Third Fork

This week, Tansley and Ryan unpack the biggest career myths we’ve all been told. From “follow your passion” to “climb the ladder.” Ryan shares why chasing passion might actually lead you in circles and diminish the joy you find in a hobby you are passionate about. Tansley challenges the idea of perfect work-life balance, arguing instead for a life filled with what truly fuels you. Together, they explore why lateral moves can spark just as much growth as promotions, and why “sales” isn’t a dirty word. It’s how we all move ideas forward.

Negotiating pay can feel like walking a tightrope in dress shoes. 

Ryan’s been on both sides of the table, coaching candidates and now extending offers, and he’s seen how the script changes depending on your role, your leverage, and your timing. 

Tansley admits she once didn’t even know salary negotiation was a thing. The two unpack what compensation really means beyond the paycheck. From knowing how to start the conversation, to understanding how to collect enough information to make a decision. This one’s for anyone standing at the start of a new career path wondering just how much power they actually have.

In this episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan take a playful jab at the language of work. Those buzzwords and phrases that fill meetings, memos, and Teams/Zoom chats everywhere. 

From “innovation” to “synergy,” they unpack how jargon shapes culture, signals belonging, and sometimes hides the lack of actual doing. Ryan asks his favorite question: Will my future self roast me for saying this? Tansley reminds us that saying the right thing isn’t the same as doing the right thing. 

The conversation  hits close to home, and might make you rethink your next “low-hanging fruit.”

Some days hit different. You wake up and something’s off, maybe it’s you, maybe it’s the air. The inbox feels louder, the faces in meetings blur together, and your usual spark is just… missing. We all have experienced them. Sometimes it’s work, sometimes it’s life, sometimes it’s both tangled up together. What matters isn’t pretending you’re fine, it’s learning how to move through it without dropping what makes you, you.

Ryan shares, ‘Err on the side of vulnerability, and be cautious about who you share with.’ Vulnerability is powerful when it’s placed well. It’s not about oversharing. It’s about being real in a way that builds trust. Tansley reflects on relationships holistically. If you’re sharing something hard, is it to connect or to unload? Is this a moment to speak, or a moment to listen? Building that instinct is quiet work, the kind that sharpens with experience and a few wrong turns.

Relationships are 50-50. They can only hold weight if both people are steady enough to carry their side. Sometimes your 50 looks like speaking up. Other times, it’s asking for space or simply taking a walk. Movement helps. So does sunlight early in the day.

Behind the title and the resume is a human being stepping into new territory.

Behind the title and the resume is a human being stepping into new territory. Culture is felt in the little things: an intentional lunch invite, a personal story about values, or a structured check-in from a peer. This episode of Third Fork highlights the art of onboarding leaders with heart. Ryan poses the question of what those first 90 days should look like, while Tansley offers a grounding reminder: every leader is human, butterflies included.

In this episode of Third Fork, Ryan and Tansley break down what it truly takes to connect across generations at work. 

From legacy systems that challenge even the most tech-savvy new hires to the courage it takes to admit when you don’t know the latest slang, they remind us: stay curious, be open, and leave assumptions at the door.

Plus, they share the personal moments that shaped how we show up across generations.

In this episode of Third Fork, hosts Tansley and Ryan dive into the art of small talk at work. This is an underrated skill that can make or break your office experience. 

They explore practical strategies for young professionals looking to build connections in a new workplace, from confidently introducing yourself to a colleague, to balancing openness with healthy boundaries. 

Whether you’re navigating a new office environment or trying to strengthen relationships with teammates, this conversation offers insights, real-life examples, and tips for making meaningful connections without overthinking every word.

In this heartfelt episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan explore the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to a beloved leader when they move on to a new opportunity.

Tansley reflects on the importance of celebrating a colleague’s departure as a graduation, a recognition that their growth and success are something to cheer for. She reflects on a quote from the movie Elizabethtown to cope, embrace, and look forward to what's next: "You have five minutes to wallow in the delicious misery. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Discard it. Then proceed." 

Ryan adds perspective on how teams can process these transitions in healthy ways: acknowledging the grief of change, finding gratitude for what was learned, and practicing openness to whoever steps into the role next, or preparing oneself to take on more responsibility while work is being restructured, temporarily or permanently. 

Whether you’ve recently said goodbye to a mentor or you’re preparing to lead through a transition, this episode offers tools for navigating the mix of celebration, loss, and hope that comes with every leadership change.

In this episode of Third Fork, Tansley and Ryan dive into the all-too-familiar feeling of vacation guilt. That anxious voice that whispers you’re falling behind, even when you’re supposed to be resting.

Tansley opens up with a personal story from her childhood, recalling how she could feel the tension and guilt building at home in the days leading up to family vacations, and how that same mindset can follow us into adulthood. She shares what it’s taken to quiet those feelings and fully unplug, especially during the first couple of days away.

Ryan reflects on his own recharge moments, like returning from a week volunteering as a counselor for his kids’ scout troops. Together, they explore practical ways to reduce the pull back into work:

• Delay sending emails so they don’t re-open your inbox floodgates.
• Set “micro check-in” windows to glance at your inbox without falling down the rabbit hole.
• Empower your team to step in during your absence confidently, both planned and unexpected.

Whether you struggle to silence your work brain or want to help your team unplug without guilt, this episode offers both empathy and actionable tips to make your time away truly restorative.

We’re rewinding one of our most popular and insightful episodes from the Third Fork archive: Curiosity Over Criticism. 

In this conversation, Tansley Stearns and Ryan Brown explore the delicate art of navigating unsolicited advice. Tansley shares how leading with questions rather than statements fosters openness and curiosity, while Ryan encourages listeners to assume positive intent, creating space for healthier dialogue. Together, they offer practical strategies for receiving, processing, and growing from feedback. Whether it’s your first time tuning in or you’re revisiting this one, you’ll walk away with tools to transform feedback, wanted or not, into meaningful growth.