Despite Impossible

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. Nick is also a World-Record-Holding entertainer who transforms ordinary events into unforgettable experiences through his electrifying juggling, which was featured on ABC’s The Gong Show and Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America. Nick’s comedy juggling combines mind-blowing skills with laugh-out-loud audience interaction. This is Nick’s story.

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 from a big conference.

 This is also a VIDEO episode, so check out the youtube channel to see the full live video!

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, leading the growth and expansion of this premier Colorado financial institution. This is Darius’ story.

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 Stearns' Curiously Driven Newsletter page.

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 software leader dedicated to helping credit unions innovate with intention and relevance. Through his work at Buildable, Brett partners with credit unions, banks, and fintechs to design digital products that create measurable impact. His mission is clear: help financial institutions experiment thoughtfully, engage the next generation early, and build lifelong relationships in the age of play. This is his story.

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 rules. From brushing up on networking etiquette to tackling conference jitters, we’re here to share the real-world insights no one ever spelled out.

Join hosts Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown as they recount navigating their very first big conference (like, the America's Credit Union's GAC this week!) 

And watch out for even more special GAC content coming in the next week! 

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 a huge fan of the Irish rock bank U2, which might rival my Dave Matthews Band fandom. This is her story.

Dr. Missy Stults exudes high energy; she is a mom, a relentless problem-solver, an avid puzzler, and an upcoming speaker at HERd 2026 on February 20th. She is also the Director of the City of Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovation, which works with all city operations, residents, businesses, the University of Michigan, nonprofits, and others to make Ann Arbor one of the most sustainable and equitable cities in America. This is Missy’s story.

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 also the founder of Synergy Longevity Centers and an Emergency Medicine physician with a focus on preventative medicine and longevity optimization. This is Anthony’s story.

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, Ryan breaks down why real accountability actually matters, and together they unpack why owning your mistakes is essential—especially in an innovative culture. They also explore apologies from both the over-apologizer and the under-apologizer perspective.

Don’t mess it up. Listen to the episode!

A Love Letter to the Mitten: Keep Growing

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