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October 2, 2025 56 mins

In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, I talk with Michelle Niemeyer - speaker, coach, and former attorney - about how to stay sharp, productive, and joyful without burning out. After experiencing burnout herself during her legal career and facing a life-changing health diagnosis, Michelle developed The Art of Bending Time: a framework to help professionals align their work, life, and purpose.

Together, we explore:

  • Why traditional “time management” often fails, and what to focus on instead

  • The hidden costs of multitasking and how to protect your energy

  • How small sparks of joy can prevent burnout and fuel your productivity

  • Why “work-life balance” is a myth and what to aim for instead

  • Practical tools (like the Clarity Exercise and SWORD Analysis) you can use today to refocus and reclaim your time

Whether you’re a graduate student, postdoc, or early-career professional, Michelle’s story and strategies will inspire you to rethink how you spend your time and how you define success.

👉 To access Michelle’s free tools, text CLARITY to 33777 (US only) or visit michelleniemeyer.com.

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