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
32 episodes
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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21:46
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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14:20
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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18:46
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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15:24
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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Season 1
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Episode 25
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13:55
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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Season 1
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Episode 24
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14:02
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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Season 1
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Episode 23
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19:25
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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Season 1
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Episode 22
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16:44
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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Season 1
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Episode 21
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16:15
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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Season 1
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Episode 20
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13:56
Rewind: Curiosity 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
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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Season 1
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Episode 19
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25:32
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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Season 1
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Episode 18
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18:33
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 do...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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14:39
WAIT: Why Am I Talking?
At Community Financial, 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 learning, and their impact.From st...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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22:21
Milestones That Matter: Why We Pause, Reflect, and Celebrate
Milestones That Matter: Why We Pause, Reflect, and CelebrateThis week on Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan delve into the complex, yet meaningful, world of milestones, from birthdays and graduations to retirements, work anniversaries...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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14:12
Rewind: Your First Big Meeting (Still Worth Sweating Over)
This week, we're heading to our quarterly strategic deep dive, so we’re revisiting an episode that highlights big first meetings. Whether it’s your first time in a strategy planning meeting or you’re facing a boardroom of seasoned leaders, the ...
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20:54
Curiosity Over Criticism
This week on Third Fork, Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown tackle the delicate art of handling unsolicited advice. Tansley emphasizes the power of starting with a question instead of a statement, encouraging listeners to remain open and curious. R...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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19:18
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
As young professionals, keeping close attention to mental health is essential. In this episode, Ryan and Tansley share their personal commitment to mental health and offer advice on how to prioritize it for ourselves and our teams.
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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18:24
Building Your Professional Digital Footprint
In today's online-dominated world, having a thoughtful digital presence is essential for young professionals looking to establish themselves in their field. But how do you strike the perfect balance between showcasing your personality and maint...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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21:05
Internships Aren’t Glamorous. They’re Foundational!
Tune in to this week's episode of Third Fork as Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown dive into a pivotal moment in a young professional's journey: the college internship. They explore how early career experiences, whether thrilling or underwhelming, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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10:46
Parenting & Leading: Following Your Own Path
Meet Jimese Harkley, Chief Community Engagement Officer at Harborstone Credit Union, and mom to a newly minted college grad. On this week's episode of Third Fork, Jimese opens up about the joys and surprises of watching her child launch into ad...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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22:19
Pestering Progress: How to Create Immediate Impact
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 Union Foundation, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise t...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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27:03
Right-Sizing Anxiety in the Workplace
Tune in to this week's episode of Third Fork as Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown tackle a crucial yet often stigmatized topic: managing anxiety in the workplace. Rather than aiming for complete elimination, they propose a refreshing approach: emb...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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18:49