Despite Impossible
I am Tansley Stearns, and this is Despite Impossible. I am a long-time credit union executive leading Community Financial as president & ceo. I have always admired and been inspired by people whose passion is boundless and who don't comprehend the word impossible. This show focuses on their stories.
Episodes
In this episode of Third Fork, hosts Tansley and Ryan dive into the art of small talk at work. This is an underrated skill that can make or break your office experience.
They explore practical strategies for young professionals looking to build connections in a new workplace, from confidently introducing yourself to a colleague, to balancing openness with healthy boundaries.
Whether you’re navigating a new office environment or try...
Today’s guest is Missy Testerman. Missy is a passionate joy-seeker, a gardener, a teacher at heart and professionally, and someone deeply committed to education. She is also the 2024 National Teacher of the Year in the K-8th grade category, an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher who is a staunch advocate for her students, their families, and her fellow teachers. This is Missy’s story.
In this heartfelt episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan explore the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to a beloved leader when they move on to a new opportunity.
Tansley reflects on the importance of celebrating a colleague’s departure as a graduation, a recognition that their growth and success are something to cheer for. She reflects on a quote from the movie Elizabethtown to cope, embrace, and look forward to what's ne...
Today’s guest is Kelley Cusmano. Kelley is a charismatic educator, energetic, outgoing, a mother of two fantastic children, and a twin sister. Kelley is also the 2025 Michigan Teacher of the Year, an ELA and Leadership teacher who believes all students can achieve their potential. She is skilled in bridging the gap between teacher voice, curriculum design, and state education policy. This is Kelley’s story.
Today’s guest is Dr. Amy Hillman, a giver, a lifelong learner, someone who is never afraid of trying new things, resilient, and a human capable of redrawing her future. She is also the Rusty Lyon Chair of Strategy, former Dean of the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, and the fellow leading Filene’s Center of Excellence for Leadership, Strategy, and Governance. This is Amy’s story.
In this episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan dive into the all-too-familiar feeling of vacation guilt. That anxious voice that whispers you’re falling behind, even when you’re supposed to be resting.
Tansley opens up with a personal story from her childhood, recalling how she could feel the tension and guilt building at home in the days leading up to family vacations, and how that same mindset can follow us into adulthood. She sh...
The Gift of Experience: Five Ways Credit Unions Can Leverage the Post-Service Era
To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
Today’s guest is Lamont Black. He is an educator, thinker, dreamer, speaker, an author with a focus on financial innovation, and a futurist. He’s inspiring our credit union movement to test, invest, and strategize to embrace Artificial Intelligence. Lamont is also the Associate Professor of Finance at DePaul University in Chicago and a former economist at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. This is Lamont’s story.
We’re rewinding one of our most popular and insightful episodes from the Third Fork archive: Curiosity Over Criticism.
In this conversation, Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown explore the delicate art of navigating unsolicited advice. Tansley shares how leading with questions rather than statements fosters openness and curiosity, while Ryan encourages listeners to assume positive intent, creating space for healthier dialogue. Together,...
Our Future's Playlist: Your Strategy Plays Here (Tansley Stearns originally published this article on December 6, 2024)
To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
Today’s guest is Christopher Veal. He is a great listener, someone who’s warm, thoughtful, challenging the traditional definitions of masculinity, and he’s known to be silly. He’s also a dad. Christopher is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, and faculty for the Co-Active Training Institute and ACT Leadership & Performance Coaching, a former Marine Officer, and the author of The Whole Man: Evolving Masculinity. This is Ch...
Four Strategy Lessons from Ms. Pac-Man (Tansley Stearns originally published this article on December 6, 2024)
To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
Today's guest is Vince Kadlubek, co-founder of Meow Wolf, an arts and entertainment company with experiential exhibits in Santa Fe, Las Vegas, and Denver. He creates immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. This is his story.
To learn more about his organization, visit: meowwolf.com
In the second part of our Third Fork series on interviews, Tansley and Ryan shift focus to external job opportunities, when your growth journey calls you beyond your current workplace.
Whether you’re passively exploring or actively applying, this episode offers practical insights on:
- How to prepare for external interviews without losing your authenticity
- Navigating loyalty and transparency with your current leader
- What to ask (and ...
Raise Your Glass: Lessons from a Pink Concert (Tansley Stearns originally published this article on November 8, 2024)
To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
Today’s guest is Greg Mitchell. Born into a family of farmers in the Midwest, he grew up to become a devout Christian, a Coast Guard member, a Disco dancer, and the CEO of First Tech Credit Union. All the way through, his life’s work has been making the most of his gifts to assist other humans in reaching their potential. This is Greg’s story.
This week on Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan kick off a two-part series on navigating interviews, and we’re starting from the inside out. With experience leading HR and People teams (and with Ryan’s early career roots in recruiting), they unpack the unique dynamics of applying for internal opportunities within your current organization.
From preparing to talk about your career growth, to understanding how to balance role satisfaction a...
Credit Unions, Americans Are Hurting: Our Time Is Now (This article was originally publised on by Tansley Stearns on November 8, 2024)
To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
Today’s guest is Megan Spanitz. Megan is a voracious reader, intellectually curious, and someone who loves her Peloton (and Cody Rigsby). Megan is also the Chief Strategy Officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber, playing a leading role in planning and executing the annual Mackinac Policy Conference and shaping the future of the great state of Michigan. This is Megan’s story.
This week on Third Fork, we’re bringing back one of our most inspiring conversations, perfect for returning from the long weekend and resetting to refocus.
In this rewind episode, Tansley Stearns welcomes Cortney Arnold, Community Development Director at Filene Research Institute and leader of The Cooperative Trust. Cortney’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, possibility, and purpose-driven work. Whether you’re early in your c...
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