Work It, Remote

I Didn’t Need an Office, So Why Did I Get One?

After more than six years working remotely, I made a decision that surprised even me—I rented office space (well, co-sharing rented space). Not because I needed it for my business, but because something wasn’t working. In this episode, I share the three real reasons behind that decision: loneliness during the workday, a lack of creative energy, and a growing desire for identity and community outside of my roles at home. If you work remotely and have ever felt like something is missing—even when everything “should” be working—this is an honest reflection on that experience and an invitation to think about what might need to change for you. Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!  Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.  @WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

E21: You're More Creative Than You Think: My Lessons in Rediscovering Creativity

Many people believe creativity belongs to artists—but creativity is actually one of the most important human skills we have. In this episode, Erika explores how creativity shows up in our work, leadership, and everyday lives. Through a personal story, she reflects on how her view of creativity evolved and why many of us unknowingly limit our own creative potential. Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!  Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.  @WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

E20: When Working From Home Makes You the Default

Working from home can quietly turn flexibility into assumed responsibility. In this episode of Work It, Remote, I explore how remote and flexible work often makes us the default person for unplanned moments—sick days, snow days, service appointments, last-minute interruptions, and everyday disruptions. I talk about the invisible mental load and anticipatory stress that comes with being “the one who’s home,” why these interruptions fragment focus and drain energy, and how pushing through without rest leads to burnout. This episode invites listeners to rethink boundaries, shared responsibility, and rest in remote work—whether you’re a parent or simply navigating the realities of flexible work. Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!  Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.  @WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

E19: Three AI Reflection Prompts That Are Helping Me Stop Over-Editing My Life and Work

Podcast: Work It, Remote Episode 19 At the end of every year, I usually have a clear way of reflecting — what worked, what didn’t, and what I want to carry forward. But as 2025 came to a close, that process felt unusually hard. There was too much happening, too many threads to untangle, and no clear structure to make sense of it all. In this episode, I share the unexpected reflection process that helped unlock clarity — using three simple AI prompts that surfaced patterns I couldn’t see on my own. I walk through each prompt, what it revealed about how I’ve been over-editing and trying to finalize things that are still evolving, and why that habit was starting to hold me back. One insight in particular changed how I’m approaching this podcast, my work, and the year ahead: realizing that I’ve already mastered certain skills — and that continuing to over-index on them can become a barrier to growth. With help from AI, I landed on a new way to think about strategy, simplification, and when it’s actually time to iterate — what I now think of as revisiting decisions only when there’s friction from abundance. If you’ve been feeling scattered, stuck between versions of yourself, or pressured to have everything polished and figured out, this episode offers a thoughtful, practical way to reflect — and permission to let the becoming be. Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!  Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.  @WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube

Episode 18: Why I’m Hitting Record Again

Episode 18: Why I’m Hitting Record Again Podcast: Work It, Remote Host: Erika Joseph Bergen After a nine-month pause, Work It, Remote is back — and in this update episode, host Erika Joseph Bergen shares why she stepped away, what she learned during the break, and how the podcast is evolving moving forward. Originally launched as a space to explore remote work through curiosity and community, the show slowly began to feel heavier — more focused on best practices, expert advice, and “shoulds.” In this episode, Erika reflects honestly on that shift and explains why she’s returning to a more personal, story-driven approach centered on noticing, learning in real time, and naming the things we don’t always say out loud about work. She also looks back at the most-listened-to episodes from past seasons — including conversations on remote work fundamentals, employee rights, AI in hiring, and navigating work with chronic illness — and shares how those themes are shaping what comes next. Going forward, Work It, Remote will release episodes on a monthly cadence and focus on the intersection of remote and flexible work, leadership, and identity. If you’re navigating remote or flexible work, leading in a distributed environment, or simply looking for a thoughtful space to process how work is changing, you’re in the right place. If this episode resonates, subscribe to the podcast so you’re notified when new monthly episodes are released — and feel free to share it with someone navigating work in this moment. Listen to the top 5 episodes from last season:  5. E2: Know Your Rights: The Law and Remote Work: https://www.workitremote.com/episode-2-know-your-rights-the-law-and-remote-work/ [https://www.workitremote.com/episode-2-know-your-rights-the-law-and-remote-work/] 4. E7: Leadership and Culture-Building in the Age of Remote Work: https://www.workitremote.com/e7-leadership-and-culture-building-in-the-age-of-remote-work/ [https://www.workitremote.com/e7-leadership-and-culture-building-in-the-age-of-remote-work/] 3. E16: AI, Hiring, and Getting Noticed: https://www.workitremote.com/e16-ai-hiring-and-getting-noticed-what-remote-job-seekers-and-hiring-managers-need-to-know/ [https://www.workitremote.com/e16-ai-hiring-and-getting-noticed-what-remote-job-seekers-and-hiring-managers-need-to-know/] 2. E1: Remote Work 101: 3 Tips to Set Up Your Space for Success: https://www.workitremote.com/episode-1-remote-work-101-3-tips-to-set-up-your-space-for-success/ [https://www.workitremote.com/episode-1-remote-work-101-3-tips-to-set-up-your-space-for-success/] 1.  E10: Working Remote and Thriving with Multiple Sclerosis: https://www.workitremote.com/e10-community-spotlight-real-stories-of-working-remotely-with-danielle-cornejo-calhoun/ [https://www.workitremote.com/e10-community-spotlight-real-stories-of-working-remotely-with-danielle-cornejo-calhoun/] Don't forget to subscribe to the Work It, Remote podcast!  Visit www.workitremote.com to join our mailing list.  @WorkItRemote on Instagram and YouTube