Flex Uncensored - A Coworking Podcast

Jamie Russo and Giovanni Palavacini
  • 5.0 (31)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Giovanni Palavacini and Jamie Russo have partnered to ask industry leaders the questions that are on your mind. Giovanni Palavacini is a Real Estate Strategist focused on helping operators, landlords, and investors to make wise coworking/flexible office decisions using a combination of science and art. Jamie Russo was a coworking space owner/operator for 8 years, Executive Director of the GWA, the industry association, for 5 years, and has spent the last few years helping operators start and run profitable coworking businesses.

  1. 1D AGO

    191. How HIT's Uri Isken and Gabriel Bucher Are Winning Big with Enterprise Flex Space

    What happens when a coworking operator stops thinking like a coworking operator… and starts thinking like a hospitality brand? That's exactly what Uri Isken and Gabriel Isken are building at HIT. And honestly, this conversation completely expanded my perspective on what enterprise flex space can become. HIT now operates 13 locations across Argentina, Chile, and Brazil with 94% occupancy, serving major enterprise clients like Google, Accenture, TikTok, and L'Oréal. But what really stood out to me is that coworking is only part of the story. In this episode, we talk about: How HIT generates 30% of its revenue from wellness, events, and food & beverage Why enterprise clients increasingly want one trusted operator to handle everything How they turned rooftops and common areas into profitable event venues Why Argentina's changing business climate is fueling demand for premium flex space What it takes to serve large enterprise clients across multiple countries How they transformed a historic horse carriage garage into one of the coolest flex spaces I've seen One of my favorite moments in the episode was hearing how Gabriel joined HIT at 19 years old as the company's very first employee working the front desk… and eventually became partner as the company scaled across LATAM. If you're thinking about the future of enterprise flex space, hospitality-driven operations, or how coworking operators can create entirely new revenue streams… this episode is packed with ideas. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Uri Iskin on LinkedIn Gabriel Bucher on LinkedIn HIT Cowork Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    53 min

  2. APR 28

    190. The "Stable Living" Concept Chris Moeller Is Building at Pathway Communities

    What if the future of housing looks a lot more like coworking? We had the chance to sit down with Chris Moeller, founder of Pathway Communities, right after his GCUC keynote… and this conversation really stuck with me. Chris spent 20 years in commercial real estate before stepping away to build something entirely new. And what he's working on now feels like a natural extension of where our industry is headed. He calls it "stable living." It's not just housing. It's a rethink of the system behind it. In this episode, we talk about: Why "we didn't break housing… the system did" How coworking principles can translate directly into residential living What happens when you design for connection instead of isolation Why ownership models need to evolve so people can actually build equity How a real-life disaster reshaped his entire perspective on community and infrastructure What I love about this conversation is that it pushes us to zoom out. We spend so much time in coworking talking about desks, pricing, and occupancy… But Chris is thinking about something bigger. How do we create places where people actually want to live and work? And what can our industry learn from that? If you're thinking about where coworking goes next… this one will expand your perspective. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Chris Moeller on LinkedIn Pathway Communities Website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    52 min

  3. APR 23

    189. How Jim Groves Built Rubberdesk to Bring Transparency to Flex Office Markets

    What percentage of your market is actually flexible office space… and does that number even matter? I loved this conversation with Jim Groves, founder of Rubberdesk, because he completely reframed how we think about supply, demand, and what tenants actually see when they're searching for space. Jim built Rubberdesk around one core idea: transparency. Not just more data, but better, usable data that helps tenants actually make decisions and helps operators understand what's really happening in the market. We also dig into: Why lack of transparency leads to poor pricing and bad customer experiences How AI is transforming brokerage, from instant shortlists to real-time market insights The massive diversity in today's coworking product… from bare-bones offices to spaces with saunas, ice baths, and golf simulators Why brokers need better tools (and how Rubberdesk is building them) What the future of flex looks like in an uncertain economic environment If you're trying to understand where flex is really headed… or how to position your space in an increasingly competitive and diverse market… this one is worth your time. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Jim Groves on LinkedIn Rubberdesk website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    50 min

  4. APR 14

    188. How Rob Archer Turned Codebase Coworking Into a Hub for Entrepreneurs and Community

    What does it look like when someone builds a coworking space entirely around people? I sat down with Rob Archer, CEO of Codebase Coworking, and this one stuck with me. Rob spent 8 years bringing this project to life. Not to maximize density. Not to cram in more offices. But to create a space that actually feels good to work in. And it shows. They have a waitlist for offices… and members joking about how to become "presidential diamond elite" just to get one. But here's the moment I can't stop thinking about… Rob asked a member to give up their office. Not because they couldn't pay. Because they weren't using it… and someone else could. That tells you everything about how he leads. I've had the chance to work with Rob, and he's exactly who he shows up as. Thoughtful, community-first, and deeply committed to creating something meaningful in Charlottesville. In this episode, we talk about: Why relationships are the real engine behind coworking How to design space for experience, not just revenue Supporting early-stage founders inside your space Leading with service (and why it actually works) If you're building a coworking space… or any kind of community… this one is worth your time. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Rob Archer on LinkedIn Codebase Coworking website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    46 min

  5. APR 8

    187. Amina Moreau and Radious Are Turning Homes into Workspaces

    What if the future of work isn't about better offices… but no offices at all? We had the chance to sit down with Amina Moreau, CEO and co-founder of Radious, and I'm still thinking about this conversation. Amina's journey is anything but linear. From a psych degree and a passion for photography… to building a storytelling company that won five Emmys… to now reimagining how and where work happens. And what she's building with Radious is one of the most interesting shifts I've seen in our industry. Instead of asking people to commute into a central office, Radious flips the model. It brings work closer to where people actually live. Think homes, neighborhoods, unique spaces that make you feel something… not just another white box conference room. But what really stuck with me wasn't just the model. It was how deeply Amina understands people. In this episode, we talk about: Why the commute is still the biggest barrier to returning to the office How unique spaces create memorable team experiences that last for years The surprising shift in what people actually want from a workspace How Radious is tapping into residential areas to rethink access to work What it really takes to deliver a hospitality-level experience outside of traditional offices The role of storytelling in building and scaling a disruptive company Amina is building something bold. But she's also grounded in what matters most. People, relationships, and creating experiences that actually improve how we live and work. If you're thinking about the future of flex, commuting, or what "the office" even means anymore… this one will get you thinking. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Amina Moreau on LinkedIn Radious Website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    53 min

  6. MAR 31

    186. Steve Kinder of Good Coworking on Blending Real Estate, Community, and Creativity

    What do you do when you find a 60,000 square foot "mess" of a building… and see nothing but potential? That's exactly what Steve Kinder did. When Gio and John toured Good Coworking, I kept thinking about how rare it is to meet an operator who truly sees a space not just for what it is—but for what it could become. Steve didn't just open a coworking space. He reimagined an entire building, and honestly, an entire business model. From owning the real estate… to layering in coworking, traditional office, artist studios, a gym, and even live/work lofts… this is one of the most thoughtful mixed-use coworking concepts I've seen. But what really stayed with me from this conversation was Steve's mindset: He didn't have a perfectly mapped-out plan; he followed curiosity. And over time, those decisions turned into a space that reflects exactly who he is—creative, community-driven, and deeply intentional. We also get into: How he turned a dilapidated building into a thriving coworking hub Why nonprofits became one of his strongest tenant bases (and why that might surprise you) How his furniture company became a "living lab" inside the space What flexible workspace operators can learn about adaptability and long-term thinking Steve Kinder is building something really special with Good Coworking, and this conversation is a great reminder that there's no single path to success in this industry. Sometimes the best thing you can do is start… and figure it out along the way. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Steve Kinder on LinkedIn Good Coworking Website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    46 min

  7. MAR 26

    185. Inside Collingwood Foundry with Brandon Houston: Rethinking Coworking Metrics

    What if the real KPI for your coworking space isn't occupancy… but connection? I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Brandon Houston, and this conversation stuck with me long after we hit stop. Brandon is quietly building something really special in a small town in Ontario. His space, The Foundry, is 7,000 square feet in a community of just 26,000 people… and it's thriving. Not because of private offices or fancy amenities, but because of something most operators still undervalue: community. He's built a system that tracks how members interact, who they're building relationships with, and how connected they are to the community. Every member even has a "pulse score" based on their engagement. Brandon also shares: Why small, rural coworking spaces can absolutely thrive How automation and AI can support operators without replacing the human touch The surprising demand for social events over traditional programming Why open space and "collisions" matter more than maximizing office count And maybe my favorite part… hearing how deeply personal this work is for him. From friendships to business partnerships to even meeting his partner, so much of his life has come from the community he's built. This is one of those conversations that reminds you why coworking matters. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Brandon Houston Huwart on LinkedIn Collingwood Foundry website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    50 min

  8. MAR 17

    184. Jean-Yves Huwart on the Evolution of Coworking Across Europe

    The coworking industry didn't become global overnight.
 People like Jean-Yves Huwart helped make it that way.
 Jean-Yves is the founder of Coworking Europe and one of the few people who has had a front-row seat to how flex workspace has evolved across dozens of countries over the last 15+ years.
 In this episode of Flex Uncensored, Liz Elam and I sit down with Jean-Yves to talk about what's happening across the European coworking market right now… and why the industry is hitting a new level of maturity.
 We get into:
 Why office buildings are starting to see flex workspace as a necessity, not a "nice to have" How asset owners across Europe are building their own coworking brands The growing role of brokers and intermediaries in helping companies find the right workspace Which European markets are booming right now (Netherlands, France, Spain) and which ones are moving more slowly Why the evolution of flex workspace is tied so closely to how cities themselves are changing
 If you're curious about where the flex workspace industry is headed globally, this conversation is a great one to listen to. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Jean-Yves Huwart on LinkedIn Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    46 min
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About

Giovanni Palavacini and Jamie Russo have partnered to ask industry leaders the questions that are on your mind. Giovanni Palavacini is a Real Estate Strategist focused on helping operators, landlords, and investors to make wise coworking/flexible office decisions using a combination of science and art. Jamie Russo was a coworking space owner/operator for 8 years, Executive Director of the GWA, the industry association, for 5 years, and has spent the last few years helping operators start and run profitable coworking businesses.

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