Despite Impossible

Despite Impossible

I am Tansley Stearns, and this is Despite Impossible. I am a long-time credit union executive leading Community Financial 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

July 19, 2024 24 mins

This episode wraps up our epic second season of Despite Impossible! We flipped the script as I sat down with my dear friend Elry Armaza. Listen in as Elry asks me some of my very own questions from Season 2!

Mark as Played

Today’s guest is Christine Blake. Christine is driven, passionate, mindful of her time, and indomitable. She is also the President and CEO of Cardinal Credit Union, which is committed to brightening Ohioans’ financial future. This is Christine’s story.

Mark as Played
June 27, 2024 15 mins

Today’s guest is Jill Ferrari. Jill is often described as a generous and passionate human, someone who is wicked smart, and a serial entrepreneur. She is also the co-founder and managing partner at Renovare Development, a real estate developer with over twenty-seven years of experience catalyzing urban redevelopment. Her background includes private real estate development, private law practice, consulting, and community development...

Mark as Played
June 20, 2024 32 mins

Today’s guest is Samantha Paxson. Sam experiences life wholeheartedly. She is joyful, creative, and passionate about improving the world. She is also a growth and business transformation strategist in Fintech. With more than two decades of experience, she founded Smyth Paxson Solutions, a consultancy and technology marketplace, helping banks, credit unions, and Fintechs refine their strategic bets. This is Sam’s story.

Mark as Played

Dr. RJ Webber is a lifelong educator with a focus on equity and creating the opportunity to learn. An award-winning teacher, administrator, and change agent. Accomplished consultant and presenter around learning environments, curriculum design, educational policy, communication, and professional development. Believer in Public Education and Public Service. RJ currently serves as Superintendent of the Northville Public Schools.

Mark as Played

Lori's passions can be summarized as being a fierce advocate for human safety and security, non-profits addressing these social causes, and her children. She is also the Executive Director at First Step Michigan. A non-profit with a mission to eliminate both domestic and sexual violence and to provide comprehensive services to individuals and families impacted by these crimes. To learn more, and donate, visit https://www.first...

Mark as Played
May 30, 2024 17 mins

Today’s guest is Julie Ferguson, a coach, traveler, Husky, and entrepreneur. Julie is also the owner of JRF Consulting Services, LLC, which is focused on empowering credit unions to provide passionate service and make a difference throughout the industry. This is Julie’s story.

Mark as Played
May 23, 2024 25 mins

Today’s guest is Chris Lambert. He is an author, a passionate Detroiter, and a big believer in making the impossible possible. He is also the Founder and CEO of Life Remodeled, which aims to revitalize neighborhoods across Detroit by repurposing vacant properties into one-stop hubs of opportunities where families can thrive. This is Chris’ story.

Mark as Played

Today’s guest is Jennifer Spitler. She is tenacious, believes in working hard and playing hard, and is passionate about the possibilities of the future generation. Jennifer is also the president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan, an innovative alternative to the juvenile justice system to create equity and empowerment for young people. This is Jen's story.

Mark as Played
May 9, 2024 29 mins

Today’s guest is Ronaldo Hardy. He is a passionate leader, someone who is all about people, a gifted singer, and someone who considers himself to be a diplomatic disruptor. Ronaldo is also the President & CEO of NACUSO, the National Association of Credit Union Service Organizations, with a mission to help credit unions explore the delivery of non-traditional products and services. This is Ronaldo’s story.

Mark as Played
May 2, 2024 16 mins

Today’s guest is Arash Asady.  Arash is a thought leader, someone who is irrationally optimistic, a caring friend, and clutch. He is also the CEO and co-founder of Bits of Stock, which aims to empower young investors to earn fractional stocks as rewards. This is Arash’s story.

Mark as Played
April 25, 2024 16 mins

Today’s guest is Teresa Freeborn. She is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of corporate leadership, the co-founder of Smash + Tess, a long-time advocate for women, and an outspoken and sought-after speaker and media commentator, delivering important truths with warmth, compassion, and humor. She is also the author of Suits and Skirts: Game On! Available on Amazon. This is Teresa’s story.

Mark as Played
April 19, 2024 21 mins

Today’s guest is Jimese Harkley. She is determined, witty, deliberate, passionate, and consistent in her approach to life. She is also an entrepreneur, credit union advocate, and the chief community engagement officer of Harborstone Credit Union. This is Jimese’s story.

Mark as Played
April 11, 2024 24 mins

Today’s guest is Randy Harrington, a musician, strategist, a dear friend, chef, and professional executive coach. He is also the Founding Partner of Strategic Arts & Sciences, where he invests time as a seasoned strategic planning facilitator and executive communications consultant. This is Randy’s story.

Mark as Played
April 4, 2024 10 mins

Today’s guest is Mark Erwin. He enjoys creating art, camping, and engaging with music. Mark is also the Executive Director at Ruth Ellis Center with a mission to create opportunities with LGBTQ+ young people to build their vision for a positive future. This is Mark’s story.

Mark as Played

Today's guest is Dr. Elliot Eisenberg. He is an intellectually curious, lifelong learner with a witty sense of humor that makes him a remarkable storyteller. He is also known as the bowtie economist who, through his consulting and keynote presentations, demystifies the intricacies of the economic indicators impacting our companies and communities. This is Elliot's story.

Mark as Played
March 21, 2024 17 mins

Today’s guest is Dr. Amy Hillman, a giver, a lifelong learner, someone who is never afraid of trying new things, resilient, and a human capable of redrawing her future. She is also the Rusty Lyon Chair of Strategy, former Dean of the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, and the fellow leading Filene’s Center of Excellence for Leadership, Strategy, and Governance. This is Amy’s story.

Mark as Played
March 14, 2024 25 mins

Meet Tony Roko, an awe-inspiring artist whose heart and stories can be found around Plymouth, Michigan. 

Tony’s art career began while he worked on the line at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. Ford management recognized his talents, named Tony Ford’s Resident Artist, and commissioned him to paint murals in many Ford facilities to beautify these buildings and bolster employee morale.

Learn more about his art, inspir...

Mark as Played
March 7, 2024 18 mins

Today’s guest is Rick Thomas, a father and a friend. He’s someone who loves animals and has a passion for community development, which started during his 17-year venture in Uzbekistan. He developed low-cost projects to empower underserved communities with a concentration on single women with children and retired adults. Rick is also the vp of community development and transformation at CU Strategic Planning, where he leads an elite...

Mark as Played
February 29, 2024 33 mins

Today's guest is Rachel Lauren. She's resilient, brutally honest, a former financial analyst, and an investor turned fintech entrepreneur. Rachel is also the COO and Co-Founder of Debbie Inc., a financial wellbeing platform offering cash rewards for positive financial behavior, available to credit unions - think of it as your debt payoff cheerleader. This is Rachel's story.

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    The Podium: An NBC Olympic and Paralympic podcast. Join us for insider coverage during the intense competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the run-up to the Opening Ceremony, we’ll bring you deep into the stories and events that have you know and those you'll be hard-pressed to forget.

    2. In The Village

    In The Village will take you into the most exclusive areas of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to explore the daily life of athletes, complete with all the funny, mundane and unexpected things you learn off the field of play. Join Elizabeth Beisel as she sits down with Olympians each day in Paris.

    3. iHeartOlympics: The Latest

    Listen to the latest news from the 2024 Olympics.

    4. Paris Summer Games

    The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the 33rd Olympic Games and you can follow Paris Summer Games to stay up to date on all things Olympics. We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Paris Summer Games so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2024 Olympic Games, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.

    5. Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc.