Freedom of Work
Built for HR leaders, People Ops professionals, and Founders navigating the future of work, Freedom of Work is the human resources podcast for teams serious about building global. Episodes cover everything from global hiring and talent acquisition to remote work strategy, AI in HR, and international employment. Whether you're scaling across borders or rethinking how your team works, Freedom of Work has the expert conversations you need. This podcast is hosted by RemoFirst.com, an Employer of Record solution that manages every aspect of a company's global employment needs.
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How Nadia Vatalidis Scales Remote Teams from 70 to 1000 People
04/24/2026
How Nadia Vatalidis Scales Remote Teams from 70 to 1000 People
Host Leah Cottham sits down with Nadia Vatalidis, Head of People at Doist, to explore the critical strategies for scaling remote organizations from 70 to 1000 people across 40 countries. Nadia brings extensive experience from GitLab and Remote, sharing practical insights on organizational design, performance systems, and the evolving nature of work in the AI era. The conversation covers essential frameworks for building flexible organizational structures that adapt during hyper growth phases. Nadia explains how companies can maintain transparency and accountability without becoming overly rigid, emphasizing the importance of continuous iteration in processes like onboarding, documentation, and communication systems. She shares specific examples from Doist's open source career framework and their innovative approach to performance evaluation that ensures equity across all roles and locations. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [03:40] Strategic scaling from 70 to 1000 people [07:50] What breaks structurally before culturally [10:20] Iterating onboarding every two weeks [14:30] Building for the people you work with [18:10] Defining high performance in distributed companies [20:40] Adaptability versus technical skills development [25:00] Bringing authentic self to work boundaries [28:15] Leadership accountability in tool implementation [33:50] Creating clarity without rigid job descriptions [39:15] Regular feedback culture over performance cycles [42:35] Highly leveraged specialists in the AI era [46:00] Embracing paradox with AI adoption [51:35] Performance evaluation evolution with AI integration [55:35] Never starting with perfect when scaling globally This episode provides actionable guidance for people leaders navigating the complexities of distributed team management and preparing for the future of work where AI and automation reshape traditional job descriptions and performance expectations.
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Building Trust and Transparency in AI Recruitment with Katrina Kibben
04/14/2026
Building Trust and Transparency in AI Recruitment with Katrina Kibben
Host Leah Cottham sits down with Katrina Kibben, CEO and Founder of Three Ears Media, to explore how recruiters can maintain their humanity while leveraging AI tools effectively. Katrina brings deep expertise from her work helping recruiting teams optimize their processes and her extensive research into AI's impact on the industry. The conversation tackles the biggest misconceptions companies have about AI in hiring, particularly the false belief that AI should replace human workers rather than enhance their capabilities. Katrina shares practical strategies for building experimentation cultures, creating transparent hiring processes, and fixing the fundamental problems with job descriptions that lead to poor candidate matches. She emphasizes the critical role of setting clear expectations, measuring success against defined benchmarks, and ensuring human oversight remains central to any AI implementation. The discussion covers everything from onboarding automation to ethical decision making frameworks, with actionable insights for both recruiters and job seekers navigating this evolving landscape. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [02:23] AI replacement misconceptions in hiring [05:17] Creating experimentation culture over fear [08:05] Recognition drives AI adoption success [11:00] Making AI feel like enabler not threat [14:13] Critical thinking beats machine outputs [16:22] Avoiding bias through human detection training [22:08] Why resumes might finally die [24:53] Human first onboarding with AI automation [27:25] Job description copy paste problems [29:55] 70 percent rule for candidate applications [33:04] 37 percent quit within 90 days [36:03] Rebuilding trust through transparency expectations [39:21] Measuring AI with clear benchmarks [43:30] Ethical AI decision making framework [45:45] Lean into community over technology Tune in for expert guidance on balancing technology with the human elements that make great hiring possible.
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Can HR Remain Human in a Data-Obsessed World? (David Norman)
03/26/2026
Can HR Remain Human in a Data-Obsessed World? (David Norman)
Host Leah Cottham sits down with David Norman, global HR leader and employee coach at Bravely, to explore how organizations can maintain the human element in HR as they scale across borders. David brings insights from his extensive experience in global people operations and his current work coaching employees through workplace challenges. The conversation tackles the tension between data-driven HR practices and authentic human connection in today's rapidly evolving workplace. David discusses why traditional engagement surveys often fall short, how cultural nuances impact everything from compensation discussions to diversity initiatives, and why the rise of AI makes human skills more valuable than ever. From management by walking around to building psychological safety across distributed teams, this episode offers practical strategies for leaders who want to create genuinely human-centered organizations without sacrificing business results. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [04:16] How scaling puts human elements at risk [08:01] Management by walking around concept [11:35] DEI policies losing sight of people [18:27] Why traditional HR struggles with empathy [22:14] Problems with engagement surveys [26:41] Building empathy into global programs [28:33] Compensation through Maslow's hierarchy of needs [33:16] Core common practices across regions [35:40] Manager relationships drive engagement [40:43] Biggest challenges for global leaders [47:46] Cultivating belonging across cultures [51:46] Creating authentic moments at work [53:56] Vision for human-centric strategy 2026 A must-listen for HR professionals, people leaders, and anyone building global teams who want to keep empathy and authenticity at the heart of their people strategy.
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How Josh Hill Turned Jobs Into Subscriptions Employees Actually Want
03/04/2026
How Josh Hill Turned Jobs Into Subscriptions Employees Actually Want
Leah Cottham sits down with Josh Hill, VP People at Tier 11 and co-founder of Super Hired, to explore his revolutionary approach to employment as a subscription service. Josh brings a unique perspective from his 10 years in the Australian Army to his 4 years transforming HR practices at a 50-person digital marketing agency. He shares how treating employees as internal customers fundamentally changes hiring and retention strategies. Josh walks through his discovery-led hiring framework that prioritizes deep qualitative research over surface-level metrics. He explains why traditional one-page job descriptions and resumes create poor matches, and demonstrates how his comprehensive job maps and transparent work product descriptions act as powerful self-selection tools. The conversation covers his philosophy of first-principles thinking, the importance of continuous employee discovery, and why he believes hiring should be treated as matchmaking rather than a race to fill seats quickly. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [02:38] Military to HR transition insights [05:25] Early hiring lessons from army background [10:34] First principles approach to reshaping culture [16:43] Employment as subscription model explained [21:56] Features and updates employees expect [31:35] Why Josh created Super Hired [38:44] Early warning signs of employee unsubscription [45:39] High framework hiring process walkthrough [57:22] Key takeaway for reducing employee churn [58:54] Discovery habits for better leadership This episode offers practical insights for HR leaders and managers looking to build more intentional, human-centered approaches to talent acquisition and employee engagement.
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Why the Best Talent Isn’t Always Local (Robbin Schumann @ Employ Borderless)
02/24/2026
Why the Best Talent Isn’t Always Local (Robbin Schumann @ Employ Borderless)
Leah Cottham speaks with Robin Schuchmann, co-founder of Employ Borderless, about his journey from Bali internships to building an unbiased EOR advisory platform. Robin shares how his experience hiring remote talent across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Eastern Europe led him to create a solution for companies struggling with global hiring complexities. He breaks down the biggest barriers companies face when hiring internationally, from compliance fears to cost misconceptions, and explains why many businesses are missing out on incredible talent by limiting themselves to local hiring within a 30-kilometer radius. Robin reveals practical strategies for getting started with global hiring, including his recommendation to begin with just one employee using an EOR solution for around 200 dollars per month rather than setting up costly entities. The conversation explores emerging trends like digital nomad visas, the growing demand from younger workers for remote opportunities, and how countries like Indonesia and Portugal are adapting their visa systems to attract remote talent. Robin also discusses the untapped potential of early career international hiring and why he predicts companies that don't embrace global hiring will struggle to attract talent within the next five years. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [02:13] From Vietnam internship to global hiring platform [05:08] Why companies miss out on global talent [08:25] How global experience shapes work perspectives [13:22] Time zone management as competitive advantage [18:54] 3 key benefits companies overlook locally [22:52] Common misconceptions blocking international hiring [28:36] Start small with one global employee [34:59] Early career international hiring opportunities [39:42] Future trends in global remote work [41:50] Digital nomad visas changing the game [46:07] Essential tools for global team management [48:56] Underrated countries for talent sourcing [50:42] Biggest myths about global hiring costs [51:11] Creating equal opportunities worldwide Discover how global hiring is creating more equal opportunities worldwide and why the future of work extends far beyond traditional geographic boundaries.
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Why Employer Branding Needs a Rebrand (Gina Sapien)
02/11/2026
Why Employer Branding Needs a Rebrand (Gina Sapien)
Host Leah Cottham sits down with Gina Sapien, Founder of The Remote Marketer, to explore why employer branding desperately needs a complete overhaul for the remote work era. Gina brings 10 years of startup marketing experience and 7 years leading remote teams across Asia, the US, and Latin America to this essential conversation about attracting global talent. The discussion reveals how Covid fundamentally shifted what candidates value, moving from joining logos and office perks to seeking companies they can actually trust. Gina breaks down her innovative 3 layer framework covering employer branding, employee branding, and candidate branding, explaining why misalignment between these layers creates visible cracks that drive away top talent. They explore the critical difference between brand control versus empowerment, why silence from employees is a major red flag, and how personal branding is becoming the new currency in competitive remote hiring. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [03:11] People Don't Join Logos Anymore [06:00] Marketing Products vs Marketing Culture [09:26] Why Employer Brand Matters for Remote Teams [14:56] Three Layers of Branding Framework [23:28] Digital Touch Points That Matter Most [30:50] Building Culture Beyond Careers Pages [34:57] Who Should Own Employer Branding [41:16] Brand Control vs Brand Empowerment [48:52] Rise of Personal Mini Brands [52:29] Strong Brands Speed Up Hiring [53:42] The 3 P Framework Explained [55:33] Practical First Steps and Future Trends This conversation provides actionable insights for companies struggling to build authentic employer brands that attract and retain remote talent in an increasingly competitive global market.
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What European Founders Teach Us About the Future of Global Hiring (Filip Pesek)
01/28/2026
What European Founders Teach Us About the Future of Global Hiring (Filip Pesek)
Host Leah Cottham sits down with Filip Pesek, Founder and CEO of DonnaPro, to explore what European leadership teaches us about the future of global hiring. Filip shares his journey from door to door sales to building a virtual executive assistant agency that matches top European talent with CEOs and founders worldwide. The conversation dives into the unique European approach to remote work, where planning and collaboration take precedence over instant availability. Filip explains how complex European labor laws actually drive adoption of flexible work models, and why European companies focus on sustainable productivity rather than constant connectivity. He also reveals the most common delegation mistakes founders make and shares a real example of how one CEO reclaimed 60 hours per month and took her first vacation in 4 years. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [01:45] Door to door sales teaches resilience [03:49] Leading yourself before leading others [07:23] 3 biggest leadership shifts for remote teams [14:07] Realizing founders become company bottlenecks [16:23] Research phase for building DonnaPro [19:32] European approach to leadership and planning [22:01] Complex European labor laws drive remote adoption [25:54] US vs European productivity mindsets [31:46] Trust building in remote European teams [38:36] Common delegation mistakes founders make [43:06] The 10-80-10 delegation technique [45:28] Reclaiming 60 hours monthly case study [50:19] Sustainable productivity in remote work [57:27] Testing leadership with the 10 day vacation scenario This episode offers valuable insights for leaders building remote teams across borders and those looking to scale without becoming the bottleneck in their own business.
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How SaaS Teams Can Hire 3x Faster Globally (Arvi Carkanji)
01/15/2026
How SaaS Teams Can Hire 3x Faster Globally (Arvi Carkanji)
Leah Cottham sits down with Arvi Carkanji, Founder and CEO of Elite Talent, to explore how HR leaders are building technical sales teams globally with speed, precision, and strategic use of AI. Arvi brings firsthand expertise from helping SaaS companies achieve a remarkable 92% retention rate for pre sales and post sales talent placements. His recruiting firm specializes in roles from sales engineers to customer success managers, focusing on the people who directly impact revenue growth and customer retention. The conversation covers the biggest hiring mistakes companies repeatedly make, from reactive hiring strategies to being too rigid about perfect candidate profiles. Arvi breaks down how to balance speed with quality in global hiring, where AI adds real value versus where human judgment remains essential, and what separates companies that successfully retain global hires from those that struggle. He shares insights on emerging talent hubs beyond traditional markets and practical strategies for maintaining strong culture across time zones. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [03:00] From Business Consulting to Pre-Sales Recruiting [04:16] Top 3 Hiring Mistakes Companies Keep Making [06:50] Why Reactive Hiring Destroys Team Performance [12:11] How Global Hiring Changed Post-COVID [17:35] Biggest Hurdles HR Teams Face Scaling Globally [23:21] Hidden Talent Hubs Around the World [25:09] Balancing Speed with Quality in Hiring [33:44] How AI is Transforming Recruitment [41:29] Practical AI Strategies for HR Leaders [48:14] What Separates Companies That Retain Global Hires [51:20] Maintaining Culture Across Time Zones [54:09] Impact of Smarter Hiring on Sales Performance [57:50] Essential Advice for First-Time Global Hiring Essential listening for HR leaders, founders, and anyone scaling technical sales teams in today's global remote work environment.
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Freedom of Work 2025: Voices That Shaped Work
12/29/2025
Freedom of Work 2025: Voices That Shaped Work
As we wrap up 2025 on the Freedom of Work podcast, we reflect on the conversations that shaped how we think about building companies in a remote-first world. This season features founders, people leaders, neuroscientists, and operators exploring the real challenges behind remote work, AI at work, people operations, psychological safety, learning and development, and building culture across time zones. A consistent insight emerged: while AI can automate for speed, human connection is still essential for alignment. The companies doing this well are balancing automation with empathy, global scale with intentional culture, and speed with quality. Stay tuned for 2026!
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What 300 HR & People Leaders Reveal About Global Hiring Trends
12/23/2025
What 300 HR & People Leaders Reveal About Global Hiring Trends
In this episode, we delve into the findings from our 2025 Global Hiring Report, which is packed with insights from over 300 HR and People leaders across the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Brazil. We explore the real challenges and exciting opportunities companies face when building and managing distributed teams worldwide. Tune in to discover why talent shortages hit larger companies hardest, how Latin America is emerging as a top talent destination (even if leadership teams are still warming up to it), and the steep learning curves small tech companies are navigating in global hiring. We’ll also unpack which technical roles remain toughest to fill, and what that means for business performance. You’ll learn practical strategies for overcoming compliance headaches, accelerating onboarding for international hires, and how Employer of Record (EOR) solutions can bridge resource gaps. Whether you’re scaling your remote workforce or looking to break into new talent markets, this episode offers actionable insights to help you build smarter, faster, and fully compliant global teams in 2025 and beyond.
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The Secret Currency of Top Talent (Hudson Brock at AlloHire)
11/26/2025
The Secret Currency of Top Talent (Hudson Brock at AlloHire)
Host Leah Cottham sits down with Hudson Brock, CEO and Founder of AlloHire, to explore what truly sets top talent apart in today's rapidly changing work environment. Hudson shares his framework for identifying A players through three key traits that go far beyond traditional resume screening. The conversation dives into how AI is reshaping recruiting processes while emphasizing why human connection remains essential for emotional career decisions. Hudson introduces the concept of vocational capital and building career equity, explaining how the best talent views work as adding value to others rather than just collecting paychecks. They discuss practical strategies for supporting employee development, from creating learning margins throughout the week to implementing alliance-based employment relationships. The discussion also covers global hiring opportunities and challenges, including cultural intelligence and combating remote work loneliness through intentional team building. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [02:30] Defining A-Players with Humble, Hungry, Smart Framework [05:18] Building Trust in Interview Processes [07:23] Algorithm Bias in Applicant Tracking Systems [10:21] Resume Writing Skills Gap for Gen Z [13:02] Attract Don't Chase Career Strategy [14:05] Performance Image Exposure Career Framework [17:16] Employer Brand vs Job Description Gaps [22:01] Quick Apply Application Response Rates [24:42] Practical AI Applications in Recruiting [27:24] Audio Messages Breaking Through AI Noise [30:30] Over-Relying on AI Technology Risks [33:15] Deep Fakes and Fake Candidates [36:51] Vocational Capital and Career Equity [42:00] Mobility and Meaning for Next Generation [44:34] Creating Learning Margins for Remote Teams [52:15] Global Hiring Cultural Intelligence Challenges [59:31] Hiring Red Flag Common Denominators [1:03:53] Shadowing as Interview Process Innovation Tune in for actionable insights on attracting top talent and building meaningful career partnerships in the modern workplace.
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AI Won’t Kill Remote Jobs It Will Supercharge Them (Marissa Goldberg)
11/13/2025
AI Won’t Kill Remote Jobs It Will Supercharge Them (Marissa Goldberg)
Host Leah Cottham sits down with Marissa Goldberg, founder of Remote Work Prep, to explore how AI is reshaping remote team management without replacing human workers. Marissa brings years of experience building AI powered operational solutions for distributed teams and shares practical insights from her journey since 2015. The conversation tackles common misconceptions about remote work productivity and reveals how overwork is actually more prevalent than underwork in remote environments. Marissa breaks down her human centered approach to AI adoption, emphasizing the importance of starting with problems rather than tools. She shares specific examples like automated Slack thread summarization and performance review tracking that help teams work more efficiently. The discussion covers transparent AI interfaces, human in the loop safeguards, and practical tips for leaders looking to implement AI without creating fear among team members. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [01:37] Remote work misconceptions and overwork reality [03:06] Biggest misconception about remote workers [06:23] AI tools transforming remote team management [08:09] Starting with problems not tools [09:24] People first approach to AI adoption [12:07] Human centered AI in practice [14:24] Documentation automation for remote teams [18:02] Slack emoji automation for decisions [21:51] Performance review tracking made easy [25:12] Human in the loop safeguards explained [29:13] Leadership mistakes in AI adoption [31:43] Personal AI productivity tools [34:38] Advice for AI hesitant workers [36:25] AI reducing context switching strategies [41:34] Future of async first remote work [45:00] Risks without human centered approach [47:11] Balancing technology with team culture This episode offers actionable strategies for remote leaders ready to leverage AI while protecting team culture and human strengths.
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What Happens When Remote Teams Ignore Culture (Renita Käsper)
10/23/2025
What Happens When Remote Teams Ignore Culture (Renita Käsper)
Leah Cottham sits down with Renita Käsper, a global talent acquisition leader with 20 years of experience building multicultural teams across Asia Pacific, Europe, and beyond. Renita shares why cultural intelligence has become essential for remote leaders managing distributed teams and explains the critical difference between hiring globally and actually setting teams up for success. The conversation explores how unintentional systems and processes can silence diverse voices, even when companies have good intentions about building inclusive teams. Renita walks through real examples of cultural miscommunication in remote settings, from misunderstood urgency levels to the dangers of acronym-heavy onboarding processes. She emphasizes that cultural intelligence goes beyond one-off training sessions and must be embedded into daily communication systems, feedback processes, and leadership approaches. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [04:53] Cultural intelligence as core leadership skill [09:22] Defining cultural intelligence and curiosity [14:17] Treating others as they want to be treated [20:03] Remote first companies need intentional cultural systems [26:05] Unintentionally silencing cultural voices in global teams [31:23] When remote teams become afraid to speak up [34:08] Embedding cultural intelligence from the start [38:32] Building culturally intelligent onboarding processes [50:00] Buddy systems and connection tools like Donut [54:54] Moving beyond culture fit to culture enrichment [1:02:43] Building relationships before focusing on tasks [1:04:57] Ask more questions and assume less This episode offers practical strategies for remote leaders looking to move beyond culture fit toward what Renita calls culture enrichment, where teams intentionally leverage diverse perspectives rather than defaulting to homogeneous hiring practices.
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Bridging AI and Humanity in the Future of Work (Katie Murphy x Knex)
10/07/2025
Bridging AI and Humanity in the Future of Work (Katie Murphy x Knex)
Explore how AI is transforming hiring, team building, and leadership—and where human expertise still matters. Katie, a fractional COO and startup founder, shares practical lessons for leaders navigating the AI era. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to use AI as a tool, not a replacement, for tasks like candidate screening and data analysis Why building your processes manually first is essential before automating The rise of fractional leadership and its impact on startups The critical role of emotional intelligence in orchestrating humans and AI How to operate with intention, clear communication, and strong core values When automation can actually create more work than it saves Learn how to harness AI as an enabler while keeping the human touch your ultimate advantage.
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The Most Overlooked Culture Strategy in Remote Work (Gina Schinkel)
09/24/2025
The Most Overlooked Culture Strategy in Remote Work (Gina Schinkel)
Host Leah Cottham chats with Gina Schinkel, founder of Driftawave, about how the future of work demands mission-driven leadership and strategic team retreats. From her journey at LinkedIn to launching a company that builds transformational offsites, Gina shares how remote teams can create genuine connection and measurable business results. They break down ROI metrics, debunk common CEO misconceptions about offsites, and explore why trust beats control in building thriving distributed teams. Key topics covered: [00:00] Intro [03:21] Mission Driven Leadership for Remote Teams [06:16] Common CEO Misconceptions About Workstations [09:54] How Top Companies Use Offsites Strategically [17:28] Essential Planning Advice for HR Leaders [22:41] Creating Transformational Offsite Experiences [26:20] Designing Offsites by Energy and Atmosphere [28:01] Measuring ROI from Team Retreats [31:21] Biggest Remote Culture Building Mistakes [36:17] Human Connection in an AI World [39:23] Knowledge Work Burnout Solutions [44:41] Future of Work Leadership Message Discover why leading remote companies design retreats around energy and atmosphere—and why, in the age of AI, human connection is more valuable than ever.
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Rethinking Your Talent Philosophy As Your Strategy (Marianne West)
09/09/2025
Rethinking Your Talent Philosophy As Your Strategy (Marianne West)
Find out how a values-driven talent philosophy can transform your hiring process, strengthen culture, and improve retention. You’ll learn why behaviors often matter more than skills, how to align employer branding with candidate experience, and the risks of rushing to fill roles. Plus, practical tips on building inclusive hiring systems, fostering curiosity and trust, and supporting internal mobility - especially in remote and distributed teams. What you’ll learn: How to define and apply a value-led talent philosophy Why behaviors can outweigh skills in long-term success Ways to align candidate experience with company culture and values Common hiring strategy pitfalls and how to avoid them How to build inclusive and authentic hiring systems The role of trust, curiosity, and internal mobility in distributed teams
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Crafting People Experiences Like Product Features (Selina Purdie)
08/29/2025
Crafting People Experiences Like Product Features (Selina Purdie)
In this episode of Freedom of Work, host Leah Cottham sits down with Selina Purdie, Head of People at Monolith AI, to explore how people teams can borrow principles from product management to design intentional employee experiences. Selina shares her unique journey from scientist to people leader, explaining how she applies data-driven thinking to map employee touchpoints, build public roadmaps, and identify friction points throughout the employee lifecycle - from attraction to exit. Together, Leah and Selina dive into real-world examples, from redesigning performance management for remote teams to boosting learning budget adoption and embedding company values through rituals. They highlight practical frameworks like employee journey mapping, feedback loops, and stay interviews, all designed to create trust, transparency, and sparks of joy across distributed teams. Whether you’re in HR, people ops, or simply curious about crafting better workplaces, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiring stories for rethinking the employee experience as if it were a product. Tune in now to Freedom of Work!
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Leading Transformation Without Losing Human Connection in Remote Work (Rita Batalha)
08/06/2025
Leading Transformation Without Losing Human Connection in Remote Work (Rita Batalha)
80% of transformation programs fail - often because they overlook the human element. In this episode of Freedom of Work, Leah chats with independent program director about how remote and distributed teams can lead transformation projects that actually stick. From radical transparency and agile pods to psychological safety and change agents, they explore what it really takes to build meaningful, lasting change across borders and time zones. Topics Covered: Why most digital transformations fail Embedding psychological safety in remote teams Change agents, fireside chats, and decentralized ops How to balance tech investment with people development Reverse mentoring to drive authentic connection Brought to you by RemoFirst – simplifying global hiring and compliance.
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Leveraging Structured Games to Improve Team Dynamics (Alex Suchman)
07/23/2025
Leveraging Structured Games to Improve Team Dynamics (Alex Suchman)
Structured games aren’t just fun, they’re powerful tools for uncovering how teams think, communicate, and collaborate. , Co-Founder of XP, joins Leah our Host to explore how intentionally designed play can surface hidden patterns, build psychological safety, and drive meaningful team development. Drawing on real-life examples and insights from her work with global teams, Alex explains how leaders can use games to foster trust, give better feedback, and improve performance, especially in remote and distributed environments. Whether you're an HR leader, team manager, or culture builder, this episode offers practical ideas for bringing more connection and clarity into your workplace. Topics covered: What “structured games” really are (and why they matter) The iceberg model: Bonding, building, and development Why play reveals blind spots in team dynamics How to use games to boost trust and psychological safety Tips for applying these methods with remote teams
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Rethinking Travel To Drive Culture in Distributed Teams (Stephen Dooley)
07/10/2025
Rethinking Travel To Drive Culture in Distributed Teams (Stephen Dooley)
How can travel do more than move people - it can move culture, too? Leah, our Host, chats with Stephen from Roamr about shifting the mindset from travel as a perk to travel as a culture-building tool. They explore how distributed teams can build deeper connections, improve collaboration, and reduce travel costs - all while making remote work more human. What you’ll learn: The difference between work from anywhere and work from everywhere Why big offsites aren’t the only way to build culture How informal moments (like shared taxi rides) spark real connection Data-backed travel trends shaping distributed teams How to make travel more inclusive, intentional, and budget-friendly
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Rewiring the Workplace with Brain Science (Natalie Lineton)
06/24/2025
Rewiring the Workplace with Brain Science (Natalie Lineton)
What if we could design our workdays to actually work for our brains? Leah sits down with Natalie Lineton, HR leader and neuroscience enthusiast, to unpack how brain science can help us build healthier, more productive workplaces. From fighting decision fatigue to fostering trust and psychological safety, this episode is packed with practical, brain-friendly tips for leaders, people teams, and curious minds. This podcast will include: How leaders can use brain science to reduce stress and boost productivity Simple ways to build psychological safety and trust in your team Why understanding brain chemicals like dopamine and cortisol matters at work Tune in and subscribe for more episodes on the future of work and brain-friendly leadership.
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Building Inclusive Communities in Global Teams (Juan Pablo Carstens)
06/10/2025
Building Inclusive Communities in Global Teams (Juan Pablo Carstens)
Join host Leah Cottham as we ditch the dull and dive into the art of remote connection. We'll explore: What does belonging look like in a global team? Why do some teams struggle, and how can you turn stumbles into success? Discover fun strategies, from Slack coffee bots to emoji check-ins, that bridge distances and foster genuine inclusion. Learn to create those crucial "water cooler moments" that boost morale and retention. Get tips on optimizing async communication without overwhelming your team. 6666 Building a strong remote community isn't accidental; it's intentional. Tune in and let's revolutionize the way we work, together!
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What HR Leaders Are Really Thinking in 2025 (Fernando Alves)
06/03/2025
What HR Leaders Are Really Thinking in 2025 (Fernando Alves)
Welcome back to Freedom of Work, the podcast by RemoFirst where we explore the evolving world of global hiring and what it means for modern HR and People leaders. In this episode, Leah is joined by Fernando, one of RemoFirst’s Senior Account Executives, who spends his days speaking with HR and People teams around the world. As the first point of contact for many companies navigating the complexities of international hiring, Fernando shares real-world insights from the frontlines. Together, they dive into the biggest questions HR leaders are asking in 2025—from compliance vs. speed, to what really matters when choosing an Employer of Record (EOR) partner. 🔍 We explore: What HR teams are prioritizing in 2025 Regional trends like US vs. EU buying behavior Common misconceptions about EORs—benefits, visas, legalities Real stories of companies avoiding (or hitting) compliance pitfalls The smartest questions top HR leaders are asking today Plus, stick around for a fun rapid-fire round where Fernando reveals his favorite hiring region, the most surprising request he’s received, and his #1 tip for HR leaders going global. Whether you’re building a remote team or scaling across borders, this episode is your inside look at what really drives smart global hiring. 🎧 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe, share, and visit for more tools to support your global hiring journey.
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Embedding DEI into the DNA of Remote Organizations (Anthony Vaughan)
05/13/2025
Embedding DEI into the DNA of Remote Organizations (Anthony Vaughan)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is more than a standalone initiative—it's a strategic lever for driving innovation, alignment, and growth in remote-first and global organizations. In this episode of the Freedom of Work podcast, host Leah Cottham is joined by Anthony Vaughan, from Boundless and the E1B2 Collective podcast, to dive deep into how leaders can weave DEI into the very DNA of their business. Leah and Anthony unpack why traditional DEI efforts often fall short when treated as separate from core business priorities, how global companies must localize DEI efforts to meet regional and cultural needs, and the essential role of leadership vulnerability, hiring manager training, and psychological safety in fostering inclusive remote teams. Key highlights include: The myth that DEI is purely about race, gender, and checkboxes. Why DEI must connect to revenue, product innovation, and team alignment. How remote leaders can spot and prevent exclusion in distributed teams. The importance of region-specific benefits and benchmarking for global workforces. Practical steps for embedding DEI into leadership, recruitment, and daily operations. Whether you're an HR leader, executive, or founder of a remote or distributed team, this episode offers actionable insights to evolve DEI from a nice-to-have initiative into a business-critical function.
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Reinventing Recognition and Feedback for Employee Engagement (Mike Cullen)
04/30/2025
Reinventing Recognition and Feedback for Employee Engagement (Mike Cullen)
We explore how innovative recognition and feedback practices can truly drive employee engagement. Joined by Mike from iVendi, we dive into the importance of making engagement programs personal, meaningful, and ongoing—rather than just another checkbox exercise. Mike shares insights on the Extra Mile Awards, a unique recognition program that celebrates employees for going above and beyond. We also discuss how iVendi uses feedback forums and surveys to create real, actionable change, ensuring that employees feel heard and valued every step of the way. If you're an HR leader looking to revolutionize your approach to employee engagement, this episode is packed with practical strategies and fresh ideas you can start implementing right away!
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Creating Global Benefits Beyond Borders (Ashley Ugorji)
04/24/2025
Creating Global Benefits Beyond Borders (Ashley Ugorji)
There's more to global benefits than just checking boxes. Leah, our Host of the Freedom of Work podcast, sat down with Ashley, a People Partner who focuses on creating global benefits packages for remote start-ups. In this episode, we explore the strategy of creating worldwide perks that genuinely resonate with diverse cultures and produce tangible business results. We'll question common assumptions about global benefits and reveal how intentional benefit design can unlock unexpected levels of employee engagement and positively impact your company's well-being. Prepare to understand the "why" behind truly effective global and local benefits. Tune in!
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Is HR Dead? Why People Ops Is the Future (Jag Gill)
03/31/2025
Is HR Dead? Why People Ops Is the Future (Jag Gill)
HR is no longer just about policies and paperwork - it’s transforming into a strategic, people-first function. In this episode, Leah chats with Jag, a PeopleOps Leader and Founder with over a decade of experience scaling high-growth startups and the founder of . We explore the evolution from traditional HR to People Ops, the key drivers of this shift (remote work, employee expectations, automation), and how People Ops can shape company culture and business growth. We also discuss: The difference between HR and People Ops How automation and AI are reshaping People Ops The future of work and how businesses can stay ahead Jag shares insights on why People Ops is critical for business success and how HR professionals can adapt and thrive in this changing landscape. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of People Operations!
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Mastering a Global Employer Brand for Remote-First Hiring (Leah Cottham)
03/13/2025
Mastering a Global Employer Brand for Remote-First Hiring (Leah Cottham)
Employer branding is more important than ever - especially in a remote-first world where candidates can work from anywhere. But how do you build a brand that attracts top talent globally? In this episode, Leah Cottham our Host at RemoFirst breaks down what makes a strong employer brand in a distributed workforce, how companies can adapt to the shift from traditional to remote-first branding, and the biggest challenges businesses face when hiring internationally. We’ll cover: What employer branding really means in a remote-first world The transition from office-based perks to culture, flexibility, and trust Why global hiring requires a new approach to branding and compliance The top challenges of global employer branding—and how to overcome them Best practices to stand out as a remote-first employer With real-world examples from companies like GitLab, plus actionable takeaways, this episode is packed with insights for any company looking to build a strong employer brand in a global hiring landscape. Tune in to learn how to position your company as the best place to work - no matter where your employees are based!
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Welcome to the Freedom of Work Podcast (Todd & Leah)
02/26/2025
Welcome to the Freedom of Work Podcast (Todd & Leah)
Introducing the Freedom of Work Podcast! Freedom of Work is for HR and people teams, founders, or anyone looking to better prepare for the future of work. You'll find engaging discussions with experts and leaders on navigating the day-to-day experience of global hiring, what the future of work may look like, and how flexible work is changing the game. We'll dive deep into various topics around remote and hybrid work, global expansion, hiring trends, and more. This podcast is hosted and presented by RemoFirst.com, a full-service Employer of Record solution that manages every aspect of a company’s global employment needs.
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