Revitalising Local Economies through Coworking with Julianne Becker

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Bernie chats with Julianne Becker, co-founder of Coconat—a unique retreat in the German countryside where coworking and community blend naturally. Julianne shares how Coconat grew from a fresh idea about work-life balance into a thriving coworking and co-living space that has been operating for over a decade. She also describes her role with the Exile Media Hub, a coworking project that supports exiled journalists and refugees and redefines coworking’s social impact in rural spaces.

Together, Bernie and Julianne explore how coworking has changed in Germany, especially outside big cities, where local initiatives like the German Coworking Festival have created a network connecting spaces and people nationwide. Julianne explains how small, independent coworking spaces are often the beating heart of their communities and local economies, offering a glimpse into how coworking can be a vital support system for small businesses, freelancers, and the broader community. This episode offers fresh perspectives on rural coworking, community-building, and how coworking spaces are reshaping local economies.

Timeline Summary:

* [0:01] – Intro to Third Place Works, supporting coworking professionals.

* [0:34] – Meet Julianne Becker, Coconat co-founder and Exile Media Hub project manager.

* [1:20] – Julianne’s journey to managing a coworking and refugee housing project.

* [2:35] – Coconat’s beginnings: creating a new work-life balance concept.

* [5:19] – The impact of COVID on coworking and the “workation” trend.

* [8:20] – How coworking perception shifted in Germany, leading to the German Coworking Festival.

* [10:28] – Supporting independent coworking spaces through festivals.

* [15:01] – Why small businesses are essential to local economies.

* [17:56] – Bringing the public into coworking events for community and economic growth.

* [20:08] – Julianne’s take on rural coworking and the unique community it builds.

* [23:16] – How coworking spaces can participate by opening their doors.

Detailed Episode Breakdown:

Julianne Becker and CoconatJulianne introduces herself as the co-founder of Coconat, a rural coworking retreat, and her role is managing the Exile Media Hub. This project brings coworking to a new social level by supporting journalists and refugees.

Her dedication to blending coworking with social impact sets a powerful tone for the episode.

Coconat’s BeginningsCoconat started as an answer to the hustle of city life, offering a way for urban professionals to escape to nature without sacrificing productivity. Julianne shares how she and her partner leapt, creating a place where people could work and unwind in a setting designed for focus and community. It was a fresh idea back then, but it’s grown into something more than they imagined.

COVID’s Mixed Impact on Rural CoworkingWhile COVID brought more awareness to remote work, Julianne explains why it didn’t quite ignite the “remote work revolution” she’d anticipated. The experience brought new visitors and gave people a taste of flexible work, but the shift in corporate culture was slower than expected, creating new opportunities and some roadblocks.

The German Coworking FestivalThe German Coworking Festival was born from a need to put small, independently run coworking spaces on the map. Julianne and Bernie discuss how the festival connects urban and rural spaces across German