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
205 episodes
Season 4 Episode 6: Maddie Farris
Today’s guest is Maddie Farris. Maddie is outgoing, empathetic, and someone who enjoys keeping up with her little sister. Maddie also plays forward and defense for the University of Michigan Women's Ice Hockey team. Maddie is from Northville, M...
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9:04
Season 4 Episode 5: Mariana Ceballos
Today’s guest is Mariana Ceballos. Mariana is an adventurer, a hiker, and someone who puts effort in everything she does. She also plays defense for the University of Michigan Women's Ice Hockey team. Mariana will be representing the Wolverines...
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10:48
On Being Human at Work: Leading When It’s Heavy
Some days hit different. You wake up and something’s off, maybe it’s you, maybe it’s the air. The inbox feels louder, the faces in meetings blur together, and your usual spark is just… missing. We all have experienced them. Sometimes it’s work,...
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13:55
Removing Spinach from Our Teeth: From Potential to Human Impact
Removing Spinach from Our Teeth: From Potential to Human ImpactTo access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns'
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12:41
Season 4 Episode 4: Julia Lindahl
Today’s guest is Julia Lindahl. Julia is driven, passionate, and empathetic. She is also a forward for the University of Michigan Women's Ice Hockey team. She’ll be graduating as an architect as part of the 2026 class. This is Julia’s story.
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9:03
Season 4 Episode 3: Lauren Hood
Today’s guest is Lauren Hood. Lauren is an expander of boundaries, someone who elevates what’s possible, and is always trying to maximize her potential. She is also an educator, a writer, a city planner, and a community developer with a focus o...
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18:32
Butterflies on Day One: Welcoming Leaders with Intention
Behind the title and the resume is a human being stepping into new territory.Behind the title and the resume is a human being stepping into new territory. Culture is felt in the little things: an intentional lunch invite, a personal stor...
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14:02
Season 4 Episode 2: Jesse Thistle
Today’s guest is Jesse Thistle, who is a dedicated father and swimming cheerleader to his daughter Rose, a skilled pancake chef, and an avid writer. Jesse is also the author of “From the Ashes,” the winner of the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for ...
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24:36
Season 4 Episode 1: MacKenzie Stearns
Today’s guest is MacKenzie Isabelle Stearns. MacKenzie is an adventurer, a dedicated athlete, someone who deeply enjoys music, she is full of energy, and her friends describe her as someone incredibly fun to be around. MacKenzie is a first-year...
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12:14
Assumptions Free: Speaking Across Generations
In this episode of Third Fork, Ryan and Tansley break down what it truly takes to connect across generations at work. From legacy systems that challenge even the most tech-savvy new hires to the courage it takes to admit when you do...
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19:25
Making the Last Mile Count: Strategic Execution at its Finest
Making the Last Mile Count: Strategic Execution at its Finest To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns'
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10:19
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...
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29:58
Small Talk: Building Bridges Without Awkwardness
In this episode of Third Fork, hosts Tansley and Ryan dive into the art of small talk at work. This is an underrated skill that can make or break your office experience. They explore practical strategies for young professionals look...
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16:44
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
