I am sure tools might help, but I personally found that tools matter less once you build up that familial rapport. Eg. once we felt at ease with each other, it

I am sure tools might help, but I personally found that tools matter less once you build up that familial rapport. Eg. once we felt at ease with each other, it was never an issue to jump into a Google Hangout/Meet and talk work, switch to lighter themes and back. FWIW, I remember seeing tools like you mention (my company at the time used them during the pandemic), but I could never really connect to people that way.