Coworking Values Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

"We are the bridge that can make the trust between the system and the association that can make the trust become more vivid."

Episode Summary

The swimming champion had been waiting tables for months.

Nobody in the official integration system had bothered to ask the right question.

They wanted to know about his qualifications, his work history, and his Swedish language skills. All the bureaucratic boxes that fit neatly into government forms.

But when Mikael Johansson's team met him, they asked something different: "What did you do in your spare time?"

That question changed everything. University swimming champion in Syria. Youth coach. Skills that had nothing to do with his CV and everything to do with what Malmö's community needed.

One training session with a local swimming club later, they hired him immediately. His Swedish wasn't perfect, but his skills were exactly what they were looking for.

This is the story of Föreningslots Malmö—literally "Association Guide," but "lots" means tugboat. The small, powerful boats that guide massive ships safely into harbour. That metaphor isn't accidental.

Mikael runs a model that challenges everything we think we know about integration, networking, and how communities work.

Since 1945, Malmö Ideella has been the umbrella organisation for approximately 300-400 member associations, including churches, football clubs, and educational groups.

When refugees started arriving in larger numbers, they didn't just process them through government systems. They created tugboats.

Malmö sits connected to Copenhagen by a bridge, and 185 different countries are represented in one place.

However, what makes it remarkable is that when newcomers arrive, they are not interrogated about their past. They get asked about their dreams.

The ResMove project takes this further, connecting refugees specifically to coworking spaces across Europe.

Not just for the workspace, but for the networks, mentorship, and community connections that make landing in a new country possible.

What emerges is a working alternative to the polarisation and exclusion that defines so much of our current moment. It's messy, human, and surprisingly effective.

Timeline Highlights

[01:08] Setting impossible standards: "I want to be known for having written the world's best novel ever"

[02:03] Malmö revealed: Sweden's third-largest city, bridge to Copenhagen, "185 different countries representing Malmö"

[04:45] From project to permanence: Föreningslots started as asylum seeker support, became essential infrastructure

[06:43] Historical roots: "We started in 1945, in the aftermath of the Second World War"

[08:36] The crucial difference: "Associations don't ask questions about things that maybe are hard to talk about"

[10:51] The bridge principle: "We are the bridge that can make the trust between the system and the association"

[13:46] ResMove's mission: "I see the coworking spaces like a catalyst for these people"

[17:19] Bernie's Faceworks connection: LinkedIn profiles vs CVs and why community matters more

[19:54] The swimming champion revelation: "We asked him about what you do in your spare time"

[22:12] Network multiplication: "If we could help them get more contacts that have more contacts themselves"

[24:50] The tugboat metaphor: "Föreningslots" means association guide, "lots" means tugboat

[26:07] Facing invisible barriers: "There are obstacles when it comes to the economy", and hidden norms

[28:16] Two-way transformation: "We will also help the coworking spaces to be more inclusive"

[29:18] Bernie's insight about feeling seen: "You have to go and invite people one by one"

The Questions Nobody Asks

Government integration programmes ask the wrong questions. They want qualifications, work history, and language proficiency. All the official stuff that fits into databases and funding reports.

Mikael's team asks: "What did you do in your spare time?"

That shift in curiosity revealed a Syrian university swimming champion who'd also coached youth. His Swedish wasn't perfect, but his skills were exactly what the local swimming club needed. After one training session, they hired him immediately.

"No one had asked him about what he had done when he was studying or working; they just asked about those things," Mikael explains. "But we asked him about what you do in your spare time."

The lesson extends beyond refugee integration. Most networking fails because we lead with credentials instead of curiosity about what people actually love doing.

Bernie recognises this from his work in London: "So many people have got jobs they wouldn't apply for, but they've just been in the room and hit it off with someone."

You can't teach networking, but you can create conditions that foster it naturally.

Why Associations Beat Bureaucracy

"Associations don't ask questions about things that maybe are hard to talk about," Mikael explains with quiet conviction.

When you've fled your country, the last thing you need is another interrogation about your past.

Government systems demand documentation, explanations, and proof of who you were before your world fell apart.

Football clubs care about whether you can coach kids. Churches want to know if you play an instrument. Educational groups need help with accounting. The barriers to entry are human-sized, not institutional.

"In general, the associations are much more welcoming to newcomers," Mikael notes. They operate on trust and contribution, not paperwork and background checks.

This insight cuts deeper than refugee work. It reveals how real community integration works for anyone landing somewhere new, whether you're fleeing war or just moving for work.

The Tugboat Principle

Bernie gets visibly excited when Mikael explains the metaphor: "I'm above average excited about that, folks, because here in Vigo, a lot of big container ships and cruise liners come in all the day... There's all these tugboats in the Bay of Vigo guiding these bigger boats in all the time."

Föreningslots translates as "Association Guide," but "lots" specifically means tugboat.

Not the tourist guide you'd hire for sightseeing, but the small, powerful boat that guides massive ships safely into harbour.

Malmö Ideella acts as the tugboat for 300-400 member associations. They know which football club needs a coach, which church group needs someone who speaks Arabic, and which educational association could use help with numbers. Government systems don't have this granular knowledge of community needs.

"We know the associations," Mikael explains. "So we are the bridge that can make the trust between the system and the association that can make the trust become more vivid."

The tugboat doesn't do the work of the big ship. It ensures the boat reaches its destination without colliding with anything.

The Network Multiplication Effect

"If we could help them get more contacts that have more contacts themselves, so the person gets a bigger network, then we have done even more than maybe a lot of governmental bodies are doing."

This is where Mikael's model transcends traditional integration work. It's not about finding one job or making one connection.

It's about connecting people to networks that multiply opportunities naturally.

The swimming coach didn't just get hired. He gained access to the entire swimming community in Malmö—parents, other coaches, sports administrators, and people who might need his skills in completely different contexts.

Bernie connects this to his experience with Urban MBA in London: "You can't teach networking.

You have to let it happen with people, and throwing people together to bump into each other is one of the best things groups like yours can do."

The Invisible Barriers Problem

Even in welcoming communities, obstacles exist. Economic barriers—you can't join the opera if you can't afford tickets. Social barriers—golf clubs with expensive membership fees. Cultural barriers—the invisible norms that nobody explains but everyone's expected to know.

"There are obstacles when it comes to the economy," Mikael acknowledges. "But there is also a challenge when you want to play golf, for example. So there are some obstacles."

Then there's the deeper issue: "We have the problem with the norms in both the society and the association. Both the visible norms and the invisible norms."

Mikael's insight: "We cannot just say that we go to an association and be a part of an activity... We must also do the other part to help the association become even more open."

Integration is a two-way street. Communities need to examine their own assumptions about accessibility, rather than expecting newcomers to figure everything out.

What Coworking Spaces Can Learn

The ResMove project connects refugees to coworking spaces across Europe, but it's not just about access to workspace.

"I see the coworking spaces like a catalyst for these people," Mikael explains. Not just a place to work, but where dreams become achievable through human connections.

Where someone might find a mentor who knows how to start a company, or a collaborator who needs their specific language skills.

The model challenges coworking operators to think beyond membership fees and hot desks.

How do you become a tugboat for your community? How do you create conditions for organic networking rather than forced networking events?

Bernie's connection to Faceworks illustrates this perfectly. When Ukrainian refugees arrived in London, well-meaning volunteers tried to teach CV writing. But CVs are intimidating in any language, let alone a second one.

What worked was LinkedIn profile workshops—more informal, more visual, more aligned with how people find opportunities now.

The Two-Way Transformation

"We will also help the coworking spaces to be more inclusive," Mikael explains.

The ResMove project isn't just about helping refugees access coworking—it's about helping coworking spaces understand how to be genuinely welcoming.

This acknowledges something most inclusion efforts miss: the problem isn't just that marginalised people don't know how to access opportunities. It's that the opportunities weren't designed with them in mind.

Bernie captures this in his observation about feeling seen: "It's one thing to say everybody's welcome, but you have to go and invite people one by one and not announce things.

Go and ask people, go and let people know they are welcome rather than just emailing them."

Broadcasting welcome messages isn't enough. Real inclusion happens through individual invitation, personal attention, and genuine curiosity about what people bring to the table.

Beyond Refugee Integration

What makes Mikael's model powerful is how it reveals the mechanics of community integration for everyone. The Syrian swimming coach's story isn't just about helping refugees—it's about how we all find our place in new communities.

Most of us have been the newcomer somewhere. Starting a new job, moving to a new city, joining a new community.

The feeling of not knowing the invisible rules, not understanding how things work, not knowing who to talk to or how to contribute.

The questions that unlock belonging aren't about credentials. They're about curiosity: What do you love doing? What are you good at? What would you do if resources weren't a constraint?

When Mikael says associations "strengthen the person's belief... in getting more contacts that can help them maybe fulfil a dream," he's describing something universal.

We all need places where our contributions matter, where our skills are valued, and where our dreams are taken seriously.

The Historical Thread

Malmö Ideella started in 1945, "in the aftermath of the Second World War, and a lot of people came from different parts of Europe to Malmö, and then a lot of youth associations wanted to create more activities for these youth."

The refugee crisis didn't create the model—it revealed the enduring wisdom of it. For nearly 80 years, this city has been figuring out how to welcome newcomers through association life rather than bureaucratic processing.

What worked for displaced Europeans in 1945 continues to work for Syrian refugees in 2024. The technology changes, the languages change, but the human need for belonging, contribution, and community remains constant.

The Catalyst Principle

"I see the coworking spaces like a catalyst for these people," Mikael says about ResMove participants. Not a destination, but an accelerator for whatever they're trying to achieve.

This reframes our entire perspective on the workspace. It's not about providing desks and WiFi. It's about creating conditions where dreams become achievable through human connections.

The Syrian swimming coach found his place through a sports club, not a coworking space. But the principle is the same: match people's gifts with community needs, create opportunities for organic networking, and remove barriers to participation.

What This Means for Community Builders

Mikael's work offers a blueprint for anyone building community, whether it's refugee integration, coworking space management, or neighbourhood organising.

Start with the right questions. Ask about dreams and spare time activities, not just qualifications and work history.

Understand your role as a tugboat. You're not doing the work for people—you're helping them navigate safely to where they can do their own work.

Address barriers honestly. Economic obstacles, social norms, invisible rules—acknowledge them and actively work to remove them.

Think two-way. Don't just help newcomers adapt to your community; help them thrive. Help your community become a more genuinely welcoming place.

Focus on network multiplication. One good connection leads to many others. Your job is to create the first connection and trust the network effects.

Links & Resources

Mikael Johansson's Work

* Föreningslots Malmö: Association guide and refugee integration model

* Malmö Ideella: Umbrella organisation for 300-400 associations since 1945

* Nobel21: Additional project work

* Mikael Johansson on LinkedIn

Projects & Community

* European Coworking Day

* London Coworking Assembly

* European Coworking Assembly

Bernie's Projects

* AI for Coworking Quiz: Free assessment tool for coworking spaces

* Coworking Values Podcast: LinkedIn showcase page

* LinkedIn Coworking Group: 8,000+ member community

* Workspace Design Show: February trade show and conference in London

* Unreasonable Connection Events: Monthly online gatherings for coworking operators

* Bernie's LinkedIn: Connect directly

One More Thing

Coworking brings communities together, helping people find and share their voices.

Each episode of the Coworking Values Podcast explores Accessibility, Community, Openness, Collaboration, and Sustainability—values that shape the spaces where we gather, work, and grow.

If this resonates with you, rate, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps others discover how coworking enriches lives, builds careers, and strengthens communities.

Community is the key 🔑

"It's not necessarily your boss telling you to do yoga, but yourself thinking that if you don't do yoga, if you don't do these networking events, you might not be as good as you would like at your job."

The wellness class ends.

Everyone rolls up their mats, checks their phones, and heads back to their desks. Productivity restored. Focus recharged. Another tool in the productivity arsenal.

But what happens when yoga stops being about you and starts being about your quarterly targets?

Dr. Adèle Gruen has spent years immersed in coworking spaces, observing how community activities evolve into business development opportunities.

Her research reveals something uncomfortable: the very things that should restore us—yoga, networking events, communal meals—are being weaponised for work.

As Junior Professor at Université Paris Dauphine-PSL, Adèle's 2021 paper "Customer Work Practices and the Productive Third Place" mapped how coffee shops became work accelerators.

Her latest research on "Consumptive Work in Coworking" exposes how coworking spaces turn everything—from baking classes to meditation—into productivity tools.

It isn't about corporate wellness programmes imposed from above. It's about the pressure we put on ourselves to turn every moment into a work opportunity. Adèle calls it "neo-normative alienation"—when you become your productivity overseer.

Currently researching urban foraging ("I like weird stuff and I like people who do unexpected things"), Adèle embeds herself in the communities she studies. She attends workshops, learns skills, and spends hours understanding how people work and live.

This conversation reveals the collision between two worlds: the traditional third place, which built community through leisure, and the emerging "productive third place," where everything becomes work.

For coworking operators, it's a mirror.

For community builders, it serves as a warning.

For anyone who has ever felt guilty for not networking at a yoga class, it's validation.

Timeline Highlights

[01:29] The research curiosity that drives everything: "I like weird stuff and I like people who do unexpected things"

[06:26] Why academic literature got third places wrong: "We didn't buy this discourse that people who worked in cafés were only silencing it"

[09:52] The birth of "customer-workers": "We played around with cost worker or work customer... how do you do when there is no word to describe what you're seeing?"

[12:56] Professional identity performance: "They advertise themselves as working in that space... they benefit from the imaginaries of that coworking space brand"

[15:28] Bernie's realisation about the productivity machine: "It feels like you go to work, you go through the door, and you never have to leave"

[17:57] The self-imposed pressure trap: "It's not necessarily your boss telling you to do yoga, but yourself thinking that if you don't do yoga... you might not be as good"

[18:49] The burnout solution that creates more burnout: "The solution was to propose more meditation and wellness within the space. It's a never-ending circle"

[20:10] community as marketplace: "Community enables them to sell better... the bigger the coworking space, the bigger the community, the more it resembles a market"

[22:14] The proximity economy: "70% of people in coworking spaces said their business came from the people sitting near them"

[24:46] work as lifestyle aspiration: "At least your work is more fun and you're not stuck behind a desk"

[26:19] The exclusion problem: "A lot of people cannot engage in after-work networking events, especially if they involve alcohol"

[27:16] What's next: "Part-time consultant, part-time farmer... people who work differently in the new ways of working"

The Customer-Worker Revolution

The coffee shop wars began with a simple observation that academics had overlooked entirely.

"We didn't buy this discourse that was saying basically that people who worked in cafés were only silencing it and being very detrimental to the cafés," Adèle explains. The research establishment viewed these laptop warriors as parasites destroying the social fabric of third places.

But something more complex was happening. Ray Oldenburg's "third place"—spaces dedicated to socialising between home and work—was evolving. Customer-workers weren't just exploiting coffee shops; they were transforming them into "productive third places" that actively cater to work whilst maintaining social energy.

The language gap reveals the shift: "We played around with cost worker or work customer... how do you do when there is no word to describe what you're seeing in your data?"

When you need to invent words, you know something fundamental is changing.

The Professional Identity Marketplace

Here's where coworking spaces become something more sophisticated than laptop squatting.

"They advertise themselves as working in that space, and some of the coworking spaces have a very powerful brand," Adèle notes. "Independent workers benefit from the imaginaries of that coworking space brand that trickles down to their own business."

Bernie recognises this immediately: "I know people that have said they work in some of those places... they will go, 'Oh, we're in the same office as X company' or 'Yes, we're in the same building as the BBC.'"

This isn't proximity bragging—it's strategic identity construction. Coworking spaces serve as platforms for professional legitimacy, particularly for independent workers who lack traditional institutional credentials.

The brand association works both ways. Members gain credibility from prestigious coworking brands, whilst spaces cultivate reputations that attract high-value members. It's an upward spiral of perceived status.

But it creates exclusions based on who can afford premium spaces and who understands how to leverage brand associations for business development.

The Consumptive Work Trap

Bernie's realisation cuts to the heart of the transformation: "It feels like you go to work, you go through the door, and you never have to leave. There's this industrial productivity machine going on."

This is "consumptive work"—the strategic use of consumption activities for work purposes. Yoga classes become focus sessions. Baking workshops become networking events. Communal meals become business development opportunities.

"When they do yoga, it's also about finding productivity and focus. When you attend a baking class, it's also for networking, business development," Adèle explains. "What we are showing is that when you take work into these leisure activities or wellness activities, it becomes work, and then you're not doing it for its own sake."

The psychology is insidious. It's not corporate mandates forcing you to network over cocktails. It's the pressure you put on yourself.

"It's not necessarily your boss telling you to do yoga, but yourself thinking that if you don't do yoga, if you don't do these networking events, you might not be as good as you would like at your job."

This is "neo-normative alienation"—when you become your productivity overseer.

The Burnout Feedback Loop

The solution to burnout in coworking spaces reveals the depth of the problem.

"Some of the coworking managers were very much aware of the burnout situation," Adèle observes. "But the solution was to propose more meditation and wellness within the space. It's a never-ending circle."

More wellness becomes more work. More community pressure becomes more pressure. The very things meant to restore us become another performance metric.

When consumption becomes strategic, it ceases to be restorative. When community becomes commerce, it ceases to be a community.

Community as Market

The bigger the space, the more transactional it becomes.

"Community enables them to sell better," Adèle explains. "The bigger the coworking space, the bigger the community, the more it resembles a market, a market for work."

Bernie shares the statistics that prove it: "70% of people in coworking spaces said their business came from the people sitting near them, and it was proximity. I'd be on the phone, I'd be like, 'Oh, yes, you need a videographer?' And, Adèle, yeah, because you're there and I know you, you get the job."

The platforms amplify this effect. Digital tools enable members to "scan and find someone very quickly," creating what one developer called a "business enablement platform."

But size changes everything. Smaller spaces foster more authentic community, though with fewer business outcomes. Larger spaces become more efficient markets but lose genuine connection.

The Lifestyle Deception

Something deeper lurks beneath these work transformations.

"Our respondents also expect work to be more like leisure," Adèle observes. "There is a sense of, I know I'm doing that, but at least it's part of this lifestyle aspiration that work is becoming a lifestyle in a way. Fluid."

Bernie connects this to his own experience: "No one makes me work 9-to-5 somewhere. I always tell people to do calls on WhatsApp because I can walk and talk, and I walk around the park here doing calls, and it's just way nicer."

The fluidity feels empowering until you realise the boundaries have dissolved entirely. Work expands to fill every space and activity. Leisure becomes strategic. Community becomes commerce.

The promise is freedom. The reality is total absorption.

The Inclusion Crisis

The most damaging aspect isn't burnout—it's exclusion.

"A lot of people cannot engage in after-work networking events, especially if they involve alcohol," Adèle notes. "People who are parents, particularly mothers... those who cannot go in crazy work hours or who are in a bit of a more rigid work contract."

Bernie recognises this pattern: "For some reason in 2025, men have to stay out and women have to go home, which I don't agree with, but it's odd how that is a thing."

The alcohol issue compounds the problem: "I don't drink... I would rather go for a delicious coffee than sit in a pub."

When community-building relies on after-hours events, consumption activities, and lifestyle alignment, it systematically excludes individuals based on their family responsibilities, religious practices, health conditions, and economic constraints.

The spaces that claim to be most inclusive—offering everything from yoga to cocktail classes—often create the most sophisticated exclusions.

What This Means for Coworking Operators

Adèle's research offers a crucial takeaway for space operators: "It's important to discuss how you make these events accessible to all of the workers within the coworking space, especially those who cannot go in crazy work hours or who are in a bit of a more rigid work contract."

The solution isn't to eliminate community activities or wellness programmes. It's to acknowledge that they're becoming work and design accordingly.

Some activities need to remain purely social, purely human, purely about connection without an agenda. At times, in specific settings, and during certain conversations, it's necessary to resist the urge to be productive.

The future belongs to spaces that can hold complexity—productive and social, individual and collective, professional and human.

Beyond Coworking: Where the Research Goes Next

Adèle's curiosity doesn't stop at coworking spaces.

Currently researching urban foraging, she's also investigating "people who work from home in the service industry": "If you're a hairdresser and you turn your house into a hair salon, but you have to manage your kids and your clients at the same time."

Another project examines "part-time consultant, part-time farmer" combinations—people choosing "pluri-activity that involves farming."

"I keep on looking at people who work differently in the new ways of working, but I try to make the move towards a bit more of the ecological transition within that and sustainability."

The through-line is clear: Adèle studies people who work differently, who refuse conventional boundaries, who create new ways of organising life and labour.

Her work reveals that the future of work isn't just about flexibility or productivity—it's about fundamental questions of how we want to live, what we value, and how we structure society around human flourishing rather than economic efficiency.

🔗 Links & Resources

Adèle Gruen's Work

* "Customer Work Practices and the Productive Third Place" (Journal of Service Research, 2021)

* "Consumptive Work in Coworking: Using Consumption Strategically for Work" (Journal of Consumer Research, 2025)

* Adèle’s Google Scholar Profile: Complete research publications and citations

* Adèle on LinkedIn

Research Community

* Research Group for Collaborative Spaces (RGCS): Academic network studying new ways of working

Bernie's Projects

* AI for Coworking Quiz: Free assessment tool for coworking spaces

* London Coworking Assembly: Regular community events and networking

* Unreasonable Connection: Monthly online gatherings for coworking operators

* Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn

* Bernie's LinkedIn: Connect directly

Industry Events & Resources

* European Freelancers Week: September networking and education

* Workspace Design Show London: February trade show and conference

* Coworking LinkedIn Group: 8,000+ member community

🧠 One More Thing

Coworking brings communities together, helping people find and share their voices.

Each episode of the Coworking Values Podcast explores Accessibility, Community, Openness, Collaboration, and Sustainability—values that shape the spaces where we gather, work, and grow.

If this resonates with you, rate, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps others discover how coworking enriches lives, builds careers, and strengthens communities.

Community is the key 🔑

What happens when you lose your workspace, your routine, and your community?

In this deeply human episode, Bernie and Lucy McInally crack open what real community feels like inside a Coworking space—and what gets lost when pricing, scale, or disconnection takes over.

Lucy shares how running grassroots freelancer meetups in London helped her understand the difference between surface-level connection and true belonging.

From trying to book overpriced rooms in Shoreditch to recreating the TownSq magic, her stories hit a nerve.

They discuss what independent Coworking operators still miss about freelancers, how the cost-of-living crisis is quietly pushing people out of shared spaces, and why hosting doesn’t scale in the same way as real estate does.

If you’ve ever felt the buzz of a “cool table,” wondered how to recreate that Pixie Dust in your space—or mourned the loss of it—you need this conversation.

Timeline Highlights

[00:05] Emily’s intro to Unreasonable Connection

[00:27] Bernie and Lucy catch up after a year of change

[01:08] Lucy introduces The Inclusive Coworker and her journey

[02:44] Inclusion vs. affordability: the tension in London Coworking

[05:50] Freelancers in crisis: rates, rent, and value misalignment

[09:16] Why Lucy started her freelancer meetups in Shoreditch

[12:24] Connection builds confidence: the power of being seen

[14:50] Cake, coffee, and a sense of belonging

[17:09] Anna from TownSq: When a community manager becomes your anchor

[22:59] Wigan: a community looking for a Coworking space

[24:16] Can community really be designed—or does it just emerge?

[26:55] Why Coworking feels more like a restaurant than a scalable asset

[30:10] Social battery drain and the cost of over-connection

[31:26] The Inclusive Coworker: Substack as a storytelling platform

[35:05] Tony from New Work Cities and the early Coworking spark

[36:40] Where to find Lucy online

Detailed Episode Breakdown

Inclusion isn’t just policy—it’s affordability, too

Lucy highlights the tension between talk and reality in London: numerous coworking spaces discuss inclusion, but their pricing excludes the very freelancers they claim to support.

Freelancer-led meetups aren’t events—they’re survival.

Lucy explains how a need for connection became a movement.

When she couldn’t afford local spaces, she brought people together in cafes and hotels, forming bonds that built confidence and community.

TownSq magic and the myth of scale

Together, Lucy and Bernie reflect on their time at TownSq: how it felt like family, and how that feeling disappears when people leave or spaces grow too big.

Some things don’t scale.

The Wigan model: community before real estate

Bernie shares the Weave Coworking story—where people started gathering before the building even opened.

A reminder that you don’t always need the space first.

Why hosting is sacred—and under-practised

Lucy touches on the rare gift of being truly welcomed.

It’s not in job descriptions. It’s in how people show up. And too many spaces get this wrong.

The Inclusive Coworker: making space for stories

Lucy’s Substack is about giving voice to those shaping coworking from the inside. It’s writing with weight—about belonging, access, and design that fits real life.

Links & Resources

* The Inclusive Coworker on Substack

* Lucy McInally on LinkedIn

* 🎙️Design Isn’t Enough - Alex Young

* 🎙️"The Science of Flexibility." - Denise Brouder

Recurring Links

* Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn

* Register for European Coworking Day

* Visit the Workspace Design Show

* Join the 8k+ LinkedIn Coworking Group

* Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn

* Unreasonable Connection – Lu.ma

One More Thing

Coworking brings communities together, helping people find and share their voices.

Each episode of the Coworking Values Podcast explores Accessibility, Community, Openness, Collaboration, and Sustainability—values that shape the spaces where we gather, work, and grow.

Rate, follow, and share the podcast if this resonates with you.

Your support amplifies our reach, helping others discover how coworking enriches lives, builds careers, and strengthens communities.

🔑 Community is the key

Planting Ideas and Growing Communities with Chauntelle Lewis: A Dive into Sustainable Living and Coworking Values

Summary:

In this Belongfulness Project episode of the Coworking Values Podcast, host Tony Bacigalupo chats with Chauntelle Lewis, also known as the Bearfoot Planter.

Chauntelle shares her inspiring journey from conceptualising sustainable garden workshops to creating community-centric dining experiences.

In this episode, you'll see how personal passions can evolve into impactful enterprises while aligning with coworking's core values—community, openness, collaboration, accessibility, and sustainability.

Episode Highlights:

- Tony introduces the five core values of coworking and welcomes Chauntelle Lewis, the Bearfoot Planter.

- Chauntelle describes the origin of the Bearfoot Planter and how an offhand comment led to a sustainable business idea.

- The brand name’s significance and the shift from a casual hobby to a community-focused enterprise.

Chauntelle discusses her background in ADEI and community management and how a pivot in her career led to her full-time pursuit of her passion.

- Launching the Bearfoot Planter during a financial struggle and the role of a supportive network in bringing the idea to life.

- Details of Chauntelle’s first workshop at a coworking space, showcasing the alignment of coworking values with personal initiatives.

- Financial challenges and strategic decisions in growing a community-focused business.

- The expansion into sustainable dining experiences and partnerships with local chefs and businesses.

- Chauntelle’s vision for the Bearfoot Planter as a full-time endeavor and her role as an Impact Entrepreneur.

- How networking and community support have been pivotal in scaling her initiatives and creating more inclusive events.

Links & Resources:

- Visit the Bearfoot Planter website

- Follow Chauntelle on Instagram

- Connect with Chauntelle on Twitter/X

- Chauntelle Lewis LinkedIn

- Tony Bacigalupo on LinkedIn

- The Belongfulness Project

- Coworking LinkedIn Group

🙏One more thing

Please follow and share the Coworking Values Podcast. It helps our show's impact in unimaginable ways.

It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand what coworking is, how it can help their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects and work.

Subscribe to Coworking Values Podcast on Soundwise

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Sarah, a pioneer in community building from Founders and Coders, to explore the nuanced distinctions between decentralized and centralized communities.

You will hear the transformative power of shared decision-making and equitable power distribution in fostering vibrant, sustainable communities.

Sarah shares her invaluable insights on crafting inclusive spaces that accommodate and celebrate diversity, ensuring that every voice is heard and influential.

This episode is helpful if you’re passionate about intentional community building and the delicate balance between equality and equity.

We also discuss the practicalities of launching and nurturing communities that thrive on collaboration, inclusivity, and co-creation in community spaces!

Episode Highlights to listen for:

- Introduction and overview of the episode’s focus on community building and power distribution.

- Sarah introduces herself and her role at Founders and Coders, highlighting her journey into decentralized community building.

- Deep dive into what decentralized communities mean and the importance of shared power.

- The challenges and strategies of starting community-centric initiatives like coworking spaces.

- Sarah’s approach to creating inclusive environments and the importance of selecting the right participants.

- Explaining the critical difference between equity and equality in community settings.

- Conducting effective user research to ensure community initiatives meet the needs of their members.

- The economic aspects of communities and how genuine community support differs from superficial engagement.

- Where to find Sarah online and information about Founders and Coders.

Links & Resources:

- Founders and Coders Website 

- Connect with Sarah Adefehinti on LinkedIn  

- Space4 Co-opreative Coworking Finsbury Park

- The Mom Test Book 

- Priya Parker The Art of Gathering 

- Marketing for Hippies 

- Rayon.Desgin tool 

🙏One more thing

Please follow and share the Coworking Values Podcast. It helps our show's impact in unimaginable ways.

It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand what coworking is, how it can help their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects and work.

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In today's episode, we chat with Laura Agnew from the Facework Group in Peckham, where she manages two unique coworking spaces.

Through affordability and community, Laura, Stephen and their team transform unconventional locations like a repurposed car park and a historic building into thriving hubs for diverse work and community use.

Tune in to discover how these spaces foster creativity and community in the ever-evolving world of work. 

Whether you're a startup founder, a local activist or a creative freelancer, this discussion will give you a fresh perspective on modern coworking environments.

Timeline of Highlights

00:17 Laura introduces herself and discusses her role in managing affordable coworking spaces.

01:16 Laura shares her aspirations and her hopeful outlook on life.

03:52 Insights into the daily operations at Faceworks and the unique setup at Peckham Levels and Hatcham House.

06:04 Comparison between the coworking spaces at Peckham and the historical Hatcham House.

-07:43 Discuss the impactful projects for refugees at Hatcham House.

12:17 Laura explains the Cowork Plus initiative and the importance of accessible coworking options.

15:27 The crucial role of hospitality in creating welcoming coworking environments.

18:18 Laura's personal motivation is driven by community and social mobility.

24:06 Where to find Laura online and more details about upcoming events.

Links & Resources

- Visit the Facework website to learn more about their services and community initiatives.

- Connect with Laura Agnew on LinkedIn

- London Coworking Assembly 

- European Coworking Day 

- LinkedIn Coworking Group

Remember, fixing everything depends on our joint efforts, values, and strong communities - community is the key!! 🔑

🙏One more thing

Please follow and share the Coworking Values Podcast. It helps our show's impact in unimaginable ways.

It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand what coworking is, how it can help their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects and work.

Subscribe to Coworking Values Podcast on Soundwise

The Renegades of Flow: Navigating Work and Life Beyond the Mainstream

What do we mean by 'renegades of flow?' 

What is our journey through work and life beyond the conventional paths, and how do we navigate our neurodiversity in the hustle of the modern world? 

Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or someone who just doesn't fit the traditional 9-to-5 mould, this episode is a testament to the unconventional paths that lead to success and fulfilment.

1:05 Welcome to our world, where we introduce the 'Renegades of Flow' concept and discuss what it means to live and work on the fringes, embracing our unique strengths and quirks.

2:06 - Emily shares the definitions of being renegades in our fields, focusing on creativity, flow, and the importance of fitting out rather than fitting in.

5:44 The challenges and advantages of coworking spaces for people with neurodiversity highlight the need for environments that foster productivity and creativity.

10:38 Our candid recounting of last week's chaos, where life threw us curveballs, and how we managed to keep the ship sailing, underscoring the value of having a solid partnership.

17:42 What tech and task management systems are in our workflow, and why is it crucial to adapt tools to fit individual needs rather than conform to a one-size-fits-all approach?

24:19 Why you must 'kill your darlings' in writing and business planning.

Links & Resources:

Scrum Methodology 

Getting Things Done - David Allen 

12 Week Year 

Amy MacDonald - Let's Start a Band 

Tom Ball - Founder Desk Lodge 

Upbase

AppSumo Software Deals

🙏One more thing

Remember, fixing everything depends on our joint efforts, values, and strong communities - community is the key!! 🔑

Please follow, share, and leave a review of the Coworking Values Podcast.

It helps our show's impact in unimaginable ways.

It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand what coworking is, how it can help their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects and work.

Subscribe to Coworking Values Podcast on Soundwise

Unveiling the Soul of Coworking with Iris Kavanaugh

Our co-creator for this episode is Rayon Design, a collaborative online design tool that is as easy to use as Canva or Miro. 

Welcome to a heartwarming journey into the essence of coworking, where we transcend beyond desks and Wi-Fi to uncover the profound impact coworking spaces have on community, creativity, and economic development. 

In this episode, the inspiring Iris Kavanaugh, who is an experienced

community builder, leadership coach, trainer and facilitator shares her transformative insights on leadership, community building, and the fundamental human need for connection. 

Join our conversation to explore how coworking spaces are not just places of work but catalysts for personal growth, community development, and a deeper understanding of ourselves.

00:14 - Discover Iris Kavanaugh's journey from NextSpace to becoming a beacon of inspiration for coworking space leaders.

02:02 - Iris illuminates the overlooked role of coworking spaces as pivotal community hubs and economic drivers.

03:50 - We ponder the existential question: Why do we pursue coworking, and how does it fulfil our intrinsic need for togetherness?

05:27 - Iris delves into coworking spaces' biological and emotional benefits, highlighting their ability to heal societal fractures and promote unity.

06:25 - How a space design plays a crucial role in how we interact in our spaces. 

07:13 - Challenging the hustle culture, we discuss the importance of nurturing environments over a grind mentality in coworking spaces.

08:44 - Iris shares her insights on co-working as a grassroots economic development engine, emphasizing its local and individual growth potential.

11:49 - Unpacking the secrets to fostering genuine connections and a thriving community within coworking spaces.

13:33 - This is a deep dive into designing psychologically safe spaces that unlock creativity and spark genuine collaboration.

19:13 - The delicate balance between hospitality and community ownership in coworking spaces and how to encourage member engagement without developing entitlement.

21:29 - Iris touches on the profound journey of self-discovery for coworking leaders and how understanding oneself enhances leadership and community building.

Links & Resources:

- NextSpace

- Women Who Cowork 

- Coworking Alliance Summit

- Fento Coworking

- Leading Well from Within by Dr. Daniel Friedland

- European Coworking Assembly 

- London Coworking Assembly

- Iris on Linkedin

Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values. 

Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our shows have an impact.

It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand what coworking is, how it can help their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects and work.

Our co-creator for this episode is Rayon Design - whether you want to move the desks in your space around or build space from scratch, design your project for free here in Rayon today. 

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Welcome to our new series on the Coworking Values Podcast, where Emily and Bernie discuss productivity, resistance, and the transformative journey of work.

Known for her calm demeanour and ability to ground any situation, Emily shares her vision of helping people navigate through their work-related struggles, transforming the whirlwind of their daily tasks into a manageable breeze. 

Emily and Bernie share why they chose "Renegades of Flow," a term that encapsulates a quest for better work habits and the pursuit of aligning the metaphorical "team of horses" in our minds to achieve our goals more effectively.

00:00 Welcome to the new series, in which we introduce the theme "Renegate of Flow" with Emily, which focuses on enhancing work habits and productivity.

02:47- The genesis of "Renegades of Flow" and the journey from individual scrum mastery to tackling workflow challenges together.

05:11 - Discussing the concept of existential overhead, the emotional weight of pending tasks, and strategies to minimise its impact on our productivity.

08:33 - Emily shares insights on dealing with resistance, describing it as strength misapplied and the importance of self-compassion in overcoming creative blocks.

14:14 - The spectrum of resistance, from fear of failure to fear of success, and how to harness this energy positively.

18:00 - Strategies for disarming the critical voice and the transformative power of acknowledging and sharing our inner doubts.

20:27 - The role of structure and tools like Kanban boards in managing workflow and the significance of differentiating valuable ideas from distractions.

22:13 - Find out how to share your workflow struggles and successes, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and real-life problem-solving in upcoming episodes.

Reading list

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity - David Allen

Scrum: The art of doing twice the work in half the time - Jeff Sutherland 

As we embark on this journey together, I invite you to engage with us and share your challenges.

Together, let's navigate the path to more fulfilling and effective work habits.

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast if you've found this episode enlightening.

Your feedback supports our work and helps others discover the insights shared here today.

Stay tuned for more discussions that promise to inspire, challenge, and transform the way you work.

Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values. 

Please rate, follow, share, and leave the Coworking Values Podcast a review; it helps our show’s impact in ways you wouldn’t believe.

It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand what coworking is, how it can help their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects and work.

Subscribe to Coworking Values Podcast on Soundwise

Welcome to another episode of Coworking Values Podcast: Community is the Key series co-created by Salto, which brings you the latest on innovative thinking and advanced mobile-based access control technology for keyless buildings.

In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of coworking communities with the legendary Mattias from Coworking Bansko. 

Known for creating one of Europe's best-loved digital nomad hubs nestled in a picturesque mountain resort, Mattias shares his insights on what truly makes a community thrive. 

Whether you're a coworking space owner or a digital nomad seeking your tribe, this conversation sheds light on the essence of meaningful connections and how to cultivate them.

Episode Highlights:

0:27 The Spirit of Coworking Bansko: Discover how this digital nomad hub became a beacon for community-driven individuals seeking more than just a workspace.

1:14 Community at the Core: Mattias emphasises the role of community in coworking spaces, especially in rural settings where external distractions are minimal.

2:23 Beyond the Desk: Learn how Coworking Bansko fosters genuine human connections, transforming the coworking experience into something far more valuable than physical amenities.

4:47 Ecosystem Evolution: Mattias discusses creating a comprehensive experience for members through partnerships with local businesses, events, and initiatives tailored to the community's needs.

5:59 Engagement and Feedback: The importance of direct communication and observation in understanding and meeting the needs of your community.

9:18 Foundational Community Building: Insights on the crucial role of aligning a coworking space's vision with its community's desires and the significance of being an integral part of that community.

11:13 Building Connections: Strategies for encouraging interaction and bonding among members, from communal meals to collaborative events.

15:56 Sustaining Vibrancy: How Coworking Bansko maintains its dynamic energy and culture despite the transient nature of its members.

18:39 Digital and Physical Community Integration: Using online tools to complement face-to-face interactions that form the backbone of the Coworking Bansko community.

21:11 Future Visions: Mattias unveils Coliving Semkovo, a comprehensive, all-in-one coworking and coliving space designed to recapture and amplify the magic of community.

Where to find Matthias Zeitler

Matthias on LinkedIn 

Matthias on Instagram 

Coliving Semkovo 

Coworking Bansko

Matthias, in 60 seconds - Do you do enough marketing for your coworking or co-living space? 

🙏One more thing

Please follow and share the Coworking Values Podcast. It helps our show's impact in unimaginable ways.

It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand what coworking is, how it can help their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects and work.

Subscribe to Coworking Values Podcast on Soundwise