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
256 episodes
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...
New Generational Challenges
This week on Third Fork—what does it mean to grow up in a world that’s changing faster than ever?Tansley and Ryan explore the realities younger generations are navigating—from AI to the lasting impact of the pandemic. Ryan reflects on hi...
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...
Kind In Your Candor
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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'
