Podcast: Work It, Remote
Episode 19

At the end of every year, I usually have a clear way of reflecting — what worked, what didn’t, and what I want to carry forward. But as 2025 came to a close, that process felt unusually hard. There was too much happening, too many threads to untangle, and no clear structure to make sense of it all.

In this episode, I share the unexpected reflection process that helped unlock clarity — using three simple AI prompts that surfaced patterns I couldn’t see on my own. I walk through each prompt, what it revealed about how I’ve been over-editing and trying to finalize things that are still evolving, and why that habit was starting to hold me back.

One insight in particular changed how I’m approaching this podcast, my work, and the year ahead: realizing that I’ve already mastered certain skills — and that continuing to over-index on them can become a barrier to growth. With help from AI, I landed on a new way to think about strategy, simplification, and when it’s actually time to iterate — what I now think of as revisiting decisions only when there’s friction from abundance.

If you’ve been feeling scattered, stuck between versions of yourself, or pressured to have everything polished and figured out, this episode offers a thoughtful, practical way to reflect — and permission to let the becoming be.

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Episode 18: Why I’m Hitting Record Again

Podcast: Work It, Remote
Host: Erika Joseph Bergen

After a nine-month pause, Work It, Remote is back — and in this update episode, host Erika Joseph Bergen shares why she stepped away, what she learned during the break, and how the podcast is evolving moving forward.

Originally launched as a space to explore remote work through curiosity and community, the show slowly began to feel heavier — more focused on best practices, expert advice, and “shoulds.” In this episode, Erika reflects honestly on that shift and explains why she’s returning to a more personal, story-driven approach centered on noticing, learning in real time, and naming the things we don’t always say out loud about work.

She also looks back at the most-listened-to episodes from past seasons — including conversations on remote work fundamentals, employee rights, AI in hiring, and navigating work with chronic illness — and shares how those themes are shaping what comes next.

Going forward, Work It, Remote will release episodes on a monthly cadence and focus on the intersection of remote and flexible work, leadership, and identity.

If you’re navigating remote or flexible work, leading in a distributed environment, or simply looking for a thoughtful space to process how work is changing, you’re in the right place.

If this episode resonates, subscribe to the podcast so you’re notified when new monthly episodes are released — and feel free to share it with someone navigating work in this moment.

Listen to the top 5 episodes from last season: 

5. E2: Know Your Rights: The Law and Remote Work: https://www.workitremote.com/episode-2-know-your-rights-the-law-and-remote-work/

4. E7: Leadership and Culture-Building in the Age of Remote Work: https://www.workitremote.com/e7-leadership-and-culture-building-in-the-age-of-remote-work/

3. E16: AI, Hiring, and Getting Noticed: https://www.workitremote.com/e16-ai-hiring-and-getting-noticed-what-remote-job-seekers-and-hiring-managers-need-to-know/

2. E1: Remote Work 101: 3 Tips to Set Up Your Space for Success: https://www.workitremote.com/episode-1-remote-work-101-3-tips-to-set-up-your-space-for-success/

1.  E10: Working Remote and Thriving with Multiple Sclerosis: https://www.workitremote.com/e10-community-spotlight-real-stories-of-working-remotely-with-danielle-cornejo-calhoun/

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@WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

Setting Boundaries & Building Empathy for the Child-Free Experience at Work

✨ Episode Description:

 In this episode, we explore the unique and often overlooked experiences of child-free women in the workplace.

Guest host La’Nita Green sits down with Kas Rigas, a seasoned communications executive and former Head of Communications at Maserati, for a candid conversation about navigating assumptions, setting limits, and advocating for yourself—without guilt.

As more women choose not to have children or delay parenthood, workplace culture hasn't fully caught up. There's often an unspoken belief that child-free women have more time, and are therefore expected to take on more work or stay later. This episode is about naming that reality, creating healthy boundaries, and building empathy across the board—whether you're child-free, a parent, or somewhere in between.

💬 Featuring:

La’Nita Green is a communications strategist with over 15 years of experience helping leaders and organizations connect with employees, consumers, and communities. She’s also a writer, podcast contributor, and advocate for voices that are too often overlooked.

Kas Rigas is a communications executive with global leadership experience, including roles at major firms and luxury brands. She’s a former manager of Erika’s, a mentor, and a self-described recovering workaholic with powerful insights from both a manager and employee perspective.

🧭 In This Episode:

• Why remote work blurred the lines—and how to reclaim your time
• What to do when you’re seen as “always available”
• How to advocate for yourself with managers (without feeling like a problem)
• Balancing eagerness with sustainability
• Tools for prioritization and setting “hard” vs “soft” boundaries

🙌 If you’ve ever felt the pressure to do more just because you don’t have kids—this one’s for you.

And if you’re a leader or teammate, it’s also a call to build a more thoughtful, equitable workplace for everyone.

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@WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

Navigating Remote Hiring and Job Seeking with AI and Mindfulness

In this episode, Erika interviews Fanni Gabor, an expert in recruitment and AI-powered hiring. Fanni shares her extensive experience in talent acquisition, emphasizing the integration of AI to streamline the hiring process while maintaining human touch. She provides practical tips for both job seekers and hiring managers, highlights the importance of tailored resumes, and discusses common mistakes in the application process. Fanni also delves into the significance of mindfulness and personal values in the job search journey, offering a holistic perspective on achieving meaningful work connections.

Get in touch with Fanni: [email protected] 

Fanni's meditation playlist for interviews: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T7sL4k5LhOtDKQhclQiEt?si=09bdd6849e684a2b

Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!

Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.

@WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

In this episode, you will learn a simple, 5-minute make-up morning routine that will have you looking and feeling your best. Seriously. You don't want to miss this discussion and live tutorial with Rebecca Cummings Scales, co-founder of Elegance Artistry. In its 14th year, Elegance Artistry has teams of make-up artists and hair stylists serving people across the U.S.  Rebecca gives us the inside scoop sharing her professional makeup tips to help you face your remote work day. I asked Rebecca everything from lighting, to how to conceal blemishes, to what's the difference between high-end and drugstore products.

We also dive into make-up application tricks! Watch as Rebecca teaches me how to apply brow pencil, concealer, bronzer, and mascara for a quick yet polished look for the screen. Rebecca explains the significance of each step and demonstrates the techniques, making the process approachable for everyone. She highlights the importance of prioritizing certain makeup products based on the time available and offers me some personalized tips that you can learn from.

This episode is about the importance of feeling confident and showing up as the best version of oneself, especially in virtual work environments. Don't miss it!

To get the full effect of this episode, head over to YouTube so you can watch the video. https://youtu.be/PWX6v-Az3Tc

To get in touch with Rebecca: 

Visit https://www.eleganceartistry.com/

Follow @eleganceartistrygroup on social media 

Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!

Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.

@WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Jasen, owner of Sage and Sunshine Therapy. We delve into how our phones have integrated into our daily lives and techniques for creating a healthier relationship with your phone and other electronic devices. Laura highlights the necessity of setting routines, like limiting news consumption to a specific time each morning and paying attention to our bodily reactions to prolonged screen time. She suggests creating hard stops in our use of devices, such as switching our phones to black and white mode in the evenings or utilizing 'quiet' modes to reduce notifications.

We discuss the challenges of maintaining boundaries, and how communicating boundaries clearly within our professional circles can help maintain them. 

The conversation covers practical recommendations for managing digital consumption, like subscribing to concise newsletters for news, paying attention to physical cues of stress from device overuse, and choosing activities that genuinely recharge us. 

Wrapping up, we emphasize creating intentional device-free times and places, both in personal settings like the bedroom and communal activities like family dinners. We also explore how to balance professional boundary-setting with the demands of remote work. Laura encourages finding activities that promote real-life connections and cautions against letting our devices dominate our free time. 

For those who found this conversation insightful, I'm inviting comments, ratings, and subscriptions to our community. Be well!

Connect with Laura at https://www.sageandsunshinetherapy.com/

Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!

Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.

@WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

In this episode, we dive deep into the ever-relevant topic of burnout, which McKinsey's recent study shows affects about a third of the workforce—yes, one-third! Surprisingly, this number is even higher than during the pandemic. So what's going on? We break down what burnout really means, why it’s happening, and most importantly, what you can do about it without needing to quit your job or have tough talks with your boss.  You'll learn about the importance of organizational practices over working models, the five key components for a healthy work culture, and how burnout symptoms might show up in your life. We also chat about a useful framework from the book 'Resonant Leadership' that can help you manage stress and find balance through mindfulness, hope, compassion, and joy. Plus, we’ve got three actionable exercises: tuning into a past episode for tips on mindfulness and joy, doing a values exercise to connect with your 'why,' and planning out your personal renewal strategy. By the end, you'll be armed with new tools to get more joy out of your work and keep burnout at bay. Don’t forget to subscribe for more tips and connect with us at workitremote.com. Stay well and take care of yourself—you got this!

McKinsey article, Returning to the office? Focus more on practices and less on policy: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/returning-to-the-office-focus-more-on-practices-and-less-on-the-policy

Read Resonant Leadership by Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/resonant-leadership-richard-boyatzis/1129981949

Listen to Ep 6, How Breath Can Unlock Your Best Self: https://www.workitremote.com/6

Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n17MxgO97jI

Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!

Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.

@WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

Ever notice how sitting at your desk all day makes your whole body feel... blah? You're not alone. In this episode, we're exploring how our sedentary work habits—especially in remote settings—are messing with our energy, confidence, and yes, even our sex lives. My guest, Nya McKenzie, is highly skilled in physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy, pilates, myofascial therapy, and facial therapy and offers a holistic view of health and wellness. She's breaking down the science, the mindset, and the movement strategies that can help you feel better, move more, and connect deeper (with yourself and your partner.)

Get in touch with Nya at: https://www.pilatesptrehab.com/

Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!

Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.

@WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

In this short episode, I share an embarrassing moment at work that taught me a simple trick for better managing my time when working from home.  Time management is a consistent theme I hear as a challenge for remote workers. Listen in for a quick story on what happened to me, and one simple thing you can start TODAY so you're set up for success at work. Don't make my mistake! 

Share your time management tips at workitremote.com. Leave me a voice message via the pink microphone or go to "Contact" on the site and send me a written message. 

Don't forget to subscribe to get more content like this.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!

Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.

@WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

In this episode, we kick off a new "Community Spotlight" series, where we'll hear stories from real women WIR (Working It, Remote). Our first spotlight is with Danielle Cornejo Calhoun, a remote worker outside of Seattle, WA. She shares her journey of struggling with MS and how her disability eventually led her to have a courageous conversation with her employer about working remotely (pre-pandemic). Danielle opens up about her challenges and triumphs, explaining how remote work became essential for her job sustainability. Danielle has her dream job and she talks about how she handled setbacks to thrive in her career while working remotely. She also candidly shares her experience as a mom of two young kids, how she juggles it all, and manages the "mom guilt" moments. This episode was recorded in December 2024. It feels particularly relevant, in light of the recent RTO mandates and rollback of DEI initiatives. Danielle is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she discusses this passion in the episode. Her perspective as someone living and working with a chronic disability provides a much-needed human lens on how flexible work and DEI intersect in powerful ways. 

https://www.daniellecalhoun.com

Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!

Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.

@WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube