Despite Impossible

Today’s guest is Greg Mitchell. Born into a family of farmers in the Midwest, he grew up to become a devout Christian, a Coast Guard member, a Disco dancer, and the CEO of First Tech Credit Union. All the way through, his life’s work has been making the most of his gifts to assist other humans in reaching their potential. This is Greg’s story.

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 the unique dynamics of applying for internal opportunities within your current organization. From preparing to talk about your career growth, to understandin...

Credit Unions, Americans Are Hurting: Our Time Is Now (This article was originally publised on by Tansley Stearns on November 8, 2024) To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

Today’s guest is Megan Spanitz. Megan is a voracious reader, intellectually curious, and someone who loves her Peloton (and Cody Rigsby). Megan is also the Chief Strategy Officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber, playing a leading role in planning and executing the annual Mackinac Policy Conference and shaping the future of the great state of Michigan. This is Megan’s story.

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 , Community Development Director at Filene Research Institute and leader of The Cooperative Trust . Cortney’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, possibility, and purpose-dri...

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 done that way,” to processes crying out for a fresh look, innovation often begins with a simple but profound curiosity: “Why do we do it this way?” Ryan reflects on the...

Empathy: An Unlock Feature for Credit Unions. To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Doug Schwartz. Doug is warm, friendly, aims to be present in the moment, and is someone who enjoys a good slice of key lime pie. He is also the founder of Detroit Wick. Detroit Wick manufactures limited-edition products onsite as a scent branding facility. This is Doug’s story.

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 sticky note reminders like “WAIT” (Why Am I Talking?) to the importance of clarifying questions, they explore why hearing others, often, matters more than being the loudest voice...

Cooking Up an AI Strategy: The More You Cook, The More Ideas Are Served To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

Today’s guest is Eden Alonso. Eden is confident, a go-getter, kind, a current high schooler, and someone who enjoys traveling. She is also the recipient of an award from NPR's Student Podcast Challenge, where she beat out nearly 2,000 other entries. This is Eden’s story.

Milestones That Matter: Why We Pause, Reflect, and Celebrate This week on Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan delve into the complex, yet meaningful, world of milestones, from birthdays and graduations to retirements, work anniversaries, and promotions, and everything in between. Whether you’re the type to throw a party, create a viral social post, or quietly journal in your favorite notebook, milestones...

Follow Liz’s Lead: Embrace and Celebrate Our Many Roles To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Dr. Bob Sornson. Bob is an educator, author of over two dozen books, someone who appreciates live music, and possesses a magnetic sense of humor. He is also the Founder of the Early Learning Foundation, which is dedicated to helping schools and parents provide every child with an opportunity to achieve early learning success, laying the foundation for lifelong success. This is Bob...

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 unspoken rules and quiet influence dynamics can feel overwhelming. In this Third Fork rewind, hosts Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown revisit what it was...

Brave Strategy Horizons: Slam Poetry Is Just the Start. To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Dr. Mona Hanna. She is compassionate, loves puzzles, possesses a contagious sense of humor, and passions for holistic children’s health and changing the world. Mona is also the is the Associate Dean for Public Health and C. S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and the founding director of the Pediatric Public Health Init...

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. Ryan advises assuming the best intentions behind the advice, helping to foster a more constructive dialogue. Together, they share practical strategies for re...

It's a Sign: Be Bold. Be Epic. Be the Best in Governance. To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Najah Bazzy. She is visionary, justice focused, strategic and possesses a great sense of humor. Najah is also an RN, an internationally recognized healer, humanitarian and interfaith leader who left a six-figure salary as a critical-care nurse to build Zaman International. The Metro-Detroit based non-profit empowers marginalized women and children to break the cycle of extreme pov...

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. 

This week, we reflect on a recent article I wrote for CU Insights, Finding Cushions in Credit Unions: Materially Supporting Mental Wellbeing. To access this article, visit CUInsights through this link. To subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Sandra Sagehorn-Elliot. Sandra is driven and collaborative, someone who loves Arizona’s sunsets, and is an engaging and succinct communicator. She is also the president and CEO of Vantage West Credit Union, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, and serving over 191,000 members, making it the largest credit union in Southern Arizona. Vantage West Credit Union is changing lives daily un...

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 maintaining professionalism? On this week's episode of Third Fork, Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown share their perspectives on crafting a compelling dig...