Shows / Despite Impossible
Despite Impossible
I am Tansley Stearns, and this is Despite Impossible. I am a long-time credit union executive leading orsa credit union 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.
Episodes
Despite ImpossibleSeason 5 Episode 6: Mike Jbara
Today’s guest is Mike Jbara. Mike is someone who is likely to engage with people, is curious, and is invested in inspiring others and supporting people’s care…
- Despite Impossible
Eliminating Financial Fear: Removing the Jump Scares for Women
Eliminating Financial Fear: Removing the Jump Scares for Women To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously…
Despite ImpossibleSeason 5 Episode 5: Erik Meerschaert
Today’s guest is Erik Meerschaert. Erik is known for his positivity, his dedication to creating belonging among young students, his passion for unified sports…
- Despite Impossible
Season 5 Episode 4: Melissa Weisse
Today’s guest is Melissa Weisse. Melissa loves the arts and the ballet, is a person who sees both how large and small the world is, and is passionate about the…
- Despite Impossible
Season 5 Episode 3: Rewind ft. Rashmi Airan
Today’s guest is Rashmi Airan. Rashmi is known to be courageous, kind, loyal, vulnerable, and loving. She is also a celebrated motivational speaker, cultural…
- Despite Impossible
Season 5 Episode 2: Daniel Schaffa
Today’s guest is Daniel Schaffa. Daniel is funny, easy to talk to, studious, and someone who is known for being observant of others. Daniel is also a professor…
- Despite Impossible
Season 5 Episode 1: Dr. Nicole (Nikki) Hamp
Today’s guest is Dr. Nicole (Nikki) Hamp. People who know Nikki best would describe her as an advocate, a dancer, and someone fiercely committed to supporting…
Despite ImpossibleIRL: From Estes Park with Love
IRL: From Estes Park with Love To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
Despite ImpossibleThe ride is complete. Our journey is just beginning.
Some journeys end when the final mile is complete. The Choose the Bear® ride is not one of them. We invite you to listen (and watch on Spotify or Apple…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 26: Jill Nowacki - Video
Despite Impossible is preparing for its fifth season, by introducing video recordings of our interviews! Join us for powerful conversations with people chasing…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 26: Jill Nowacki
Today’s guest is Jill Nowacki, Jill is thoughtful, contemplative, and someone who thinks about the many possibilities in front of her. She is also the…
Despite ImpossibleInvisibility Isn't a Superpower
Invisibility Isn't a Superpower To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.
Despite ImpossibleWork the Room
Today’s episode of Third Fork comes straight from a viewer who asked: 'As a YP (young professional), what do you do when you’re the youngest person in the…
Despite ImpossibleWhen the Tools Stop Working
When the Tools Stop Working This recording is based on an article written by Tansley Stearns and originally published by CUInsight.com on May 28, 2026. We are…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 25: Scott Edwards
Today's guest is Dr. Scott Edwards. Scott is a music lover, educator, hiker, and biker. He is curious, flexible, and deeply committed to bringing experience to…
Despite ImpossibleInfo Overload
Welcome to this week’s episode of ThirdFork! This week is a video episode and you can check it out on the ThirdForkPodcast YouTube page. In today’s fast-paced…
- Despite Impossible
REWIND | Season 3 Episode 23: Megan Spanitz
Today’s episode rewinds to last year’s conversation with Megan Spanitz. Now serving as both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at the Detroit…
Despite ImpossibleREWIND | Vacation Guilt: Learning to Truly Step Away
As we approach the begining of the SUMMER months, let's reflect back to this epsiode of Third Fork from last year on vacation…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 24: Barb Lowman
“Today’s guest is Barb Lowman. Barb is a dog lover. She is brave, driven, loyal, and hardworking. She is also the President of CUNA Strategic Services, Inc., a…
Despite ImpossibleGot a Side Hustle?
In this episode of Third Fork, hosts Tansley and Ryan dive into the world of side hustles. With Gen Z officially dubbed the "side hustle generation," they…
- Despite Impossible
Mother's Day Rewind: Liz Webb & MacKenzie Stearns
Today's episode is a little different and really important to me. I've had the chance to sit down with two women in my life that mean everything to me, my mom…
Despite ImpossibleCelebrating Moms!
In early celebration of Mother's Day, today's episode of Third Fork is all about moms!Ryan and Tansley kick things off by sharing heartfelt memories of their…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 23: Sheena Allen
Today’s guest is Sheena Allen. Sheena is an innovative entrepreneur, music-lover, and world changer who is fun-loving and considers herself to be weird. She is…
Despite ImpossibleRewind: WAIT: Why Am I Talking?
This week's episode is a REWIND:At orsa credit union, listening isn’t just polite, it’s a superpower. In this episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan unpack…
Despite ImpossiblePlease Tell Me When I Have Spinach in My Teeth
Please Tell Me When I Have Spinach in My Teeth To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven…
- Despite Impossible
Rewind Episode: Laura Killingbeck
Today’s guest is Laura Killingbeck. Laura is an independent explorer, adventurer, authentic listener, someone whose friends seek as a mediator, and she sees…
Despite ImpossibleRewind: You Don’t Need All the Answers to Innovate
In this rewind episode of Third Fork from June 2025. Tansley and Ryan explore how young professionals can be powerful catalysts for innovation, not by having…
- Despite Impossible
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…
Despite ImpossibleFriends at Work
This week friends at work Ryan and Tansley discuss what it means to have friends at work.Understanding all the research out there, they question, if there is a…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 22: Jess O'Brien
Today’s guest is Jess O’Brien. Jess is an artist, a coffee aficionado, a sky gazer, and someone who is deeply inspired by nature. Jess is also the photographer…
Despite ImpossibleNew Generational Challenges
This week on Third Fork—what does it mean to grow up in a world that’s changing faster than ever?Tansley and Ryan explore the realities younger generations are…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 21: Heather McKissick
Today’s guest is Heather McKissick. Heather is optimistic, someone who is community-minded, outgoing, and self-described as impatient. She is also the CEO of…
Despite ImpossibleKind In Your Candor
Today, Tansley and Ryan talk about candor. Specifically, when and how you should tell someone that something is wrong or that they might want to fix something…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 20: Jerry Colonna
Today’s guest is Jerry Colonna. Jerry is a coach, a writer, someone who has been journaling since age 13, and who provokes deep feelings in others. Jerry is…
Despite ImpossibleSpring Forward!
This week on Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan reflect not just on the actual seasonal time change but on how one might spring a head in life or work. Ryan talked a…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 19: Dr. Keith A. Crandall
Today’s guest is Dr. Keith Crandall. Keith is an upbeat dreamer, a native Michigander, a biologist, and someone who enjoys observing and learning from the…
- Despite Impossible
When Life Gets Noisy...
This week, Tansley and Ryan talk about how to handle your work life when your personal life gets complicated and noisy. It is a HUMAN thing! You are not…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 18: Nick Thomas
Today’s guest is Nick Thomas. Nick is a fun-loving Michigander, an avid puzzle solver, and someone who is not intimidated by practicing a skill to perfection…
Despite ImpossibleThird Fork: Live from GAC!
Join Tansley and Ryan this week as theyrecorded LIVE from GAC. They talk about themes, bug take aways, and the most important thing to do when you come back…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 17: Darius Wise
Today’s guest is Darius Wise. Darius is intense, caring, fun, and someone who leads with intention. He is also the President and CEO of Red Rocks Credit Union…
Despite ImpossibleDear 2022 Tansley, 2026 Tansley is Calling: Six Lessons for an Aspiring CEO
Dear 2022 Tansley, 2026 Tansley is Calling: Six Lessons for an Aspiring CEO To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley…
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Season 4 Episode 16: Brett Wooden
Today’s guest is Brett Wooden. Brett is a strategist, builder, and proud dad who sees opportunity where others see play. He is a consultant, speaker, and…
- Despite Impossible
Rewind: Surviving Your First Big Conference
REWIND BACK to our debut episode of Third Fork, we introduced the heart of our podcast — helping young professionals make sense of those unspoken workplace…
- Despite Impossible
Rewind Episode: Linda Armyn & Dr. Missy Stults
Linda Armyn is the President and CEO of FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in New York state and my alma mater. Linda is a dear friend and…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 15: Dr. Anthony Oraha
Today’s guest is Dr. Anthony Oraha. Anthony is passionate about health, caring, a great listener, and someone dedicated to empowering patients’ agency. He is…
Despite ImpossibleWhen You Mess Up, How You Fess Up
This week on Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan dig into what to do (and what not to do) when you know you’ve messed up. Tansley shares her hot take on apologies…
Despite ImpossibleA Love Letter to the Mitten: Keep Growing
A Love Letter to the Mitten: Keep Growing To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter, visit Tansley Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter…
- Despite Impossible
Rewind Episode: Vince Paul
Today’s guest is Vince Paul. Vince is an artist, a Detroiter, and boasts an alter ego, Tenacious V, who makes an appearance once a decade. He is also the…
Despite ImpossibleRewind: Pestering Progress: How to Create Immediate Impact
A throwback epsiode from 2025 w/ guest co-host Lauren Culp:Get ready to learn from a true trailblazer in the credit union space! This week on Third Fork…
- Despite Impossible
Rewind Episode: Dr. Monica L. Merritt
Today's guest is Dr. Monica Merritt, Superintendent of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. She has also been recognized as Michigan's 2023 Superintendent of the…
Despite ImpossibleREWIND: Milestones That Matter: Why We Pause, Reflect, and Celebrate
We have a lot to celebrate this week as we become orsa credit union! Enjoy this throwback about why stopping and celebrating a milestone like this is…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 14: Tunde Wey
Today’s guest is Tunde Wey. Tunde is a kind human, he is curious, a chef, an artist, and a social activist. He is also a social practice artist who uses food…
Despite ImpossibleWhat Should We Leave Behind in 2025
Say hello to 2026. Tansley and Ryan kick off the new year by sharing what they’re leaving behind in 2025—from habits and social media trends to workout apps…
- Despite Impossible
Season 4 Episode 13: Danny Goldberg
Today’s guest is Danny Goldberg. Danny is a gifted storyteller, he is warm and welcoming, and someone who leaps to get started and take the first step. He is…
Despite ImpossibleFlexing and Stretching into New Opportunities
In this episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan explore what it means to be adaptive in both work and home life—and how flexibility can open the door to…
Despite ImpossibleFrom So Long, Farewell to Hello, Hello: Moving Beyond Succession Planning to Leadership Renewal
From So Long, Farewell to Hello, Hello: Moving Beyond Succession Planning to Leadership Renewal To access this article and subscribe to the weekly newsletter…
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Season 4 Episode 12: Rashmi Airan
Today’s guest is Rashmi Airan. Rashmi is known to be courageous, kind, loyal, vulnerable, and loving. She is also a celebrated motivational speaker, cultural…
- Despite Impossible
Rewind Episode: Michael Randall
Today’s guest is Michael Randall. Mike is passionate about community development. He is an independent filmmaker, someone who enjoys a walk around the block…