Podcast
Flex Uncensored - A Coworking Podcast
Hosted by Jamie Russo and Giovanni Palavacini · EN
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.
51episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
185. Inside Collingwood Foundry with Brandon Houston: Rethinking Coworking Metrics
Mar 2600:50:01Tap to summarizeWhat 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
Transcribe →184. Jean-Yves Huwart on the Evolution of Coworking Across Europe
Mar 1700:46:02Tap to summarizeThe 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
Transcribe →184. Jean-Yves Huwart on the Evolution of Coworking Across Europe
Mar 1700:46:02Tap to summarizeThe 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
Transcribe →184. Jean-Yves Huwart on the Evolution of Coworking Across Europe
Mar 1700:46:02Tap to summarizeThe 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
Transcribe →184. Jean-Yves Huwart on the Evolution of Coworking Across Europe
Mar 1700:46:02Tap to summarizeThe 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
Transcribe →184. Jean-Yves Huwart on the Evolution of Coworking Across Europe
Mar 1700:46:02Tap to summarizeThe 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
Transcribe →184. Jean-Yves Huwart on the Evolution of Coworking Across Europe
Mar 1700:46:02Tap to summarizeThe 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
Transcribe →184. Jean-Yves Huwart on the Evolution of Coworking Across Europe
Mar 1700:46:02Tap to summarizeThe 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
Transcribe →184. Jean-Yves Huwart on the Evolution of Coworking Across Europe
Mar 1700:46:02Tap to summarizeThe 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
Transcribe →183. Ward Richmond: From Touring Musician to Commercial Real Estate Leader
Mar 1000:50:13Tap to summarizeMost commercial real estate brokers don't start their careers playing 200 shows a year in dive bars. But that's exactly how Ward Richmond's career began. Before becoming Vice Chairman at Colliers and building a high-performing industrial brokerage team, Ward was a touring musician. When that chapter ended, he stepped into commercial real estate… and eventually built a business very intentionally around people, culture, and personal growth. We get into: How a financial scare and a baby on the way forced Ward to rethink how he was working The moment he realized the difference between being a business operator and a true business owner Why he invested heavily in coaching and personal development (including Tony Robbins and Grant Cardone) The core values he uses to build and manage his team And why gratitude, humility, and discipline matter just as much as market expertise If you're thinking about leadership, team building, or what it actually looks like to build a career that aligns with your values, you'll enjoy this one. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Ward Richmond on LinkedIn Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast
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