Despite Impossible

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...

Harnessing Control: Creating Joy in an Uncertain World  To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Meag Schwartz. Meag is a problem-solver, a millennial who enjoys a Goo-Goo Dolls song, loves scuba diving, and is passionate about maintaining the clarity of our Michigan lakes’ water. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Great Lakes Great Responsibility, an environmental non-profit that aims to prevent marine debris in the Great Lakes through litter cleanups. This is...

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, can shape your path, build resilience, and sharpen your sense of purpose. Drawing from their own stories and lessons learned, Ryan and Tansley ref...

Food and Credit Unions: Breaking Bread and Changing the World Together To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

Today’s guest is Susan Mitchell. Susan is tenacious, a planner at heart, someone who is an energetic voice for financial democracy and human equality, a grandmother, and Susan gets shit done. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates, which offers innovative consulting services, including strategic planning, board governance, and executive education. This is S...

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 adulthood, drawing parallels between parenting and leading teams. She also reflects on the wise counsel of mentors who've shaped her journey, emphas...

Of Fractions & Multipliers: Winning the War for Talent with Creativity and Curiosity To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest Jason Gittinger. Jason is a drummer, musician, a community builder, and someone who loves the color orange. Jason is also the Founder and Executive Producer of The Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music, one of Metro Detroit’s most respected and cherished live music performance schools, helping thousands of students and families gain confidence sharing their music even more broadly. He...

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 to the table. Having led impactful initiatives throughout her career, Lauren shares her secrets for making a swift and lasting impression in new roles, build...

Hustle & Grind: Running with our Members as a Financial Best Friend To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Amy Peterson. Amy is a fireball. Amy’s energy leads to getting shit done consistently. She is a surfer, a good friend, and a serial entrepreneur building new enterprises in surprising ways. Amy is also the Co-Founder and CEO of women-owned social enterprise Rebel Nell, with a dedication to providing employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support for women. This is Amy’s...