Hope & Possibilties: A Love Letter to the Future of Work
Made in Canada. What if work wasn’t something you had to survive? What if it could be truly human—designed to meet the needs of real people, not just systems? These are not just questions. It’s an ethic. A provocation. An insistence that how we design work shapes real lives and futures. Because for too many people—even with all the talk of flexibility and hybrid—work still isn’t working. It burns people out, rebuilds old hierarchies in new packaging, and too often ignores the deeply human needs it claims to serve. I’m Nola Simon. A futurist, consultant, and work culture strategist dedicated to redesigning work to be more human, sustainable, and equitable. My work helps leaders and organizations move beyond performative “flexibility” to truly rethink how we collaborate, communicate, and lead in distributed, asynchronous, and AI-enhanced environments. This isn’t an abstract problem for me. I started advocating for work-from-home options back in 2011 because I was seeing my two girls—then five and seven—only one hour a day. By 2012, I was leading my division’s first remote-work pilot. Not because it was trendy, but because it was necessary. Flexibility wasn’t a perk. It was the only way to be present for my family. And the reasons change over time. What began as a personal fight for my own family became a broader commitment to ensuring work can adapt to the shifting needs of all kinds of people—caregivers, neurodivergent professionals, people living with illness or injury, or anyone trying to hold onto their humanity in a world of constant change. Because I know these challenges are systemic, I look for ways to maximize impact. That’s why I aim to work with leaders of organizations—whether for-profit, non-profit, or government—who have the power to redesign systems at scale. It’s why I speak on podcasts, host my own (Hope & Possibilities: A Love Letter to the Future of Work), and share ideas through national and international media. I believe change happens when we challenge assumptions, tell new stories, and make better choices visible and practical. My approach combines strategic foresight, narrative intelligence, and people-centered design. I draw on research in organizational design, leadership, media studies, and cultural analysis—paired with real-world experience navigating evolving technologies, industries, and expectations. My mandate is broad but grounded: to help people see the future not as something to fear or simply predict, but as something we can actively shape—intentionally, creatively, and with care. Whether you’re a leader making decisions that ripple out to hundreds, a founder experimenting with new ways of working, or a creative professional searching for better ways to thrive—I hope you find here new ways to work. Excellence challenges the status quo. Hope drives change. And possibilities? They’re the blueprint for a better future. Podcast Themes: Future of Work Hybrid Work Remote Work Employee Engagement Leadership Development Trust in the Workplace Workplace Innovation Human-Centric Design Organizational Change Digital Disruption Productivity Upskilling Communication Commitment Accountability Intentionality Strategy
Episodes
**Podcasting as Leadership and Cultural Stewardship**
Podcasting isn’t just a marketing tool for me—it’s a form of leadership and cultural stewardship. I’ve learned since 2021 that holding the mic comes with real ethical responsibility. I’m not just shaping conversations; I’m shaping culture. What I choose to amplify, who I invite, and how I edit all have long-term impact.
**How I Choose and Work With Guests**
I’m a big believe...
#MadeInCanada
Key Themes and Ideas
As I reflect on my podcast, "Hope & Possibilities: A Love Letter to the Future of Work," I am excited to share the key themes and...
Made in Canada.
Made in Canada
Putting the Social in Social Media from a Remote, Rural Location in Canada
In this episode of the Hybrid Remote Center of Excellence podcast, host Nola Simon interviews Ingrid Deon, an award-winning entrepreneur who runs a world-class marketing agency from rural Nova Scotia. Discover how Ingrid built her successful business and created local jobs in a small town, overcoming challenges and leveraging the power of auth...
Made in Canada
Episode Title: Exploring the Generalist World with Milly Tamati
Episode Introduction
Join host Nola Simon as she interviews Milly Tamati, founder of Generalist World. Discover Milly's journey from New Zealand to building a thriving global community of generalists and learn about he...
Say What They Can't Unhear with Tamsen Webster
In this episode, host Nola Simon interviews Tamsen Webster about her new book "Say What They Can't Unhear" and discusses effective messaging strategies for driving change.
Key topics covered:
- Tamsen's background as a message designer and "English to English translator"
- The importance of understanding deep beliefs when trying to inspire change
- How to find common ground and build on...
Show Notes: Building Community with Rosie Sherry
In this episode, Nola Simon interviews Rosie Sherry, a community expert and founder of Ministry of Testing and Rosieland.
Key Topics:
- Rosie's journey into community building, starting with local tech meetups in Brighton - The growth of Ministry of Testing from a small project to a global community - Challenges and opportunities in running in-person conferences post-pandemic - Creat...
This conversation features an interview with Hilke Schellman, author of "The Algorithm: How AI Decides Who Gets Hired, Monitored, Promoted, Fired, and Why We Need to Fight Back Now." The host, Nola Simon, shares her personal experiences and concerns about AI in hiring processes, which led her to Schellmann's work.
Key points discussed include:
- The increasing use of AI in hiring processes, especially for high-turnover positions...
This conversation features an interview with Hilke Schellman, author of "The Algorithm: How AI Decides Who Gets Hired, Monitored, Promoted, Fired, and Why We Need to Fight Back Now." The host, Nola Simon, shares her personal experiences and concerns about AI in hiring processes, which led her to Schellmann's work.
Key points discussed include:
- The increasing use of AI in hiring pro...
Here are the show notes based on the transcript:
Show Notes: Building Community with Rosie Sherry
In this episode, Nola Simon interviews Rosie Sherry, a community expert and founder of Ministry of Testing and Rosieland.
Key Topics:
- Rosie's journey into community building, starting with local tech meetups in Brighton
- The growth of Ministry of Testing from a small project to a global community
- Challenges and opportunities in ru...
Here are the show notes based on the transcript:
Say What They Can't Unhear with Tamsen Webster
In this episode, host Nola Simon interviews Tamsen Webster about her new book "Say What They Can't Unhear" and discusses effective messaging strategies for driving change.
Key topics covered:
- Tamsen's background as a message designer and "English to English translator"
- The importance of understanding deep beliefs when trying to insp...
My Midlife Career Switch: Lessons Learned
I'm Nola Simon and I recently shared my story of making a midlife career switch in Maclean's magazine. Why I Made a Midlife Career Switch - Macleans.ca
While the article provides context about my personal career journey, I wanted to offer more specific actions and advice based on my experience. Here's what I've learned:
Start Earlier Than You Think
I began contemplating a career change b...
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Hybrid Remote Center of Excellence podcast, host NolaSimon explores the new podcast studio at the Georgina Public Library, discussing its impact on remote work and community resources.
**Key Points:**
- The Multi-Use Recreational Center (MURC) in Georgina now offers a fully-equipped podcast studio and AV room[1].
- The facility provides high-quality sound equipment, a green screen, and technic...
- Host: Nola Simon
- Guest: Meagan Williamson, Pinterest Marketing Expert
- Overview:
In this episode, Nola Simon interviews Meagan Williamson, a seasoned Pinterest marketing expert. They discuss Meagan's background, her transition from educational psyc...
Mental models can help simplify complex ideas. Hybrid or remote work is more than just policy, strategy or design. It's all of it working in concert. Metaphors like garden design, an ecosystem or an orchestra can help us think about work in different ways. It's helpful to zoom out and use your imagination to understand how roles, departments and divisions intertwine and how does this lead to success? What are the immovable piec...
Karen Ferris asked me to blurb her new book Be Remarkable. This is the first time I've been asked to do this for anyone so this podcast episode logically followed. Karen has the honour of being the only guest I've invited to the podcast twice. She's very vocal in talking about the leadership crisis that exists now and this book provides useful resources to help immediately.
This is the blurb I wrote:
“Are you looking for a pract...
"Exclusion does not need a reason.
Just an excuse."
The Canary Code is a leadership book, a lesson in how to design workplace cultur...
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