What happens when three people who spend their work lives inside the flex industry finally sit down and say the quiet parts out loud?

This week I'm joined by Stormy McBride and Taylor Mason for a candid conversation about community, hybrid coworking models, wellness trends, creative studios, marketing hot takes and why so many operators underestimate the complexity of blended businesses.

Stormy, who many of you know, jumps in as guest co-host. Taylor, who somehow hasn't been on the podcast until now, shares the story of how a random 6 a.m. dog-park encounter with Kevin Whelan pulled him into the coworking world eight years ago.

We also get into:

• Why humans still crave a "village" even though our daily lives look nothing like one
• The reality behind gym + coworking, dog + coworking and other lifestyle mashups
• Why creative studios inside coworking spaces rarely perform the way owners expect
• How residential real estate marketing offers lessons for growing a coworking brand
• Taylor's hot take on AI in content marketing and why it makes him nervous
• Stormy's behind-the-scenes updates and why 2026 feels like a year of big shifts

If you want a smart, honest conversation about where coworking is heading and how operators can adapt, this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Taylor on LinkedIn
Stormy on LinkedIn

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What does it look like when a company that's been quietly leading behind the scenes for 15 years decides it's time to step into the spotlight?

We're joined this week by Caroline Hecht, Senior Director of Member Relations at Preferred Office Network, to talk about their recent rebrand and how the company has helped shape the flex industry from the very beginning.

Caroline shares how Preferred Office Network started with three independent operators who saw the need for a national network built on trust and relationships—and how that same mission still drives the company today.

We also talk about:

• The inspiration behind the new Preferred Office Network brand

• How their "one agreement" model simplifies life for enterprise clients and operators

• Why trust and community continue to set them apart from marketplaces

• Caroline's personal journey from Craigslist job search to flex industry leader

If you've ever wondered what makes Preferred Office Network different—or what it takes to build long-term trust and connection at scale—this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Preferred Office Network's website

Global Workspace Association's website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What happens when a coworking operator decides to treat team development like a strategic investment, not an expense?

This week, I'm joined by Meagan Slavin, COO and co-owner of 25N Coworking, for a conversation that's part post-GWA recap and part masterclass in leadership and culture-building.

We talk about:

• Why bringing your team to industry events is a retention strategy, not just a perk

• How Meagan plans for conference travel and ROI in her annual budgets

• The intentional ways 25N debriefs, shares takeaways, and turns learning into daily action

• How their newest 54,000 sq. ft. Chicago-area space is redefining the meeting and event side of their business

• Why implementing EOS/Traction has been transformational for their leadership team.

If you've ever thought, "How do I keep my team inspired and growing?", you'll want to take notes on this one.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

25N Coworking's website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast