Meet Alyce Blum: Storyteller, Speaker, & Master Connector

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyce Blum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyce, how does your business help the community?
We all have stories to tell and once we have the confidence and tools to do so we can change the world, one story at a time. We all know that those who “talk pretty” typically get their ideas bought into, their products purchased, and their services utilized. And, if you think about it, what defines a “pretty talker” is usually someone who tells memorable stories. Well, what about those people who have fabulous ideas, great products and valuable services that never see the light of day because they don’t know how to articulate their ideas? What about those folks who don’t know how to find relevant stories to express their ideas/products/services and deliver them in a memorable way that connects with their audience, be that their family, friends, teams, managers or consumers? Our mission at Articulated Intelligence is help everyone live a life well spoken, to help them find their voice. And the way we do that is by gamifying the approach to finding stories, shaping them to convey a relevant message and delivering them with the most impact. After attending a small, private, Jewish Day School for 9 years I begged my parents to let me go to a public high school. My persistence paid off and in 1998 I started my freshman year at Denver East High School. Unfortunately, a new reality set in quickly. I didn’t have any friends which resulted in going to lunch by myself, sitting by myself and eating two slices of cheese pizza by myself. One day while grabbing my pizza a girl pushed me and said, “What you doing taking my pizza, bitch?” I froze. I tried to explain that I thought they were mine and in the midst of my ramble I heard, “Back the fuck up and leave my cousin alone.” Enter Tutu Harris. I knew Tutu because we both played on the freshman volleyball team but aside from a few casual ‘hello’s and goodbyes we didn’t interact much. Tutu put her hand on my shoulder and stepped in between me and the other girl. Tutu told her again to leave me alone and to give me my pizza back. The girl was shocked. She said to me, “That’s your cousin?” to which I replied, “Um yeah, she is my cousin.” Tutu then invited me to sit with her and a few others and told me not to worry because she had my back. That day, that interaction and Tutu changed the course of my life. It gave me the confidence to come back to school the next day and bravely ask to sit with them again at lunch and know that someone was looking out for me. I think of this story all the time and the powerful lesson that it doesn’t take much to do the right thing. It’s still unbeknownst to me why Tutu came to my rescue that day, but I am forever grateful. Thank you, Tutu for being you. For letting me know I mattered and for setting me on the path of finding my voice and helping others find theirs. Now we want to ask you, who helped you find your voice or someone whose “voice” you admire? This can be someone you actually know or perhaps the “voice” of a character in a book, movie, play etc. Take a few moments to think about this and then if you’re willing email us @alyce@articulated-intelligence.com and share your thoughts with us!

What should our readers know about your business?
We’ve turned the intimidating thought of presenting and storytelling into a fun and gamified experience that gives people the confidence, tools, and know-how to present to all types of audiences. Our approach and story game boards help people find stories (remembered and forgotten) for all kinds of situations, lay them out visually, then move the story elements around to see how that impacts delivery. Kind of choose your own adventure style. With regular “gaming” people get faster at recalling stories for the situation they are in and better at delivery. We do all this through workshops, master classes and individual coaching. We create an environment where people feel safe and confident to develop powerful stories, pitches, and relationships, while learning active listening and presentation skills so that everyone feels respected, understood, and heard. And why is this important? Storytelling creates trust and empathy, a faster way to build relationships, an easier way to understand data, concepts, and value. As a leader you become more relatable to your teams and your peers which leads to better productivity. As an individual contributor your ideas are heard and recognized and your team relationships grow stronger which leads to higher job satisfactions. As a business owner your business thrives as consumers understand the value of your offering. Regardless of your title or role, learning how to confidently share personal stories in professional settings will help you build your personal brand and elevate the organization as a whole. “Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world.” – Robert McKee

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
THURSDAY AFTERNOON – Arrive via train at Union Station THURSDAY DINNER – Stroll from Downtown Denver to the Highlands Neighborhood for a cocktail at Lola, followed by a short lyft ride to dinner at Cafe Brazil. FRIDAY BREAKFAST – Breakfast at La Fillette Bakery FRIDAY MID-MORNING – Stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens FRIDAY LUNCH – La Chiva – Colombian Cuisine on S. Broadway FRIDAY AFTERNOON – Stroll S. Broadway and check out the local owned businesses and various antique stores. FRIDAY DINNER – Enjoy the deliciousness of Hop Alley and walk through the Rhino neighborhood SATURDAY BREAKFAST – Grab breakfast sandwiches from The Wooden Spoon SATURDAY MORNING – Head up to Boulder and take a hike through Chautauqua Park. SATURDAY LUNCH – Enjoy a Nepalese lunch at Sherpas in Boulder SATURDAY AFTERNOON — Stroll along S. Pearl Street and check out the live performers SATURDAY DINNER – Enjoy dinner at Tables in the Park Hill neighborhood in Denver SUNDAY MORNING – Before it’s time to leave grab brunch at Root Down! +Thanks for visiting Denver! *

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
* Shoutout brought to you by Keith Bailey, Co-Founder of Articulated Intelligence * Shout out to Mrs. Merrick, my 4th grade teacher who helped me find my voice as a newly minted immigrant from the Netherlands. We know grade school can be tough, formidable years where we are all trying to find our voice. Add on to that being new at speaking English and dressing just a bit different – high water pants (some may say knickers) made by my mother – something very typical in the small Dutch village from which I came, but not in Overland Park, Kansas where they were fodder for many jokes at my expense. Mrs. Merrick assigned our class presenting a book report on the historical figure of our choice and costumes were encouraged. As an accomplished seamstress, who not only sewed knickers, but all my clothes, my mother was thrilled to create a costume, and boy, did she! Being an immigrant, from the Netherlands, who discovered America for myself only the previous year, I decided to give my book report on the now controversial, Christopher Columbus. As I walked into Mrs. Merrick’s classroom every student erupted into laughter at the sight of my comically bespoke costume. From the ground up I was clad in purple tights, gold pumpkin shaped shorts, a tight purple shirt adorned with golden poofy shoulders and at the top a bulbous hat and long purple feather. There, before my snickering elementary audience, with a handful of note cards and an endearing Dutch accent, I delivered the performance of my life. At the conclusion, many of the kids were still laughing at me, but Mrs. Merrick was beaming with pride. Mrs. Merrick took me by the hand and led me to the 3rd grade class, then to the other 4th grade class where I delivered the performance again and again. Each time the reaction was the same, kids laughing at me and teachers embracing me. The lessons of that day have stayed with me as a guide along my path to becoming a professional speaker and coach. The hatters will hate, and there is nothing you can do about it, but, when you show up as your true authentic self, those who believe in you and see your potential will take you by the hand and open the door to your future. Thank you to all teachers, you positively touch and impact the lives and hearts of your students.

Website: https://www.articulated-intelligence.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/articulated_intelligence/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyceblumcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/storytellingwith1word
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBMS4GtBSNOANxhOJvBdJ1w
Other: www.alyceblum.com https://www.stage-coaching.com/