Episode Description

What does it take to shift from pandemic remote to future-forward remote — not just surviving, but thriving?

In this episode of Mission Driven You, I talk with Marissa Goldberg, founder of Remote Work Prep and long-time remote work pioneer, about how we reimagine how we work now that distance is normal. Marissa has been doing remote work since 2015 — long before it became the default — and has built frameworks, systems, and lessons that help teams make distributed work more human, sustainable, and high-performing.

We dig into the tensions that many of us live: how to build boundaries when work and life share the same spaces, when to use synchronous vs asynchronous communication, when your team thrives (or fractures) because of invisible design decisions. Whether you lead a remote team or simply live in a world where location is optional—this conversation will help you lead with more clarity, intention, and care.

Show Notes

In this episode, we cover:

• Marissa’s early journey into remote work (2015) and how she began experimenting with better practices before remote was mainstream
• The founding of Remote Work Prep (2018) and how it evolved from side project to full-time mission
• The difference between pandemic remote and normal remote — and why too many teams are still stuck
• Virtual boundaries and friction design: why you need separate browser profiles, password managers, and work mode “zones”
• How meeting culture, communication norms, and “peripheral communication” change when teams are distributed
• The Work Forward Approach — what it is, why you need it, and how it helps teams shift from responding to structuring
• Common pitfalls: burnout, role overload, over-availability, and losing relational connection
• How Marissa structures her own workday: themed work blocks, quick wins, deep work, and intentional rest
• Culture and equity in distributed work: inclusion, psychological safety, and how remote systems can either level the field or amplify disparities
• The future of remote work: AI, ambient tools, evolving leadership, and what great distributed organizations might look like in 5–10 years
• Advice for listeners: what to experiment with first, what to let go of, and what questions to ask your team or yourself