Despite Impossible
Community Financial
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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.
Available episodes
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4 days ago
Chase_Bonhag
Today's guest is Chase Bonhag, CEO and co-founder of FirstIgnite, an AI-driven platform simplifying the process for universities to craft compelling marketing content by analyzing complex research data and publications. This helps speed up the process of getting research data into the hands of experts who can turn it into new products and processes that impact our world. This is Chase's story.
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May 18, 2023
Clark_Sweat
Today's guest is Clark Sweat, Chief Operating Officer for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Married his sweetheart, is a farm owner, and he's a guy that likes to play with dirt. This is Clark's story.
To learn, and donate, visit: https://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/
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May 11, 2023
Jeff_Russell
Today's guest is Jeff Russell, President & CEO at Delta Dental in Iowa. Father, music lover, not a dancer, and he happens to be the co-founder and operator of Catalyst Ridge Wines, a winery in Oregon. This is Jeff's story.
To learn more, visit: https://catalyst.wine
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May 4, 2023
Mark_Zook
Today's guest is Mark Zook, President and CEO at Maps Credit Union in Salem, Oregon. He's known for being a builder in the industry and says it's important as a leader to be a generalist, not a specialist, so he can ask "the whys." He leads by being kind and curious.
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Apr 27, 2023
Miche_Rayment
Today's guest is Miche Rayment, Founder and CEO at The Hire Effect. She reminds us that becoming masterful at fostering and growing an effective culture and hiring takes intention and patience. This is her story.
To learn more about Miche, visit https://thehireeffect.com/
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Apr 20, 2023
Linda_Armyn
Today’s guest is Linda Armyn, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Bethpage 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.
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Apr 13, 2023
Pierrette Dagg
Today’s guest is Pierrette Dagg, the director of Technology Impact Research for Merit Network at the University of Michigan. Her work aims to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and practical application to impact technology and information equity positively. This is her story.
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Apr 6, 2023
Mike_Lawson
Today’s guest is Mike Lawson, the mastermind behind CUBroadcast, a video-driven journal keeping credit union professionals up to date with the most important news in our industry. If you are not a credit union junkie, no worries! This interview is about the art of storytelling. This is Mike’s story.
To learn more about Mike, visit www.cubroadcast.com
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Apr 3, 2023
Bonnie_Fahoome & Kiana_Wenzell
Today's guests are Bonnie Fahoome and Kiana Wenzell, Co-Executive Directors of Design Core Detroit, whose goal is to champion design-driven businesses and their role in strengthening Detroit's economy. Fun fact: we recorded this on Bonnie's birthday! These are their stories.
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Mar 16, 2023
Gregg_Hammerman
Today’s guest is Gregg Hammerman, Founder and CEO of Larky, a digital geolocation platform empowering financial institutions' banking platforms. Gregg is a serial entrepreneur and a dedicated father. He currently serves as the Board chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County. This is his story.
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Mar 9, 2023
Vince_Kadlubek
Today's guest is Vince Kadlubek, co-founder of Meow Wolf, an arts and entertainment company with experiential exhibits in Santa Fe, Las Vegas, and Denver. He creates immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. This is his story.
To learn more about his organization, visit: meowwolf.com
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Mar 2, 2023
Dr_Monica_Merritt
Today's guest is Dr. Monica Merritt, Superintendent of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. She has also been recognized as Michigan's 2023 Superintendent of the Year. Monica attributes her strength to the many lessons she learned from her father, Herman Boone – football coach at TC Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., whose story was portrayed in the Disney movie Remember the Titans. This is her story.
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Feb 23, 2023
Linda_Bodie
Today's guest is Linda Bodie, an analytical dreamer, innovator, and passionate advocate for all those who don't fit the mold. She is also the CEO & Innovator at Element Federal Credit Union in West Virginia. And, during the 2023 Governmental Affairs Conference, Linda is receiving the Outstanding Individual Achievement accolade at the illustrious Herb Wegner Memorial Awards. This is her story.
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Feb 16, 2023
Cynthia_Hutchison
Today’s guest is Cynthia Hutchison, a loving mother, advocate, volunteer, and author. She is also the chief executive officer at the US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and a World Economic Forum fellow.
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Feb 9, 2023
Maysoon_Zayid
Today’s guest is Maysoon Zayid. An American actress and comedian, of Palestinian descent, she is known as one of America’s first Muslim female comedians. She started her career by appearing on the popular soap opera As the World Turns, and for guest appearances on Law & Order, NBC Nightly News, and ABC’s 20/20. She also happens to have the most watched TED Talk in 2014.
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Feb 2, 2023
Samuel_Augustus
Today’s guest is poet Dr. Samuel Augustus, a self-described alchemist, a father, with a little dash of wizardry, and someone who loves being creative and believes deeply in helping people. He also has an acute eye for solving problems that may seem insurmountable.
To learn more about his work, visit drsamuel.com
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Jan 26, 2023
Racheal + Gerrard_Allen
Today’s guests are Gerrard and Racheal Allen. They are the founders of Centric Place, an office and event space with a mission to provide a welcoming workspace for all. Racheal is also the CEO & Principal Strategist for Operations School, a non-profit incubator for Black-owned businesses.
To learn more visit: https://www.centricplace.com/
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Jan 19, 2023
Keith_Bynum + Evan_Thomas
Today’s guests are Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas. They are the hosts and force behind the wildly successful HGTV show “Bargain Block.” We are lucky they took a moment to record this episode while in the midst of the show’s third season, where they restore properties in need of love and transform them into affordable, stylish starter homes for first-time homebuyers. Keith is a savvy designer, while Evan enjoys solving difficult problems by putting his hard-earned PhD in physics to the test of revitalizing Detroit, one block at a time.
To learn more, and bring their art to your home, visit: www.nine.homes
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Jan 12, 2023
Lori_Kitchen-Buschel
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.firststep-mi.org/donatenow/
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Jan 5, 2023
Liz_Webb
Today's guest is Liz Webb, a dedicated retired teacher who consistently finds inspiration in the arts. She also happens to be my mother. Let's learn more about Liz’s journey.
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Dec 29, 2022
Mollie_Bell
Mollie is a passionate believer in cooperation with a desire to leave the world a better place. She is a committed vegan and lover of animals who believes wholeheartedly that no animal deserves to suffer at the hands of humankind. She is the founder of Fostering Love Rescues, a non-profit animal sanctuary in Colorado. You can learn more and donate at fosteringloverescues.org.
Besides her work as a founder of Fostering Love Rescues, Mollie serves as Chief Development Officer for Ent Credit Union.
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Dec 21, 2022
RJ_Webber
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.
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Dec 12, 2022
Tony_Roko
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, inspiration, and impact through his art foundation via his website: https://www.artofroko.com/pages/gallery
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