Stories I Tell

In this episode I unpack the skill gap nobody warns you about: digital skills. And I don't mean coding or design or anything that needs a certificate. I mean the everyday tools you almost certainly already own. Yes, the door key is already in your pocket. Your Google account. I walk through five practical skills, from working in the cloud to showing up well on video, that separate the people who t...

Most aspiring remote workers start the conversation in the wrong place. They lead with their qualifications, then ask me: "Tariro, what can I do with this?" In this episode I tell you why that question keeps you stuck, and what to ask instead. I share my own winding path, from a reception desk in my dad's event hire business at 12, through Computer Science and a banking career, to walking away fro...

In this episode, I share some of the quiet imaginations that come with raising a child on the autism spectrum and the questions we don't always say out loud.

After six months of silence, I'm back behind the mic sharing what this season has really looked like. In this episode, I reflect on saying yes to a hybrid Learning & Development role after years of remote work, navigating anxiety around in-person spaces, embracing collaboration, and redefining what "work that fits my life" truly means. I have been navigating stretching seasons and unexpected o...

This episode is built around a quote that's stayed with me for years — "Life rewards you for the portion you fight for." Originally shared by my late friend's sister, her words have become a quiet anchor in how I approach work, parenting, and faith. You might've seen the blog post I wrote about this last October, but this recording goes deeper. I share extra stories, honest moments, and fresh refl...

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the not-so-glamorous side of remote work and freelancing. From sleep deprivation and burnout, to the pressure to always be "on," I'm sharing some real-life experiences that don't make it onto Instagram or LinkedIn. If you've ever found yourself overwhelmed, isolated, or just questioning this whole remote work life, you're not alone. And if you're th...

At the beginning of 2025, I found myself starting from scratch. I had no client contracts, no active projects. I had just stepped out of a full-time remote role and was re-launching my freelance and OBM services. Six months later, I looked back and realised I had built income across 7 different remote work streams. Some of these were expected, whilst others were totally unexpected. In this episode...

In this episode, I'm reflecting on the first half of 2025, a season filled with transition, growth, and a whole lot of learning. From relaunching my OBM business to wrestling with idea overload and burnout, I open up about the emotional rollercoaster of trying to figure things out in real time. But one thing that's kept me grounded through it all? Community. I talk about the power of being surroun...

In this episode, I get honest about the burnout that came from chasing shiny ideas and short-term wins even when those ideas led to shiny opportunities too. If you're a founder or business owner constantly pulled in multiple directions, trying to show up everywhere and do everything, this conversation will resonate. I share how I reclaimed clarity in my business and why I'm now choosing depth over...

In this episode, I'm sharing the heart behind my decision to start teaching digital skills—and why it's about so much more than just learning new tools. Over the last few months, I've found myself at the intersection of two powerful realities: business owners who feel overwhelmed by the digital world, and aspiring remote workers who feel (and sometimes seem) underprepared to thrive in it. And what...

This is the question I get asked all the time and honestly, I kind of hate it. Not because it's a bad question, but because the answer is rarely simple. In this episode, I share my own story of leaving a stable corporate banking job over a decade ago to pursue remote work. Spoiler alert: it wasn't a glamorous leap. It was messy, uncertain, and scary. But it was also one of the most defining d...

In this episode, I share my journey from chasing flexibility for travel to valuing remote work for the freedom it gives me as a parent. We'll talk about some myths of the "laptop lifestyle," the pressure of curated social media posts, and why your reason for choosing remote work should be your own. If you're considering remote work, feeling the pressure to "work from anywhere," or just trying to d...

In this episode, I share a raw and unexpected lesson from a recent flat tyre experience that reminded me of an important truth: You don't know what you don't know. What started as a seemingly simple roadside challenge turned into a powerful reflection on problem-solving, self-reliance, and the importance of having the right tools and knowledge. I talk about the frustration of struggling...

In this episode, I take you on a reflective journey as I celebrate 11 years of working remotely. From starting as a Virtual Assistant to navigating multiple career shifts, I've experienced firsthand how change can be both terrifying and transformative. I'll share the biggest lessons I've learned along the way including embracing reinvention, overcoming self-doubt, and staying adaptable.  Here's to...

Are you wondering how to transition into remote work without starting from scratch?  In this episode, I break down how you can leverage the skills you already have to land remote opportunities. I share my own journey from leaving a managerial tech role to becoming a Virtual Assistant some 11 years ago.  Whether you're in customer service, teaching, administration, marketing, or any other fiel...

Have you ever thought about working remotely but felt like it was only for tech professionals? You're not alone! Many people assume that landing a remote job requires coding or IT skills, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In this episode, I'm breaking down this common misconception and sharing my own journey of transitioning from an IT Manager to a Virtual Assistant, thriving in remote...

Success in remote work isn't one-size-fits-all. For some, it's financial freedom; for others, it's flexibility, impact, or work-life balance. In this episode, I dive into my own journey. What success meant when I started working remotely over a decade ago and how that definition has evolved over time. We'll explore why it's so important to define success on your own terms and avoid...

Is it really possible to land remote work opportunities while living in Zimbabwe?  In this episode, I dive into the misconceptions many people have about remote work, share my personal journey working remotely from Harare, and explore practical tips for finding clients locally and internationally. From debunking myths about needing a visa to sharing insights on how to showcase your value, this epi...

In this episode, I share my personal journey navigating Imposter Syndrome, including some stories from work and my own personal life.  If you have ever struggled with feeling like a fraud, like you don't deserve a seat at the table, in your life journey, especially your career, I had you in mind as I was recording this.  My most important reminder and message to you is right at the end. When...

Are you ready to unlock the freedom and flexibility of remote work but unsure how to prepare yourself for the challenges ahead?  In this episode, I share five essential mindset shifts that every aspiring remote worker must embrace to thrive in today's competitive online landscape. From building a standout personal brand to staying motivated and navigating uncertainty, these strategies will set you...

2025: The Year of Bold Moves, Intentional Progress, and Empowering Others As we step into a brand-new year, there's something exhilarating about the opportunity to hit reset, dream bigger, and take bold steps forward. In this episode, I'm sharing a personal glimpse of my vision for 2025—a year dedicated to making bold moves, embracing intentional progress, and empowering others along the way. One...

The Day I Was Fired as a Virtual Assistant: 3 Hard Lessons Learned In this episode, I share one of the most humbling moments of my career—getting fired by a client. It wasn't about downsizing or redundancy; it was about my performance. I'll take you through the story, from the initial excitement of landing the client to the mistakes that led to a painful but eye-opening experience. You'll also lea...

In this episode, I share a deeply personal post I wrote a few months ago while grappling with the overwhelming grief of losing my dad. As emotional as it was to write and now to read, this experience taught me more about God's love than any Sunday School lesson ever could. Fair warning: there are a few pauses as emotions "run high" or I run out of words, but sometimes we just need t...

In this episode, I reflect on my journey from a traditional office job to building a 100% remote career over the past decade. I share a few valuable lessons learned along the way, including a pivotal story about an opportunity where I couldn't convince a prospective client of my value as a remote worker and how that experience shaped my approach going forward.

Welcome to Stories I Tell ! This podcast is all about my journey of working remotely, navigating a career in tech, and figuring out this thing called life. In this first episode, I'll share a bit about who I am, why I started this podcast, and what you can look forward to in upcoming episodes. More than anything, I'm so glad you're here. Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoy the episode!