In this Commuter Chronicles episode of Side of the Mic: Striving & Developing, I share a busy weekend pivot, an urgent rewrite of Chapter 1 after a powerful conversation with my potential dissertation chair, and the lesson that followed: access matters.

Today’s episode centers on two ideas: access: what level of availability you give people in relationships and work and the number one: the idea that most people get one clear opportunity to prove they deserve deeper access to your time and trust. I unpack how urgency isn’t universal (their crisis ≠ your crisis), why voicemail and clear communication are actual signals, and how setting tiers of access protects your mental bandwidth while keeping relationships healthy.

I also test a student-facing icebreaker, asking “What is your definition of success?” and explain how that single question shifts student advising into deeper territory.

I challenge you to look at your boundaries:

• The Voicemail Filter: Why "no message" means "no priority."

• The Tiered Access System: Are you giving "Platinum" access to people who only deserve "Silver"?

• The Success Shift: How I’m replacing the "Tell me about yourself" question with a deeper inquiry: "What is your definition of success?"

This episode is about reclaiming your time, protecting your energy, and standing firm in your professional and personal boundaries. If you feel over-accessible and under-valued, this one is for you.

https://beacons.ai/sobizze