Remote Work Companion Andrew Silberman and Dan Nestle

Whether you’re a remote work warrior or one of the remote-by-circumstance millions who set up a home office over the last year, you’re a trailblazer. Because let’s face it, remote work isn’t remotely defined. But fear not, you’re not the only one who’s had it up to here with Zoom. Join Andrew Silberman and Dan Nestle as they take a practical and funny approach to many of the challenges we face in this evolving world of working at home—to help you get a GRIP on remote work. 

In this first episode, Andrew & Dan introduce the Remote Work Companion Podcast, explain what it's all about, and dig deeper into what "Remote" work is and the challenges and opportunities offered by working remotely. As they share "who they are and why they are here," and remind us of an infamous political gaffe, you'll hear how they handle some of the hassles and stresses that you're probably facing. (Special "ghost" appearance from Andrew's uncle, Edmund Jacobson, founder of Progressive Relaxation.) Enjoy some bad analogies, learn the 3 S's: Setting, Schedule, and Structure. Listen to help yourself stay "in tune" for remote work.  

In our second Remote Companion episode, "Distract," Dan & Andrew explore how to both deal with and reduce distractions. They get a little into psychometrics, share many laughs as well as strategies that can help even the most "distractable" of us focus more effectively on our remote work, wherever we find ourselves on the "continuum of distraction." And by the end, they come up with a tip that just might help all your work relationships.

In our third Remote Companion episode, "Clarify," will help you and your message stand out when you're working remotely. You'll gain a few techniques and learn some Venician history along the way.  Both our co-hosts are "professional communicators," and their honest self-appraisals and confessions will help you improve your performance on the next Zoom call you attend, or the next e-mail or text message you send. 

In Episode 4, "Zoom In," Dan and Andrew discuss how to "make yourself look better" on web conferences. Not only how to look better but where to look. Are you presenting your best self on camera? As Dan says early on, "Nobody expects you to have best video camera....or the perfect background, but when it comes to the basics, how you look on camera effects the way you communicate." They cover the basics and a bit more...practical tips to give you a visual (and audio) edge on your next call.

In Episode 5, "Essential Reading and a Forgotten Skill." This one is all about "who is essential" and how we can improve perhaps the most important Remote Work skill: Listening. Are you essential? YES. Can you improve "the forgotten skill"? Also, YES. After those affirmations, Remote Work Companion's co-hosts Andrew and Dan dive into what makes your work essential and then share how listening skills could be a key to better remote work and teamwork. They go deep on what you can do to help all your teleconferences go smoother. The video link Andrew refers to is here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ