How This National Geographic Explorer Brings Stories To Life Through Poetry with Alyea Pierce

In this episode, Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellow Alyea Pierce joins Kimberly to talk about her journey and experience as a writer, poet, and storyteller.

Alyea uses poetry, spoken word performance, audio, and photography to examine oral storytelling & folklore traditions across the African diaspora. She has recently contributed to National Geographic’s “Into The Depths” podcast and The Soul of Music—Overheard’s four-part series focusing on music, exploration, and Black history. Currently, she works at the English department at Rutgers University as a creative writing instructor.

Alyea brings us along her journey of pivoting into a career as a poet who brings untold marginalized stories and Caribbean histories. Tune in to draw inspiration from Alyea’s personal experiences and learn helpful tips and practical advice on how to bring your stories to life!

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KEY POINTS:
Alyea’s journey from college to working with National Geographic
Defying rejection with timing, clarity, and effort
Allowing more vulnerability in your work and real life
How Alyea’s ambivert side helps her thrive at work
The shedding of your old self to adapt to new cultures & environments
Dealing with abrupt changes and adapting to COVID
Alyea’s Afro-Caribbean poetry project; her favorite writer and her favorite poem
Alyea’s biggest advice to those in pursuit of their career path

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QUOTABLES:
“It's easy to be vulnerable through poetry. To be vulnerable in real life – that's terrifying to me because that means that that is my full self in poetry. My poetry inspires my real life.” - Alyea Pierce
“As a black woman, you can find yourself adapting to whatever the majority is to be accepted, to not create dissonance, and not be seen as being too strong too power – just too-any adjective.” - Kimberly Brown

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GUEST RESOURCES:
Alyea Pierce
IG | instagram.com/alyeaspierce
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/alyeapierce‍

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RESOURCES:
Have career and leadership development questions? Email Kimberly at podcast@manifestyourself.com

Learn more about Kimberly Brown and download a free career strategy template at kimberlybonline.com

Read the book “Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You’ll Love” at nextmovebestmovebook.com

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Follow Kimberly on social media:

IG | @kimberlybonline - instagram.com/kimberlybonline
FB | facebook.com/kimberlybonline
Twitter | twitter.com/kimberlybonline
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/kimberlybonline‍

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Your Next Move is edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/)

Reviews

This episode was like having a conversation with friends. Friends who have been in the trenches with you and understand corporate life.I am embarking on a new work from home morning routine and liked how Kimberly and Tara talked about having a plan but going with the flow. Some days I need coffee before mindfulness… it’s my routine I can do what feels right!Thanks ladies!

JLHigh

Your Next Move

Short and easily ingestible coaching and informational knowledge. Kimberly tells relatable stories and gives great career advice!

Chrissy_Chris7

Your Next Move

Kimberly’s content is billed as being for women and people of color. As a white male, I feel that her content is universally applicable. As a person that benefited from privilege I appreciate having access to this point of view. I feel that being able to get an understanding of these topics from her perspective helps me better approach these topics with my employees.I hope she keeps producing new episodes and publishing books.

manager dwh

Your Next Move

I just listened to Episode 22, Being an Ambitious Woman with Tiffany Aliche and was so impressed. The time just flew by as I enjoyed the solid career advice Kimberly and Tiffany shared. Documenting your accomplishments was one of the ideas that I thought was especially good -- because if YOU don't know what you accomplished and what your big wins are, you cannot possibly expect others to remember. I look forward to tuning in again.

SavvyCarol

Your Next Move

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