21st Century Work Life

Pilar Orti
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Dec 9, 2025 • 30min

WLP377 Booknotes: The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary

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
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Nov 24, 2025 • 31min

WLP376 Booknotes: The Art of Possibility

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
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Nov 3, 2025 • 26min

WLP375 Booknotes: Futureproof by Kevin Roose

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!
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Oct 16, 2025 • 29min

WLP374 Booknotes: Because Internet

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
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Oct 2, 2025 • 35min

WLP373 New season! Booknotes: How to Have a Good Day

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 Chris Coladonato's (the connection catalyst) colour book: Color Me Unplugged: Mindful Patterns Inspired By Nature Walks - A Coloring Book for Rest, Relaxation, and Creativity Teresa Douglas, author of Secrets of the Remote Workforce: By Employees, For Employees, recommends The Murder Bot Diaries Part 2 Updates from Pilar -her books and what she's up to. Don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book! pilarwrites.com
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Jan 2, 2025 • 6min

It's Time for a Pause after 10 Years...

The host reflects on a decade of podcasting, marking a moment of pause for exciting new writing projects. Plans include a memoir on remote work and an e-book from blog posts. The journey to becoming a Pilates instructor is highlighted, emphasizing its personal growth benefits. There's a celebration of listener contributions and thoughts on evolving the podcast into a more intimate platform, with hints at future collaborations and content. It's a heartfelt goodbye for now, but stay tuned for what’s next!
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11 snips
Dec 17, 2024 • 48min

WLP372 What's Going On: Let's Not Blame Remote

Maya Middlemiss, a consultant at Remote Work Europe, talks about the complexities of remote work environments for digital nomads. They discuss the pressing need for collaboration between local governments and educational institutions to create supportive ecosystems. Maya highlights the rising employee turnover as remote work becomes more favored, especially among skilled workers. The conversation also touches on the societal impacts of remote work, including rental price hikes and changes in local economies, urging a reevaluation of common misconceptions about this work style.
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Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 1min

WLP371 Using Frameworks for Connection and Back to Basics

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
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Nov 28, 2024 • 19min

WLP370 A Curated Experience in Romania for Digital Nomads and Remote Professionals

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
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Nov 14, 2024 • 49min

WLP369 Strategy Leader with a Heart

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 https://www.virtualnotdistant.com/podcasts/leader-with-heart

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