Remote work is here to stay. Whether you’re firmly in the return to office camp or die hard distributed, the cat’s out of the bag for the industry.
The Dist...
How senior EMs from Fortune 500 approach hybrid work with Rachel Trana from Grainger
What makes hybrid and remote teams successful? In this episode of the Distributed podcast, Jack Hannah sits down with Rachel Trana, Senior Engineering Manager at Grainger, to explore strategies for thriving in flexible work environments. Rachel shares how practices like pair programming, effective status updates, and intentional onboarding can help teams stay aligned and productive. She also talks about the unique challenges of fostering communication and connection in a hybrid setup, offering practical advice for leaders and team members alike.If you’re navigating hybrid or remote work and looking for ways to make teamwork seamless, this conversation is full of tips and insights to take back to your team.Highlights:How to create effective kickoffs for hybrid and remote teamsWhy pair programming is a core practice for sharing context and building communication skillsThe importance of clear, concise status updates in daily workflowsStrategies for improving onboarding processes in evolving work environmentsIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off with Rachel Trana(02:30) – Grainger’s Flexible Hybrid Work Approach(04:11) – The Importance of Kickoffs and Context in Team Success(08:36) – How Pair Programming Builds Communication and Technical Skills(16:22) – A Story of Success: Effective Pairing in Complex Projects(17:34) – The Role of Status Updates in Keeping Teams Aligned(22:04) – Rethinking Onboarding for Hybrid Teams(26:32) – Lessons Learned from a Heavy-Handed Approach to Process Change(31:47) – Navigating the Challenges of Isolation in Hybrid Work(33:55) – Final Takeaway: Alignment and CommunicationResources:Connect with Rachel Trana on LinkedIn More about GraingerFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
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35:22
Creating high-performing remote engineering teams with Carlos Rosão from NewStore
What does it take to build high-performing remote teams in a distributed world? In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah chats with Carlos Rosão, Director of Software Engineering at NewStore, to uncover the strategies that make remote engineering teams thrive. Carlos shares how NewStore fosters autonomy, balances standardization with flexibility, and uses pair programming to reduce miscommunication and encourage collaboration. From prioritizing customer needs to scaling engineering practices across distributed teams, this episode offers insights for leaders and team members navigating remote work.Highlights:The balance between empowering teams and standardizing best practicesHow NewStore uses pair programming and rotation to prevent silos and enhance collaborationWhy in-person meetups still matter for distributed teamsPractical tips for improving communication and ownership in remote settingsIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off with Carlos Rosão(05:16) – NewStore’s Approach to Distributed Work and Time Zone Collaboration(07:04) – Building Trust and Fostering Connections in Remote Teams(11:05) – Balancing Autonomy and Alignment in Team Decision-Making(19:15) – The Role of In-Person Gatherings for Onboarding and Team Cohesion(24:22) – How Customer Feedback Drives Product Innovation at NewStore(36:23) – Final Takeaway: Scaling Distributed Teams and Fostering High PerformanceWhere to connect further:Connect with Carlos Rosão on LinkedInVisit Tales of Engineering LeadershipMore about NewStoreFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
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41:47
Ben Grohbiel on scaling remote teams, leadership, and engineering rituals
How do feedback loops shape high-performing engineering teams?In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah talks with Ben Grohbiel, Staff Engineer at Snyk, about the interplay between leadership, technical excellence, and collaboration in remote teams. Ben shares his journey from running a web dev shop to leading platform teams and eventually transitioning from engineering management back to an individual contributor role.Ben also discusses the habits and rituals that help teams stay aligned, the importance of feedback loops in decision-making, and how structuring remote teams for success requires more than just good tooling—it’s about fostering the right culture.Highlights:Transitioning from engineering manager to staff engineer: what changed and whyThe role of SpeedBacks and pairing in driving continuous team improvementHow Snyk structures its remote teams for collaboration and efficiencyThe debate around remote vs. hybrid vs. in-person setups—and what really mattersNavigating autonomy and accountability in startups vs. scale-upsIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking things off with Ben Grohbiel(03:39) – Transition from engineering management to staff engineer(04:27) – Challenges of managing a large remote team(07:10) – The importance of feedback loops in high-performing teams(10:40) – "Speedbacks": A unique approach to rapid peer feedback(14:09) – Effective communication between teams through pairing(17:17) – A startup experience where everything clicked(23:00) – The very first team experience on Snyk(27:09) – The debate around remote, hybrid, and in-office work(30:18) – Driving effective information flow in remote teams(34:14) – The future of remote work: Unanswered questionWhere to connect further:Connect with Ben Grohbiel on LinkedIn and check out SnykFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
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36:11
How staff engineers approach leading remote teams with Cassia Scheffer from Wealthsimple
What’s the right way to operate as a hybrid team in today’s engineering landscape? In this episode of the Distributed podcast, Jack Hannah speaks with Cassia Scheffer, Staff Software Engineer at Wealthsimple, to explore her best practices for mentoring and collaborating in a remote-first environment. Cassia shares insights on balancing hybrid work cultures, the power of pair programming, and how distributed ownership empowers engineers to make better decisions. She also reflects on the challenges of feeling disconnected in hybrid setups and how Wealthsimple prioritizes customer-focused values to align teams.Highlights:The importance of balancing hybrid work cultures to foster a sense of belongingHow schema validation enables distributed ownership and better decision-makingWhy mentoring and pair programming improve collaboration and learningStrategies for driving alignment through clear documentationThe role of curiosity in planning, problem-solving, and building strong teamsIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off With Cassia Scheffer(00:45) – Wealthsimple’s Hybrid Model and Remote-First Approach(02:38) – Why Pair Programming is Essential for Remote Engineering(04:56) – How Wealthsimple’s 400-Person Engineering Team Stays Aligned(06:58) – Scaling Communication: From Growing Pains to Real-Time Decision Making(10:18) – A Leadership Crisis and the Culture Clash That Followed(13:48) – How Hybrid Work Creates Visibility and Belonging Challenges(19:00) – API Platform Engineering: Driving Adoption Across 30 Teams(30:42) – Coaching Engineers: Pairing as a Tool for Growth and Problem-Solving(38:52) – Final Takeaway: Curiosity as the Key to Effective CollaborationReferenced:Organizational Culture and Leadership by Edgar H. Schein: https://www.amazon.com/Organizational-Leadership-Jossey-Bass-Business-Management/dp/1119212049Where to connect further:Connect with Cassia Scheffer on LinkedInMore about Cassia on her websiteMore about WealthsimpleFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
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39:49
Dave Farley on remote work, AI, and the future of software engineering
How does human connection shape the way we build software?In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah talks with Dave Farley, renowned software engineer, author, and expert in modern software development. Dave shares insights from his 40-year career, covering everything from extreme programming to the role of AI in software engineering. He explains why pair programming is one of the most underrated practices and how fostering trust in remote teams leads to better collaboration and creativity.Dave also explores the trade-offs of remote and hybrid work, the importance of high-quality engineering practices, and why continuous delivery remains essential for building world-class software.Highlights:Why software development is a team game and not a solo endeavorHow pair programming boosts productivity and code qualityLessons from ThoughtWorks on scaling extreme programming with large teamsThe evolving impact of AI on software engineering How remote teams can not only build trust but maintain itIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off with Dave Farley(01:33) – Dave Farley’s Path From Early Computing to Today(05:42) – Leading a Distributed Team: First Remote Experience(07:58) – Solving Remote Work Challenges Through Human Connection(11:46) – Building Trust: The Key to Strong Software Teams(15:55) – Pair Programming: The Secret to Better Collaboration(18:55) – Overcoming Resistance to Pair Programming in Teams(28:35) – How AI Is Changing Software Development Forever(36:29) – Test-Driven Development as the Future of AI Coding(40:06) – The Biggest Challenge of Remote Work: New Teams(43:14) – Finding the Right Balance Between Remote and OfficeWhere to connect further:Connect with Dave Farley on LinkedIn and his websiteFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
Remote work is here to stay. Whether you’re firmly in the return to office camp or die hard distributed, the cat’s out of the bag for the industry.
The Distributed podcast, from Tuple, deconstructs how world-class engineers and their teams navigate the challenges (and opportunities) remote work creates.
Host Jack Hannah uncovers stories of teams and individuals overcoming technical challenges, working through interpersonal dynamics, and battling their own distractions.
Through these conversations, we’ll unpack the practical side of how folks work together in this new normal, and dig into the social emotional piece so often overlooked in programming.
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