The CUInsight Experience

“Our primary avenue of communication is creating moments.” – Liz Ponder Welcome to episode 231 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Trellance Cooperative Holdings, Inc. Trellance is the parent company behind some of the most trusted credit union tech providers, such as Rise Analytics, ProBridge and Optiri. By providing tech to credit unions and investing in new solutions, Trellance aims to create growth opportunities for the entire industry and to empower credit unions to embrace innovative new technology. Learn more at Trellance.com In this new 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. This week on the show, we welcome Liz Ponder, CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union. Liz is here to help us explore a concept which we firmly believe that every leader needs: a personal leadership compass. Listen in as Liz walks us through how she’s defined her own guiding principles and how those values shape the way she leads. She highlights why things like clarity, purpose, and empathy are not just meaningless buzzwords but tools to help her team understand their roles, see the impact of their work, and feel truly connected to the credit union’s mission. We dig into how leadership isn’t about moving fast or accumulating accolades but is about bringing people along, with Liz reflecting on how her listening skills, shaped early by her mother’s hearing impairment, helped her evolve into a leader who communicates intentionality and empathetically. We also get into how Liz works to intentionally build psychological safety, encouraging her team to speak up and share ideas without consequence. She also fosters a culture where transparency and collaboration drive real impact, not just numbers on a report. We also talk about the powerful role of language, mentorship, and modeling values in leadership, with Liz reflecting on lessons learned from her early career and how she has empowered others to find their voice. She also advises on how to guide people toward roles that align with their strengths and purpose and stresses the fact that leadership is ultimately not about a title. Liz firmly believes that anyone can lead from the position that they are in, even if it's a more junior position. Toward the end of the episode, we get a little more personal as we hear more about how Liz’s childhood shaped her leadership style, and she shares her next steps for the future, including an ambitious program to build up the next generation of female leaders! Liz truly blends humility with vision, staying grounded while building an organization that thrives because people feel valued, heard, and empowered. This episode is packed with practical insights and stories from the front lines of leadership and it's truly one you are going to love! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Liz: Liz Ponder, CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union srpfcu.org SRP Federal Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Send us Fan Mail

“Getting it right means getting the right people, balance, structure, and authority—and everyone loving what they’re doing.” – Mark Zook Welcome to episode 230 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. Join us for this episode as we welcome Mark Zook, President and CEO of Maps Credit Union. He joins us to discuss something that many leaders experience but rarely say out loud: the fact that real growth often begins after you become the CEO. Mark stepped into the CEO role internally and has continued to evolve as a leader via years of work both inside his organization and across the credit union movement! Listen in as Mark shares what it was like moving into the CEO seat after seventeen years at Maps, believing himself to be prepared only to quickly realize how wrong that he had been. His first months in the role happened during the chaos of the Great Recession, which forced him and his newly assembled executive team to come together quickly, make difficult decisions, and build resilience in real time—all early challenges which shaped how he approaches leadership today! We also spend some time talking about one of the biggest transitions leaders face: shifting from being the person who gets things done to the person who empowers others to do the work. Mark reflects on how his “builder” mindset had to evolve once he became CEO. Instead of being the one executing, he instead had to learn how to listen, support, and guide the people around him. Throughout our conversation, we also touch upon the role that mentors play in leadership growth, with Mark reflecting on the major influence that former Maps CEO Dan Penn had on him, having pushed him into opportunities long before he felt ready. That spirit of curiosity and experimentation has shaped a lot of Maps' culture—from launching organizations that benefit the industry and even to entering newly emerging areas such as cannabis banking. We also talk about the value of iteration in leadership and how ideas rarely start fully formed. Hear how many of the initiatives that began as small experiments at Maps have grown into major organizations serving credit unions nationwide. Along the way, Mark shares lessons about risk, resilience, and the importance of building strong teams. If you have ever wondered what leadership growth looks like after the promotion, our conversation with Mark Zook offers an honest and thoughtful perspective! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Mark: Mark Zook, President/CEO of Maps Credit Union Send us Fan Mail

“Creating space isn't accidental, but an actual decision that must be made every day.” - Jilly Nowacki Welcome to episode 229 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. Join us for this episode as we discuss something that is seemingly simple but surprisingly difficult for leaders to do: creating space—space for the work that actually matters, space for the people who matter most, and space to think without your calendar screaming at you! Between emails, notifications, and endless meetings, it’s so easy to let the urgent take control over what's truly important, and we’re sharing how we intentionally carve out the time, energy, and focus to prevent that from happening. Tune in as we discuss why leadership isn’t just about doing more but is also about choosing what to give your attention to. Jilly shares why protecting your energy matters just as much as protecting your time, and we explore how easy it is to let the squeaky wheel hijack your focus. We talk about strategies like the urgent-important matrix and service level agreements, but also the subtler art of saying “no” without feeling guilty. Learning to resist comparison and focusing on your organization’s mission instead of someone else’s success can make a bigger difference than people realize. We also talk about the seasons of life and work, and how priorities shift over time. We reflect on moving from constant networking to more meaningful conversations, and we share how integrating personal and professional life helps with alignment and with what matters most! We also both share how we try to honor our natural rhythms, protect uninterrupted time for reflection, and avoid letting the “urgent” distract from the work that has the most impact. By the end of this episode, expect to hear how intentional space—not just busy schedules or productivity hacks—creates clarity, energy, and better decisions! We are sharing honest experiences, practical habits, and a few birthday weekend laughs along the way! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Send a text

“As women, we have a lot of work to do—and that work is something we have to continue to be impatient about.” – Tansley Stearns Welcome to episode 228 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. Join us for this episode as we welcome Tansley Stearns back to the show. Tansley is the President & CEO of orsa credit union, and she helps challenge us to think about leadership from the inside out, sharing a candid conversation about what it actually takes to become the kind of leader you’re proud to be, not just the one who looks impressive on paper. We talk with Tansley about a defining moment during COVID that reshaped how she thinks about people, trust, and growth and how, from that experience, came her powerful framework of “cushions and wings,” or the idea that leaders must first create safety, care, and trust before asking people to stretch, innovate, and take risks. Without the cushion, the wings can do real harm. That idea really sets the tone for our discussion on authenticity, emotional honesty, and the responsibility that leaders carry when people are watching everything that they do. Tansley shares what it’s meant for her life and journey as a leader to let go of people-pleasing, borrowed identities, and the masks she once wore to fit into rooms that didn’t always feel like home. We explore how embracing who she truly is—laughter, emotions, bold dreams, and all—has made her a more effective and trusted leader, and she also opens up about her uncompromising standards: no “brilliant jerks,” no behavior that harms people, and no shrinking herself to make others feel more comfortable. We also reflect on the mentors who have shaped us, the feedback that changed us, and the responsibility that we now have to show up for the next generation of leaders. We talk about values, joy, growth, and why leadership is ultimately about people, not metrics. This episode is for anyone who’s questioning who they’re becoming at work, who feels the weight of trying to belong, or who wants to lead with courage, care, and clarity, with Tansley reminding us that authenticity isn’t a destination but a practice! Enjoy our conversation with Tansley Stearns! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Tansley: Tansley Stearns, President & CEO of orsa credit union orsacu.org Tansley: LinkedIn orsa credit union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Send a text

“Don’t lose that zeal and passion, but don’t trade on the cheapest human emotions—fear and contempt.” – Scott Simpson Welcome to episode 227 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we are joined by Scott Simpson, President/CEO of America’s Credit Unions. Listen in this episode as we step away from job titles and LinkedIn headlines to talk about the moments that shape a career—the quiet hinge points, the unexpected invitations, and the decisions that feel terrifying in real time but obvious in hindsight. We talk with Scott about the “green light” moments that changed everything: being pulled into politics by a friend, stepping into the middle of a high-stakes bank–credit union fight, and then finally receiving one of the most surprising career taps imaginable—being told to apply for a CEO role he never expected to be offered! What followed wasn’t just a promotion but a defining lesson in humility, courage, and emotional discipline. One of the most powerful parts of our conversation with Scott is the story that he shares about the leader he unintentionally jumped over and the grace that man showed in response. That choice, Scott tells us, didn’t just transform a working relationship; it reshaped his entire career, and we reflect on what it means to name the elephant in the room, ask “Are we okay?” after hard decisions, and lead from empathy rather than ego. Scott also opens up about balancing youthful confidence with seasoned wisdom, resisting the pull toward fear or contempt, and learning to keep “motoring” even when the road ahead feels unclear. From Utah to California to Washington, D.C., his journey shows how small rooms and overlooked moments can ripple across an entire industry, so, for anyone feeling impatient, stuck, or hungry for what’s next, this episode offers something more meaningful than a career checklist. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t come from chasing status but rather from executing where you stand, lifting your part of the piano, and trusting that the road will bend when it’s time! Enjoy our conversation with Scott Simpson! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Connect with James: Scott Simpson, President/CEO of America’s Credit Unions americascreditunions.org Scott: Lin Send a text

“When someone joins an organization, you're not just buying into the work; you're buying into the leader too.” - Jilly Nowacki Welcome to episode 225 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. Following up on the first episode of the new 2026 season, we reflect on what leadership really looks like when you’re living it and not just reading about it. Early on for both of us, building something from nothing made every decision very personal. People weren’t just joining a company; they were trusting in us and the vision that we brought, and Jilly shares her own experience founding Humanidei and leading leagues, and we both explore the idea that when you hire someone, they’re buying into more than just the work; they’re buying into you as a leader and the philosophy that you bring. That alignment, we have found, can make all the difference in long-term growth and culture. We talk about the joy and the challenge of watching people grow. From employees stepping into new roles, achieving personal milestones, or moving on to other leadership positions, seeing that impact has been one of the most rewarding parts of our careers, yet it’s easy to overlook these moments in the day-to-day hustle, and we explore why it’s so important to recognize and nurture those “rock stars” and high-potential performers while gracefully letting go of those who unfortunately are not fully invested. We also dive into the weight of leadership, the balance between people and numbers, and how survival phases can make it especially difficult to hold onto joy. Both of us share personal lessons about the seasons of leadership and how knowing where to contribute at your highest value and building meaningful relationships inside and outside the organization can sustain inspiration over the long haul. By the end of our discussion, we land on one key truth: leadership isn’t measured by metrics alone. It’s measured by the people whose lives you have touched and the culture that you have fostered. We encourage leaders, whether you’re a year into the role or decades in, to pause and ask yourself: who has grown because of your leadership? For us, that reflection is often the most rewarding part - and the part that makes us smile! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Send us a text

“Purpose makes leadership feel worth it.” - Randy Smith Welcome to episode 225 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. We open this season with a clear intention: leadership that feels meaningful, sustainable, and human, and we are much less focused on fixing what’s broken and more on naming what helps leaders feel grounded, energized, and aligned with why they do the work in the first place. Purpose is ultimately the throughline, and Jill shares why it continues to matter so deeply to her, not just as a concept but as something that directly shapes well-being, motivation, and joy at work. From leadership teams to individuals feeling stuck, burned out, or in transition, she reflects on how a lack of purpose shows up in mental health, engagement, and fulfillment, with the question not being just how leaders define purpose for themselves but also how they help their teams understand the value of what they contribute every day. We also add another lens: purpose as the difference between motion and direction; running fast doesn’t help if you’re headed the wrong way. Together, we explore what it looks like to slow down just enough to make sure that the work is worth doing—especially after years marked by urgency, disruption, and constant change. Our conversation also touches on what leaders are grappling with right now. While AI and technology continue to evolve, Jill observes a noticeable shift as 2026 begins: less panic, more curiosity, and a renewed focus on staying human-centered while using new tools appropriately. You will also get a preview of what’s ahead this season, including conversations about career-defining moments, celebrating wins, building legacy, staying grounded, and finding joy in watching others succeed. Thanks for tuning in, and we hope that you enjoy this first episode of a new season of the show! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Previous guest mentioned in this episode: Tracie Kenyon (episodes 12 & 20 Send us a text

“You have people that listen, then you have people that are waiting to talk.” – Fred Robinson Welcome to episode 224 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this season finale, we welcome Fred Robinson, President/CEO at Tennessee Credit Union League. Fred has spent 42 years in the credit union business, and so many of his stories return to the simple idea that people remember people, not titles, not logos, and not institutions. Fred traces it through the mentors who shaped him, reminding us why it matters now more than it ever has. We dig into the real substance behind connection—the lived version built via trust, consistency, and showing up long enough for people to recognize that you actually mean what you say. Fred discusses the leaders who taught him that this work can become a calling and that your reputation can be shaped via one conversation, one promise kept, and one honest phone call at a time. He also shares the advice he gives younger professionals today, reminding us that growth isn’t always about chasing the next big thing but is sometimes about sticking with the work long enough to develop roots. Jill also brings in her perspective on our industry and how moving on isn’t the problem but that torching relationships on the way out definitely is. We share stories about how those long-term bonds are important even decades later and why someone new to the movement might feel overwhelmed walking into a room where everyone seems to know everyone. Fred makes a strong case that it’s our responsibility to bring newcomers in and show them connection. We also get into how connection works in a world that’s both very digital and still deeply human. We discuss why a phone call can have a bigger impact than an email, why physical presence still matters, and how meeting people at their own comfort level (whether that be face-to-face or via a screen) keeps relationships real and grounded. Enjoy our conversation with Fred Robinson! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Connect with Fred: Fred Robinson, President/CEO at Tennessee Credit Union League yourleague.org Fred: LinkedIn Tennessee Credit Union League: LinkedIn |

“Leaders who intentionally practice gratitude create strong cultures, deeper connections, and more resilient teams.” – Randy Smith Welcome to episode 223 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we are discussing the power of gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful leadership strategy that can have a huge impact on company culture, employee engagement, and team resilience, and we explore why gratitude matters so much for leaders as well as how to effectively foster it. Gratitude tends to fuel positive culture, strengthen relationships, and encourage people to bring their best selves to work. When challenges come up, gratitude helps teams bounce back better by making people feel seen, valued, and appreciated for their contributions, and it also builds trust and a sense of meaning, showing employees that they are not just "cogs in the wheel" but part of something more important. Expressing gratitude should be tied to specific impacts and outcomes, not just broad acknowledgments, and we caution against waiting for big events or milestones to show appreciation. We talk about some of the common barriers that prevent leaders from practicing gratitude more consistently, such as feeling like you are too busy or feeling worried that it will make the team complacent. We recommend building gratitude into daily routines and rituals such as starting meetings with a round of appreciation or having a weekly "gratitude moment" on team chats! We share some personal stories of how gratitude has shaped our own leadership journeys, helping us stay grounded and focused on what really matters in the end. Leaders at the top may receive less day-to-day gratitude, making it even more important for them to model the behavior. Gratitude is a simple but profound leadership practice. When used intentionally, it can transform company culture, deepen connections, and empower teams to achieve truly remarkable things together! We hope that you enjoy our conversation! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

“Alignment doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through clarity.” – Jill Nowacki Welcome to episode 222 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we are talking all about the importance of alignment, the connection between what an organization claims that it values and what it actually does. We discuss how alignment shows up most clearly in leadership and how, when leaders' words and actions are misaligned, it can create confusion, distrust, and a lack of energy on a team. Jill notes that true alignment is when "what we say and what we do match up” and gives examples of how misalignment can manifest in an organization. We examine what can cause leaders and organizations to fall out of alignment in the first place, identifying as a key factor. When leaders get excited about new opportunities, they can move too quickly without bringing the team along. Leaders under distress might also make hasty decisions aimed at pleasing rather than staying true to their values. We also discuss how restoring alignment requires self-reflection—to understand how the misalignment occurred to begin with. Jill highlights the importance of being transparent and admitting mistakes—and recommitting to the organization's core purpose and values. We also stress the importance of defining and reinforcing the "why" behind your organization's goals. We advise leaders to trust their gut when something feels off and to dig deeper to uncover the root cause. Ultimately, our discussion emphasizes the fact that alignment is not something that happens by accident—but is something that requires ongoing effort, self-awareness, and a persistent focus on ensuring that words and actions are in sync at both the individual and organizational level. Enjoy our conversation on alignment! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

“Failure’s mistakes teach us so much more than our successes ever do.” – Caroline Willard Welcome to episode 221 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we have Caroline Willard returning to the podcast. Caroline is the President and CEO of Cornerstone League, and she joins us for this episode to discuss the importance of embracing curiosity as a leader. Curiosity is an essential leadership trait that pushes us out of familiar thinking and opens new worlds of possibility, but it also goes hand-in-hand with vulnerability, showing that leaders don't have all the answers and are open to and welcoming of new ideas. Curious leaders are constantly learning, reading across diverse genres, and are fascinated by the creative processes of others—whether business leaders or rock stars. However, as we discuss, it does not always come naturally. After all, doing things by rote is easier, and leaders may fear failure. We also talk about the tendency to get comfortable with the status quo, even if new tools or technologies could drive greater efficiency, and we discuss how curiosity requires vulnerability, resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks, and a willingness to pause and reflect to truly understand the root causes behind said challenges. Curiosity is ultimately a choice and a practice and is truly one of the simplest ways for leaders to model openness, adaptability, and creative problem-solving for their teams. By remaining curious, leaders can uncover new possibilities, make better-informed decisions, and lead their teams to greater success! We hope that you enjoy our conversation with Caroline Willard! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Caroline: Caroline Willard, President & CEO of Cornerstone League cornerstoneleague.coop Caroline: LinkedIn | CUNA Cornerstone League: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Want to hear more from Caroline? Click here.

“If you have a fear of failure, you won't launch.” - Brad Bergmooser Welcome to episode 220 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we welcome Brad Bergmooser, CEO of Financial Plus Credit Union in Michigan. He joins us to discuss one of the most important aspects of being an effective leader—adaptability. Adaptability is shown to be crucial not just for leaders, but for entire organizations, and we explore how credit unions need to be "fast followers" to keep up with demands for instant, personalized service. Clinging to the "way we've always done it" is a recipe for getting left behind! Listen as Brad shares how he has embraced change and disruption to create an exciting, fast-paced environment that attracts top talent to the credit union industry. We dig into the difference between reacting to change vs. proactively adapting to it, and Brad provides examples of how he has developed adaptable leaders on his team by giving them assignments outside of their comfort zones, ultimately building their "muscle memory" for taking on uncertainty. We also discuss the challenges of leading teams through rapid change and how some leaders struggle with the loss of control that can sometimes come with the territory of being adaptable, and Brad highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with experts who can fill the gaps in your own knowledge, rather than trying to be the all-knowing CEO. We ultimately offer some insights for aspiring leaders into how to foster adaptability in themselves and in their teams, with key traits including embracing failure as a learning opportunity, maintaining confidence while also being vulnerable, and constantly putting yourself in uncomfortable situations to build that crucial adaptability muscle! Enjoy our conversation with Brad Bergmooser! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Connect with Brad: Brad Bergmooser, CEO of Financial Plus Credit Union - Michigan myfpcu.com Brad: LinkedIn Financial Plus Credit Union: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

“The Type 2 Fun is where all the stories come from.” – Randy Smith This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group, a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we are talking about Type 2 Fun—experiences which feel miserable in the moment but become cherished memories later on—and we share some personal stories that, while difficult at the time, ultimately led to growth and incredibly meaningful connections! We explore why discomfort is necessary for personal and professional development—without facing challenges and pushing past our comfort zones, we can't build the necessary resilience to take on challenges in the future. We highlight the importance of leaders normalizing discomfort in the workplace and celebrating the accomplishments that come from it, ultimately supporting their teams through the difficult moments. Our conversation also touches upon building a culture that embraces growth via challenges. We discuss strategies for hiring and retaining team members who are willing to step outside their comfort zones, as well as the pitfalls of trying to create an environment of constant "Type 1 Fun." We ultimately come to the conclusion that the stories and memories we cherish most often come from those Type 2 Fun experiences—the ones that push us to our limits but leave us stronger and more connected on the other side. We encourage you to reflect on your own Type 2 Fun moments, recognize the value in the discomfort, and build teams and organizations that can navigate those growth-inducing challenges together. We hope that you enjoy our conversation! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Previous guest mentioned in this episode: Mike Valentine (episodes 128 & 204)

“People feel like they belong when they know their contribution matters.” – Jill Nowacki Welcome to episode 218 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we are talking about belonging! Belonging is more than just inclusion; it's the culture that allows people to show up fully, share ideas without hesitation, and thrive as themselves, and in this conversation, we discuss why belonging is so important for teams and organizations and the barriers that can get in the way We look at how leaders can spot the signs that someone on their team isn't feeling a sense of belonging, and how subtle things can inadvertently make people feel excluded. We also highlight the value of listening to understand, not just to respond, and revisiting ideas that may have been overlooked in the moment. Admitting mistakes and making efforts to make things right can strengthen a sense of belonging! We suggest that belonging is essential for unlocking the full potential of teams and driving better business results! We hope that you enjoy our conversation on belonging! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

“When we have presence, it creates space for trust, clarity, and a real, true connection.” - Jill Nowacki Welcome to episode 217 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we discuss all things presence and the importance of being present as a leader. Presence is the ability to truly show up mentally, emotionally, and energetically for your team and organization, and it’s something that all leaders struggle with at one point in time or another, ourselves included. We discuss how a leader’s presence shapes the team—without it, distractions, rushed decisions, and confusion take hold, but with it, trust, clarity, and connection flourish. We also highlight the need for leaders to be intentional about creating space in their schedules, setting boundaries, and resisting the impulse to jump between tasks or immediately respond to messages. Listen as we share some personal stories and insights around the struggle to disconnect, stay focused, and resist the urge to constantly check devices. We ultimately conclude that while presence may be one of the most overlooked leadership skills, it is also one of the most impactful, and by committing to regular practice and creating the conditions to truly show up and be present, leaders can unlock new levels of focus, connection, and effectiveness for themselves, their teams, and their organizations! We hope that you enjoy our conversation on presence! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Audiobook mentioned: An Everyone Culture: Becoming a Deliberately Developmental Organization by Robert Kegan, Lisa Laskow, et al. Previous guests mentioned: Leo Ardine (episodes 21 & 150)

“Sometimes there are monumental changes, but other times it’s what can you do today to get one step closer?" - Randy Smith Welcome to episode 216 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, Jill and I talk about all things pivoting - when you realize the path that you're on isn't the one you need to stay on. It can be a strategic shift, a leadership adjustment, or even a whole new direction. The need to pivot can come from burnout, boredom, or external factors such as failing to meet success metrics. We discuss how internal signs such as lack of creativity or excitement for the work can also indicate that it's time for a change. Pivoting can be really difficult, as it requires overcoming our natural human desire for stability, and Jill and I discuss how leaders have the added challenge of bringing their teams along through the transition. We remind you that being transparent about the reasons behind the pivot, the expected outcomes and potential challenges, and inviting input from your team can all help ease the process for everyone. Celebrating milestones and small wins along the way is also important to maintain morale. We also highlight how pivots don't have to be monumental shifts; sometimes, it's the "two degree" changes that open up new opportunities. The key, though, is being attuned to all of the signals that are trying to tell you that it's time to make a move, so whether in your career, your organization, or your personal life, the ability to recognize when it's time to pivot can be one of the healthiest and most impactful decisions that you make. The path forward may not be certain, but the alternative of staying stuck is often so much worse! We hope that this episode offers you some great insight! As always, feel free to reach out to us and share your thoughts! We would love to hear from you! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

“No matter how much success you achieve, you won’t feel like you’re enough if you aren’t fulfilled in the success you have.” – Jill Nowacki Welcome to episode 215 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we are doing something a little bit out of the ordinary because we don’t have a guest - it’s just the two of us, but this is an incredibly important topic that will probably ring familiar to many of you. What does it mean to redefine success on our own terms and be enough? We discuss how our definitions of success have changed over time, moving away from external measures like titles, growth, and numbers and instead focusing on internal fulfillment and joy. We share how comparison can be the "thief of joy” and highlight the importance of self-reflection to truly understand what success means to you as an individual. We provide some insights into tools such as the "Wheel of Life" which can help leaders assess different areas of their lives and identify where they may feel a sense of imbalance or lack of fulfillment. Beyond the resume, we also highlight unique "off the resume" wins that speak to our values and the way we choose to lead our lives, discussing what it looks like to lead from a place of "enough" - recognizing that there actually is no one-size-fits-all definition of success and that true resilience and growth come from a place of self-acceptance as well as self-improvement! We hope that this episode offers you some practical tips, such as identifying personal rituals that help ground and center you when you're feeling off-balance. As always, feel free to reach out to us and share your thoughts! We would love to hear from you! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Previous episode mentioned: #4

“It’s not about you—and if you remember that, you’re making it about the people you serve.” – John Bratsakis Welcome to episode 214 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we are joined by John Bratsakis, President & CEO of Maryland & DC Credit Union Association. We explore the power of vulnerability, uncertainty, and imperfection as essential parts of leadership that really need to be embraced, not avoided. John shares how he has dealt with leading through challenging times by leaning into his humanity. Listen as John reflects on pivotal moments in his career when he had to admit that didn't know what to do and how that helped open the door to more authentic, collaborative leadership. He shares how a tragic loss on his team taught him the importance of leading with compassion and how navigating a tough time in history with his staff required embracing vulnerability as well as a willingness to accept the fact that they did not have all the answers. As we discuss, this shift from trying to be the perfect, all-knowing leader to embracing one's own humanity is a journey which many of us face. We also reflect on our own experiences with leaders who modeled authenticity as opposed to those who tried to project an image of perfection. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that true leadership is not about having all the answers but is rather about creating a safe space for collaboration, learning, and growth—even (or especially) when we don't know what the right path forward is. By showing up with both vulnerability and intentionality, we give our teams permission to do the same—unlocking creativity, empathy, and the best of what we can collectively achieve! Happy listening, and, as always, please feel free to reach out to us with our own thoughts and/or questions! Enjoy our conversation with John Bratsakis! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. How to find John: John Bratsakis, President & C.E.O. of Maryland & DC Credit Union Association mddccua.org John: LinkedIn Maryland & DC Credit Union Association: LinkedIn | Facebook | X | YouTube Want to hear more from John? Click here.

“Every time I’ve just been myself, it’s really worked to my advantage.” - Patty Corkery Welcome to episode 213 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we are joined by repeat guest Patty Corkery, the president and CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League. She comes on board to discuss the idea of "releasing to evolve" as leaders, sharing some truly insightful reflections on the mindset shifts and unlearning that often must happen as we take on more senior roles. One big theme that resonates with us is this idea of having to let go of the need to be liked, especially when you're in a position in which you must make tough decisions. Patty talks about how she has had to work on being more direct and not worrying so much about everyone approving of her and we talk about the human desire to be an approachable, fun leader, versus having to put on the CEO hat and make uncomfortable calls. We also dive into the challenge of adjusting your communication style as you move up, with Patty sharing a great piece of advice that she got about how "your whisper is a roar" at the executive level. It is a fine line to walk—being authentic while also being mindful of the weight that your words carry. This is a truly thought-provoking conversation about the evolution required to be an effective senior leader, and Patty offers a lot to reflect on and think about. Enjoy our conversation with Patty Corkery! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify How to find Patty: Patty Corkery, President & CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League mcul.org Patty: LinkedIn Michigan Credit Union League: LinkedIn | Facebook | X | YouTube Want to hear more from Patty? Click here.

“I can give you the blueprint, but you’ve got to own your own development” - Ty Muse Welcome to episode 212 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. In this episode, we are joined by repeat guest Ty Muse, President & CEO at Visions Federal Credit Union who joins us for an insightful conversation about building legacy in real-time. As leaders, we often get caught up in the day-to-day grind, but Ty shares a truly refreshing perspective—that legacy isn't some far-off concept but is about the people we develop along the way. Ty passionately opens up about his Lead On and Lead In programs, which prepare future leaders within his organization—but his mentorship extends beyond his own walls, actively seeking out rising stars in the credit union industry and connecting them with opportunities, resources and seasoned veterans who can help them grow. This concept of "sponsorship" versus mentorship truly resonates with us! Ty also challenges the idea of "big vs. small" credit unions, arguing that we're all part of the same cooperative movement. He believes that larger institutions have the responsibility to support and uplift the smaller ones because we are ultimately stronger together, and this collaborative mindset is so refreshing and inspiring in an industry that can sometimes feel divided. Ultimately, Ty's overarching message is about making the most of the precious time that we have. He doesn't just find time for mentorship—he makes it a priority because he sees it as an investment that pays dividends, both for the mentor and the mentee. His insights on work-life balance, vulnerability as a leader, and empowering boards are equally thought-provoking, and this is a conversation that is sure to leave you feeling inspired to build our own legacies in real-time. Enjoy our conversation with Ty Muse! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify How to find Ty: President & CEO at Visions Federal Credit Union visionsfcu.org Ty: LinkedIn Visions Federal Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube | TikTok