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.

Today’s guest is Jesse Thistle, who is a dedicated father and swimming cheerleader to his daughter Rose, a skilled pancake chef, and an avid writer. Jesse is also the author of “From the Ashes,” the winner of the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for Nonfiction, Indigenous Voices Award, and High Plains Book Award, and a finalist for CBC Canada Reads, and an assistant professor in Humanities at York University in Toronto. Jesse won a Governor General’s Academic Medal in 2016 and is a Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholar. This is Jesse’s story.

Today’s guest is MacKenzie Isabelle Stearns. MacKenzie is an adventurer, a dedicated athlete, someone who deeply enjoys music, she is full of energy, and her friends describe her as someone incredibly fun to be around. MacKenzie is a first-year high school student, where she is deeply committed to walking with people going through stuff. She is also my kind, generous, creative, courageous, disciplined, and bold daughter. This is MacKenzie’s story.

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.

Making the Last Mile Count: Strategic Execution at its Finest

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Today’s guest is Dr. Aimee Daily. Aimee is committed to helping ensure that kids get the care they need to reach their full potential. Aimee is also the president and chief executive officer at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals where she focuses on leading with authenticity, accessibility, and responsiveness and on building connections with team members, hospital leaders, and CMN Hospitals’ dedicated network of corporate, media, and community partners. This is Aimee’s story.

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.

Today’s guest is Missy Testerman. Missy is a passionate joy-seeker, a gardener, a teacher at heart and professionally, and someone deeply committed to education. She is also the 2024 National Teacher of the Year in the K-8th grade category, an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher who is a staunch advocate for her students, their families, and her fellow teachers. This is Missy’s story.