January 15, 2025 • 34 mins
We’ve Reached 100 Episodes! Isn’t That Amazing?
In the 100th episode of Remotely One, co-hosts Kaleem Clarkson and Rick Haney celebrate this significant milestone—a journey that began three years ago—by reflecting on their incredible growth and the valuable lessons they've learned along the way! This landmark episode perfectly captures the podcast’s core mission: to bring remote work closer to listeners by sharing authentic stories from industry leaders, researchers, and everyday professionals who humanize this evolving work model.
Filled with laughter, heartfelt gratitude, and memorable anecdotes, Kaleem and Rick reflect on how far they’ve come, look forward to an exciting future, and proudly announce their recent recognition as Podcasters of the Year by Crossover, the world’s largest recruiter of full-time remote jobs—highlighting the significant impact Remotely One has had in shaping conversations around remote work.
Have you checked out some of the incredible insights shared on Remotely One? If you’re wondering where to start, the duo reflects on some of their most impactful interviews. One standout guest was Jack Nilles, who coined the term "telework" in 1967. A former rocket engineer on the Apollo mission, Nilles questioned why traffic congestion couldn’t be solved if humans could be sent to the moon! Another powerful discussion was with Brian Elliott, former executive at Slack’s Future Forum. Elliott emphasized that "time matters more than place," a perspective supported by research showing a 39% productivity boost when employees have flexible schedules.
Still learning about the advantages of remote work? Tune into the episode with Dr. Nick Bloom, a leading researcher on remote work. His data-driven analysis debunked widespread myths and highlighted the productivity advantages of flexible work models.
Curious about pay equity in remote work? Dive into their conversation with Job van der Voort, founder of Remote.com, who raised an impressive $500 million in funding.
Insights from Dr. Kelly Monahan of Upwork’s Research Institute and from Sasha Connor, a pioneer in remote leadership at Clorox, further enriched the podcast!
Looking for more unfiltered stories? Check out the fan-favorite segment, "Not Safe for Remote Work", where frontline workers share their most hilarious and inspiring remote work experiences. One unforgettable story came from Becky Jones, who delivered a high-stakes pitch to an executive board from a café—only for a nearby child to smear frosting on her face mid-call. Then there’s Kristen Bass, whose story could rival a thriller. Jamie Jackson, co-host of the Humorous Resources podcast, also left a lasting impression with relatable stories about managing remote work while parenting.
We proudly celebrate our achievements—from meaningful interviews with top industry voices to fostering one of the largest remote work communities, now boasting over 3,500 Slack members and 5,000 email subscribers. With deep gratitude, we thank our listeners and guests for making this journey possible! Kaleem and Rick are more committed than ever to sharing authentic stories and fresh insights as they continue to explore the evolving landscape of remote work.
Here’s to the next 100 episodes!
More about us:
- Remotely One’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/remotelyone
- Remotely One’s Webpage: https://www.remotelyone.com/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Kaleem (00:00):
Can't believe it though.
(00:00):
A hundred episodes, dude.
Rick (00:02):
Jesus Christ.
I know What?
Kaleem (00:05):
You've been working for so long and so hard down at the
docks.
Rick (00:13):
I'm gonna go with the pub later and pick myself up a
harbor Hog.
Well,
Kaleem (00:20):
Been laying pipe with my uncle over at the wood shop,
bub.
Rick (00:25):
Oh man.
Kaleem (00:26):
Oh man.
It's good to see you, man.
Rick (00:28):
Yeah, likewise.
It's been too long.
We gotta do this.
I wish we could do this moreoften.
Kaleem (00:33):
You know, there's a phrase that I've been told
before shout out to my boy,Otis, something about the phrase
tickle shits,
Rick (00:41):
Mmm.
Kaleem (00:42):
you know, it's almost a mix between bubble guts.
Rick (00:46):
Yeah.
Kaleem (00:47):
laughing hysterically.
So you have the tickle shits.
Rick (00:50):
Indeed,
Kaleem (00:51):
I feel like that's what I have today, Rick.
Yeah, because I'm super happy.
Rick (01:02):
Welcome back to remotely one.
I am your cohost, Rick Haneyjoined by my esteemed colleague,
Kaleem Clarkson.
And today we're celebrating our100th episode.
What do you think of Kaleem?
You
Kaleem (01:18):
shit, Rick! A hundred episodes! A hundred episodes!
Like I said, I have to tickleshits! I can't believe! We
started this show three yearsago.
Did you ever think that we wouldhit a hundred, bro?
Rick (01:32):
know, honestly, I don't know what to think.
I can tell you that I cannotbelieve that we've come this
far.
I'm just thinking about all theamazing conversations that we've
had with our guests.
And you want to know what'sreally crazy?
Kaleem (01:44):
What's that, bro?
What's crazy, bro.
What's what's crazy, man.
What's what's happening.
Rick (01:47):
Well, thanks for asking.
I'll tell you all of our hardwork has been recognized as we
were just awarded podcasters ofthe year by crossover, the
world's largest recruiter offull time remote jobs.
I did not see that coming.
How about you?
Kaleem (02:04):
What's come on.
Crossover.
That's what we're talking about,baby, bro.
That first call I made to you,man, just reminiscing.
We hadn't spoken to each otherin 20 years and I took a shot
and I called you out of theblue.
For real.
I don't even think you knewanything about remote work.
You're like a deer in aheadlights, bro.
You're like a deer in aheadlights.
Like what?
Rick (02:25):
Well, you know, it's funny.
Like I look, I'm looking down atmy phone.
I'm like, Oh, what's he doingcalling me something must be up.
I wonder who died.
Right.
Kaleem (02:33):
Right.
That's seriously,
Rick (02:35):
did we lose another football coach?
What's going on here?
And, uh, you know, the firstthing I thought of when we got
into the conversation, you weretalking about remote work and
I'm like, bro, this guy's goingto have me, you know, Scouring
Craigslist ads and stuffingenvelopes by the end of the day.
And like, next thing I know, I'mgoing to be selling my body in
the private forums.
You know, I was like,
Kaleem (02:56):
You want a remote job, sir?
You want a remote job?
Selling your
Rick (03:00):
work, remote work, I had no idea what the word even
meant, you know, and I wasterrified.
And we get into this and westarted talking to these high
level professionals and Irealized.
It's just, the basic element iswe all have these stories to
tell, and these stories are whatmake remote work so much more
(03:22):
human than I could have possiblyimagined.
So after a few episodes, Irealized it was like, that was
it.
This was the thing.
This, it was about telling thestories.
Stories!
Kaleem (03:32):
the stories when we had that, the promo, I mean, Isn't
it insane that two bubs fromBangor, Maine, dude, created,
and we sustained a show for ahundred episodes and then just
out of nowhere recognized aspodcasters of the year, by a
(03:54):
recruiting firm that has over 8million followers.
Oh, wow.
Rick (03:58):
I mean, at this point, there is nothing else to say but
wow.
Wow ee, wow.
So, thank you, thanks everybodyfor listening.
This has been a wild ride.
I hope we can continue foranother a hundred episodes.
We'll see what the future holds,but
Kaleem (04:15):
see what the future holds
Rick (04:16):
so everybody out there again, thank you, and since you
know how to find us, do us ahuge favor, go to rate this
podcast.
com forward slash remotely one,and just leave us a review.
We'll ask that in every episode.
We're not tired of asking itbecause you guys always returned
the favor.
So again, rate this podcast.
com forward slash remotely one.
(04:37):
And if you could do that for us,we would be ever so thankful.
Since 2015 remotely one is oneof the largest communities of
remote work professionals withover 3, 500 Slack members and 5,
000 email subscribers and.
It's free to join.
So go to check it out atremotely one.
(04:59):
com.
And with that out of the way,tell us a little bit, Kaleem,
about your most favoritememorable episode.
Kaleem (05:06):
Well, sir, I can't, I can't say my most favorite
episode.
You know what I'm saying?
Cause it's like, like ourchildren.
We love them all, man.
We love
Rick (05:13):
well, my favorite, I mean, what sticks out in your mind?
What's what's memorable.
What's memorable.
Kaleem (05:19):
So again, guests, we love you all all the guests, and
it's a really good question.
So many great guests, but I'mgoing to have to go with my
celebrity crush.
The man, the myth, the legend,Jack Nilles.
And for those who do not knowwho Jack is, Jack coined the
(05:41):
term telework in 1967.
And he's a former former rocketengineer that worked on the
Apollo mission.
When he replied, bro, when hereplied and said, yes, first
off, I thought there was no wayhe was going to reply.
And again, back to the phrasethat we were talking about
earlier when he replied,
Rick (06:01):
Hmm.
Kaleem (06:01):
the tickle shits hit me hard, dude.
Rick (06:03):
Hard.
Kaleem (06:04):
hit me hard, but, uh, you know, let's Let's take a
look at what he had to say.
Let's take a look at what he hadto say.
(07:04):
So man, Jack Nils, man.
I mean, can you imagine,
Rick (07:10):
was such a killer.
I mean, I had so many questionsfor the guy.
And as I recall, I was bothflustered and having technical
issues that entire episode.
So I was like, uh, the wholetime.
Right.
But I mean, You know,
Kaleem (07:26):
crazy to think that like he just casually threw out.
He was a rocket scientist,casually through already working
on the Apollo mission.
And then the fact that somebodyasked him, yo, if you can put a
man on the moon, why can't youfigure out remote work?
And he's, he's still getting itdone.
Rick (07:41):
I mean, it was, that was so crazy, you know, just talking
to a brilliant mind like, youknow, you're a brilliant mind
when you get bored as a rocketscientist, I mean, he's, he
literally said, you know, I waslooking for something else to
do, you know, didn't he saythat?
Kaleem (07:58):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I was looking for something elseto do.
Rick (08:01):
yeah.
Kaleem (08:01):
yeah.
Rick (08:02):
so the irony of being bored as a rocket scientist
really kind of struck me, strucka chord there, but I don't know.
Kaleem (08:08):
The grandfather of telework, sir, I feel like we
had the number one person to getin this world.
He's 90, I believe he's over 90years old.
Just what a great feeling.
So how about you, Rick?
What's an episode that kind ofsticks out to you a little bit?
Rick (08:26):
I knew this was coming and you know as hard as it is to
make this decision, I, you know,in the moment, I'm recalling our
conversation with Brian Elliot.
When he said time matters morethan space,
Kaleem (08:37):
Hmm.
Rick (08:38):
you know, think about like, we've gone from 1967 to
2024.
That's a lot of changesoccurring in that window.
Employees, they went from, youknow, being dispensable
resources to being valued aspeople who can lead their
organization.
And I think Brian lays it outperfectly when he said time
(08:59):
matters more than place in thatplacing value on people's time.
Right?
By not burdening their schedulesand that time matters more than
one location.
Roll the clip.
He could say it better than Icould.
Kaleem (09:13):
Let's roll it.
(10:06):
There.
He said it.
I mean, I love Brian, man.
you know, the fact that he waswith Slack's future forum is now
doing his own thing.
But like, to me, given peoplelocation flexibility.
Like the stats that he wasshowing, they're crazy.
It's like, yes, providingpeople, location, flexibility
gives you 8 percent increase inproductivity.
(10:27):
But thinking about thescheduling of your time, bro, 39
percent increase ofproductivity, if you give them
the ability to work when that'scrazy shit, man, it's crazy
shit.
Rick (10:41):
Yeah.
No, I agreed.
I mean, the research of remotework has been absolutely
fascinating.
When you think about what we'rehearing from the media versus
what we're hearing fromresearchers, right?
It's completely night and day.
And Dr.
Nick Bloom comes to mind,speaking of which.
Kaleem (11:47):
You know, When you think about this, man, not only did we
have the godfather on oftelework, but I can't believe we
had one of the leadingresearchers in the world on the
show.
Um, it's just amazing.
And the reality even today isthat, man, the negative
(12:08):
headlines always sell more.
And they're always getting moreclicks.
And he said it perfectly forevery major headline that you
hear, right.
There's a company that has a lotof remote work, right?
Like, so for every headlineyou're hearing, there's a
company we don't hear aboutthat's fully remote.
And it's just, um, it's justcrazy, man.
It's just crazy.
Rick (12:28):
Yeah, that was such an engaging and quite rewarding
conversation.
You know, I learned so muchabout not only Dr.
Nick Bloom, but the researchthat is behind everything that
we've been talking about.
And we also learned a little bitabout President Obama as a
person.
How he operates.
Thanks.
(12:49):
Remember that,
Kaleem (12:51):
I do.
I do remember that.
I do remember that.
Let's let's let's how does, howdoes president Obama operate?
Let's let's roll the clip.
Let's roll the clip.
(13:50):
Oh, Dr.
Bloom.
He was, you know, was smartabout that, Rick.
He knew not to respond to that.
Rick (13:56):
Oh, he deflected hard.
I mean, he didn't even engage,which was very smart of him.
You know, it's hard to be on hislevel and then have to
communicate with people like us.
I'll be honest.
Kaleem (14:07):
Imagine if he was just like, he did have a scent of
cocoa butter and it's just likethe way, you know, his, his, his
accent was, was,
Rick (14:13):
I know, it's, it's, it's quite funny you mentioned
because I remember smellingcocoa butter.
Cocoa butter.
You know, that's one of the thereasons why I've always loved
this show right from thebeginning, you know, we're
engaged in a serious discussionand then Kaleem just derails it
completely with a ridiculousquestion about how the president
smells.
I mean, you just never know whatyou're going to get.
Kaleem (14:36):
true.
It's true.
Oh man.
So.
We've had all of theseresearchers on but what I've
always found amazing from all ofthis Rick is like, no matter how
much research that you have.
It still doesn't change theopinions of CEO.
(14:56):
And it just reminds me of likewhen Kate Lister interviewed the
VP of HR from Netflix, you
Rick (15:04):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I do.
I do remember.
And it's funny because what Iremember most, the guy just
doesn't want to listen to her.
He was not interested inanything she had to say.
Kaleem (16:08):
you know, Rick, for me.
just hits home that like, whenshe says, no, the CEO says no
good, we'll ever come from it.
It's just, it's, it's funny.
And then like, everyone wants tobe back in the office.
That's what I've been told.
Talk about just beinghardheaded.
(16:29):
You know what I'm saying?
Just like, talk about like, justnot giving a shit or not giving
a shit, not even listening.
Rick (16:34):
It's always been done this way.
See, to keep doing it.
Kaleem (16:37):
We're going to keep doing it.
But that comment to me, Reallykind of leads me to this idea of
just mindset, no matter how muchinformation that they've been
provided, their mind was set inone way.
Um, and they're hardwired.
And just like, you know, Iremember Dr.
(16:58):
Kelly Monahan from Upworksresearch Institute talking about
mindset.
You remember Dr.
Monahan.
Rick (17:05):
I do.
You know, that conversation hada profound impact on me.
But the one thing I remember themost about it is the mindset of
butts in seats, right?
You know, we've been conditionedto value you this office
hierarchy paying your dues.
But the new idea is that arising tide lifts all boats.
Kaleem (18:18):
I just love Kelly so much.
She was fun to talk to, man.
Rick (18:21):
That was a great discussion.
Kaleem (18:23):
It really was.
She just had so much knowledgetoo, like from doing research at
multiple places and, you know,what she said made a lot of
sense to me in that moment.
Cause I hadn't really thoughtabout.
The manager's positions in allof these situations, but like,
you know, these managers paidtheir dues with butts in seats,
Rick (18:42):
Hmm.
Kaleem (18:43):
but then, you know, during the pandemic, while we're
working, they were asked torewrite how we're working.
Although they've neverexperienced that type of
success.
You know what I mean?
Like, although they've neverexperienced success being fully
remote.
and really the challenge thatpeople have.
Is how can I break through thattype of mindset?
(19:07):
And I just remember, do youremember Sasha Sasha from
Rick (19:11):
Saw Cheryl Connor.
Yeah.
Yeah.
She worked for Clorox.
that was a great conversation.
You know, I, I remember hertalking specifically, I mean,
she goes back to like 2010, whenshe took it upon herself to show
and prove to her manager thatshe could manage a team
remotely, despite all of theprofessional conditions that she
(19:32):
was given as a result of herproposal.
Kaleem (20:26):
You know, another thing that I just really, really
enjoyed about interviewing allof these crazy successful
people, man, is that they'rejust people,
Rick (20:38):
Mmm.
Kaleem (20:39):
you know, and they're down to earth and you know,
what's the best, the best thingabout Sasha, Rick?
The moment she said she was fromPhilly, you happen to go right
into rapping the theme song fromthe Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Rick (21:01):
Oh yeah! And it took right off.
Yeah.
(21:38):
Oh man.
That was
Kaleem (21:40):
I didn't get it right either, bro.
Rick (21:42):
No.
Kaleem (21:42):
get it right,
Rick (21:43):
That's not the way I remembered it, but it still, it
still went, it
Kaleem (21:47):
It doesn't matter.
Oh, what a great sport.
What a just good human being.
Rick (21:53):
Yeah, I mean, that, that was fun.
We had a lot of laughs overthat, and, but, you know.
It's really poignant if you pullback a little bit and you
consider that that theme songreally kind of fits her story of
moving from one location toanother, you know,
Kaleem (22:11):
Back to Philly, in fact,
Rick (22:13):
she went back to Philly from
Kaleem (22:15):
right?
Rick (22:16):
I think.
Kaleem (22:16):
On the left coast.
Rick (22:17):
Yeah, two different, vastly different demographics.
Uh, and, and she had to makethat move considering that her,
you know, the possibility of herpay changing.
And so that kind of brings tomind the conversation we had
around pay equity with JobVandervoort.
From remote.
com.
Kaleem (22:35):
bro.
I was so nervous.
I was so nervous.
I get nervous on a lot of ourinterviews, but it's not every
day, Rick, that you get to speakto a founder that has raised a
half a billion dollars.
You know, like remote.
com raised 500 million.
(22:57):
one of the biggest topics inremote work is whether you
should pay people based on arole that they're doing, or if
you should pay people based onthe location.
Rick (23:59):
You know, it's funny.
I mean, of course, again,another episode of, you know,
laughs and jabs, but I love thefact that you called him out on
not taking a position and in thesame breath, he goes on about
how they have data that provesalmost every company pays by
location.
(24:20):
I mean, he's so smooth, right?
Kaleem (24:22):
so
Rick (24:23):
you could do that when you got a 500 million coming in.
Kaleem (24:26):
Yeah.
You, you know, you have to knowhow to talk if, if, if you're
going to pull that out, butyeah, it was, it was a really
good time, man.
Um, You know, we started theshow, I remember having during
that conversation, I was like,man, like, I want to have a fun
podcast, you know, and we'regoing back and forth.
(24:47):
And we're like, it's about thestories of remote work to help
humanize into the bit.
Cause like, we're all behindthese screens.
We want to humanize it.
And then we just startedrecording episodes and it was
fun.
It was cool.
You know, we were feeling itout.
You know, we were asking thequestion at the end.
But one year, I think it wasafter we've been doing it for
over a year or some change,maybe a year and a half.
(25:09):
And you were like, you know, youpitch this idea.
You're like, Hey, What if wecreated a new segment?
And I was like, all right, tellme more, sir.
Tell me more.
And you were like, so we've beenhearing from all of these top
level executives and top levelresearchers.
Wouldn't it be great to havelike these really short episodes
(25:31):
of the frontline workers, theindividual contributors that are
just doing the work.
And all they did was just comeon and tell us the most fucking
ridiculous stories.
And you were like you know, Ithink we asked them the
questions we asked each personto come on and tell us the most
comical inspirational story theyhad while working remotely.
(25:51):
And I remember you came up withthe name.
It was like, we'll call it notsafe for remote work.
Great idea.
Super fun, bro.
Rick (26:03):
you know, I, I wasn't sure where that was going to go.
And I remember our first one,um, she was brilliant.
Awesome personality, you know,just a really awesome, awesome
girl.
And she made a comment about,Oh, no, we were talking about
comments of her.
Her
Kaleem (26:23):
Yeah.
So being online,
Rick (26:25):
Yeah.
being
Kaleem (26:26):
being online.
like what
Rick (26:27):
Yeah.
Kaleem (26:27):
know, the people love to hate in the comments,
Rick (26:30):
Yeah.
Yeah.
The people are hating.
And you know, she's she's apretty girl, you know, and
talking about like um, somebodysaid that she needed Botox and
I'm like, Oh yeah.
Hey, somebody told me I lookedlike a dead guy in a coffin.
Kaleem (27:16):
I don't know why.
No, Ashley, you do not needBotox at all and bro that
comment.
I don't know why I laugh so hardat someone making fun of you,
(27:36):
but we make fun of ourselves somuch.
This person has no idea thatthat was the best comment that
we've had on any of our showsforever.
And we just, oh, I love, I lovethe, Go back and look at that
common,
Rick (27:50):
It was great.
It inspired me to put a fan inmy recording booth, you know,
Kaleem (27:58):
you know, another one, another story that I just love
was, um, we were talking to Ithink her name was Becky and she
was Becky Jones.
That's right.
And she was talking about thistime.
She had to take a call, um, in arestaurant.
Right.
Is that what she was saying?
Rick (28:18):
she was, she was making a pitch at a restaurant.
She was in a cafe.
Um, and she had an importantmeeting with, with an exec board
on something
Kaleem (28:29):
Yeah,
Rick (28:29):
and then all hell broke loose.
Kaleem (28:31):
let's see if she had this.
Love this.
(29:28):
Such a good time.
Rick (29:30):
can you imagine this, the discomfort and making a pro, you
know, pitching a proposal over azoom call and then some little
shit at the table next to youjust covers your face with
frosting.
Kaleem (29:43):
Oh man, that is great man that
Rick (29:45):
Yeah, yeah.
I mean, we've had a lot ofthese, a lot of these stories
have come out and hopefully moreand more will continue to
present themselves, but we weretalking to Kristen Bass this one
time and it was like a horrormovie.
Yeah.
In the middle of the day.
Kaleem (31:01):
got to be careful, bro.
You can't be rolling in, insomebody's house, especially
Krista.
She goes, cha cha, cha
Rick (31:09):
She was also the first woman in history to get a raise
over a zoom call because she hada shotgun in her hand.
Kaleem (31:17):
Oh, and then of course, you know, Jamie, Jamie Jackson,
you know, her
Rick (31:24):
she was so funny.
Kaleem (31:25):
oh, she was so good.
Her and Ashley, um, and anothercolleague of theirs run a
podcast called HumorousResources.
So check it out.
But, um, yeah, you know, whenyou have kids, man, and you're
trying to do stuff.
It just, you're trying to workremotely and the kids are home.
There's always something that'sgoing to happen.
You know what I mean?
Like there's always something,What a time, bro.
(32:42):
What a time, man.
Like,
Rick (32:44):
we are, you know, this has been, um, it's hard to believe
that everything we'veaccomplished in, you know, a
hundred episodes, podcasters ofthe year.
We've rubbed elbows and hadhonest conversations with the
world's leading researchers.
On the subject of remote work,we have become the voices of
(33:04):
remote work.
Kaleem (33:05):
Oh, Rick, did you just coin that?
Are we the voice?
Are we the voices of remotework, Rick?
Holy shit, man.
The stories.
I just gotta say thank you,brother.
The hundred episodes, it's beenamazing.
Couldn't have found anybodybetter than my, my homie, Rick
from another mother.
And, um, you know, it's, it'sit's been a super fun ride.
(33:26):
Can't wait to see what we havelined up next, but a hundred
episodes, baby.
One zero zero.
We did it.
Rick (33:34):
Eat that coach price.
I actually amounted to something
Kaleem (33:38):
Take that.
Take that.
Oh
Rick (33:41):
coach
Kaleem (33:42):
we love you all.
Rick (33:44):
love to everybody.
Kaleem (33:45):
See you on the other side.
Peace.
Rick (33:47):
Peace.
Can't believe it though.
(00:00):
A hundred episodes, dude.
Rick (00:02):
Jesus Christ.
I know What?
Kaleem (00:05):
You've been working for so long and so hard down at the
docks.
Rick (00:13):
I'm gonna go with the pub later and pick myself up a
harbor Hog.
Well,
Kaleem (00:20):
Been laying pipe with my uncle over at the wood shop,
bub.
Rick (00:25):
Oh man.
Kaleem (00:26):
Oh man.
It's good to see you, man.
Rick (00:28):
Yeah, likewise.
It's been too long.
We gotta do this.
I wish we could do this moreoften.
Kaleem (00:33):
You know, there's a phrase that I've been told
before shout out to my boy,Otis, something about the phrase
tickle shits,
Rick (00:41):
Mmm.
Kaleem (00:42):
you know, it's almost a mix between bubble guts.
Rick (00:46):
Yeah.
Kaleem (00:47):
laughing hysterically.
So you have the tickle shits.
Rick (00:50):
Indeed,
Kaleem (00:51):
I feel like that's what I have today, Rick.
Yeah, because I'm super happy.
Rick (01:02):
Welcome back to remotely one.
I am your cohost, Rick Haneyjoined by my esteemed colleague,
Kaleem Clarkson.
And today we're celebrating our100th episode.
What do you think of Kaleem?
You
Kaleem (01:18):
shit, Rick! A hundred episodes! A hundred episodes!
Like I said, I have to tickleshits! I can't believe! We
started this show three yearsago.
Did you ever think that we wouldhit a hundred, bro?
Rick (01:32):
know, honestly, I don't know what to think.
I can tell you that I cannotbelieve that we've come this
far.
I'm just thinking about all theamazing conversations that we've
had with our guests.
And you want to know what'sreally crazy?
Kaleem (01:44):
What's that, bro?
What's crazy, bro.
What's what's crazy, man.
What's what's happening.
Rick (01:47):
Well, thanks for asking.
I'll tell you all of our hardwork has been recognized as we
were just awarded podcasters ofthe year by crossover, the
world's largest recruiter offull time remote jobs.
I did not see that coming.
How about you?
Kaleem (02:04):
What's come on.
Crossover.
That's what we're talking about,baby, bro.
That first call I made to you,man, just reminiscing.
We hadn't spoken to each otherin 20 years and I took a shot
and I called you out of theblue.
For real.
I don't even think you knewanything about remote work.
You're like a deer in aheadlights, bro.
You're like a deer in aheadlights.
Like what?
Rick (02:25):
Well, you know, it's funny.
Like I look, I'm looking down atmy phone.
I'm like, Oh, what's he doingcalling me something must be up.
I wonder who died.
Right.
Kaleem (02:33):
Right.
That's seriously,
Rick (02:35):
did we lose another football coach?
What's going on here?
And, uh, you know, the firstthing I thought of when we got
into the conversation, you weretalking about remote work and
I'm like, bro, this guy's goingto have me, you know, Scouring
Craigslist ads and stuffingenvelopes by the end of the day.
And like, next thing I know, I'mgoing to be selling my body in
the private forums.
You know, I was like,
Kaleem (02:56):
You want a remote job, sir?
You want a remote job?
Selling your
Rick (03:00):
work, remote work, I had no idea what the word even
meant, you know, and I wasterrified.
And we get into this and westarted talking to these high
level professionals and Irealized.
It's just, the basic element iswe all have these stories to
tell, and these stories are whatmake remote work so much more
(03:22):
human than I could have possiblyimagined.
So after a few episodes, Irealized it was like, that was
it.
This was the thing.
This, it was about telling thestories.
Stories!
Kaleem (03:32):
the stories when we had that, the promo, I mean, Isn't
it insane that two bubs fromBangor, Maine, dude, created,
and we sustained a show for ahundred episodes and then just
out of nowhere recognized aspodcasters of the year, by a
(03:54):
recruiting firm that has over 8million followers.
Oh, wow.
Rick (03:58):
I mean, at this point, there is nothing else to say but
wow.
Wow ee, wow.
So, thank you, thanks everybodyfor listening.
This has been a wild ride.
I hope we can continue foranother a hundred episodes.
We'll see what the future holds,but
Kaleem (04:15):
see what the future holds
Rick (04:16):
so everybody out there again, thank you, and since you
know how to find us, do us ahuge favor, go to rate this
podcast.
com forward slash remotely one,and just leave us a review.
We'll ask that in every episode.
We're not tired of asking itbecause you guys always returned
the favor.
So again, rate this podcast.
com forward slash remotely one.
(04:37):
And if you could do that for us,we would be ever so thankful.
Since 2015 remotely one is oneof the largest communities of
remote work professionals withover 3, 500 Slack members and 5,
000 email subscribers and.
It's free to join.
So go to check it out atremotely one.
(04:59):
com.
And with that out of the way,tell us a little bit, Kaleem,
about your most favoritememorable episode.
Kaleem (05:06):
Well, sir, I can't, I can't say my most favorite
episode.
You know what I'm saying?
Cause it's like, like ourchildren.
We love them all, man.
We love
Rick (05:13):
well, my favorite, I mean, what sticks out in your mind?
What's what's memorable.
What's memorable.
Kaleem (05:19):
So again, guests, we love you all all the guests, and
it's a really good question.
So many great guests, but I'mgoing to have to go with my
celebrity crush.
The man, the myth, the legend,Jack Nilles.
And for those who do not knowwho Jack is, Jack coined the
(05:41):
term telework in 1967.
And he's a former former rocketengineer that worked on the
Apollo mission.
When he replied, bro, when hereplied and said, yes, first
off, I thought there was no wayhe was going to reply.
And again, back to the phrasethat we were talking about
earlier when he replied,
Rick (06:01):
Hmm.
Kaleem (06:01):
the tickle shits hit me hard, dude.
Rick (06:03):
Hard.
Kaleem (06:04):
hit me hard, but, uh, you know, let's Let's take a
look at what he had to say.
Let's take a look at what he hadto say.
(07:04):
So man, Jack Nils, man.
I mean, can you imagine,
Rick (07:10):
was such a killer.
I mean, I had so many questionsfor the guy.
And as I recall, I was bothflustered and having technical
issues that entire episode.
So I was like, uh, the wholetime.
Right.
But I mean, You know,
Kaleem (07:26):
crazy to think that like he just casually threw out.
He was a rocket scientist,casually through already working
on the Apollo mission.
And then the fact that somebodyasked him, yo, if you can put a
man on the moon, why can't youfigure out remote work?
And he's, he's still getting itdone.
Rick (07:41):
I mean, it was, that was so crazy, you know, just talking
to a brilliant mind like, youknow, you're a brilliant mind
when you get bored as a rocketscientist, I mean, he's, he
literally said, you know, I waslooking for something else to
do, you know, didn't he saythat?
Kaleem (07:58):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I was looking for something elseto do.
Rick (08:01):
yeah.
Kaleem (08:01):
yeah.
Rick (08:02):
so the irony of being bored as a rocket scientist
really kind of struck me, strucka chord there, but I don't know.
Kaleem (08:08):
The grandfather of telework, sir, I feel like we
had the number one person to getin this world.
He's 90, I believe he's over 90years old.
Just what a great feeling.
So how about you, Rick?
What's an episode that kind ofsticks out to you a little bit?
Rick (08:26):
I knew this was coming and you know as hard as it is to
make this decision, I, you know,in the moment, I'm recalling our
conversation with Brian Elliot.
When he said time matters morethan space,
Kaleem (08:37):
Hmm.
Rick (08:38):
you know, think about like, we've gone from 1967 to
2024.
That's a lot of changesoccurring in that window.
Employees, they went from, youknow, being dispensable
resources to being valued aspeople who can lead their
organization.
And I think Brian lays it outperfectly when he said time
(08:59):
matters more than place in thatplacing value on people's time.
Right?
By not burdening their schedulesand that time matters more than
one location.
Roll the clip.
He could say it better than Icould.
Kaleem (09:13):
Let's roll it.
(10:06):
There.
He said it.
I mean, I love Brian, man.
you know, the fact that he waswith Slack's future forum is now
doing his own thing.
But like, to me, given peoplelocation flexibility.
Like the stats that he wasshowing, they're crazy.
It's like, yes, providingpeople, location, flexibility
gives you 8 percent increase inproductivity.
(10:27):
But thinking about thescheduling of your time, bro, 39
percent increase ofproductivity, if you give them
the ability to work when that'scrazy shit, man, it's crazy
shit.
Rick (10:41):
Yeah.
No, I agreed.
I mean, the research of remotework has been absolutely
fascinating.
When you think about what we'rehearing from the media versus
what we're hearing fromresearchers, right?
It's completely night and day.
And Dr.
Nick Bloom comes to mind,speaking of which.
Kaleem (11:47):
You know, When you think about this, man, not only did we
have the godfather on oftelework, but I can't believe we
had one of the leadingresearchers in the world on the
show.
Um, it's just amazing.
And the reality even today isthat, man, the negative
(12:08):
headlines always sell more.
And they're always getting moreclicks.
And he said it perfectly forevery major headline that you
hear, right.
There's a company that has a lotof remote work, right?
Like, so for every headlineyou're hearing, there's a
company we don't hear aboutthat's fully remote.
And it's just, um, it's justcrazy, man.
It's just crazy.
Rick (12:28):
Yeah, that was such an engaging and quite rewarding
conversation.
You know, I learned so muchabout not only Dr.
Nick Bloom, but the researchthat is behind everything that
we've been talking about.
And we also learned a little bitabout President Obama as a
person.
How he operates.
Thanks.
(12:49):
Remember that,
Kaleem (12:51):
I do.
I do remember that.
I do remember that.
Let's let's let's how does, howdoes president Obama operate?
Let's let's roll the clip.
Let's roll the clip.
(13:50):
Oh, Dr.
Bloom.
He was, you know, was smartabout that, Rick.
He knew not to respond to that.
Rick (13:56):
Oh, he deflected hard.
I mean, he didn't even engage,which was very smart of him.
You know, it's hard to be on hislevel and then have to
communicate with people like us.
I'll be honest.
Kaleem (14:07):
Imagine if he was just like, he did have a scent of
cocoa butter and it's just likethe way, you know, his, his, his
accent was, was,
Rick (14:13):
I know, it's, it's, it's quite funny you mentioned
because I remember smellingcocoa butter.
Cocoa butter.
You know, that's one of the thereasons why I've always loved
this show right from thebeginning, you know, we're
engaged in a serious discussionand then Kaleem just derails it
completely with a ridiculousquestion about how the president
smells.
I mean, you just never know whatyou're going to get.
Kaleem (14:36):
true.
It's true.
Oh man.
So.
We've had all of theseresearchers on but what I've
always found amazing from all ofthis Rick is like, no matter how
much research that you have.
It still doesn't change theopinions of CEO.
(14:56):
And it just reminds me of likewhen Kate Lister interviewed the
VP of HR from Netflix, you
Rick (15:04):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I do.
I do remember.
And it's funny because what Iremember most, the guy just
doesn't want to listen to her.
He was not interested inanything she had to say.
Kaleem (16:08):
you know, Rick, for me.
just hits home that like, whenshe says, no, the CEO says no
good, we'll ever come from it.
It's just, it's, it's funny.
And then like, everyone wants tobe back in the office.
That's what I've been told.
Talk about just beinghardheaded.
(16:29):
You know what I'm saying?
Just like, talk about like, justnot giving a shit or not giving
a shit, not even listening.
Rick (16:34):
It's always been done this way.
See, to keep doing it.
Kaleem (16:37):
We're going to keep doing it.
But that comment to me, Reallykind of leads me to this idea of
just mindset, no matter how muchinformation that they've been
provided, their mind was set inone way.
Um, and they're hardwired.
And just like, you know, Iremember Dr.
(16:58):
Kelly Monahan from Upworksresearch Institute talking about
mindset.
You remember Dr.
Monahan.
Rick (17:05):
I do.
You know, that conversation hada profound impact on me.
But the one thing I remember themost about it is the mindset of
butts in seats, right?
You know, we've been conditionedto value you this office
hierarchy paying your dues.
But the new idea is that arising tide lifts all boats.
Kaleem (18:18):
I just love Kelly so much.
She was fun to talk to, man.
Rick (18:21):
That was a great discussion.
Kaleem (18:23):
It really was.
She just had so much knowledgetoo, like from doing research at
multiple places and, you know,what she said made a lot of
sense to me in that moment.
Cause I hadn't really thoughtabout.
The manager's positions in allof these situations, but like,
you know, these managers paidtheir dues with butts in seats,
Rick (18:42):
Hmm.
Kaleem (18:43):
but then, you know, during the pandemic, while we're
working, they were asked torewrite how we're working.
Although they've neverexperienced that type of
success.
You know what I mean?
Like, although they've neverexperienced success being fully
remote.
and really the challenge thatpeople have.
Is how can I break through thattype of mindset?
(19:07):
And I just remember, do youremember Sasha Sasha from
Rick (19:11):
Saw Cheryl Connor.
Yeah.
Yeah.
She worked for Clorox.
that was a great conversation.
You know, I, I remember hertalking specifically, I mean,
she goes back to like 2010, whenshe took it upon herself to show
and prove to her manager thatshe could manage a team
remotely, despite all of theprofessional conditions that she
(19:32):
was given as a result of herproposal.
Kaleem (20:26):
You know, another thing that I just really, really
enjoyed about interviewing allof these crazy successful
people, man, is that they'rejust people,
Rick (20:38):
Mmm.
Kaleem (20:39):
you know, and they're down to earth and you know,
what's the best, the best thingabout Sasha, Rick?
The moment she said she was fromPhilly, you happen to go right
into rapping the theme song fromthe Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Rick (21:01):
Oh yeah! And it took right off.
Yeah.
(21:38):
Oh man.
That was
Kaleem (21:40):
I didn't get it right either, bro.
Rick (21:42):
No.
Kaleem (21:42):
get it right,
Rick (21:43):
That's not the way I remembered it, but it still, it
still went, it
Kaleem (21:47):
It doesn't matter.
Oh, what a great sport.
What a just good human being.
Rick (21:53):
Yeah, I mean, that, that was fun.
We had a lot of laughs overthat, and, but, you know.
It's really poignant if you pullback a little bit and you
consider that that theme songreally kind of fits her story of
moving from one location toanother, you know,
Kaleem (22:11):
Back to Philly, in fact,
Rick (22:13):
she went back to Philly from
Kaleem (22:15):
right?
Rick (22:16):
I think.
Kaleem (22:16):
On the left coast.
Rick (22:17):
Yeah, two different, vastly different demographics.
Uh, and, and she had to makethat move considering that her,
you know, the possibility of herpay changing.
And so that kind of brings tomind the conversation we had
around pay equity with JobVandervoort.
From remote.
com.
Kaleem (22:35):
bro.
I was so nervous.
I was so nervous.
I get nervous on a lot of ourinterviews, but it's not every
day, Rick, that you get to speakto a founder that has raised a
half a billion dollars.
You know, like remote.
com raised 500 million.
(22:57):
one of the biggest topics inremote work is whether you
should pay people based on arole that they're doing, or if
you should pay people based onthe location.
Rick (23:59):
You know, it's funny.
I mean, of course, again,another episode of, you know,
laughs and jabs, but I love thefact that you called him out on
not taking a position and in thesame breath, he goes on about
how they have data that provesalmost every company pays by
location.
(24:20):
I mean, he's so smooth, right?
Kaleem (24:22):
so
Rick (24:23):
you could do that when you got a 500 million coming in.
Kaleem (24:26):
Yeah.
You, you know, you have to knowhow to talk if, if, if you're
going to pull that out, butyeah, it was, it was a really
good time, man.
Um, You know, we started theshow, I remember having during
that conversation, I was like,man, like, I want to have a fun
podcast, you know, and we'regoing back and forth.
(24:47):
And we're like, it's about thestories of remote work to help
humanize into the bit.
Cause like, we're all behindthese screens.
We want to humanize it.
And then we just startedrecording episodes and it was
fun.
It was cool.
You know, we were feeling itout.
You know, we were asking thequestion at the end.
But one year, I think it wasafter we've been doing it for
over a year or some change,maybe a year and a half.
(25:09):
And you were like, you know, youpitch this idea.
You're like, Hey, What if wecreated a new segment?
And I was like, all right, tellme more, sir.
Tell me more.
And you were like, so we've beenhearing from all of these top
level executives and top levelresearchers.
Wouldn't it be great to havelike these really short episodes
(25:31):
of the frontline workers, theindividual contributors that are
just doing the work.
And all they did was just comeon and tell us the most fucking
ridiculous stories.
And you were like you know, Ithink we asked them the
questions we asked each personto come on and tell us the most
comical inspirational story theyhad while working remotely.
(25:51):
And I remember you came up withthe name.
It was like, we'll call it notsafe for remote work.
Great idea.
Super fun, bro.
Rick (26:03):
you know, I, I wasn't sure where that was going to go.
And I remember our first one,um, she was brilliant.
Awesome personality, you know,just a really awesome, awesome
girl.
And she made a comment about,Oh, no, we were talking about
comments of her.
Her
Kaleem (26:23):
Yeah.
So being online,
Rick (26:25):
Yeah.
being
Kaleem (26:26):
being online.
like what
Rick (26:27):
Yeah.
Kaleem (26:27):
know, the people love to hate in the comments,
Rick (26:30):
Yeah.
Yeah.
The people are hating.
And you know, she's she's apretty girl, you know, and
talking about like um, somebodysaid that she needed Botox and
I'm like, Oh yeah.
Hey, somebody told me I lookedlike a dead guy in a coffin.
Kaleem (27:16):
I don't know why.
No, Ashley, you do not needBotox at all and bro that
comment.
I don't know why I laugh so hardat someone making fun of you,
(27:36):
but we make fun of ourselves somuch.
This person has no idea thatthat was the best comment that
we've had on any of our showsforever.
And we just, oh, I love, I lovethe, Go back and look at that
common,
Rick (27:50):
It was great.
It inspired me to put a fan inmy recording booth, you know,
Kaleem (27:58):
you know, another one, another story that I just love
was, um, we were talking to Ithink her name was Becky and she
was Becky Jones.
That's right.
And she was talking about thistime.
She had to take a call, um, in arestaurant.
Right.
Is that what she was saying?
Rick (28:18):
she was, she was making a pitch at a restaurant.
She was in a cafe.
Um, and she had an importantmeeting with, with an exec board
on something
Kaleem (28:29):
Yeah,
Rick (28:29):
and then all hell broke loose.
Kaleem (28:31):
let's see if she had this.
Love this.
(29:28):
Such a good time.
Rick (29:30):
can you imagine this, the discomfort and making a pro, you
know, pitching a proposal over azoom call and then some little
shit at the table next to youjust covers your face with
frosting.
Kaleem (29:43):
Oh man, that is great man that
Rick (29:45):
Yeah, yeah.
I mean, we've had a lot ofthese, a lot of these stories
have come out and hopefully moreand more will continue to
present themselves, but we weretalking to Kristen Bass this one
time and it was like a horrormovie.
Yeah.
In the middle of the day.
Kaleem (31:01):
got to be careful, bro.
You can't be rolling in, insomebody's house, especially
Krista.
She goes, cha cha, cha
Rick (31:09):
She was also the first woman in history to get a raise
over a zoom call because she hada shotgun in her hand.
Kaleem (31:17):
Oh, and then of course, you know, Jamie, Jamie Jackson,
you know, her
Rick (31:24):
she was so funny.
Kaleem (31:25):
oh, she was so good.
Her and Ashley, um, and anothercolleague of theirs run a
podcast called HumorousResources.
So check it out.
But, um, yeah, you know, whenyou have kids, man, and you're
trying to do stuff.
It just, you're trying to workremotely and the kids are home.
There's always something that'sgoing to happen.
You know what I mean?
Like there's always something,What a time, bro.
(32:42):
What a time, man.
Like,
Rick (32:44):
we are, you know, this has been, um, it's hard to believe
that everything we'veaccomplished in, you know, a
hundred episodes, podcasters ofthe year.
We've rubbed elbows and hadhonest conversations with the
world's leading researchers.
On the subject of remote work,we have become the voices of
(33:04):
remote work.
Kaleem (33:05):
Oh, Rick, did you just coin that?
Are we the voice?
Are we the voices of remotework, Rick?
Holy shit, man.
The stories.
I just gotta say thank you,brother.
The hundred episodes, it's beenamazing.
Couldn't have found anybodybetter than my, my homie, Rick
from another mother.
And, um, you know, it's, it'sit's been a super fun ride.
(33:26):
Can't wait to see what we havelined up next, but a hundred
episodes, baby.
One zero zero.
We did it.
Rick (33:34):
Eat that coach price.
I actually amounted to something
Kaleem (33:38):
Take that.
Take that.
Oh
Rick (33:41):
coach
Kaleem (33:42):
we love you all.
Rick (33:44):
love to everybody.
Kaleem (33:45):
See you on the other side.
Peace.
Rick (33:47):
Peace.
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