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
192 episodes
Rewind Episode: Missy Testerman
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 ...
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25:59
When Leaders Graduate: Coping with Change and Welcoming What’s Next
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 depart...
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16:15
Rewind Episode: Kelley Cusmano
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 ...
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19:29
Rewind Episode: Amy Hillman
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. Care...
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17:48
Vacation Guilt: Learning to Truly Step Away
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 wi...
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13:56
The Gift of Experience: Five Ways Credit Unions Can Leverage the Post-Service Era
The Gift of Experience: Five Ways Credit Unions Can Leverage the Post-Service EraTo access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns'
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15:24
Rewind Episode: Lamont Black
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 Intellig...
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20:07
Rewind: Curisosity Over Criticism
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 ...
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19:18
Rewind Episode: Our Future Playlist: Your Strategy Plays Here
Our Future's Playlist: Your Strategy Plays Here (Tansley Stearns originally published th...
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16:44
Rewind Episode: Christopher Veal
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 Co...
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15:44
Rewind Episode: Four Strategy Lessons from Ms. Pac-Man
Four Strategy Lessons from Ms. Pac-Man (Tansley Stearns originally published this article on Dec...
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11:22
Rewind Episode: Vince Kadlubek
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 int...
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22:19
Eyes on the Horizon: Navigating External Job Interviews
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...
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25:32
Rewind Episode: Raise Your Glass: Lessons from a Pink Concert
Raise Your Glass: Lessons from a Pink Concert (Tansley Stearns originally publi...
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11:54
Rewind Episode: Greg Mitchell
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 m...
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13:23
The Inside Track: A Guide to Internal Interviews
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 t...
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18:33
Rewinde Episode: Credit Unions, Americans Are Hurting: Our Time Is Now
Credit Unions, Americans Are Hurting: Our Time Is Now (This article was origi...
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10:43
Rewind Episode: Megan Spanitz
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 plann...
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14:11
Rewind: Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams (with Cortney Arnold)
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...
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21:02
You Don’t Need All the Answers to Innovate
In this episode of Third Fork, 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 that “have always been done th...
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14:39
Empathy: An Unlock Feature for Credit Unions
Empathy: An Unlock Feature for Credit Unions.To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven New...
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10:54
Season 3 Episode 37: Doug Schwartz
Today’s guest is Doug Schwartz. Doug is warm, friendly, aims to be present in the moment, and is someone who enjoys a good slice of key lime pie. He is also the founder of Detroit Wick. Detroit Wick manufactures limited-edition products onsite ...
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9:32
