Michelle Thompson 
What’s hard about it is: (1) working in isolation, and (2) not making it a system. I’m guilty of both. And know that for many academics, this is why writing can be challenging. So, my first suggestion is that you pull colleagues together and you draft your syllabi together. If you’re on my newsletter, I offer … Read more
No, I’m not looking for a job. But I remember when there was a time where I easily used LinkedIn. I would post consistently. I would write articles . . . some of them even got some views! I have posted work that I published at other publications, including my dissertation. And then I stopped. … Read more
You know that I am hell-bent on getting lawyers and academics in the best shape they can be. We have the knowledge and skill set necessary to remove the bonds of oppression so people can live their lives fully. That’s why, no matter what my clients want from me, I always ask them about their self-care and … Read more
We all want people to read our work and give us perspective on what we’re working on. We want them to be thoughtful about their responses. We want feedback that genuinely improves the work that we take on. So, it’s really disappointing when we get really bad feedback. This blog post will point to my … Read more
Last week, I took a desperately needed vacation. One week, one cruise, seven days, no wifi. Bliss. While I blithely go through my life as if everything is super easy, this year I have done a voice recital, moved apartments, ran my business, taught, written (still writing), and am still working to get our apartment … Read more
Many of you know me as an academic (and possibly not all that well). But before I earned a PhD, I was a lawyer. Actually, I wanted to be a lawyer since I was twelve. I had a dream that I would live in Greenwich Village in NYC and practice BIG LAW and sing opera. … Read more
This past weekend, I sang at two Confirmation services. As is custom at many of these gatherings, the Bishop was present and delivered the homily. After confirmation, many Catholics become Easter/Christmas Catholics and you don’t see them anymore. The Bishop saw his charge to avoid this problem. He then said your beliefs determine your actions … Read more
M wrote back with an important follow-up set of questions for what to do with a PhD (and JD). He writes “Since finding jobs in higher education is becoming more scarce, what careers can I pursue with a PhD, or at least a master’s degree? Some of the disciplines I’m considering going to grad school include, … Read more
In the new year, I have committed to increasing the amount of sleep I get every night. I had far too many nights of 4/5 hours of sleep. These sleep patterns were often punctuated with insomnia. Things have turned around, I’m glad to say, although they’re not perfect yet. I regularly get between 6 and … Read more
So today on Twitter, E. asked me the following: “I am currently blocked for my scholarship essays. Do you have any suggestions?” We get blocked for all kinds of writing. No matter how long we have been writing. For seemingly all sorts of reasons. So yes, I do have suggestions for moving past this. The first … Read more