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    November 28 2020

    Julie Ulstrup- The Experience

    xccadmin 2020-Women2

    Have you ever had an experience that was so extraordinary and unexpected that it left you feeling transcendent for days? 

    My life has been full of incredible experiences. I’ve lived on three continents, given birth to and raised two remarkable human beings and live one hell of a great life. I am a woman with high expectations for myself, others and the world around me. This is a good way to live because my life has been so full, so incredibly rich. 

    Last weekend, I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Because of the times we are living in, changes were made last minute. Yet it was flawless. Every detail thoughtfully planned and executed. I felt held in a loving community as I launched my idea worth sharing into the world.

    Gathering women’s voices to share our passion from the stage, to be broadcast around the globe is a simple idea that takes heartfelt effort to accomplish. I shared my experience today, three days later, when a friend and teacher asked about my TEDx talk. The aliveness, the divine spark, the powerful elevation that I still feel pulsing through every cell and fiber of my being, brought tears to his eyes.

    It is a feeling that is indescribable to share my big idea in a space that is so safe and supportive. The hard work and the love that has gone into this talk, my talk, has left me feeling larger than life, stronger than finishing 10 marathons, which I have also accomplished.

    My TED talk has already changed women’s lives as well as all of the people they love and who love them. Empowered women change the world. We change the world when we show up, when we are willing to be seen authentically and vulnerably.

    If it’s not enough to feel empowered and authentic after sharing my voice and my vision for women around the world, I feel tremendous humility and gratitude for each member of the TEDx Cherry Creek Women  team and the cohort of women who shared the stage. Thank you all from the depth of my heart and the breadth of my soul.

    Thank you Becky, Christy, Dafna, Candice and Michael 

    —

    Joy and Gratitude,

    Julie
    INSPIRE | CELEBRATE | EMPOWER

    Julie Holunga – The Experience Jamie Flecknoe- The Experience

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    2020-Women2

    Hilary Blair – The Experience

    The Journey of An Idea Worth Sharing

    Precipitating events:
    Another incident hits our news feed where the linking element was the description of the victim, as seen by the assailant, as only one or two stereotypical descriptors. And that was enough to set in motion a series of tragic actions without actually seeing the person beyond this limited view. The news feed then deepens the understanding and ability to see this victim by expanding on all the details of who this person really is – or was.

    Supporting ground-work:
    My journey in leadership and communication has been brought round to studying the archetypes through Culture Talk and how they impact our connecting and our cultures by helping us identify our values and beliefs. Through a life steeped in studying theatre and story, it revealed itself a perfect tool as it linked my theatre world to our coaching/training business.

    Activating ingredient:
    The repeated destruction justified by stereotype meets the age-old wisdom of the multifaceted archetype. Now add that…

    I get to give a TEDx talk.

    A talk.

    An idea worth sharing.

    A talk of an idea worth sharing.

    I hear the call to give voice to the outrage and deep sadness I feel in those who feel unheard or silenced again and again. But not directly for who will hear that from me, this older white woman — as I was so aptly and pointedly labeled by a fellow speaker? Through the use of a tool or technique. I’m a teacher. Always have been. What idea could I possibly share that would have any impact? Carry any weight? Make any difference?

    These ideas grew and morphed, and by the time I was backstage about to walk out alone, to share this idea in a talk, not a speech, I’m thinking “oh, goodness – or something like that – I really hope I’ve figured out how to make this an idea worth sharing.”

    Thankfully, because of the TEDxCherryCreek process I then feel all the people behind me who got me to this moment of stepping onto the Red Dot. And feeling them, I know they are with me, and before I know it, I’m stepping back off the stage. The 11 minutes are over and a wave of glorious “heck, yeah” comes over me. May a seed have been planted and may it grow.  A seed of an idea worth sharing. 

    I’m not sure I’ve prepared as intensely for anything in a really long time. That mattered because the talk matters. And it mattered because I didn’t do this alone. Far from it.  This process becomes about community in a unique and powerful way.

    I speak often, I train/facilitate all the time and I’m a professional actor – I have decades of experience sharing ideas.

    Yet…

    The Red Dot seemed different. More intense than I had anticipated. It carries with it the expectation of ideas that are worth people’s time to tune in to, to take up space, to share a stage and a platform.

    Practice:
    The process they laid out was different than anything I had experienced or even considered. We are to brain dump on paper and then, without notes, share with a series of invited audiences who watch the idea as it is and give feedback guided by 3 specific questions.

    Time kept escaping me and excuses filled in.

    I had experienced the suggested process in the rehearsal. Interesting to see what comes out of my mouth. Fascinating that it is a process that is repeatable and allows the talk to evolve and deepen. The next rehearsal was coming up and I hadn’t done my homework: I’m a rule follower and it bothered me – a bit.

    But time was tight and… and… excuses.

    Then the gift from a fellow speaker in this cohort and fellow performer. “Do it! It’s really cool and really helpful.”  And then one additional excellent piece of advice from her – “choose people who love you.”  Yes, that’s what I needed to hear to keep the expected anxiety at bay.

    In a process that suggests that you share your fledging idea and get input and feedback, I realized the loving part was super important. And I knew I needed people with opinions as well!

    So I kicked in and sent out a batch of emails inviting colleagues and friends to join the process for my TED talk – and people responded! I had given very little turnaround time and fabulous, loving people jumped in to give of their time and input. My heart was filled. Nerves of course still ran the show, even though these were old friends of mine.

    And WOW!  I write, dump my ideas on paper, put it away, share the talk, timed to 10 minutes. They write feedback and then share the feedback with me. What’s my idea worth sharing? What info did you want more of or was missing? And what else would be good for me to know?

    Four rounds of that with small, loving and opinionated audiences of 4-5 — people from all realms of my life: professional and personal, who’ve known me all my life or just met me within the year.

    And the talk grew and expanded and deepened through the input of these amazing people. I felt strongly that each and every one took it very seriously, and the candid feedback and curious questions helped me take it more seriously as well.

    I had HR professionals suggest which words to use or not. A DEI specialist’s questions solidified the importance of emphasizing the age-old wisdom in the archetypes. I had a former police officer question the directness of the mention of violence and others request that I speak even more directly to that fact. I had artists and actors and a PR specialist and teachers and a corporate attorney and a social justice preacher – each challenging words and concepts. 

    I rehearsed again and again. I worked with my team and rehearsed again with a few of my fellow cohort members.  It was messy and my technique barely carried through. Some comments reassured and some comments reminded me bluntly how I show up. I was pushed to drop in even more to truth and universality in order to show up, with my one voice on that dot and by speaking for the many, make a difference.

    Great ideas from my middle of the night awakenings, from my colleagues but no through line. Many stories, but what holds it together in order for the idea to breathe and have life?

    My supporters saw the through line when I didn’t, and they believed in it.

    I kept working it.

    Kept questioning and asking.

    I’m not remembering clearly when it locked in because I remember before and I remember after.

    I had an arc! The story hung together, and I needed no notes because the concepts built on each other.

    Ah, then I realized I’ve been in this little zoom box and I need to get on a stage since I’ll be on a stage. My dear theatre friend gave the actor feedback and guidance – all the little things I needed to realize I was doing that undermined the message. Get out of the way – be the vehicle not the message itself.

    And my team listened and shared tweaks again and again.

    So patient and demanding in the most supportive way.

    And I talked it to myself everywhere – while walking the dogs, while driving, in the shower and before drifting off to sleep and when I awoke in the night.

    I wanted the talk in my bones – so I could share from my heart.  

    One demon from a past performance surfaced three days out – and I crashed emotionally.  Wow, a talk in a pandemic.  A Ted talk. I can’t let down all these people who have helped me. I thought, pull it together Blair.

    An attitude shift came. I’ve got this. I’ve worked on this because it matters. Hard work is needed for excellence or at least aiming for excellence.

    I wrote it out in thought chunks, and I spoke it out again and again.

    I needed to trust the process. “Fearless”, the theme of our event, comes as I step in and trust.

    Do the work.

    And then work even harder.

    My voice and message carries with it the notes of my community – and my one song rings true because of the many. Fearless comes as I realize I’m but one part of a loving and challenging expansive community.

    Fearless to be me and share my one idea: Can we see each other? Truly see each other and be curious enough to learn more. Be aware of our stereotyping as a destructive habit and choose instead the age-old tool of archetype, story and characters to see our fantastic multifaceted nature playing a variety of roles in our shared journey. Not exclude but include, not make them other but to see our shared humanity, and not limit but keep expanding.

    We need to be fearless enough to stop the cycle of exclusion, to truly commit to seeing each other and wanting to know more. 

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    2020-Women2

    Maggie Johnson – The Experience

    At the time I am writing this it has been three days since my TEDx Talk, and while I have had three days to process this experience, I still am unable to put into words what an amazing experience this was for me. Ever since I was twelve years old I watched TEDx Talks for absolutely everything, and I knew that one day I wanted to stand on that red dot. After writing my book, never in my wildest dreams would I expect to end up on that very red dot telling my poems and my stories. 

    There are so many things that made this day as special as it was. The amazing TEDxCC team who calmed my nerves and put on such a lovely and seamless event even in the midst of a pandemic. The beautiful and strong women that I got to present alongside who were cheering me on from the greenroom. Finally, my fantastic friends and family who watched on livestream. When I got back to my dressing room my heart was so full when I saw all the messages from my loved ones. 

    Was I nervous? Absolutely. Did I have moments of doubt? Of course. Yet the people around me pushed me to be the best I could, they assured me that my poetry was an idea worth sharing and that my perspective on the pandemic mattered.

    In my seventeen years of life I have had many experiences that I will never forget, but this was easily my favorite. I wish I could go back and show my twelve year old self what just happened because she would not believe it. I cannot wait for my talk to be put into the world. 

     

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    2020-Women2

    Carrie Morgridge – The Experience

    This was my second time on the Cherry Creek TEDx stage and I never take the opportunity for granted. This year, as we navigated the pandemic and ever-evolving safety procedures, one word kept coming into my mind: resilience. The team behind Cherry Creek TEDx met every changing circumstance with a positive and proactive attitude that ensured a successful event. 

    As a truth teller, I have to share the unique challenges this year brought. First, our coaching sessions were limited to meeting on Zoom. Last time I gave a TEDx talk we were blending our coaching sessions with a hike, a meal, and always sharing plenty of hugs. This time we weren’t able to be together for the coaching sessions or even reassure our fellow speakers with a hug or a hand squeeze before going on stage. As women, we often show our love and support for one another in these gestures. 

    Despite the physical constraints, our cohort of speakers found beautiful ways to love and support each other in safe ways. One woman even brought an angel coin for every speaker. We created a WhatsApp group to support and encourage one another. The truly amazing part was the support of the team. Michael, Dafna, Christy and Becky did a blow away job that made the event look like a TEDx talk in the best of times. That is a remarkable feat when there is no audience and a mountain of safety hurdles to overcome. 

    As all of the pieces of TEDx came together, from the community of speakers to the staff and theme, I realized how much a woman’s voice means right now. These TED talks are pivotal to empowering the messages of women working passionately to make the world a better place. For one day, the women took to the TEDx stage to share messages of resilience, connection, and community. I am honored to have been a part of it, and hopeful the inspiration shared in our talks will create a ripple effect of good in the world.

     

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    Ideas Worth Spreading

    About TED/TEDx, x = independently organized event.

    In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.