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
222 episodes
Season 5 Episode 3: Rewind ft. Rashmi Airan
Today’s guest is Rashmi Airan. Rashmi is known to be courageous, kind, loyal, vulnerable, and loving. She is also a celebrated motivational speaker, cultural consultant, and former attorney whose journey from corporate law to overcoming a feder...
Season 5 Episode 2: Daniel Schaffa
Today’s guest is Daniel Schaffa. Daniel is funny, easy to talk to, studious, and someone who is known for being observant of others. Daniel is also a professor of law at the University of Richmond School of Law, where he studies tax and law &am...
Season 5 Episode 1: Dr. Nicole (Nikki) Hamp
Today’s guest is Dr. Nicole (Nikki) Hamp. People who know Nikki best would describe her as an advocate, a dancer, and someone fiercely committed to supporting Michigan families' well-being. Nikki is also the Chief Health and Program Officer for...
IRL: From Estes Park with Love
IRL: From Estes Park with LoveTo access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter
The ride is complete. Our journey is just beginning.
Some journeys end when the final mile is complete. The Choose the Bear® ride is not one of them.We invite you to listen (and watch on Spotify or Apple Podcasts) to this special release of the closing speech for the Choose the Bear® ride ...
Season 4 Episode 26: Jill Nowacki - Video
Despite Impossible is preparing for its fifth season, by introducing video recordings of our interviews! Join us for powerful conversations with people chasing bold dreams, creating impact, and proving that impossible is only the b...
Season 4 Episode 26: Jill Nowacki
Today’s guest is Jill Nowacki, Jill is thoughtful, contemplative, and someone who thinks about the many possibilities in front of her. She is also the co-founder and President & CEO of Zealyst, an organization dedicated to catalyzing for wh...
Invisibility Isn't a Superpower
Invisibility Isn't a SuperpowerTo access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter<...
When the Tools Stop Working
When the Tools Stop WorkingThis recording is based on an article written by Tansley Stearns and originally published by CUInsight.com on May 28, 2026. We are gra...
Season 4 Episode 25: Scott Edwards
Today's guest is Dr. Scott Edwards. Scott is a music lover, educator, hiker, and biker. He is curious, flexible, and deeply committed to bringing experience to life. As an academic and educator, he spends much of his time thinking about how we ...
REWIND | Season 3 Episode 23: Megan Spanitz
Today’s episode rewinds to last year’s conversation with Megan Spanitz. Now serving as both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at the Detroit Regional Chamber, Megan is undoubtedly in full swing preparing for this year’s Mackina...
Season 4 Episode 24: Barb Lowman
“Today’s guest is Barb Lowman. Barb is a dog lover. She is brave, driven, loyal, and hardworking. She is also the President of CUNA Strategic Services, Inc., a premier connector for credit unions and fintech, functioning as an affiliate of Amer...
Mother's Day Rewind: Liz Webb & MacKenzie Stearns
Today's episode is a little different and really important to me.I've had the chance to sit down with two women in my life that mean everything to me, my mom and my daughter. Three generations. Three perspectives...on life, dreaming boldly,...
Season 4 Episode 23: Sheena Allen
Today’s guest is Sheena Allen. Sheena is an innovative entrepreneur, music-lover, and world changer who is fun-loving and considers herself to be weird. She is also a venture-backed tech founder, creative architect, and speaker building at the ...
Please Tell Me When I Have Spinach in My Teeth
Please Tell Me When I Have Spinach in My TeethTo access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Dri...
Rewind Episode: Laura Killingbeck
Today’s guest is Laura Killingbeck. Laura is an independent explorer, adventurer, authentic listener, someone whose friends seek as a mediator, and she sees patterns in her journey and is inspired by nature in a genuine and unique way. She is a...
Rewind Episode: Dr. Aimee Daily
Today’s guest is Dr. Aimee Daily. Aimee is committed to helping ensure that kids get the care they need to reach their full potential. Aimee is also the president and chief executive officer at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals where she foc...
Season 4 Episode 22: Jess O'Brien
Today’s guest is Jess O’Brien. Jess is an artist, a coffee aficionado, a sky gazer, and someone who is deeply inspired by nature. Jess is also the photographer of our Northern Lights’ lighthouse debit card design, highlighting Michigan’s beauty...
Season 4 Episode 21: Heather McKissick
Today’s guest is Heather McKissick. Heather is optimistic, someone who is community-minded, outgoing, and self-described as impatient. She is also the CEO of the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES), an organization dedicated to providing cred...
Season 4 Episode 20: Jerry Colonna
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-in...
Season 4 Episode 19: Dr. Keith A. Crandall
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...