EP94: How This National Geographic Explorer Brings Stories To Life Through Poetry with Alyea Pierce
Release Date: 08/02/2023
117. Virtual Stage Presence: How to Command Attention When Speaking Online
Your Next Move Podcast
REGISTER FOR MY UPCOMING TRAINING: "Build Your Professional Brand Through Public Speaking" webinar on February 4, 2025: In this episode, Kimberly tackles the reality that most professionals aren't prepared for: virtual speaking is now the norm, not the exception. With 86% of job interviews conducted virtually and 90% of hiring managers expecting remote presentations to continue, your ability to command attention through a screen is just as important as your ability to command a room. But here's the problem: most people treat virtual speaking like it's easier than in-person...
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116. Why Every Professional Needs Public Speaking Skills: 7 Unexpected Benefits That Changed My Career
Your Next Move Podcast
REGISTER FOR MY UPCOMING TRAINING: "Build Your Professional Brand Through Public Speaking" webinar on February 4, 2025: In this episode, Kimberly breaks down seven unexpected benefits that came from developing her public speaking skills—and she's not talking about the obvious stuff like "getting less nervous during presentations." From developing executive presence without an executive title to commanding multi-five-figure keynote fees, these ripple effects went far beyond what she imagined when she first started saying yes to speaking opportunities. This isn't theory. Kimberly shares real...
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115. The 5 Types of Speakers: Which One Are You? (Plus How to Find Your Unique Speaking Style)
Your Next Move Podcast
REGISTER FOR MY UPCOMING TRAINING: "Build Your Professional Brand Through Public Speaking" webinar on February 4, 2025: In this episode, Kimberly introduces the 5 Types of Speakers framework—a game-changing lens for identifying your natural speaking style instead of trying to copy someone else's. She shares a vulnerable story about feeling intimidated at a speaker event, seeing other speakers with detailed stage charts and technical prep, only to realize that her authentic, in-the-moment style was exactly what made her powerful on stage. This framework isn't about putting you in a...
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114. How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking in 12 Weeks (Even If You're Not a "Natural")
Your Next Move Podcast
REGISTER FOR MY UPCOMING TRAINING: "Build Your Professional Brand Through Public Speaking" webinar on February 4, 2025: In this episode, Kimberly tackles the fear that holds 75% of people back from career-defining opportunities: public speaking. She breaks down exactly how to overcome this fear in 12 weeks—not by becoming a "natural" speaker, but by proving to yourself, day after day, that you can speak without dying. This isn't about perfection or transforming into someone you're not. It's about daily practice in everyday moments—opening meetings, giving toasts, asking...
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113: My 2026 Personal Development Curriculum - And how to make your own annual curriculum
Your Next Move Podcast
In the final episode of 2026, Kimberly pulls back the curtain on her personal development strategy for 2026. She shares the frameworks, investments, and vulnerable truths about what it takes to build big while grieving, scared, and not feeling "ready." This isn't theory. It's a real-time roadmap for anyone ready to stop incrementally improving and start thinking 10x. Kimberly breaks down the difference between 2x thinking (doing more) and 10x thinking (doing less but better), and reveals why her biggest business launch is happening while she's still in grief, still carrying debt, and...
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112: My Top Business, Leadership, and Personal Lessons in 2025
Your Next Move Podcast
As the year comes to a close, Kimberly takes a more personal turn on the podcast. In this Christmas Eve episode, she shares live reflections on 2025—a year marked by maintenance, hard leadership decisions, deep love, and profound loss. Breaking her lessons into three core areas—business, leadership, and personal—Kimberly offers an honest look at what it really means to keep going, trust yourself, and allow life to change you. This episode is about redefining success during a slower year, reclaiming leadership authority instead of outsourcing it, and navigating profound joy and...
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111: Visibility Isn’t the Goal. Influence Is.
Your Next Move Podcast
If you’ve been chasing visibility—posting more, showing up more, saying yes to every panel and networking invite—but you’re still not seeing the kind of traction you want in your career, this episode is for you. Kimberly breaks down the difference between being visible and being influential—and why one will move your career forward while the other might leave you stuck. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: The key differences between visibility and influence Why visibility alone won’t lead to promotions or stretch opportunities What strategic visibility looks like in action How to...
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110: How to Know You’re Ready To Get Visible in Your Leadership Role
Your Next Move Podcast
Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “I’ll finally start putting myself out there once I get one more certification… one more promotion… one more credential”? In this episode of Your Next Move, Kimberly Brown breaks down why that belief is one of the biggest visibility blockers for high-achieving professionals. If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect moment” to share your expertise, speak on panels, show up more boldly at work, or build your public platform—this episode reframes what readiness actually looks like. Spoiler: it’s not about perfection. It’s about...
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109: Can You Really Be Visible and Still Keep Your Corporate Job Safe?
Your Next Move Podcast
Do you ever feel torn between wanting to grow your platform and worrying that being too visible might jeopardize your corporate job? In this episode of Your Next Move, Kimberly Brown reframes visibility as a professional asset—not a threat—and breaks down how to protect your platform legally, strategically, and confidently. If you’ve hesitated to post on LinkedIn, turned down speaking engagements, or questioned whether sharing your expertise could “get you in trouble,” this episode will show you why visibility isn’t the problem. Unmanaged visibility is. And when you...
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108: Leadership Visibility: Why Being Exceptional at Your Job Isn’t Enough
Your Next Move Podcast
Do you ever wonder why being excellent at your job still isn’t translating into the recognition, influence, or advancement you know you’ve earned? In this episode of Your Next Move, Kimberly Brown breaks down the uncomfortable truth: being good at your job isn’t enough. Too many high-achieving professionals believe their work should “speak for itself,” but in reality, silence keeps you overlooked. If you’ve been the go-to person, the problem solver, the behind-the-scenes powerhouse—this episode will show you why visibility is the missing link. 🎧 Listen in for: ...
info_outlineIn 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!
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
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
GUEST RESOURCES:
Alyea Pierce
IG | https://www.instagram.com/alyeaspierce/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyeapierce/
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 www.kimberlybonline.com
Read the book “Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You’ll Love” at www.nextmovebestmovebook.com
Follow Kimberly on social media:
IG | @kimberlybonline - www.instagram.com/kimberlybonline
FB | www.facebook.com/kimberlybonline
Twitter | www.twitter.com/kimberlybonline
LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybonline
Your Next Move is edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/)