Freedom of Work

RemoFirst
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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.

  1. How Josh Hill Turned Jobs Into Subscriptions Employees Actually Want

    MAR 4

    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.

    1h 1m
  2. Why the Best Talent Isn't Always Local (Robbin Schumann @ Employ Borderless)

    FEB 24

    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.

    54 min
  3. Why Employer Branding Needs a Rebrand (Gina Sapien)

    FEB 11

    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.

    1 hr
  4. What European Founders Teach Us About the Future of Global Hiring (Filip Pesek)

    JAN 28

    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.

    1h 2m
  5. How SaaS Teams Can Hire 3x Faster Globally (Arvi Carkanji)

    JAN 15

    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.

    1h 3m
  6. 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!

    19 min
  7. 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.

    47 min
  8. 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.

    1h 9m
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    RemoFirst
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Freedom of Work