is heavily engrained in Paul Leath’s DNA. Following in his dad’s footsteps, he joined the army and served nine years active duty. In this episode, Paul shares how veterans, nuns, and scouts have been great influences in his life, how he was stationed in Fort Bragg “for love,” what happened after getting the Red Ball Express phone call, and then switching to the private sector and lovi...

Bruce Weiss is an artist. Most people know him as a sandwich artist because of his deli, but he was a visual artist first. In this episode, Bruce shares how growing up in the melting pot of New York led to his love of food and cooking, why having chutzpah is important for success, and the events that led to him opening River Street Deli in 1998, including working in sales, owning a graphic design...

Linda Moss Mines is Chattanooga’s Historian, dedicated to reminding others about the blessings of liberty. In this episode, Linda shares what it was like growing up on the plateau with her favorite person (her Pa), how bedtime stories sparked her love of history, and her motivations for teaching at GPS for 27 years (aside from her love of teaching history).  Plus, we also discuss being a lifelong...

Captain Richard Simms has an eclectic career path, from Game Warden to Videographer to Executive Producer, and ultimately back to the outdoors.  In this episode, Richard shares how a coin toss influenced where he landed as a Game Warden, why family drives every decision he makes, and how he left his 9-5 to pursue his “weekend gig” - Scenic City Fishing Charters - and is now affiliated with nine ad...

Keith Sanford’s community involvement and love of Chattanooga makes everyone feel as though they’ve worked with him in some form or fashion, despite only working at three places during his 44-year career.   In this episode, Keith shares what it was like working his way up to Market President at First Tennessee (now First Horizon), being expected to be involved in the community (and ending up lovin...

Most people know Gerald McCormick from his time with the Tennessee General Assembly… but he didn’t start there! In this episode, we discuss his early career in the billboard and commercial real estate industries, joining the National Guard, and running for office when he returned from deployment.   Gerald also shares about his infatuation with Elvis when he was a child, why he switched from Democr...

Chris Hopkins is a lifelong learner, committed to helping others and keeping an optimistic view on life.   In this episode, Chris shares his career highlights - all the way back to age 6 when he was selling vacuums with his grandmother, to being a plant superintendent right out of college, and selling his business and getting into the finance industry. We also discuss his passion for music and rea...

From Preservation Planner to Mayor’s Liason in Indianapolis, and now President and CEO of River City Company in Chattanooga, Emily Mack’s contributions have been instrumental in shaping downtown developments in both cities.   In this episode, Emily shares how volunteering at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio ignited her passion for architecture and historic preservation, why you should say ye...