What did three flex operators take home from the biggest coworking conference of the year?

Giovanni is joined by Jessie Glew, CEO of WOTSO in Sydney, and John Herring, President of FUSE Workspace in Texas, for a candid recap of the GWA Conference in Denver. Jessie joined from an early-morning walk in Sydney, and the conversation covers business and personal growth in equal measure.

We also get into:

• The opening JLL and Yardi session: the 30% by 2030 forecast, the more realistic 13 to 17% range, and why third-party data matters to banks and investors.

• Why the industry needs a shared set of 10 to 15 quarterly stats, and how the KPI session sent John and Jessie back to rebuild their own reporting.

• How operators are really using AI: WOTSO's training bot and internal ordering marketplace, plus the gap between beginners and experts in the room.

• Big rocks, 5:00 AM wake-ups and rebuilding routines after major life changes.

• WOTSO's growth from 42 locations to a target of 50 by year end, and what is next for the industry.

If you missed Denver, this is the next best thing.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Jessie Glew on LinkedIn

WOTSO website

John Herring on LinkedIn

FUSE Workspace website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

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Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What happens when a coworking operator stops waiting for software and builds his own?

Mike Thakur, founder and CEO of WorkLodge in Houston, is back. After 11 years and a decade of mixed results with ad agencies, he rolled up his sleeves and started building with AI. Since turning his system on in March, WorkLodge has hit a record number of tours almost every month, some months 40 to 50 percent above their previous best.

We also get into:

• How Mike built his own booking system, landing pages and ad tracking with AI, and captures leads even when someone abandons a form halfway.

• Lola, the AI phone agent that answers when the front desk can't, books tours and sends summaries into Slack.

• Why meeting rooms are booking out with non-members, and the 12-person room Mike wishes he had built sooner.

• Why AI hasn't cost a single job on his team, and why he says it lies and needs a human to check it.

• Moving back to Houston, putting his kids to work in the business, and the nonprofit project he is still searching for.

If you've wondered what AI can really do for a flex space, this is an episode you'll want to hear.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Mike Thakur / WorkLodge on LinkedIn (company page; personal profile URL not verified)

WorkLodge website

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Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What happens when the person you've known for years suddenly becomes the person you're meant to spend your life with?

For Gio and Robin Palavicini, their relationship wasn't exactly a straightforward love story. They met through boxing, became friends, went their separate ways, spent a year barely speaking, and eventually reconnected when they were both in completely different places in life.

And then Gio surprised Robin with a wedding.

In this episode, they sit down to tell the full story — from how they first met and why they didn't date the first time around, to the intentional way their relationship developed and the five weeks Gio spent secretly planning their wedding.

We also get into:

• How Gio and Robin first met through their boxing coach.

• Why they didn't pursue a relationship when they first connected.

• What changed when they reconnected in 2026.

• Why Gio chose to pursue Robin intentionally and consistently.

• How their very different personalities — structure vs. spontaneity — actually complement each other.

• The four things Gio knew he wanted in a long-term partner.

• Why they intentionally took physical intimacy off the table while dating.

• How they decided they wanted to be married before the end of the year.

• Why they wanted a small, meaningful wedding instead of a traditional event.

• How Gio secretly planned the entire wedding without Robin knowing.

• The elaborate cover story he created to get Robin to the ranch.

• The surprise proposal — followed immediately by the news that they were getting married two days later.

• How their families and closest friends were secretly brought in.

• The story behind Mario and Rio, the miniature donkeys who became part of the wedding.

• How Sheep Dog Ranch became the perfect place for their ceremony.

• Why the wedding ultimately became about much more than the wedding itself.

• How they've been adjusting to married life, from sleep schedules to workouts and everything in between.

• Why they believe that, at this stage of life, there's no reason to keep waiting to live it.

There's a lot in this conversation about relationships, faith, personal growth, partnership, intentionality, and knowing when the timing is finally right.

If you've ever wondered what happens when two people reconnect after years apart — and one of them decides to make the biggest surprise of their life — this is a story you'll want to hear.

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast