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
267 episodes
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<...
Work the Room
Today’s episode of Third Fork comes straight from a viewer who asked: 'As a YP (young professional), what do you do when you’re the youngest person in the room? How do you actually build that confidence? Ryan shar...
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 ...
Info Overload
Welcome to this week’s episode of ThirdFork! This week is a video episode and you can check it out on the ThirdForkPodcast YouTube page. In today’s fast-paced world, you...
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...
REWIND | Vacation Guilt: Learning to Truly Step Away
As we approach the begining of the SUMMER months, let's reflect back to this epsiode of Third Fork from last year on vacation guilt.__________________________________________________________________________________________________...
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...
Got a Side Hustle?
In this episode of Third Fork, hosts Tansley and Ryan dive into the world of side hustles. With Gen Z officially dubbed the "side hustle generation," they strip away the hype to discuss the genuine pros and cons of juggling multi...
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,...
Celebrating Moms!
In early celebration of Mother's Day, today's episode of Third Fork is all about moms!Ryan and Tansley kick things off by sharing heartfelt memories of their own mothers and recounting the stories of their very first jobs. The conversati...
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 ...
Rewind: WAIT: Why Am I Talking?
This week's episode is a REWIND:At orsa credit union, listening isn’t just polite, it’s a superpower. In this episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan unpack how the art of listening has shaped their leadership, their lear...
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: You Don’t Need All the Answers to Innovate
In this rewind episode of Third Fork from June 2025. Tansley and Ryan explore how young professionals can be powerful catalysts for innovation, not by having all the answers, but by asking the right questions.From legacy systems t...
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...
Friends at Work
This week friends at work Ryan and Tansley discuss what it means to have friends at work.Understanding all the research out there, they question, if there is a downside and Ryan flexes his HR wisdom! Tansley thinks credit unions t...
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...
