Despite Impossible

Today’s guest is Teresa Freeborn. She is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of corporate leadership, the co-founder of Smash + Tess, a long-time advocate for women, and an outspoken and sought-after speaker and media commentator, delivering important truths with warmth, compassion, and humor. She is also the author of Suits and Skirts: Game On! Available on Amazon. This is Teresa...

Less Messy Than a Pug Puppy: Credit Unions as an Answer to Loneliness To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

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 of the Year in the K-8th grade category, an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher who is a staunch advocate for her students, their families, and her fellow teachers. This is Missy’s story.

 What Would Edith Do? Resurrecting Service to Transform Experience To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

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 ELA and Leadership teacher who believes all students can achieve their potential. She is skilled in bridging the gap between teacher voice, curriculum design, and state education policy. This is Kelle...

Loneliness Cuts Deeply for People: Five Ways Your Leaders Can Build Connection and Bottom-Line Results. To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Shruti Miyashiro. Shruti is a dynamic credit union leader, a veracious reader, and someone who is approachable, warm, and authentic. Shruti is also the president & ceo of Digital Federal Credit Union, one of the largest and most innovative credit unions in North America, headquartered in Marlborough, MA. This is Shruti’s story.

Five (New) Rules for Winning the War for Talent To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Marty Fittante. Marty is someone who works and plays hard, enjoys a good laugh, and someone who can count by sevens extremely fast. Marty is also the CEO of InvestUP and was most recently appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Growing Michigan Together Council as co-chair of the Job, Talent, People Workgroup to bring a voice to the issues and opportunities in the U.P., and all rural...

Electrifying Your Future: Lessons From Bob Dylan To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page .

Today’s guest is Jeanette Pierce. Jeanette is a vibrant storyteller, a social entrepreneur, a lifelong Detroiter who loves city walks, and someone who is not afraid to share a joke with strangers. Jeanette is also the Founder and President of City Institute, an organization with a mission to attract & retain human beings to appreciate the cities where they live and work. This is Jeanette’s sto...

Today’s guest is Tansley Stearns. Tansley is a visionary, dreamer, runner, mother, and someone who loves Dave Matthews Band. She is also the president & ceo of Community Financial Credit Union, a purpose driven organization dedicated to creating joy and igniting with Michiganders’ impossible dreams. She’s dreaming about being a part of shaping a bright future for women and their role in the wo...

A Recovering Perfectionist Keeps Learning To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

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. Christopher is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, and faculty for the Co-Active Training Institute and ACT Leadership & Performance Coaching, a former Marine Officer, and the author of The Whole Ma...

2025: The Year of the Credit Union To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

Four Strategy Lessons from Ms. Pac-Man To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

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, and strategize to embrace Artificial Intelligence. Lamont is also the Associate Professor of Finance at DePaul University in Chicago and a former economist at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. Th...

Dealer's Choice To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page. Here are three of my favorite listens that might inspire you: (1)    Workplace as Cushion: The Power to Amplify Mental Wellbeing   (2)    Pesto, Mozzarella & A Whole Lot of Connection: Elevating Tradition to Grow Culture   (3)  Credit Unions, Americ...

Today’s guest is Lorenzo P. Lewis. Lorenzo is a renowned public speaker, an author, an entrepreneur, and someone who is committed to help others turn pain into purpose. He is also the Founder of the The Confess Project — an initiative that trains barbers, beauticians, and frontline workers to become mental health advocates in underserved communities — Lorenzo helps you confess to your issues to be...

Strategy & Curiosity: Looking Up and Around as We Shape the Future To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

Kill Your Binder To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

Today’s guest is Shelley Littleton. She is passionate about helping people maintain their independence, someone who is quite energetic, and a planner at heart. She is also the Founder and CEO of Senior Service Liaison (SSL). The concept of Senior Service Liaison developed as Shelley began searching for ways to assist the seniors in her family to remain independent in their homes. As a Physician As...

Credit Unions, Americans Are Hurting: Our Time Is Now To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

Today’s guest is Paul Beachnau. Paul is enthusiastic about sharing the beauty of Northern Michigan, he’s a dog-lover, a true optimist, and if you are around him, there is a good chance you are having a good time. He is the Executive Director at Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, a youthful community that draws strength and security from diverse industry. Since the community's beginni...

Branches or Digital? We’re Asking the Wrong Question To access this article, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.