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.
- Update frequency
- every 2 days
- Average duration
- 18 minutes
- Episodes
- 198
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
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 …
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 incredibl…
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 cour…
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' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
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 Child…
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 strate…
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…
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 importan…
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…
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 Cha…
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 resti…
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 Era
To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter pag…
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, …
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…
Rewind Episode: Our Future Playlist: Your Strategy Plays Here
Our Future's Playlist: Your Strategy Plays Here (Tansley Stearns originally published this article on December 6, 2024)
To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Ste…
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. Christo…
Rewind Episode: Four Strategy Lessons from Ms. Pac-Man
Four Strategy Lessons from Ms. Pac-Man (Tansley Stearns originally published this article on December 6, 2024)
To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Cur…
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 experie…
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 …
Rewind Episode: Raise Your Glass: Lessons from a Pink Concert
Raise Your Glass: Lessons from a Pink Concert (Tansley Stearns originally published this article on November 8, 2024)
To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stear…