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
241 episodes
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...
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21:23
Spring Forward!
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...
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14:16
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...
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25:28
When Life Gets Noisy...
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 y...
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13:43
Season 4 Episode 18: Nick Thomas
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 u...
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20:27
Third Fork: Live from GAC!
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
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8:30
Season 4 Episode 17: Darius Wise
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. Thi...
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19:43
Dear 2022 Tansley, 2026 Tansley is Calling: Six Lessons for an Aspiring CEO
Dear 2022 Tansley, 2026 Tansley is Calling: Six Lessons for an Aspiring CEOTo access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns'
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12:21
Season 4 Episode 16: Brett Wooden
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. ...
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21:11
Rewind: Surviving Your First Big Conference
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 jit...
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19:54
Rewind Episode: Linda Armyn & Dr. Missy Stults
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...
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37:56
Season 4 Episode 15: Dr. Anthony Oraha
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...
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21:24
When You Mess Up, How You Fess Up
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 actuall...
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13:54
A Love Letter to the Mitten: Keep Growing
A Love Letter to the Mitten: Keep GrowingTo access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
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6:55
Rewind Episode: Vince Paul
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. ...
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25:34
Rewind: Pestering Progress: How to Create Immediate Impact
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 U...
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27:03
Rewind Episode: Dr. Monica L. Merritt
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 ...
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18:58
REWIND: Milestones That Matter: Why We Pause, Reflect, and Celebrate
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 CelebrateTh...
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14:12
Season 4 Episode 14: Tunde Wey
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 ...
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24:10
What Should We Leave Behind in 2025
Say hello to 2026. Tansley and Ryan kick off the new year by sharing what they’re leaving behind in 2025—from habits and social media trends to workout apps that started to sap the joy from movement (sorry, Apple 👀). While fitness stays ...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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10:35
Season 4 Episode 13: Danny Goldberg
Today’s guest is Danny Goldberg. Danny is a gifted storyteller, he is warm and welcoming, and someone who leaps to get started and take the first step. He is also a Workplace Culture & Leadership Keynote Speaker who has spoken to 10,000+ le...
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17:54
Flexing and Stretching into New Opportunities
In this episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan explore what it means to be adaptive in both work and home life—and how flexibility can open the door to meaningful growth and new opportunities. They also unpack the potential pitfalls of m...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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15:12
From So Long, Farewell to Hello, Hello: Moving Beyond Succession Planning to Leadership Renewal
From So Long, Farewell to Hello, Hello: Moving Beyond Succession Planning to Leadership RenewalTo access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns'
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8:44
