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.

Today’s guest is Vince Paul. Vince is an artist, a Detroiter, and boasts an alter ego, Tenacious V, who makes an appearance once a decade. He is also the President and Artistic Director of the Detroit Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Having dedicated decades to the arts, Vince spent most of his career in New York City or touring globally with theater, music, or dance productions. When the opportunity arose to lead the Detroit Music Hall, Vince knew it was an incredible chance to make a meaningful impact in his hometown through artistic experience. This is Vince’s story.

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.”

Today’s guest is Michael Randall. Mike is passionate about community development. He is an independent filmmaker, someone who enjoys a walk around the block, and crafting small cities out of cardboard. He is also the Executive Director at Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation, where he leverages his passion and expertise to strengthen his community for the benefit of his family, neighbors, and the broader city. Mike’s goal is to “expand our work and impact the lives of our neighbors while inviting new families to live and build businesses in our community.” This is Mike’s story.

Today’s guest is Maddie Farris. Maddie is outgoing, empathetic, and someone who enjoys keeping up with her little sister. Maddie also plays forward and defense for the University of Michigan Women's Ice Hockey team. Maddie is from Northville, MI and is a junior this year. Maddie wears jersey #20 for the team and she also previously played for Honeybaked AAA. This is Maddie’s story.

Today’s guest is Mariana Ceballos. Mariana is an adventurer, a hiker, and someone who puts effort in everything she does. She also plays defense for the University of Michigan Women's Ice Hockey team. Mariana will be representing the Wolverines in jersey #29 for the 2025-26 season. She’ll be double majoring in Computer Science and Economics as part of the 2026 class. This is Mariana’s story.

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.

Removing Spinach from Our Teeth: From Potential to Human Impact

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