Peppo Biscarini broke a swimming world record at just 15 years old and felt invincible, but his world came crashing down when he suffered a literal back-breaking accident.

In this episode, Peppo shares how the devastating loss of his swimming career led him to start several businesses, including a shoe-import business and a fin manufacturing company. We also talk about living in some of the most beautiful places in the world: Milan, San Diego, Lake Como, Palm Beach, and finally Chattanooga. Plus, his 3-year involvement with black magic and his religious awakening when he realized greed only leads to melancholy.

Peppo Biscarini is an “elite athlete, turned entrepreneur, morphed into fisher of souls.” He is also the host of the Equipaggiati podcast, a religious podcast that releases episodes daily. The English version of his podcast will be released next year, but in the meantime you can subscribe to the Italian version here: buzzsprout.com/2100258

You can also connect with Peppo on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/peppo-biscarini-061b1b6b)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.

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

• Mike Costa’s Morning Cup (E51)
• Patrick Wells’s Morning Cup (E61)
• Christian Höferle’s Morning Cup (E76)

Bridgett Massengill has many roots across East Tennessee, which has played a major role in her community development career.

In this episode, Bridgett shares her professional zigs and zags, including the time she was promoted from intern to Executive Director. We also talk about the challenges she faced as a young woman in leadership positions, how a calendar quote put her on a new life path, and why change should always be a choice.

Bridgett Massengill is the President and CEO of Thrive Regional Partnership. You can learn more about Thrive on their website (thriveregionalpartnership.org) and you can connect with Bridgett on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/bridgettmassengill).

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.

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

• Dr. Rebecca Ashford’s Morning Cup (E16)
• Todd Womack’s Morning Cup (E21)
• Bob Corker’s Morning Cup (E52)

Jeff Lyash grew up in a small coal mining town and decided to follow in his grandfathers’ footsteps, never imagining that his path would lead him to become CEO of the largest public power company in the United States.

In this episode, Jeff shares which three qualities he implements every day for success, why everyone should be fearless about change, and how if you identify the biggest problems and make a contribution… things will generally work out.

Jeff Lyash is the President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority. You can learn more about Jeff on the TVA website (tva.com/about-tva/our-leadership/our-executive-leadership/jeffrey-(jeff)-j.-lyash)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.

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

• Matt Rasmussen’s Morning Cup (E57)
• Jacinda Woodward’s Morning Cup (E70)
• Christian Höferle’s Morning Cup (E76)

Jay Shaffer has had a dynamic career path, from starting in oil rigging and pivoting to lending, then tech and startups, and now angel investing…

In this episode, Jay shares why he’s always prepared to play the cards he’s dealth, how a 4am realization changed the trajectory of his career, and how connections play a big part in finding new opportunities (but sometimes it’s a whole lot of luck too).

Plus, he shares a few tips for all startup founders, especially those who are looking for investors.

Jay Shaffer is the Market Director for Venture South, an early stage angel investor firm. You can learn more about Venture South on their website (venturesouth.vc) and you can connect with Jay on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jaydshaffer).

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.

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

• Josh Manning’s Morning Cup (E27)
• Cam Doody’s Morning Cup (E63)
• Barry Large’s Morning Cup (E73)

You may recognize Calvin Sneed from his many years as the main anchor on the 6pm news for Channel 9, but he didn’t start his journey there…

In this episode, Calvin shares how he worked his way up from photographer to main anchor, how he’s the only African American man in East Tennessee to be a main anchor on the news (and why that shouldn’t be the case), and why he’s returning to his roots of photography, but this time it’s for bridges!

Calvin Sneed is now retired but keeps a hand in local broadcast news while pursuing his passion, bridge hunting. You can learn more about his Bridge Hunters on his website (ilovebridgesandtunnels.com) and you can connect with Calvin on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/calvin-sneed-75754523).

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.

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

• Callie Starnes’s Morning Cup (E18)
• Dr. Ternae Jordan’s Morning Cup (E56)
• Jed Mescon’s Morning Cup (E66)

Christian Höferle is a native of Germany who made his way to the States through a student exchange program. After returning to Germany and growing a career as a journalist, Christian and his wife made a huge decision to move to Cleveland, Tennessee.

In this episode, Christian shares how he dealt with his family’s disappointment when he didn’t take over the family butcher business, what it was like meeting celebrities like Peter Gabriel and Jay-Z, and why his business focuses on building cultural bridges (not walls).

Christian Höferle is the Founder and Owner of The Culture Mastery, which provides cultural training and support for global companies. You can learn more about The Culture Mastery on the website (theculturemastery.com) and you can connect with Christian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/interculturaltrainerconsultant).

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.

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

• Tom Griscom’s Morning Cup (E23)
• Becky Blaesing’s Morning Cup (E26)
• Valoria Armstrong’s Morning Cup (E60)

Hal Bowling is on a mission to grow Chattanooga’s entrepreneur community one business at a time with LAUNCH, which makes intergenerational wealth possible for anyone, not just an elite few.

In this episode, Hal shares how after graduating college he went looking for adventure and ended up in Australia, how he spent the beginning of his career working for non-profits but pivoted to starting an advertising business, why he “left the blackjack table” and sold his interest to his business partners, and how all of those experiences led him to launch LAUNCH.

Hal Bowling is the Founder and Co-CEO of Launch Chattanooga. You can learn more about Launch and the Kitchen Incubator on their website (launchchattanooga.org) and you can connect with Hal on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/halkbowling).

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.

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

• Kenyatta Ashford’s Morning Cup (E05)
• DeJuan Jordan’s Morning Cup (E34)
• Felicia Jackson’s Morning Cup (E45)

Bill Priestley is a 27-year sports broadcast veteran. His journey started when he was forced to go (at least) five hours away for college and opened the “wrong door.”

In this episode, we talk about taking major gambles with career moves, putting dreams on pause, and the magic formula for finding a job that aligns with your interests and abilities.

Bill Priestley is the owner of The Dream Job Factory, a program where he speaks to high schools and colleges about how students can identify their dream careers. You can connect with Bill on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/billpriestley/) and you can learn more about The Dream Job Factory on the website (dreamjobfactory.com).

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.

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

• Dalya Qualls White’s Morning Cup (E14)
• Tim Morgan’s Morning Cup (E26)
• Jared Stehney’s Morning Cup (E30)