Coworking Values Podcast

Episode Summary Kyle Steele, co-owner of The Conduit in Orlando, explains why true coworking isn't about renting desks—redefining how communities connect, support, and thrive together. The Conduit isn't just a workspace; it's a vibrant hub where coworking meets art, social advocacy, and local culture, creating genuine impact in the neighbourhood. Kyle reveals how a casual Tuesday gathering in a co...

Elina Jutelyte is done tiptoeing around the harsh truths freelancers face every day—outrageous taxes, policy neglect, and invisibility in economic planning. In this episode, she challenges governments to wake up and recognise freelancing not just as a lifestyle, but as a backbone of modern economies. Elina opens up about reshaping the Freelance Business Community to serve better seasoned freelance...

Episode Summary Bernie sits down with Chris Marr, the straight-talking expert on navigating gut-churning client interactions, for an unfiltered deep dive into exactly how to stay in control when tough conversations catch you off guard. This isn't theoretical—Chris and Bernie candidly share their own "floor-opening beneath me" moments, exploring the anxiety, panic, and practical steps that transfor...

Episode Summary What happens when a trauma psychologist redesigns workspaces? In this episode, Bernie talks with Paula Madrid, a clinical and forensic psychologist turned founder of Blue Panda Office Spaces in New York City. Before launching her coworking business, Paula spent years responding to some of the world’s most catastrophic events—9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Haiti earthquake—support...

Episode Summary Why is it so hard to do the things we know we need to do? In this episode, Bernie and Emily sit down for one of their regular fireside chats to unpack the messy reality of executive dysfunction, time management, and sustainable workflows. They explore why traditional productivity hacks often fall short for neurodivergent brains — and why building systems around real life, rather th...

Episode Summary Can coworking spaces bring neighbourhoods back to life—and help families reconnect? In this episode, Bernie sits down with Teresa Bockmuehl, Community and Events Executive at Patch in High Wycombe. Together, they unpack how coworking spaces can become vital hubs for real-world connection, not just places to plug in a laptop. They talk about parenting, education, smartphone addictio...

📄 Episode Summary Why are some events forgettable—and others unforgettable? Why do people still show up when they can stay home in their slippers and scroll? In this episode, Bernie sits down with Mark Masters—founder of You Are The Media and Creator Day —to dismantle the idea that good events are about big names and flash. They talk about how consistent community touchpoints, from weekly emails...

Episode Summary Bernie and Emily are back together in this episode to tackle a familiar headache: running events in your coworking space that don’t just fill seats—but build something real. If you’ve ever posted a “networking night” with free drinks and been met with silence (or worse—randoms who ghost the next day), this one’s for you. Together, they walk through the first phase of their European...

Episode Summary In this episode, Bernie sits down with Shamena Nurse-Kingsley, founder of Cowo & Crèche in Washington, DC, to explore how coworking spaces become quiet sanctuaries in uncertain times. Shamena shares how her " Pause & Pour " gathering gently brings people together—freelancers, working parents, federal workers, anyone navigating life’s messy transitions. It's a real conversat...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Bernie is joined by Hector Kolonas—newsletter writer, systems builder, and coworking operator turned tech integrator—for a raw and practical conversation on what makes coworking spaces profitable… or painfully unsustainable. They explore revenue streams that look great on paper (virtual mail, IT services, F&B) but often cost more in stress and labour than they...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Bernie sits down with Kofi Oppong, founder of Urban MBA, to hear why entrepreneurship is no longer just a choice—it’s a lifeline. Kofi shares his story of being locked out of his home at 17, sleeping rough, and clawing through the retail industry to become a corporate leader and community educator. Together, they dig into the hard truth: the game is rigged. If you...

Episode Summary In this episode, Bernie interviews Claudius Krucker, the quietly relentless force behind Coworking Switzerland and European Coworking Day . What started over coffee in a pizzeria became a country-wide alliance—and now, a growing movement in 25 countries. Claudius shares that European Coworking Day isn’t about flashy events—it’s about showing up, opening your space, and reminding yo...

Episode Summary What makes someone ditch their successful hospitality career in London for island life and coworking in the Philippines? Stephen Phillips built a thriving career running casual dining brands across the UK—then traded it all for the laid-back shores of El Nido, Palawan. In this episode, Bernie and Stephen discuss launching Neighbours & Nomads , a unique coworking-meets-social sp...

Episode Summary Forget what you’ve heard about discipline. In this episode, Bernie jams with Sam Sundius , visual artist, coach, and neurodivergent champion, to unravel why the usual "productivity hacks" rarely help—and often hurt—neurodivergent creatives. Sam shares a radically refreshing approach: stop fighting your brain and start reshaping your environment instead. They discuss why true access...

Episode Summary Coworking spaces aren’t just about desks—they’re the beating heart of entrepreneurship , the places where businesses are built, confidence is restored, and problems get solved over coffee and quiet persistence. And yet, while governments keep funding short-term business courses and startup initiatives , the spaces actually doing the work—providing daily support, mentorship, and rea...

Episode Summary In this  special episode for the Workspace Design Show London , Bernie talks with  Humaira Pilkington , one of the show's driving forces, ab ou t the future of workspace innovation.  They dive into why activating the senses is more than just a theme—it's the key to better productivity, deeper focus, and a thriving workplace culture . From designing with neurodiversity in mind to ma...

Episode Summary: Trust is collapsing worldwide—but not when it comes to the people we see in real life. In this episode,  Bernie  and  Phil  discuss the  2024 Edelman Trust Barometer findings  and their implications for coworking operators.  As trust in institutions, media, and business plummets , people are turning to local communities and personal connections. This is where coworking spaces have...

Episode Summary: Coworking spaces thrive on community —but too many spaces get it wrong from the start. In this episode,  Emily  and  Bernie  discuss  the five biggest mistakes coworking leaders make , from  focusing on desks over culture  to  pushing for rapid growth at the expense of real connection.   Based on insights from  180+ podcast interviews  and  years of hands-on coworking experience ,...

Episode Summary: Coworking spaces are  meant to be inclusive, creative, and supportive,  but are they designed for  everyone who walks through the door? In this episode,  Bernie  and  Anna B. Sexton  explain how  most coworking spaces fail neurodivergent professionals and creatives without their knowledge.   They discuss  why rigid booking systems, overwhelming environments, and community expectat...

Episode Summary: Social media used to feel like a town square—where conversations sparked, communities formed, and ideas spread. But lately? It’s more like a noisy marketplace of ads, outrage, and algorithms pushing us toward division. Lauren Hug , author and advocate for  digital kindness , joins Bernie to discuss what has gone wrong and how we can fix it. They explore how social media still has...

Episode Summary: We have more tech at our fingertips than ever—so why does it feel like we’re spending less time on what matters? In this episode, Bernie sits down with coworking and tech veteran Manuel Conti to unpack the tension between automation, data, and genuine human connection . Are we improving coworking or just drowning in software, metrics, and chatbots that no one wants to talk to? Ber...

Episode Summary: What happens when coworking spaces stop competing and start collaborating? In this episode, Bernie sits down with Sam Poler, one of the organisers behind the Coworking Alliance Summit, to discuss why alliances matter, how they help independent coworking spaces thrive, and why more people need to know about this global movement. Coworking alliances aren’t just about pooling resourc...

Episode Summary: Women don’t need permission to create spaces for themselves—but they’re still expected to ask for it. When Caroline D’Anna Horne first mentioned creating a coworking space for women, she wasn’t met with curiosity—she was met with concern. “What about the men?” people asked. “Why can’t they be a part of it?” Some even called it anti-feminist . Because it ‘seems’ a space designed fo...

Episode Summary Are you running a coworking space, working with clients, or just struggling to set boundaries that stick? In this episode, Bernie and Chris Marr dig into the all-too-familiar traps of people-pleasing, blurred boundaries, and managing client or member relationships with clarity and confidence. Chris, known as The Authoritative Coach , shares practical strategies for setting conditio...

Episode Summary What happens when the dream of creating a coworking haven meets the cold realities of small-town economics? In this episode, Bernie sits down with Claire Carpenter, a trailblazer who built one of Europe’s first coworking hubs before trading it all for van life and rock climbing. Claire doesn't shy away from the unique struggles of running a coworking space in a tight-knit community...