21st Century Work Life - Remote Working, Virtual Teams And Flexible Working

Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Black Box Thinking: Growth Mindset and the Secrets of High Performance by Matthew Syed Another episode from the season Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Black Box Thinking: Growth Mindset and the Secrets of High Performance by Matthew Syed "The paradox of success: it is built upon failure." During the episode, Pilar shares: Zoe podcast episode from 16 March 2026 Tim Spector's 7 health habits for 2026 https://zoe.com/learn/tim-spectors-7-health-habits-for-2026 The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly The Trial by Rob Rinder Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths New newsletter! Pilates and Remote Work: https://pilatesandremotework.substack.com/ And don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book!   Part 2: Personal Updates Enjoying writing about Pilates, looking for different t

A different kind of episode today! We're back with two voices, and this time, instead of Pilar sharing notes from a book, she speaks to her co-author Bree Caggiati, about their latest book, "Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams". They cover some of the book's topics, how the research has moved on, and for Part 2, they've got some connection-related personal updates. In today's episode: Part 1 Check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book! 1. Book and Project Origins Bree and Pilar explain how their 2019 podcast project on connection and disconnection evolved into their recently published book. 2. Evolution from Remote to Hybrid Work How remote work went from a "niche" concept in 2019 to the mainstream adoption of hybrid models post-pandemic, and the common mistake of forcing traditional office-based practices into remote environments and the benefits of establishing intentional remote-first frameworks. 3. Diversity and Inclusion in Connection: Individuals experience belonging diff

Another episode from the season Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Code Dependent: How AI Is Changing Our Lives by Madhumita Murgia   "The problem that we have is not the algorithms, but the humans."   And don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book! Part 2: Personal Updates Pilar shares some of the ways in which she's using generative AI to help with the writing of her book. If you're interested in All the World's a Workplace, sign up here. 

Another episode from the season Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Make Time: How to focus on what happens every day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky Four Thousand Weeks: Embrace your limits. Change your life. Make your four thousand weeks count by Oliver Burkman "The technologies we use to try to 'get on top of everything' always fail us, in the end, because they increase the size of the 'everything' of which we're trying to get on top."   And don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book! Part 2: Personal Updates Pilar is reading this novel, which she's really enjoying: In a Good Light by Clare Chambers An announcement: Pilates for Remote Workers is in the making… Feedback has come through for All the World's a Workplace Pilar has to go back to re-writing the cozy mystery in third person… pilarwrites.com

Another episode from the season: Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary by Catherine Gray Favourite highlight: "Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have."   And don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book! Part 2: Personal Updates If you're interested in the future book The A to Z of Spanish Refrains, sign up here: https://atozofspanishculture.com/2025/01/16/n-is-for-un-libro-nuevo/ Pilar talks about her recent experience recording for an audioguide (the producer was great!), how her writing is going (the cozy mystery, not so great) and her ongoing learnings as Pilates teacher. pilarwrites.com

Another episode from the season: Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander Favourite highlight: I love my weeds as much as my unblossomed roses. (Which actually comes from a letter received by one of the author's students.) Part 2 Recommendations for other reading: Mark Kilby's newsletter  Staying Human with Tech Practical Presenting: 100 Actionable Tips by Guy Michaels And don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book!   Personal Updates Hello to Andrew and Mike from Blue Goat Books, thank you for listening! Pilar tells of what she learned from having a substitute teacher for her choir singing class. And how she experienced cognitive load herself while teaching Pilates. pilarwrites.com

Another episode from the season Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation by Kevin Roose Favourite highlight: "It's on us—the people who love technology but worry about its use—to explore this adjacent possible and push for the best version of it." Part 2 Updates from Pilar: A fiction recommendation: You Are Here by David Nicholls  The struggles writing the chapter on leadership for All the World's a Workplace. What Pilar is learning through choir singing lessons. pilarwrites.com And don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book!

Another episode from the season: Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Because Internet: Understanding how language is changing by Gretchen McCulloch Listener Roberta recommends: It’s Not Magic. The Ordinary Skills of Exceptional Leaders by John Amaechi and the fiction book: No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister. Pilar in turn recommends Roberta Sawatzky’s memoir Between here and Where? Embracing life’s transitions and the novel Home Stretch by Graham Norton   And don’t forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book!   Part 2 Updates from Pilar: The interview on The Creative Penn podcast episode 831: How to Pivot Careers, Co-Write Books, And Stay Connected As A Remote Creative With Pilar Orti The importance of attending Pilates classes as a student The workflow for this show pilarwrites.com

The 21st Century Work Life podcast is back - with a different kind of content and format.  The Booknotes season starts and will last... for a while.  In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from  How To Have A Good Day: The Essential Toolkit for a Productive Day at Work and Beyond by Caroline Webb   Part 2 Updates from Pilar -her books and what she's up to.  pilarwrites.com

A very short episode where I (Pilar Orti) share the reasons why the 21st Century Work Life podcast is going on pause. Stay subscribed though, as you never know when new episodes might drop! Thank you very much for listening and all the best for 2025.  Get in touch: https://www.virtualnotdistant.com/contact-us 

It’s the end of the year, but we’re not making any predictions - things are moving way too fast! Instead, Pilar and Maya review some of the issues that have been blamed on “remote”. For an extensive summary of the episode, check out www.virtualnotdistant.com/podcasts/dont-blame-remote-work   You can message Pilar through the Virtual not Distant website: https://www.virtualnotdistant.com/contact-us and get hold of Maya over at Remote Work Europe: https://www.remoteworkeurope.eu/ .

Listener Richard de Villiers reached out to host Pilar Orti after hearing the episode on the 3 A’s of Connection. He has plenty to say on the subject of connection in remote teams, and many different frameworks to share to help other listeners think through change programmes and their own leadership. Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarddevilliers/ For detailed show notes, head over to  https://www.virtualnotdistant.com/podcasts /connection-frameworks

In this episode, host Pilar Orti interviews Andreea Gătin an event and community manager who is organising a unique experience for digital nomad and remote workers in Romania. Andreea discusses her goals for the experience, which include showcasing Romania as a destination for digital nomads and fostering a sense of community among participants. It’s happening in March 2025, so check it out! Find an episode summary over at www.virtualnotdistant.com/podcasts/experience-romania Find out more about Andreea and the experience she’s creating: Information and Registration Form Connect with Andreea Ioana Gătin on LinkedIn

In this episode, host Pilar Orti talks to Sagar Chandni, who describes himself as a distributed work practitioner and a strategy leader with a heart. We talk about the nuances of these terms and the evolving nature of work, particularly in India where Sagar is based. Sagar discusses his work with startups and the challenges and opportunities they face, and shares his approach to informed leadership, ethical business strategies, and workplace inclusiveness, as well as the importance of embracing a mindset shift and approaching work in a way that fosters meaningful connections and positive impact both personally and professionally. He also gives us a view of the startup landscape in India. Yes, we cover a lot in this episode! Find out more about Sagar and his work: Connect with Sagar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagarchandni/ Check out his LinkedIn show Virtual Global Leadership Podcast Subscribe to his newsletter: https://strivewithsagarchandni.substack.com/ For a written summary check out htt

Host Pilar Orti is joined by Doug Haines, the founder of Kalium and Marketing Pros. Doug's entrepreneurial journey began with Kalium, where he successfully recruited talent from South Africa. This positive experience inspired him to launch Marketing Pros, an agency connecting South African marketing professionals with global opportunities. In this episode, Doug discusses the development of both ventures and his strategies for maintaining a robust talent pool. For the full show notes check out www.virtualnotdistant.com  Find out more about Doug Haines and his companies: Marketing Pros: https://www.marketingpros.co Kalium: https://www.kalium.co.uk/ If you’re looking to expand your team and want to talk to Doug about your best options, find him on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/doughaines/ or email him as per the end of the interview.

In this episode, host Pilar Orti shares her new framework showing how we connect at work, and talks about some of her other projects.  If you'd like to be alerted when the Remotely Shakespeare wall calendar comes out, head over to remotelyshakespeare.com  For more information check out www.virtualnotdistant.com  

A special episode to celebrate the launch of the revised edition of The Long-Distance Leader, written by Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel, who returns to the show with another conversation that made host Pilar Orti laugh plenty of times.  The conversation takes a critical look at the “hybrid” workplace - is it a compromise, a hostage negotiation? Or is the problem that we’re all transitioning to a new era of knowledge work, and are uncomfortable with uncertainty? Wayne also covers the role of trust, building a culture fit for hybrid and proximity bias. Summary blog post: https://www.virtualnotdistant.com/podcasts/challenges-of-hybrid   Find out more about the book here: kevineikenberry.com/products/the-long-distance-leader Check out Wayne’s website too: wayneturmel.com And if you’d like to hear more from the authors, listen to Wayne in episode 238 or hear from Kevin Eikenberry in episode 181.

In today’s episode, host Pilar Orti catches up with Frédérique Lloyd Bougreau, about how she transformed her career and lifestyle by setting up a Pilates studio in rural France. They talk about cultural adaptation, building a business in a new environment and the Importance of movement and exercise as we progress through life.  Frédérique’s contact details are over at her website: https://www.pilatesbienetre.com/contact.html As always, you can find Pilar over at www.virtualnotdistant.com 

For today’s Recommendations episode, Pilar is joined by Catherine Nicholson, co-founder and creative director of The Virtual Training Team. Before they move onto this month’s reading and listening recommendations, Catherine talks about her recent interest: the blend of generations in the workplace, and how to make the most out of them. Recorded on 7 August 2024 For the full set of show notes, head over to  https://www.virtualnotdistant.com/podcasts/generations-workplace

In this episode Pilar talks to Justin Gignac, co-founder of Working Not Working, and Nicolina Jennings, the company's VP and Managing Director. Our guests share the origins and evolution of Working Not Working, and how what they’ve learned about engagement and belonging led to their new platform NTRNL. They make a strong case for increasing employee retention by creating an infrastructure that makes internal opportunities - and hidden talents-  visible to all. You can find a summary over at www.virtualnotdistant.com/podcasts/working-not-working Check out Working not Working https://workingnotworking.com  and NTRNL  https://workingnotworking.com/ntrnl