Despite Impossible

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 poverty. In 2019, she was recognized as a Top Ten CNN Hero highlighting Zaman’s growth from a grassroots team of volunteers to a world-class organization with a global reach that has helped more than 5 million people in 20 countries since 2010. This is Najah’s story.

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 under her leadership. This is Sandra’s story.

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 digital footprint and avoiding common pitfalls. Tune in for practical tips on building a strong online brand that will help you in your career.

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 Meag’s story.

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 reflect on why internships matter, how to stay committed even when the fit isn’t perfect, and how to turn any opportunity into a launching pad for growth.

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 Susan’s story.