In this energizing episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat talks with educator and speaker Phil Januszewski about what it takes to move beyond survival mode and build a career that feels sustainable. Phil shares the idea of identifying your “errs” - the roles, interests, and parts of yourself that make you who you are - and intentionally making space for them in your daily life.

Together, Lesley and Phil unpack why so many educators lose sight of themselves in the constant role of giver, and how even small, scheduled moments of joy can help refill your tank. They talk about building structure that supports your well-being, habit stacking, decluttering habits that no longer serve you, and finding ways to bring your natural gifts into the classroom so both you and your students benefit.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering where you went in the middle of serving everyone else, this conversation is a powerful reminder that taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is necessary. This episode will leave you thinking differently about your time, your energy, and the small choices that can help you thrive for the long game.

Phil Januszewski Social Media Links:

Website: https://philjanuszewski.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilJanuszewskiSpeaks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philjanuszewski YouTube: https://youtube.com/@philjanuszewski

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philjanuszewski Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philjanuszewski Twitter/X: https://x.com/philjanuszewski

Positive Growth Clothing Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PositiveGrowthStore

Link to Subscribe to Positive Growth Lounge Emails: https://mailchi.mp/efbb1914fa7b/join-the-positive-growth-lounge-email-list

Ever feel like you’re running on empty no matter how much you check off your list? This episode is for the band directors (and teachers) who keep thinking, “If I just had more hours…”

Lesley Moffat sits down with Michelle Niemeyer, a former attorney turned coach and speaker, to talk about what she calls “The Art of Bending Time.” Not in a magical way, but in the very real way that happens when you learn how to align your time, energy, and capacity with how you actually work best.

Michelle shares her journey from intense burnout to rebuilding her health after being diagnosed with an autoimmune liver disease (PBC), and how the lifestyle changes she made helped her move from stage 2 to stage 0 over 10 years. Along the way, she developed a framework that starts with what she calls a “busyness detox” so you can get clear on what lights you up, fuel your body and brain, and stop living in constant fight-or-flight.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Why clarity is the north star for making better decisions and setting boundaries
• How “bending time” works by increasing the value of the time you already have
• The difference between internal time sucks (scrolling, procrastination habits) and external time sucks (committees, people-pleasing, extra responsibilities)
• Why sleep, nutrition, hydration, and movement aren’t “extras” but the foundation for focus and productivity
• How meal prep and simple systems reduce decision fatigue and help you make better choices when you’re tired

Michelle also shares a practical way to get started right away:

Text CLARITY to 33777 to access a guided meditation + journaling prompts and learn more about her SORT Analysis, a tool for evaluating goals so you can decide what’s worth your time, what you actually want, and what boundaries you need to protect it.

If you’ve been craving more margin, more energy, and a better relationship with your time, this episode will give you tangible ways to start building it.

The community page where people can access her clarity exercises is at this link: https://www.michelleniemeyer.com/offers/dmNrobgd/checkout

If you’re running a band program solo, you already know the math doesn’t math. Not enough time, not enough hands, and somehow you’re still expected to keep the program thriving without it taking over your entire life.

In this episode, Lesley Moffat talks with middle school band director Mike Perez, a 25-year veteran who’s learned how to build a high-performing program without burning out, even as the “lone wolf” on campus. Mike shares the real systems he’s used to protect his personal life, advocate for support, and keep the focus where it belongs: on teaching kids.

You’ll hear two game-changing strategies that don’t require a second band director:

• A weekly parent volunteer who comes in for two hours to handle admin tasks like concert programs, permission slips, and organizing payments
• A paraprofessional support period that helps with grade entry, freeing up hours each week

Mike also breaks down what it looks like to own your planning period, set clear boundaries with families, and build relationships that genuinely strengthen your program, from office staff to administrators to coaches.

And if your students are stretched thin across sports, clubs, and life, Mike shares how he navigates the tug-of-war by communicating proactively with coaches so kids aren’t stuck in the middle.

Toward the end, Mike highlights the growing library of “young band” teaching resources he’s created, including YouTube and Instagram tips that cover practical beginner-to-early-intermediate band problems, plus his best advice for any lone wolf director: bring in a trusted consultant to watch you teach in real time and help you grow faster.

Website: www.mikeperezband.com

Instagram: @mastering_the_young_band

Payhip: www.payhip.com/mikeperez