My Morning Cup
A Chattanooga podcast exploring what makes a happy, successful life through conversations with local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals. Each episode goes beyond career achievements to uncover the challenges, life lessons, and daily habits that shape fulfilling lives. Discover how Chattanooga's most accomplished people start their day, and what's really in their morning cup.
Episodes
Matt Patterson has spent his career proving that the biggest risk is often the safest bet you can make.
In this episode, Matt shares why he refused to stay in any job for more than a year, how moving to a city where he knew no one helped him and his partners build Bellhops from the ground up, and why Brickyard gives other founders that same all-in experience.
Matt Patterson is Co-Founder and General Partner of Brickyard. You can co...
Cindy Lee has built her career on a simple belief: “I can do this.”
In this episode, Cindy shares what a decade in the corporate world taught her about how NOT to run a business, how she unexpectedly fell in love with the world of trucking, and why she built Lync Logistics around the idea that people always come before transactions.
Cindy Lee is the CEO of Lync Logistics. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://ww...
Darde Long always knew she wanted to work with animals, it just didn't end up the way she originally imagined.
In this episode, Darde shares how a childhood pony sparked a lifelong career caring for animals, why a trusted mentor pushed her to take a job she almost turned down, and how the Chattanooga Zoo has evolved from just 2 employees and 25 animals in 1985 to 80+ employees and 100+ species today.
Dr. Dan Challener has spent his career supporting the people he calls the linchpin in every child's life: teachers.
In this episode, Dan shares how a summer camp job changed the course of his life, why one person believing in a child can change everything, and how a friend's nudge to check out a job led him to Chattanooga for what he thought would be five years (spoiler: it's been 27).
Plus, a candid conversation about the current ...
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 of other businesses.
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.
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 and Corporate Training at EPB. You...
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 never speak again.
If you like this e...
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 Collision Marketing, also known as &ldqu...
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 University Surgical Associates. You ca...
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 got a D in constitutional law ...
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 co...
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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 ...
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.
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