GCUC Podcast - Coworking, Hospitality & The Future of Work

GCUC Podcast - Rupert Dean, CEO & Co-Founder of x+why

Rupert Dean isn’t just rethinking coworking; he’s reengineering how people experience work, culture, and connection. As CEO and Co-Founder of x+why, Rupert operates at the intersection of hospitality, flexible workspace, and purpose-driven business, designing environments that prioritize people, planet, and profit, in that order. With nearly 600,000 square feet of space under management across the UK, he’s building a new blueprint for what offices can be in a post-loneliness, post-remote-only world.
In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, GCUC founder and host Liz Elam sits down with Rupert to continue the conversation sparked on stage at Coworking Europe in Berlin. Together, they dig into why offices should be destinations, not obligations, and how hospitality, food & beverage, members’ clubs, and programming are no longer “nice-to-haves,” but core infrastructure for thriving workspaces.
Rupert opens up about his unconventional journey from corporate finance law to founding x+why how discovering his “why” reshaped his career, and why coworking operators must stop thinking like landlords and start thinking like hosts. He shares how x+why approaches hospitality in-house (and why outsourcing F&B often fails), what landlords are really asking for right now, and how flexible workspaces can actively combat isolation and burnout.
Liz and Rupert also explore why culture can’t truly be built remotely, the rise of members’ clubs and hospitality-led workplaces, and how events, wellness, and thoughtful programming can drive real revenue. They dive into why mental health needs to be a baseline offering rather than a bonus, what the coworking industry can learn from hotels, restaurants, and private clubs, and ultimately why the future of work depends on spaces that help people feel a sense of belonging, not just a place to get work done.
This is a bold, honest, and energizing conversation about experience-driven design, human connection, and the responsibility workspace leaders have to society. Rupert brings equal parts insight, optimism, and “wear life like a loose garment” energy, and it’s contagious.
A must-listen for coworking operators, landlords, developers, and anyone building spaces meant to bring people together.
Connect with Rupert Dean
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupert-dean-xandwhy
Learn more about x+why
https://www.xandwhy.co.uk/
Connect with Liz Elam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam
Learn more about GCUC & get tickets for GCUC North America
https://na.gcuc.co/
Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos

GCUC Podcast - Liz Elam, 2026 Is a Reset, Not a Tweak

2026 Is a Reset, Not a Tweak 
In this solo, can’t miss episode of the GCUC Podcast, Liz Elam breaks down the megatrends shaping the future of coworking and the world of work, and spoiler alert: it’s not about desks anymore.
From the end of “hybrid work” debates (finally) to the rise of belonging, hospitality, wellness, AI, and purpose-driven real estate, Liz connects the dots between culture, community, and human need. She dives into why coworking is becoming civic infrastructure, how Gen Z is rewriting the rules, why emotional intelligence is the new competitive advantage, and what it actually means to design spaces that help people feel good, not just look good.
This episode is part trend forecast, part reality check, and part rally cry for operators, leaders, and anyone building the future of work.
Expect bold takes on:
Intentional gathering over daily attendance
Community as core infrastructure
Hospitality > perks
AI that empowers humans
Wellness that goes way beyond yoga room
Leadership shifts shaping what comes next
If you care about where work is headed and how coworking becomes the solution, this one’s for you.
 Press play and step into 2026.
Connect with Liz Elam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam
Learn more about GCUC
gcuc.co
 Get your tickets for GCUC North America: https://na.gcuc.co/

GCUC Podcast – Koral Ibrahim, Founder of The Ready House

Koral Ibrahim isn’t just talking about community; he’s rebuilding what it means from the ground up. As the founder of The Ready House, a creative consultancy and community helping brands forge real connections from the inside out, Koral sits at the intersection of brand, culture, and belonging. He’s a strategist, keynote speaker, published author, and one of the most articulate voices pushing the industry to rethink how humans and places shape one another.
In this episode, GCUC founder and host Liz Elam continues the electrifying conversation that started on stage at GCUC UK, one of the most talked-about moments of the conference. Together, they go deeper into why Koral hates the word “community,” what truly separates a customer from a community member, and why brands must shift from being something people buy to something people join.
Koral pulls back the curtain on his journey from agency life to building The Ready House, how becoming a new father reshaped his mornings and perspective, and why the coworking industry desperately needs to steal from the playbooks of fashion, beauty, and other “sexy verticals.” He breaks down the frameworks that help brands build genuine emotional connection, how events function as the “front door” to a brand, and why activation, not just events, will define the future of engagement.
Liz and Koral also explore the data behind perception as a value multiplier, what landlords get wrong about community, why mental health support will become a baseline expectation in coworking, and how Gen Z is about to transform the future of work with their unapologetic insistence on values, belonging, and wellness.
This conversation is a must-listen for operators, placemakers, workplace leaders, and anyone who cares about human-centered spaces. It’s honest, energizing, and packed with insights that challenge how we think about brand, behavior, and the business impact of belonging.
Tune in to discover why the future of coworking belongs to brands that behave like people, and how leaders like Koral Ibrahim are helping businesses get there.
Connect with Koral Ibrahim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koralibrahim/
Learn more about The Ready House:
https://thereadyhouse.com/ 
Connect with Liz Elam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam
Learn more about GCUC & get your tickets for GCUC North America: https://na.gcuc.co/
Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos

GCUC Podcast – Chris Moeller, Founder of Orion Growth & Pathway Communities

GCUC Podcast – Chris Moeller, Founder of Orion Growth & Pathway Communities
Chris Moeller isn’t just rethinking housing; he’s rebuilding the American dream from the ground up. As an entrepreneur, environmentalist, and the visionary behind Orion Growth and Pathway Communities, Chris is leading a movement toward stable living, regenerative design, and community resilience. With a background that spans geology, communication science, office development, and disaster recovery, Chris brings data, heart, and systems-level thinking to some of society’s most urgent challenges.
In this episode, GCUC founder and podcast host Liz Elam sits down with Chris for a deep and energizing conversation about the future of living, working, and community. Together, they unpack why “affordable housing” needs a total rethink, how whole-body design is reshaping the built environment for neurodivergent and neurotypical people alike, and why tiny giants, the small acts done consistently, are the key to rebuilding after crisis.
Chris shares an inside look at Hudson Commons, his groundbreaking new development designed to create upward mobility for civil servants, and explains how stable living, total tenancy, food systems, and regenerative community models could redefine what home and belonging really mean.
This episode is a must if you're a coworking leader, placemaker, landlord, breathing or future-of-work innovator. This conversation is a powerful invitation to think bigger, build differently, and anchor your spaces in actual community impact.
Tune in and discover why the future of work is inseparable from the future of living, and how leaders like Chris Moeller are helping us get there.
Connect with Chris Moeller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctmoeller/
Connect with Liz Elam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam
Learn more about GCUC & get your tickets for GCUC North America:https://na.gcuc.co/
Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos

GCUC Podcast – Jonny Rosenblatt, Co-Founder & CEO of SpaceMade

GCUC Podcast – Jonny Rosenblatt, Co-Founder & CEO of Spacemade
Jonny Rosenblatt, Co-Founder and CEO of Spacemade, is redefining how landlords think about flexible work. With a decade-long track record of shaping the UK’s coworking scene from pioneering the creative workspace movement with Headspace Group to scaling Spacemade into one of the UK’s fastest-growing operators, Jonny is proof that connection and community are the real currency in real estate.
In this episode, Liz Elam, founder of GCUC and host of the podcast, sits down with Jonny to explore how Spacemade is partnering with building owners to create hyper-local, community-first coworking brands. From health tech hubs to fashion-forward studios, each space reflects the neighborhood it serves, because, as Jonny puts it, “real estate without people at the center just doesn’t work.”
Together, they unpack the evolution of coworking, why “connection over capitalism” might just be the next megatrend, and how AI, sustainability, and genuine hospitality are shaping the future of flexible work.
If you’re a coworking operator, landlord, or future-of-work enthusiast, this conversation is a masterclass in designing spaces that matter, places where members don’t just work, they belong.
Listen now and discover how Spacemade is helping landlords and operators turn square footage into meaningful human connections.
Connect with Spacemade: https://www.spacemade.co/
Connect with Jonny Rosenblatt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnyrosenblattConnect with Liz Elam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelamGet your tickets for GCUC North America: https://gcuc.co/tickets/Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y_qm75t6UM
 

GCUC Podcast - Georgia Norton, Playhood - Family Club, Research & Consulting

Journalist and researcher Georgia Norton joins GCUC CEO Liz Elam to explore how Playhood Family Club, Research & Consulting is reshaping the way we live, work, and care.
From neighborhood coworking with childcare to global research on co-located spaces, Georgia reveals how families and founders are reimagining the modern workplace, blending productivity, parenthood, and community in powerful new ways. Together, she and Liz dig into what this means for equity, inclusion, and the next generation who see collaboration as the norm, not the exception.
 It’s not just about where we work, it’s about how we live, connect, and create thriving communities.
 Connect with Georgia Norton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-norton/
 Learn more about Playhood:  https://www.playhood.club/
Connect with Liz Elam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam
Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast
Buy GCUC North America tickets: https://na.gcuc.co/buy-tickets/

GCUC Podcast - William Sanford, Yardi

Will Sanford, Director of Coworking at Yardi, is at the forefront of unlocking the next evolution of flexible work. His unique approach combines human connection with innovative technology, a strategy that has proven successful in his role. This episode offers a rare glimpse into his daily life, from the chaos and joy of new fatherhood to his laser-focused work on how operators can leverage technology to future-proof their spaces.
In this episode, Liz Elam, founder of GCUC and podcast host, sits down with Will to explore how Yardi is integrating AI, automation, and data into the fabric of flexible work. From practical AI tools operators should be using right now, to Yardi’s forthcoming Virtuoso agent builder, Will shares why the future of coworking tech isn’t flashy, it’s pragmatic, and most importantly, member-first. This approach makes the audience feel prioritized and essential in the evolution of coworking technology.
Suppose you’re an operator, manager, or future-of-work enthusiast. In that case, this conversation is packed with real-world insights on how to scale more innovatively, simplify operations, and create seamless experiences that members can feel, not just see.
 Don't miss the opportunity to experience the future of coworking firsthand at GCUC North America in New York City this April. As a key partner, Yardi will be instrumental in shaping the conversation around the future of coworking. This event is a must-attend for anyone looking to stay ahead in the industry.
 Listen now and join the conversation: How can technology quietly support coworking, allowing hospitality and human connection to take center stage?
 Connect with Will Sanford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamsanford/
 Learn more about Yardi: https://www.yardi.com/
Connect with Liz Elam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam
 Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast
Buy GCUC North America tickets: https://gcuc.co/tickets/

GCUC Podcast - Magda Al-Nugaidi, Managing Director, Uncommon

Magda Al-Nugaidi, Managing Director at Uncommon, starts her day rowing on a misty river before sunrise, a practice that keeps her grounded and energized to rethink the workspace from the ground up. She’s turning offices into spaces where people feel inspired, supported, and truly connected. The future of work isn’t just desks and square footage, its design, wellbeing, and community.
In this episode, Liz Elam, founder of GCUC and podcast host, explores how Uncommon blends thoughtful design, hospitality, and sustainability to create environments employees actually want to be in. Magda shares why flexibility, wellbeing, and community are non-negotiables, how spaces can support neurodiversity, and why hospitality is at the heart of every modern workspace.
If you’re a workspace operator, designer, or leader in flexible work, this episode is packed with actionable insights for creating spaces that go beyond function and deliver human-centered experiences.
👉 Experience it firsthand: Catch Magda live at GCUC UK in London, where she’ll share her vision for designing for a new generation of workers. 
🎧 Listen now and join the conversation: What design elements or features make a coworking/flex space feel welcoming, connected, and supportive, for both those who run it and those who use it?
🔗 Connect with Magda Al-Nugaidi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magdaalnugaidi/
🌐 Learn more about Uncommon: https://uncommon.co.uk/
🔗 Connect with Liz Elam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam
📺 Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast
🎟️ Buy GCUC UK tickets https://uk.gcuc.co/tickets/