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Artwork for Despite Impossible

Despite Impossible

orsa credit union
Leadership
Credit Unions
ORSA Credit Union
Side Hustles
Credit Union
Mental Health
Artificial Intelligence
Networking
Juggling
Genomic Language Models
Vacation
Psychological Safety
Innovation
Information Overload
Washington, D.C., United States
Laura Killingbeck
Jerry Colonna
Listening
University Of Michigan
Backbone Initiative

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes267Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureBusinessEntrepreneurship

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Artwork for Despite Impossible

Latest Episodes

Despite Impossible is preparing for its fifth season, by introducing video recordings of our interviews! 

Join us for powerful conversations with people chasing bold dreams, creating impact, and proving that impossible is only the beginning. This we... more

Today’s guest is Jill Nowacki, Jill is thoughtful, contemplative, and someone who thinks about the many possibilities in front of her. She is also the co-founder and President & CEO of Zealyst, an organization dedicated to catalyzing for what's possi... more

Invisibility Isn't a Superpower

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

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Recent Guests

Scott Edwards
Music lover, educator, and Harvard researcher studying bird diversity and disease resistance
Harvard University
Episode: Season 4 Episode 25: Scott Edwards
Megan Spanitz
Chief Strategy Officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber, leading Mackinac Policy Conference planning
Detroit Regional Chamber
Episode: REWIND | Season 3 Episode 23: Megan Spanitz
Barb Lowman
President of CUNA Strategic Services, Inc.
CUNA Strategic Services, Inc.
Episode: Season 4 Episode 24: Barb Lowman
Liz Webb
Mother of the host, educator and artist
Episode: Mother's Day Rewind: Liz Webb & MacKenzie Stearns
MacKenzie Stearns
Daughter of the host, student and athlete
Episode: Mother's Day Rewind: Liz Webb & MacKenzie Stearns
Sheena Allen
Venture-backed tech founder; founder of a digital bank; advocate for financial inclusion
MyFinTech Company / Digital Bank (Orissa)
Episode: Season 4 Episode 23: Sheena Allen
Laura Killingbeck
Independent explorer, adventurer, authentic listener; writer and social media presence; mediator
Episode: Rewind Episode: Laura Killingbeck
Jess O'Brien
artist and photographer; photographer of the Northern Lights Lighthouse debit card design for ORSA Credit Union
Independent artist / ORSA Credit Union (photography project)
Episode: Season 4 Episode 22: Jess O'Brien
Heather McKissick
CEO of the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES)
Credit Union Executive Society (CUES)
Episode: Season 4 Episode 21: Heather McKissick

Hosts

Tansley Stearns
Host of Despite Impossible, guiding conversations around leadership and impossible goals.
Ryan Brown
Guest and occasional co-host on related show; appears in episodes about leadership and workplace dynamics.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Inspirational and awesome!

    This was a great listen. I’m already looking forward to the next episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gregger3
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Practical, actionable takeaways come through.
Authentic conversations with diverse guests appeal to listeners.
Guests bring candid leadership stories.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Season 4 Episode 19: Dr. Keith A. Crandall
Q: What is your vision for SeekSight and its impact on health and conservation?
SeekSight aims to provide portable DNA sequencing analysis that partners with sequencing companies and field researchers to democratize access, accelerate decision-making, and ultimately support health interventions and biodiversity conservation.
Season 4 Episode 19: Dr. Keith A. Crandall
Q: What sparked your interest in combining biology with AI and genomics?
My background in math and biology, plus a master's in statistics, led me to bioinformatics; AI and generative models for genomics felt like a natural progression to extract meaningful patterns from DNA data.
Season 4 Episode 19: Dr. Keith A. Crandall
Q: People who know you best will describe you as what, and how do you balance multiple roles?
They describe me as upbeat and curious, balancing a deep love for biology with a knack for explaining complex ideas in accessible terms, which helps when juggling a full academic career with building a startup.
Third Fork: Live from GAC!
Q: Are you enjoying your first few steps at GAC?
Yes, the conference is energizing with meaningful sessions and a strong emphasis on storytelling and learning over blink-and-you-miss-it moments.
When Life Gets Noisy...
Q: What is the best way to support someone in moments of personal crisis while keeping work as a positive space?
Create an environment that emphasizes listening over fixing, honor the person's pace and needs, and provide ongoing follow-up to show continued care without forcing solutions, recognizing that some days require different kinds of support.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Despite Impossible

What is Despite Impossible about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on real people who pursue ambitious, often “impossible” goals and the leadership mindsets that make progress possible. Across episodes, listeners hear candid conversations about leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, civic impact, financial inclusion, and personal growth through stories that blend professional insight with human connection. The format tends to be intimate and actionable, with guests ranging from startup founders and credit-union leaders to artists and explorers, all tied together by themes of resilience, collaboration, and practical problem-solving. A standout quality is the host's focus on authentic storytelling and the belief that progress comes from scrappy, human-led efforts rather than shiny... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Despite Impossible?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Despite Impossible:

1. The Dr. Josh Axe Show
2. The Mel Robbins Podcast
3. Pastor Rick's Daily Hope
4. THE ED MYLETT SHOW
5. The Rachel Hollis Podcast

How many episodes of Despite Impossible are there?

Despite Impossible launched 4 years ago and published 267 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Despite Impossible?

Recent guests on Despite Impossible include:

1. Scott Edwards
2. Megan Spanitz
3. Barb Lowman
4. Liz Webb
5. MacKenzie Stearns
6. Sheena Allen
7. Laura Killingbeck
8. Jess O'Brien

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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