Despite Impossible
I am Tansley Stearns, and this is Despite Impossible. I am a long-time credit union executive leading orsa credit union 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
Today, Tansley and Ryan talk about candor. Specifically, when and how you should tell someone that something is wrong or that they might want to fix something. Candor is kind!
A few great examples they discuss: "You have some broccoli in your teeth" or "Is there something off with the data in this slide?" and ofcourse "Tansley... you have two different boots on."
A really fun epsiode with some real pra...
Today’s guest is Jerry Colonna. Jerry is a coach, a writer, someone who has been journaling since age 13, and who provokes deep feelings in others. Jerry is also a speaker who focuses on leadership, business, and the practice of radical self-inquiry. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Reboot.io, a company born from the rallying cry that work does not have to destroy us. This is Jerry’s story.
This week on Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan reflect not just on the actual seasonal time change but on how one might spring a head in life or work.
Ryan talked a lot about the seasonality and importance of a reset to prep for the next season and how as an individual and a team you might get there... he also shares his new obsession with Cloudcode.
Tansley shares how at orsa smaller sprints help chunk out the larger goals when we are ...
Today’s guest is Dr. Keith Crandall. Keith is an upbeat dreamer, a native Michigander, a biologist, and someone who enjoys observing and learning from the world around him. He is also the founding Director of the Computational Biology Institute at the George Washington University. This is Keith’s story.
This week, Tansley and Ryan talk about how to handle your work life when your personal life gets complicated and noisy.
It is a HUMAN thing! You are not alone!
Tansley and Ryan share great advice on how you can walk through your work life, showing up in an authentic way and be successful - even when your personal life turns up the volume!
Today’s guest is Nick Thomas. Nick is a fun-loving Michigander, an avid puzzle solver, and someone who is not intimidated by practicing a skill to perfection. Nick is also a World-Record-Holding entertainer who transforms ordinary events into unforgettable experiences through his electrifying juggling, which was featured on ABC’s The Gong Show and Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America. Nick’s comedy juggling combines mind-blowing s...
Join Tansley and Ryan this week as theyrecorded LIVE from GAC. They talk about themes, bug take aways, and the most important thing to do when you come back from a big conference.
This is also a VIDEO episode, so check out the youtube channel to see the full live video!
Today’s guest is Darius Wise. Darius is intense, caring, fun, and someone who leads with intention. He is also the President and CEO of Red Rocks Credit Union, leading the growth and expansion of this premier Colorado financial institution. This is Darius’ story.
Dear 2022 Tansley, 2026 Tansley is Calling: Six Lessons for an Aspiring CEO
To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
Today’s guest is Brett Wooden. Brett is a strategist, builder, and proud dad who sees opportunity where others see play. He is a consultant, speaker, and software leader dedicated to helping credit unions innovate with intention and relevance. Through his work at Buildable, Brett partners with credit unions, banks, and fintechs to design digital products that create measurable impact. His mission is clear: help financial institutio...
REWIND BACK to our debut episode of Third Fork, we introduced the heart of our podcast — helping young professionals make sense of those unspoken workplace rules. From brushing up on networking etiquette to tackling conference jitters, we’re here to share the real-world insights no one ever spelled out.
Join hosts Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown as they recount navigating their very first big conference (like, the America's Cred...
Linda Armyn is the President and CEO of FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in New York state and my alma mater. Linda is a dear friend and a huge fan of the Irish rock bank U2, which might rival my Dave Matthews Band fandom. This is her story.
Dr. Missy Stults exudes high energy; she is a mom, a relentless problem-solver, an avid puzzler, and an upcoming speaker at HERd 2026 on February 20th. She is also th...
Today’s guest is Dr. Anthony Oraha. Anthony is passionate about health, caring, a great listener, and someone dedicated to empowering patients’ agency. He is also the founder of Synergy Longevity Centers and an Emergency Medicine physician with a focus on preventative medicine and longevity optimization. This is Anthony’s story.
This week on Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan dig into what to do (and what not to do) when you know you’ve messed up. Tansley shares her hot take on apologies, Ryan breaks down why real accountability actually matters, and together they unpack why owning your mistakes is essential—especially in an innovative culture. They also explore apologies from both the over-apologizer and the under-apologizer perspective.
Don’t mess it up. Listen...
A Love Letter to the Mitten: Keep Growing
To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
Today’s guest is Vince Paul. Vince is an artist, a Detroiter, and boasts an alter ego, Tenacious V, who makes an appearance once a decade. He is also the President and Artistic Director of the Detroit Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Having dedicated decades to the arts, Vince spent most of his career in New York City or touring globally with theater, music, or dance productions. When the opportunity arose to lead the Det...
A throwback epsiode from 2025 w/ guest co-host Lauren Culp:
Get ready to learn from a true trailblazer in the credit union space! This week on Third Fork, Tansley Stearns chats with Lauren Culp, Executive Director of the National Credit Union Foundation, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Having led impactful initiatives throughout her career, Lauren shares her secrets for making a swift and lasting impres...
Today's guest is Dr. Monica Merritt, Superintendent of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. She has also been recognized as Michigan's 2023 Superintendent of the Year. Monica attributes her strength to the many lessons she learned from her father, Herman Boone – football coach at TC Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., whose story was portrayed in the Disney movie Remember the Titans. This is her story.
We have a lot to celebrate this week as we become orsa credit union! Enjoy this throwback about why stopping and celebrating a milestone like this is important.
REWIND: Milestones That Matter: Why We Pause, Reflect, and Celebrate
This week on Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan delve into the complex, yet meaningful, world of milestones, from birthdays and graduations to retirements, work anniversaries, and promotions, and everything in bet...
Today’s guest is Tunde Wey. Tunde is a kind human, he is curious, a chef, an artist, and a social activist. He is also a social practice artist who uses food, finance, and investment capital to address economic disparities across geography and demographics. This is Tunde’s story.
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