GCUC Podcast - Ben Newton, Patch Operations Director

What really makes a coworking space unforgettable? According to Ben Newton, it’s not just the design, the coffee, or the amenities; it’s the people, the systems, and the intentional operations happening behind the scenes every single day.

In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, host Liz Elam sits down with Ben Newton, Operations Director at Patch, to unpack what truly drives exceptional coworking experiences. From building hospitality first workspaces and protecting team mental health to creating stronger local communities and rethinking the future of regional flex space, Ben shares a refreshingly honest look at the realities of modern operations.

They also dive into why coworking is really a hospitality business in disguise, the hidden burnout risks for community teams, how hybrid work is reshaping regional coworking, the loneliness epidemic and why coworking can help solve it, Ben’s collaborative OpenOps Project for coworking benchmarking, and leadership lessons on patience, listening, and scaling culture without losing the human touch.

If you care about the future of work, community, hospitality, or building spaces people genuinely want to be in, this conversation is packed with insight, heart, and practical wisdom.

Listen & Connect

Connect with Ben Newton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-newton-24520092/

Learn more about Patch:
https://www.patch.work/

Learn more about the OpenOps Project:
https://theopenopsproject.netlify.app/
 
Connect with Liz Elam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam

GCUC Events
https://gcuc.co/coworking-events/

Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos