Third Fork
Each week, Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown, longtime executives and friends, approach the unspoken rules of executive circles and tribes. Together, they provide insights to young professionals making their way into rooms dominated by Gen Xers and Millennials and make the perfect landing.
Episodes
49 episodes
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.__________________________________________________________________________________________________...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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 ou...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
Flexing and Stretching into New Opportunities
In this episode, 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 moving too fast...
A Third Fork Q&A
Today’s episode of Third Fork centers on audience questions they’ve never seen before. No prep. No scripts. Just real talk.Tansley and Ryan dig into the messy middle of career growth. How to build skills when you’re not sure whe...
Career Myths: The Ones Worth Busting (and Keeping)
This week, Tansley and Ryan unpack the biggest career myths we’ve all been told. From “follow your passion” to “climb the ladder.” Ryan shares why chasing passion might actually lead you in circles and diminish the joy you find in a hobby you a...
Worth the Ask: Negotiations 101
Negotiating pay can feel like walking a tightrope in dress shoes. Ryan’s been on both sides of the table, coaching candidates and now extending offers, and he’s seen how the script changes depending on your role, your leverage, and ...
Buzzword Bingo
In this episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan take a playful jab at the language of work. Those buzzwords and phrases that fill meetings, memos, and Teams/Zoom chats everywhere. From “innovation” to “synergy,” they unpack how jarg...
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,...
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...
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...
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...