Coworking Values Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the CoWorking Values podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with Alex Young, Director of Projects in Brighton.

We discuss the significance of accessibility in shared workspaces and how Projects is leading the way in creating inclusive environments. 

Alex shares practical advice on advocating for accessibility needs, designing spaces to be universally accessible, and listening to those who face accessibility challenges. Tune in to learn how inclusive design can make a difference in the workplace and the wider community.

Highlights

[0:02] - Introduction to the Accessibility Edition with guest Alex Young.

[0:26] - Alex talks about her role and the mission of Projects as a workspace provider.

[1:26] - Importance of supporting employees with diverse needs.

[3:09] - Emily shares a personal example of body doubling for productivity.

[4:04] - Key considerations for making coworking spaces accessible.

[5:55] - Common mistakes in accessibility efforts.

[7:18] - Tips for advocating for accessibility needs at work.

[8:42] - Low-hanging fruits for improving accessibility.

[10:52] - Story of successful advocacy and mentorship in a Berlin coworking space.

[12:17] - Future trends in accessibility for coworking spaces.

[14:09] - Alex's journey into the field of coworking and accessibility.

[17:27] - Advice for new co-working spaces on building accessibility from the ground up.

[19:13] - How listeners can connect with Alex.

Alex on LinkedIn 

Projects - Brighton 

Listen to Alex her Favourite Positions Podcast 

Emily on LinkedIn 

Coworking Values Podcast on Substack 

Links & Resources

Centre of Excellence in Universal Design: Universal Design 

Access to Work (UK Government Fund): Access to Work 

Exceptional Individuals (UK Gateway Provider): Exceptional Individuals

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 show have an even greater 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.

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In this episode's conversation is with Dina, a key figure in the German coworking community, straight from her greenhouse in Hamburg.

Dina shares her journey of integrating coworking values into corporate settings where she works as an Agile Coach and Scrum Master.

We also explore the relationship between agile methodologies and coworking principles.

Episode Highlights:

[0:17] Dina's Coworking Vision: Dina's aspirations to reshape the German work landscape through coworking.

[1:39] Coworking in Corporate Settings: How coworking values are influencing traditional corporate environments.

[4:19] Community Over Competition: Bernie discusses the impact of sharing and collaboration in coworking.

[6:29] CoWork 2024 Insights: Highlights from the recent coworking conference focusing on sustainability.

[10:08] Holistic Sustainability: Exploring sustainability beyond environmental aspects within coworking.

[17:14] Future Plans: Upcoming initiatives by the German Coworking Federation to promote sustainable practices.

Links & Resources:

German Coworking Federation 

Cowork 2024 Conference 

Coworking Climate Coalition 

Connect with Dina on LinkedIn 

Follow Dina’s gardening journey on Instagram 

Lego Serious Play

Coworking Values Podcast 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 show have an even greater 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.

Subscribe to Coworking Values Podcast on Soundwise

Today we bring you Coworking Values Podcast: Belongfulness Series with Tony Bacigalupo - for this episode, he chats with Jon Alexander, and they dive into how the state of belonging can repair our social fabric.

Jon, the brains behind the game-changing book "Citizens: Why the Key to Everything is Us." talks about his transition from a consumerism-soaked advertising career to becoming a citizenship champion 

"Citizens" isn't just a book; it's a fresh perspective on collaboration and care. Jon discusses how the pandemic revealed flaws in traditional citizenship and the need for collective responsibility. 

He also explores urban transformations and grassroots movements like the National Park City and the Reaction Collective, highlighting the importance of community engagement.

According to Jon, coworking spaces are seen as hidden gems that offer spaces for democratic governance and community engagement. They promote collaboration, innovation, and values beyond consumerism. 

Links:

Twitter: @JonJAlex 

Twitter: @TonyBGoode 

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Welcome back to another episode of the Coworking Values Podcast: Accessibility Track series with today's guest Dom Hyams from Purple Goat Agency – the world's first and only disability-led marketing agency. 

Dom talks about how they help brands navigate disability experiences with a social-first approach. It involves influencers and creating inclusive campaigns that can reach a global audience. 

Dom also discusses accessibility – what brands are doing right and where they could improve. He emphasizes the importance of overcoming the fear that holds brands back from being more inclusive. 

Dom also shares some easy wins in accessibility – from making physical spaces inclusive to ensuring websites are accessible to everyone. It's all about being ready for inclusivity at every touchpoint.

Catch Dom at the London Breakfast Show as he joins as a panelist for the Workspace Design Show London 2024 with the theme "Accessible Workspaces: Inclusivity, Language, and the Future of Coworking"

This series is co-created with Nook Wellness Pods - which provides distraction-free environments in coworking spaces, perfect for neurodiverse individuals who need a focused and comfortable workspace.

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Welcome to another episode of Coworking Values Podcast: Accessibility Track with our host Emily Breeder who dives into the ECA Idea Handbook as the blueprint for accessible coworking with the fantastic Jeannine van der Linden from the European Coworking Assembly. 

The conversation starts with the ECA IDEA Handbook, a guide that's not just a book but a collaborative journey on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA). 

Jeannine, the "Doula" behind its creation, talks about the voices that shaped the handbook during a pre-pandemic listening tour across the UK and Europe. 

They also touch on founder bias and how it affects decision-making in coworking spaces and how unconscious choices can have an impact on a space's environment. 

Jeannine's perspective promotes a more inclusive world and how and why it is crucial to how coworking spaces can be genuinely accessible. 

This series is co-created with Nook Wellness Pods - which provides distraction-free environments in coworking spaces, perfect for neurodiverse individuals who need a focused and comfortable workspace.

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In this episode, we have Lucy McInally, The Inclusive Coworker a pioneer in inclusive coworking, where we explore the intricacies of designing spaces for everyone. 

Lucy's transition from interior design to marketing and co-living unfolds, leading her to the vibrant world of coworking through London coworking conversations.

With a keen eye on gender-specific challenges, Lucy references "Invisible Women" by Caroline Criado Perez as she dives into broader issues, discussing community displacement, gentrification, and public space disparities. 

The conversation then expands to cultural nuances in coworking, emphasizing transparency in policies and the pivotal role of community managers. They stress the importance of taking responsibility for one's environment and finding a balance in accommodating diverse preferences.

Tune in for a deep dive into inclusivity, workspace design, and the transformative power of coworking communities with our co-creator Rayon Design – unveiling tools for ordinary architecture, embracing collaboration, speed, and openness for new design culture.

Links:

Lucy McInally 

Town Square Islington 

Creator Write Club 

Opening Doors To An Inclusive Workspace 

Lucy on AllWork 

Community is Key Podcast with Salto 

Lucy @ Brave Corporation 

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Welcome to another episode of Coworking Values Podcast: Community is the Key series co-created by Salto - bringing you the latest on innovative thinking and advanced mobile-based access control technology for keyless buildings where we talk about 

In this episode, we have Matthias Hollwich, the architect extraordinaire who creates spaces that are way more than just buildings. He is the Founder and Principal of HWKN Architecture. 

The heart of the conversation is all about why community is like the secret sauce for an amazing life, especially as we get older. Matthias drops some serious knowledge on how designing spaces for an aging crowd is all about the details. It's like setting the stage for a great party, but a life party. Think nailing the acoustics and creating an inclusive environment.

He also dives into how COVID-19 messed with our social connections and how artificial intelligence could help us foster real connections, especially in big cities where the hustle and bustle can make it hard to connect with others.

Matthias's book, "New Aging: Live Smarter Now to Live Better Forever," started as a cool project at the University of Pennsylvania. It was all about finding fresh and creative solutions for aging, breaking the mold, and thinking outside the box.

Matthias wraps it all up with some seriously cool thoughts on aging being this epic adventure, and why planning for it early on is like having a superpower. The takeaway? Life's a journey, and you need to design it right for the best experience.

Ready to dive deeper into the coworking conversation? Head over to This Week In Coworking and learn more about insights, and experiences with the community. 

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Welcome back for another episode of the Coworking Values: Visionaries series, created in collaboration with andcards, coworking space management software that streamlines the management and use of flexible workspaces.

In this episode, we have Shamena Nurse-Kingsley, founder of Cowo&Crèche, a coworking space in Alexandria, Virginia that's specifically designed for parents and women. 

This coworking space is all about supporting parents and women. Shamena shares her journey into coworking, which was inspired by the challenges she faced as a working mom during the pandemic.

Drawing on her military background, Shamena talks about how her experiences in the military gave her the courage to become an entrepreneur. 

She also opens up about the struggles working moms face and the importance of setting boundaries for a healthy work-life balance.

Shamena's joy in being involved in her kids' milestones led her to create Cowo&Crèche as a solution for working parents who want to balance their careers and family lives. 

She emphasizes the importance of addressing real issues and follows her faith and intuition in her entrepreneurial journey.

This shows how coworking spaces can make a positive impact on parents and women navigating work and family.

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In this episode of the Coworking Values Podcast with our co-creator Rayon Design - unveiling tools for ordinary architecture, embracing collaboration, speed, and openness for a new design culture.

We have Peter Block the founder of Designed Learning. Peter talks about importance of creating meaningful conversations among coworkers and how rearranging physical spaces can promote social interactions. 

He also delves on how he sees coworking spaces as more than just places to work, but as platforms for connecting with others. They're like hubs for bringing people together. They talk about the challenges of getting people to talk to each other and how rearranging the space can help. 

They also shares some stories about events that brought people together and how language can make a big difference. Coworking spaces can make a big impact on rural areas and local communities, according to him. 

Peter believes that asking meaningful questions, using the right words can really change things and language plays a role in creating a positive and collaborative environment in coworking spaces.

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Welcome to the first episode of Coworking Values Podcast: Accessibility Track. This series is in partnership with Nook Wellness Pods - which provides distraction-free environments in coworking spaces, perfect for neurodiverse individuals who need a focused and comfortable workspace.

We'll be exploring the special challenges and opportunities of making coworking spaces inclusive and empowering for people with disabilities, whether they have physical limitations or are neurodiverse.

In this episode with our host Emily Breder featuring Rosie Sherry from the Ministry of Testing in the UK. She talks about the connection between neurodiversity and coworking. 

Rosie discusses her sensory sensitivities and her preference for quieter work environments. Rosie is committed to fostering understanding and meeting the diverse needs of professionals.

Rosie shares her experience in coworking spaces in Brighton in 2010. She managed a space and got involved in local meetups, forming connections and friendships.

Then they dive into neurodiversity. Rosie talks about her journey, especially with her child who was diagnosed last year. She discusses how women are speaking up more about neurodiversity and the challenges neurodiverse people face in society.

One important topic they cover is Rosie's sensory sensitivities, especially to noise, and how it impacts her coworking preferences. She believes there should be more spaces that cater to different needs, especially quieter and more focused work settings.

Rosie shares her own work preferences, leaning towards self-employment for creative freedom and to meet her specific needs. She talks about the stress of working for others and the significance of effectively managing her calendar.

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