Third Fork

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 lot about the seasonality and importance of a reset to prep for the next season and how as an individual and a team you might get there... he also shares his new obsession with Cloudcode. 

Tansley shares how at orsa smaller sprints help chunk out the larger goals when we are looking at both short and long term horizons. She also shares that we might just want to ask ourselves, "what makes me happy" and make sure we are intentional about incorporating those things in our seasons. 

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 alone!

Tansley and Ryan share great advice on how you can walk through your work life, showing up in an authentic way and be successful - even when your personal life turns up the volume!

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!

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! 

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 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, 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, building a reputation as a respected leader, and navigating complex office dynamics. Plus, she reveals the value of being a "respected pest": persistently pursuing goals while earning the trust and support of others. Tune in for valuable insights on accelerating your career growth and becoming a force for positive change in your organization.

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 important.

REWIND: 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 are more than markers of time. They’re powerful tools for reflection, renewal, and recognition. 

Meanwhile, our hosts explore what feels authentic (and what doesn’t) when it comes to professional milestones like work anniversaries and exits. What should we do more of? What are we overthinking?

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 that started to sap the joy from movement (sorry, Apple 👀). While fitness stays firmly in their 2026 plans, they’re both skeptical of rigid work resolutions—Ryan is done with unprioritized tasks that drain energy, and Tansley gets curious about long executive leadership trips and who actually has time for them. What is staying? A shared belief that development and education are powerful ways to grow in the year ahead.

Light, unfiltered, and the perfect bite to get us ready for the new year. Tag Tansley and Ryan on social and share what you’re leaving behind in 2025.

 In this episode, Tansley and Ryan explore what it means to be adaptive in both work and home life—and how flexibility can open the door to meaningful growth and new opportunities. They also unpack the potential pitfalls of moving too fast, including what can happen when we don’t pause to consider the humans we’re working alongside. Drawing on personal experience, Tansley reflects on early career stretch opportunities that shaped her perspective, while together they discuss how to set healthy boundaries around flexibility—embracing development and change without losing balance, clarity, or care for others. 

Today’s episode of Third Fork centers on audience questions they’ve never seen before. No prep. No scripts. Just real talk.

Tansley and Ryan dig into the messy middle of career growth. How to build skills when you’re not sure where you’re headed next, what it looks like to advance without a perfectly mapped-out path, and why starting your day early might quietly be the most underrated power move in the workplace.

They also get candid about impostor syndrome (yes, it still pops up) and share how to cultivate genuine relationships with leaders without feeling like you’re networking. 

If you’ve ever wished someone would tell you the truth about career momentum with heart, humor, and a little tough love, this one’s for you.