206: How To Work From Anywhere Without Feeling Disconnected | Michelle Coulson

Winning in the remote world isn’t just about logging in—it’s about knowing yourself, mastering communication, and finding where you fit.  

In this episode, Damon Lembi sits down with Michelle Coulson, founder of Remote Rebellion, to crack open the realities of remote and hybrid work. Michelle draws on her years as a recruiter and leader of remote teams to explore what it truly takes to thrive (or hire) in the remote-first era. From cutting through workplace distractions to the psychology of choice, Michelle and Damon address the often-overlooked challenges and opportunities facing both companies and job seekers today. Whether you’re looking to land your first remote job, level-up your virtual team, or simply want a more fulfilling work-life balance, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies, honest insights, and plenty of inspiration to support your remote journey. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• Why freedom of choice is the #1 motivator for remote workers (even before money) 
• The real traits that set top performers apart in remote environments—and why structure still matters 
• Common mistakes organizations make when “going remote” and how to set intentional policies 
• How to stand out in an increasingly competitive remote job market—personal branding, communication hacks, and more 
• What recruiters are really looking for in remote candidates (plus Michelle’s favorite filtering trick) 
• Why authentic networking and feedback fuel both hiring and personal growth in a virtual world 

Timestamps: 

00:00 – Michelle on freedom of choice and productivity 

01:21 – Rethinking the work-life equation 

02:55 – How the Pandemic turbocharged Remote Rebellion 

03:29 – The case for office and remote: pro-choice work life 

04:37 – Bad reasons companies force return-to-office 

05:54 – Helping employers design meaningful in-person work 

07:31 – The hardest part of running a remote-first company 

08:58 – Must-have skills for remote success (communication rules!) 

12:54 – Building effective team communication across cultures 

16:38 – Helping late-career workers go remote 

19:51 – Why remote jobs are so competitive right now 

22:05 – Does remote really make people happier and more productive? 

23:45 – Finding and landing remote roles: personal branding, networking 

28:19 – Michelle’s filtering hack for serious applicants 

30:22 – Why you shouldn’t mass-apply (and how you’re part of the problem) 

33:39 – Can you become a great leader if you’ve only worked remotely? 

36:44 – Michelle’s virtual remote career fair: bringing humanity back 

40:24 – How Michelle helps orgs recruit for remote readiness 

44:55 – Honesty about “remote-first” and setting expectations 

46:22 – Who thrives in Michelle’s Remote Job Academy 

49:13 – The future of remote and hybrid work 

51:32 – The value of external feedback and keeping a success journal 

54:29 – Where to connect with Michelle 

 

About Michelle Coulson 

Michelle Coulson is the founder of Remote Rebellion, a company dedicated to empowering individuals to design their work around life—rather than the other way around. With a background in recruitment and having managed remote, cross-continental teams, Michelle specializes in helping both organizations and job seekers master remote work. Her practical, candid approach cuts through the noise, offering real-world insights on talent attraction, communication, and what it actually takes to...